Accessibility Specialist

Position Title: Accessibility Specialist

Employee Classification: Assistive Tech Specialist

College/Division: Student Success & Enroll Management

Department: 520710-DISABILITY ACCESS SERVICES

Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants

Location: Las Cruces

Offsite Location (if applicable):

Target Hourly/Salary Rate: $38,426 through $42,752 target entry to commensurate with qualifications.

Appointment Full-time Equivalency: 1.0

Exempt or Non-Exempt: Exempt

Summary: NMSU invites applicants for the Accessibility Specialist position. This position will work directly with enrolled students with disabilities to determine eligibility for academic accommodations, auxiliary aids and services, work to implement and coordinate these services and monitors their effectiveness for the student, including ensuring that the accommodations are provided by the University faculty and staff.

Classification Summary:

Responsible for the Assistive Technology (AT) portion of Student Accessibility Services (SAS); create and obtain alternate text for students with print disabilities, assess AT needs for students; maintain inventory of AT software and hardware, serve as AT resource person to students, faculty and staff; maintain and improve databases for SAS.

Classification Standard Duties:

Administration of Alternate Text Production. Create/obtain alternate text for students with print disabilities.

Develop short and long term plans to provide timely access to alternate media. Oversee the Assistive Technology Lab; coordinate services with assistive technology devices. Assess AT software and hardware needs and ensure same is installed and functioning where needed; troubleshoot and resolve hardware, software, and connectivity problems, including user access and component configuration.

Document projects and write user instructions. Monitor and maintain data integrity and system security. Provide for acquisition of AT devices by individuals with print disabilities; demonstrate a variety of AT software to students and parents, assess needs for individuals with print disabilities.

Install/coordinate installation of AT; maintain inventory; assess need for upgrades/new equipment. Keep apprised of and research current AT trends, options, tools, and relevant state-of-art technology, equipment, and or systems. Attend conferences, participate in AT Webinars, review listserve postings.

Maintain and update four Access databases, three for Services for Students with Disabilities. Design/redesign forms/reports, ensure correct data entry, and create reports based on the needs of end users. Train students and end users to complete forms.

In support of Student Accessibility Services and University Disability Services, update and maintain websites and associated documents such as coded, fillable PDF forms and Word documents. Assist with office functions such as SAS testing, paperwork,and attendance at meetings. Provide support in meetings with students, help with students who receive extended testing time, ensure tests are provided in alternate format when needed or requested.

Ensure long distance education students have AT needs met. Ensure that e-text and equipment is sent. Consult with students about AT needs. Perform miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Required Education, Experience, Certification/License, Equivalency

Required Education:Bachelor's degree in IT or a related technical field.; Required Experience:No previous work experience required.; Equivalency:Any equivalent combination of education, training and/or experience directly related as approved by Human Resource Services.; Required Certification/License:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

KNOWLEDGE:Knowledge of campus support organizations. Knowledge of current technological developments/trends in area of expertise.

Knowledge of a broad range of relevant multi-user computer systems, applications, and/or equipment such as OCR (Optical Character Recognition), Kurzweil, JAWS, Dragon, ZoomText, personal use of high speed scanners, networks, flash drives, etc.; SKILLS:; ABILITIES:Ability to communicate with and instruct students with learning disabilities. Ability to develop and apply communication strategies for the conveyance of instructional material to learning disabled students. Ability to develop and deliver presentations.

Ability to investigate and analyze information and draw conclusions. Ability to use independent judgment and to manage and impart confidential information.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

The Accessibility Specialist works directly with enrolled students with disabilities to determine eligibility for academic accommodations, auxiliary aids and services, works to implement and coordinate these services and monitors their effectiveness for the student, including ensuring that the accommodations are provided by the University faculty and staff. The Accessibility Specialist is responsible for the understanding, applying and interpreting office and University policies and procedures and applicable State and Federal rules, regulations and laws (Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act); promoting disability awareness and advocacy in the campus community; providing technical and educational assistance to faculty, staff and students to ensure effective accommodation and equal access and inclusion for students with disabilities, to include advising on the use of universal design concepts and principles.

Preferred Qualifications

Special Requirements of the Position

Department Contact: Aaron Salas, 575-646-5497, aasalas@nmsu.edu.

Contingent Upon Funding: Not Applicable

Bargaining Unit Eligibility: This is NOT a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Standard Work Schedule: Standard (M-F, 8-5)

If Not a Standard Work Schedule:

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Environment: Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.

Physical Effort: No or very limited physical effort required.

Lifting Requirements: Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 10 pounds or some standing or walking.

Risk: No or very limited exposure to physical risk.

Recruitment Summary

We are New Mexico's land-grant institution and a comprehensive research university dedicated to teaching, research public service and outreach at all levels. NMSU is a welcoming community of talented faculty, staff and students who are working together to make a difference.

We are a NASA Space Grant College, a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI), a minority-serving institution (MSI) and home to the first Honors College in New Mexico. We offer an accessible education that shapes bright futures.

NMSU provides learning opportunities to a diverse population of students and community members at four campuses, Cooperative Extension offices located in each of New Mexico's 33 counties, 12 research and science centers, and through distance education.

NMSU Main Campus

Located in Las Cruces, NM, New Mexico State University's 900-acre main campus is located at the crossroads of I-10 and I-25 in the Southwestern United States. As a thriving center of higher education, deeply rooted in the regional tradition, its role as a comprehensive university is recognized throughout the state.

Doña Ana Community College

Founded in 1973 in collaboration with local school districts to support occupational education, DACC is now a leading community college that provides transformative educational opportunities that meet the workforce needs of Doña Ana County. With a focus on access, innovation and excellence, DACC offers over ninety degrees and certificates, adult education, specialized workforce training, and small business assistance.

Alamogordo Campus

Established in 1958 to serve the needs of the airmen and families stationed at Holloman Air Force Base located only 10 miles west of Alamogordo, NMSUA is a community college with a long history of excellence that is supported by a caring community of hard-working students and dedicated faculty and staff. The campus is situated "on the hill" above Alamogordo and provides inspiring views of the city and the Tularosa Basin, offering the perfect venue for creative and motivated learning.

Grants Campus

NMSU Grants was established as a branch of New Mexico State University in 1968 through the cooperative efforts of New Mexico State University and Grants Municipal Schools. As a two-year branch community college, NMSU Grants serves the local communities in Cibola and McKinley counties, including the Pueblos of Acoma, Laguna, and Zuni, as well as Tohajiilee, San Mateo, San Rafael, Cubero, the City of Grants, and the Village of Milan.

Special Instructions to Applicants

The electronic application is the official document that will be used to qualify applicants. Paper/email documents will not be accepted. Required documents must be attached to this application.

EEO Statement

NMSU is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to assembling a diverse, broadly trained faculty and staff. Women, minorities, people with disabilities, and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. NMSU is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.