Access Specialist (Restricted 1 Year Position)

Position Title: Access Specialist

Office: Student Accessibility and Educational Opportunity

Position Description:

VCU's Division of Student Affairs is currently seeking to hire an Access Specialists, who will be on a restricted limited appointment. Details regarding the limited appointment will be discussed during the interview process. The Access Specialist will assist the Office of Student Accessibility and Educational Opportunity to provide accommodation and coaching supports for students with disabilities to ensure equal access and promote success at Virginia Commonwealth University. The Access Specialist works with individual students to determine eligibility for reasonable accommodations and provides appropriate follow-up and disability-related supports. They serve as the campus resource specialist in the development of accommodations and academic adjustments for this population, providing ongoing consultation and problem-solving assistance to faculty and staff. Additionally, Access Specialists provide direct academic coaching through our Learning Specialist Program.

Case Management

• Review medical, psychological, educational, and other appropriate documentation to determine students' eligibility for accommodations.

• Conduct initial intake interviews with students to identify barriers to full participation in the curricular and co-curricular environments.

• Provide guidance for students on how to initiate and maintain services (e.g., completing intake forms, requesting accommodations, scheduling with the Testing Access Center, communicating with faculty, etc.)

• Serves as a resource for faculty, staff, and advisors on all matters related to student accessibility.

• Maintain comprehensive records of accommodation process and interaction with students, faculty, and staff.

• Input meeting notes and communications into a database system.

Learning Specialist Program

• Access Specialists will meet with students individually or in groups to provide academic coaching and skill development.

• Assess student academic needs and abilities.

• Provide coaching and support to foster independence, self-advocacy, and appropriate college-level skills (time management, organization, effective communication, etc.)

Office Support

• Assists with Student Access Office workshops and conferences presented to faculty, students, and other professionals.

• Occasional assistance with the Testing Access Center, as needed (proctoring, final exam support, reading and scribing for exams, etc.)

• Serves on the various VCU committees

• Assist in the development and implementation of programs

• Performs other duties as assigned by Director and Associate Director

• Represent the SAEO office at various campus events (occasionally during evening or weekend hours)

Minimum hiring standards:

• Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Special Education, Rehabilitation Counseling, Social work, Higher Education Administration, or related field.

• 2+ years direct experience working with students with disabilities in a higher-ed setting

• Working knowledge and/or field experience interpreting and applying the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act

• Experience reading and interpreting psychological, psychiatric, medical, and educational documentation.

• Experience creating presentations and offering training opportunities in both virtual and in-person environments

• Excellent collaborative skills and ability to work with a diverse range of professionals from varying backgrounds

• Demonstrated ability to determine eligibility for reasonable accommodations in an academic setting.

• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so at VCU.

Preferred hiring standards:

• Master's degree from an accredited institution of higher education in a field such as psychology, counseling, special education, vocational rehabilitation, etc.

• Experience working with students with physical, sensory, learning, psychological, and/or other disabilities in a higher education setting.

University slotting: Specialist SS 1 (35221) State Role Code: 29133