Director of Dis/Ability and Accommodation

Western Colorado University seeks an experienced, strategic leader to serve as the Director of Dis/Ability and Accommodations. This is a full-time, 12-month position. The Director is the primary authority of the Center for Dis/Ability and Accommodations. As a member of the Division for Justice and Inclusion, the Director engages in macro, mezzo and micro level University affairs to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, justice plus.

The Director innovates and manages all student accommodation services through a student-centered framework. The Director maintains compliance with federal law, state law, and University policy concerning disability, accessibility and accommodation. The Director will develop professional training and engage in consultation for all stakeholders. The Director manages an operation budget. The Director of Dis/Ability and Accommodations reports to the Vice President for Inclusivity. The Director has authority to supervise pre-professional employees (e.g., graduate assistant, student workers).

Located in beautiful Gunnison, Colorado, Western strives to be a campus of inclusive excellence. Opening as a teaching college in 1911, the university has continuously evolved with and for the growing community it serves in order to offer wide-ranging areas of study and research opportunities and state of the art facilities.

Required Duties:

The Director of Dis/Ability and Accommodations must perform the following duties:

• Accommodation and Accessibility Program: Develop and manage the accommodation and accessibility program that includes accommodative test, note taking, co-coordination of standardized test (e.g., GRE, ACT, SAT, LSAT), curricular supplementation (e.g., Reading material), student-centered advocacy, residential student housing support, text-to-speech software, and other services as needed.
• Legal Compliance: Maintain knowledge of all University policies, state and federal laws that concern disability, accessibility, and accommodation. Laws includes Section 504 Rehabilitation Act, and Americans with Disabilities Act, CO House Bill 22-1255 Improve Postsecondary Education Outcomes for Students with a Disability. Maintain compliance with all relevant law and policy concerning students living with dis/abilities.
• Training and Consultation: Develop and implement training that advances the competency of students and employees related to dis/ability, accessibility, accommodations, and diversity, equity, inclusion, justice. Engage in consultative practice with employees of the University to promote an equitable and inclusive work environment.
• Internal and External Collaboration: Build substantive relationships with internal and external constituents to support student belonging and unity on campus and in the community. Partner with students, faculty and staff to advance cultural competence through educational strategies.
• Budget and Finance: Serve as the primary authority of the Center for Dis/Ability and Accommodations operation budget. Prepare financial reports as requested. Maintain compliance with University fiscal policies and procedures.

Minimum Qualifications: The successful candidate will:

• Hold a bachelor’s degree
• Have one year’s prior experience with accessibility and accommodation services in the school setting.

Preferred Qualifications and Experience:

• Master’s degree (Specializations: higher education, social worker, human resources, leadership, or related field), or Juris Doctorate
• Knowledge of diversity and inclusion subject matter
• Knowledge of equal employment opportunity laws/regulations and affirmative action regulations
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Deductive reasoning skills
• Ability to be focused, observant, and attend to details
• Intermediate proficiency in Excel
• Working knowledge of ADA/504 compliance

What You Need to Apply: Required attachments for online application include a letter of application, resume, and contact information for three references.

Review of applications will begin immediately will continue until a successful candidate is hired. 

Please direct questions to Miriam Olvera and Patricia Hartshorn, civilrightsrjtix@western.edu.

Note: If transcripts are required for your application, you may redact information that identifies your age, date of birth, dates of attendance, or graduation from the educational institution. If a degree is required for employment, official transcripts (unopened or delivered directly to HR) are required upon hire; copies/scans submitted during application will not serve the purpose of official transcripts upon hire.

Additional Information on Western and Gunnison/Crested Butte: 

Western Colorado University is a public institution with an enrollment of ~3,700 graduate and undergraduate students, the majority of which reside on the campus and in the community.  With average class sizes of 17 students, faculty and staff share a strong commitment to inclusivity and personalized, immersive education. They are student-oriented, collegial, enthusiastic, and engaged in the campus and community. Western is committed to continual growth in regard to diversity, equity, and inclusivity and promotes participation in DEI initiatives from students, faculty, staff, and the community. Please see our diversity statement, and our DEI Committee charge. 

The University is located in Gunnison, Colorado, a rural community 200 miles southwest of Denver and the gateway to Crested Butte, a world class ski community.  K-12 students are served by the award-winning Gunnison Watershed School District. Both communities value the arts, quality of life, community-based wrap around services for children and adults, and continued personal growth and learning opportunities. At an elevation of 7,700 feet in the southern Rocky Mountains, the Gunnison Valley provides exceptional year-round outdoor recreational and cultural opportunities including summer arts and music festivals, mountain biking, skiing, kayak/rafting, rock climbing, hiking and camping… all within minutes of the campus. 

Visit http://www.western.edu to learn more about the university. 

Western Colorado University believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. Western is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (for state classified positions, with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. Please see our diversity statement, and our DEII Committee charge.
ADAAA ACCOMMODATIONS:

Western Colorado University is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Western will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or performing essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to the Office of Human Resources at HR@western.edu or (970) 943-3140.

WESTERN COLORADO UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER INCLUDING DISABILITY/VETERANS