Jobs at UMass Dartmouth

OFFICIAL JOB TITLE: Associate Director, Student Accessibility Services                     

DIVISION: Student Affairs

DEPARTMENT: Student Accessibility Services 

BARGAINING UNIT STATUS: ESU, Cat. 14                       

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

REPORTS TO: Director, Student Accessibility Services (OSAS)

SUPERVISES: Provides direction to student workers.  

SUMMARY PURPOSE OF POSITION:

The Associate Director of Student Accessibility Services supports the University’s commitment to creating an accessible and inclusive learning environment for all students. The incumbent ensures that students with disabilities receive appropriate academic accommodations and related services that promote equitable access and academic success. The incumbent manages a caseload of students and provides direct services including intake consultations, evaluation of documentation, and development of individualized accommodations and auxiliary aids. The Associate Director collaborates with faculty, staff, and campus partners to foster awareness of accessibility and disability inclusion, supports student self-advocacy, and contributes to program development and continuous improvement within the department. The incumbent is expected to demonstrate sound professional judgment, uphold confidentiality, and maintain the highest standards of service delivery.

In carrying out these responsibilities, the incumbent follows the University’s best practices to build and/or support student academic success and retention, and assist in meeting strategic objectives for persistence and timely graduation of all the student population.

EXAMPLES OF PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manages an assigned caseload of students with disabilities, ensuring timely implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of accommodations
• Reviews and interprets psychoeducational, psychological, and medical documentation to determine reasonable accommodations and recommend supportive services.
• Engages in an interactive process with students, faculty, medical professionals, psychologists, social workers and other relevant professionals to identify and implement appropriate accommodations and auxiliary aids
• Consults with faculty and staff regarding students accommodations, best practices, and inclusive instructional strategies
• Utilizes Simplicity Accommodate case management system to process student accommodations, maintain records, and ensure compliance with University and legal requirements
• Coordinates and oversees testing accommodations and administers examinations when appropriate
• Facilitates individual academic skill-building sessions and group workshops focused on self-advocacy, academic strategies, and disability awareness
• Represents the office at campus-wide events (e.g., New Student Orientation, Open House)
• Stays informed of current best practices, research, and trends related to accessibility, disability services, and assistive technology
• Participates in ongoing program assessment and contributes to policy development, process improvement, and strategic planning for the department
• Communicates effectively with prospective students, families, and external stakeholders regarding documentation requirements, disability-related services, and campus resources
• Develops and delivers training and outreach programs to educate faculty, staff, and students on accessibility, inclusion, and legal obligations under ADA and Section 504
• Provides general program support
• Serves as acting director in the absence of the Director of Student Accessibility Services, overseeing daily operations and staff supervision, as needed

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• EDUCATION:    Master’s degree in Special Education, Education, Psychology, Rehabilitation Counseling, or related field. 
• EXPERIENCE: 
  • Demonstrated (three years) professional experience providing direct support or accommodations to individuals with disabilities
  • Demonstrated experience interpreting psychoeducational or medical documentation to determine reasonable accommodations
  • Experience applying the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and other disability-related legislation in a practical setting

• OTHER:

  • Occasional travel to off-campus locations; Must be available to respond to situations that arise during holidays, weekends, or evenings

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Direct experience providing support or accommodations to individuals with disabilities in an educational, clinical, or counseling setting
• Progressively responsible experience in disability services within a higher education setting
• Familiarity with assistive technologies and alternative format production (e.g., text-to-speech, screen readers, captioning)
• Experience supervising or training staff or student employees
• Experience using case management or accommodation management software (e.g., Simplicity Accommodate)
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, and campus partners
• Knowledge of universal design and inclusive pedagogical practices
• Membership in or involvement with relevant professional associations (e.g., AHEAD, NASPA, or NACADA)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Demonstrated ability in planning, implementing and evaluating student service delivery
• Ability to multitask, manage competing priorities, and meet deadlines
• Must have working knowledge of ADA and amendments, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and other federal and state statutes related to students with disabilities
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Knowledge of computer applications used in a typical office environment
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal and state disability laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
• Working knowledge of disability documentation, functional limitations, and the interactive process used to determine reasonable accommodations in a post-secondary setting
• Strong understanding of learning differences, psychological and physical disabilities, and assistive technologies that support student access and success
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply psychoeducational and medical documentation to inform accommodation decisions
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to work effectively and diplomatically with students, faculty, staff, and external professionals
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage a complex caseload and multiple competing priorities
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in all aspects of service delivery
• Ability to exercise sound professional judgment, maintain confidentiality, and respond effectively to sensitive and emergent situations
• Proficiency in standard office and case management software (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite, Simplicity Accommodate)
• Ability to train, supervise, and mentor student employees
• Ability to represent the office professionally in campus and community settings

SALARY: $67,000 - $78,500

UMass Dartmouth offers exciting benefits such as:

• 75% Employer-Paid Health Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• State Pension Retirement Plan
• Optional Retirement Savings Plans
• Tuition Credit (Employee, Spouse, & Dependents)
• Twelve (12) paid holidays
• Paid personal, vacation, and sick time
• And More!

Benefits for ESU Union: ESU

Applicants must be authorized for employment in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship is not available.

To apply please submit a letter of interest, a current resume and the contact information for three professional references.

The deadline for internal applicants is November 25, 2025.

The review of applications will be ongoing until the position is filled.

The projected start date for this position is on or after January 1, 2026.