AY27 - Academic Director, Disabled Support Programs & Services Students

AY27 - Academic Director, Disabled Support Programs & Services (DSPS)

1.0 FTE | A BASIS

Filing Deadline: November 17, 2026

ABOUT THE COLLEGE AND DEPARTMENT

The Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) invites applications for the position of Academic Director, Disabled Support Programs & Services (DSPS) at East Los Angeles College (ELAC).

ELAC is a vibrant, student-centered institution serving more than 28,000 racially, culturally, and socioeconomically diverse students. As the largest of nine colleges in LACCD, ELAC serves the East Los Angeles, Southeast Los Angeles, San Gabriel Valley, and Montebello communities across its Monterey Park and South Gate campuses.

Founded in 1945, ELAC is both a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and a Black-Serving Institution (BSI), committed to advancing equity, access, and student success. The college offers transfer, workforce, noncredit, and community education programs designed to meet the evolving needs of its community.

The DSPS program is dedicated to ensuring that students with disabilities experience an accessible, inclusive, and empowering educational journey. Through accommodations, counseling, adaptive instruction, and assistive technology, DSPS promotes equitable access and student achievement.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Under the direction of the Vice President of Student Services, the Academic Director of DSPS provides visionary leadership, strategic direction, and administrative oversight for all DSPS programs and services.

The Director is responsible for ensuring high-quality, compliant, and student-centered services that promote access, equity, and success for students with disabilities. This role leads program development, oversees personnel and budgets, ensures regulatory compliance, and fosters collaboration across campus and with community partners.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide leadership, planning, and oversight of all DSPS programs, including Adaptive Kinesiology, High Tech Center, and specialized instructional services
• Ensure compliance with federal and state laws, including ADA, ADAAA, Section 504, FERPA, and Title 5 regulations
• Direct and manage daily DSPS operations, including service delivery, program evaluation, and continuous improvement efforts
• Provide supervision and support for faculty. Supervise and evaluate classified professionals and student employees.
• Develop, manage, and monitor program budgets, grants, and fiscal resources
• Oversee data collection, MIS reporting, program review, and audit/accreditation processes
• Serve as the college’s primary resource on disability access, accommodations, and compliance
• Coordinate services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students, including ASL support services
• Lead DSPS Advisory Committee and campus-wide disability awareness initiatives
• Collaborate with instructional and student services areas to ensure equitable access to programs and facilities
• Provide training and consultation to faculty and staff on accessibility and inclusive practices
• Build partnerships with K–12 districts, community organizations, and external agencies; such as Department of Rehabilitation and the Regional Center for the Developmentally Disabled
• Address and resolve student and faculty concerns related to accommodations and services
• Research and implement emerging technologies that enhance accessibility and service delivery
• Represent DSPS on campus and district committees

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and serving diverse student populations
• Knowledge of California Community College mission and DSPS regulations
• Expertise in federal and state laws related to disability services
• Strong leadership, organizational, and supervisory skills
• Ability to manage complex budgets and multiple funding streams
• Ability to analyze data and develop measurable outcomes for program improvement
• Effective communication skills, both oral and written
• Ability to collaborate across departments and with external partners
• Skill in conflict resolution and problem-solving in a student-centered environment

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

One of the 5 following requirements:

1. Master's degree in rehabilitation counseling; OR

2. Master's degree in counseling, student personnel, clinical psychology, education counseling, social work, career development, marriage and family therapy, family and child counseling, and twenty-four or more semester units in upper division or graduate level course work in counseling, guidance, student personnel, psychology, or social work; and either fifteen or more semester units in upper division or graduate level course work specifically related to people with disabilities; OR

3. Master's degree in counseling, guidance, student personnel, psychology, career development, or social welfare; AND

1. Either twelve or more semester units in upper division or graduate level course work specifically in counseling or rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities, or two years of full-time experience, OR

2. The equivalent, in one or more of the following;

Counseling or guidance for students with disabilities; OR

Counseling and/or guidance in industry, government, public agencies, military or private social welfare organizations in which the responsibilities of the position were predominantly or exclusively for persons with disabilities; OR

4. Possession of a master's degree, or equivalent foreign degree, in the category of disability, special education, education, psychology, educational psychology, or rehabilitation counseling; and fifteen semester units of upper division or graduate study in the area of disability, to include, but not be limited to:

3. (C) Deaf and hearing impaired;

4. (D) Physical disabilities; OR

5. (E) Adapted computer technology; OR

5. Possession of a master's degree; and one year of formal training, internship, or leadership experience reasonably related to the administrator's administrative assignment.

AND all candidates must have:

One (1) year full-time experience or the equivalent in one or more of the following fields:

(A) Instruction or counseling or both in a higher education program for students with disabilities;

(B) Administration of a program for students with disabilities in an institution of higher education; OR

(C) Teaching, counseling, or administration in secondary education, working predominantly or exclusively in programs for students with disabilities; OR

(D) Administrative or supervisory experience in industry, government, public agencies, the military, or private social welfare organizations, in which the responsibilities of the position were predominantly or exclusively related to persons with disabilities.

Evidence of demonstrated cultural competency and enthusiasm in serving the diverse academic, socioeconomic, gender identity, sexual orientation, racial, and cultural backgrounds of community college student populations, including students with differing abilities (physical and/or learning), as these factors relate to the need for equity-minded practices within the classroom.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Two or more years of administrative leadership in DSPS or similar programs
• Experience managing budgets, grants, and categorical funding
• Experience with assistive technology and accessibility tools
• Experience supporting Deaf and Hard of Hearing students and ASL services
• Proven ability to lead program innovation and expansion

SALARYAND BENEFITS

The current salary range is $151,452 - $177,828 annually. The selected candidate will be placed on the salary schedule for that class based on a number of factors including but not limited to: education, scope and breadth of experience and responsibilities, skills, competencies and accomplishments in accordance withLACCDBoardRule10509.Anadditional,doctoralstipendof $6,288 peracademicyearisavailable for applicants possessing a doctorate degree from an accredited institution. Benefits include medical, dental, vision for employees and eligible dependents, term life insurance, and State Teachers Retirement System programs.

The completed application package must be submitted no later than 4:30PM November 25, 2026

Individuals protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) may request an accommodation in this selection/interview process with at least three business days prior notice. Documentation of the need for accommodation may be requested.

Equal Employment Policy

The policy of the Los Angeles Community College District is to implement equal opportunity to all qualified candidates for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, marital status, medical condition (cancer related), sexual orientation, or veteran status. Positive action will be taken to ensure that this policy is followed in all personnel practices including recruitment, hiring, placement, upgrading, transfer, demotion, and treatment during employment, rate of pay or other forms of compensation, selection for training, layoff or termination. A vigorous equal employment opportunity program will be maintained to ensure a diverse work force and to achieve expected representation of qualified members of under-represented groups through the implementation of specific result-oriented plans and procedures (Board Rule 101301).

The Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Educator