Lead Specialist

About OSAS The Office of Student Accessibility Services (OSAS) is the unit on campus responsible for ensuring equitable access to the University setting for a diverse population of students with disabilities. With a focus on accessibility, inclusivity and creating environments free of discrimination, OSAS team members assess and approve reasonable accommodations and services for undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, both on campus and online. About the Opportunity Under the supervision of the Associate Director of Policy, Programming & Evaluation, the Lead Specialist is primarily responsible for supporting an assigned caseload of several hundred students and providing day-to‑day student services on behalf of OSAS. The Lead Specialist will provide support and training to Lead Specialists and Accessibility Specialists regarding their specified service area in addition to carrying a caseload and liaising with faculty. This individual is a key team member and contributor in a fast‑paced environment that fosters the full and meaningful inclusion of students with disabilities at the University. The role requires the ability to work efficiently under deadlines, manage details, and address multiple tasks with rapid response. Key Responsibilities Maintain a caseload of several hundred students with disabilities. Attend and/or lead weekly documentation review meetings. Train Specialists on their designated service area and the accommodations that typically apply to students in that area. Determine fundamental requirements of USC courses and programs in collaboration with USC faculty and programmatic departments. Offer targeted presentations to campus partners in a variety of modalities (in‑person, Zoom, hybrid) on OSAS policies and processes. Document review and caseload management in a manner that is legally compliant, student‑centered, and reflective of best practices in the field. Discuss accommodations and limitations of students with diagnosing clinicians, applying disability‑related laws to accommodation and service delivery. Maintain student records in accordance with FERPA guidelines. Cross‑train to provide additional support in one or more primary services or programs provided by OSAS and contribute to strategic departmental projects, including data collection and high‑level reporting. Support OSAS staff in maintaining student records and ensuring compliance with FERPA and other privacy regulations. Essential Skills Knowledge of, or ability to quickly learn, disability‑related laws (ADA, AA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act) and apply them to routine accommodation and service delivery. Proficiency with operating systems (PC, Mac) and basic office software (Microsoft Office Suite, Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint). Experience with Google Drive, SharePoint, and/or OneDrive, and willingness to learn the department database for student records. Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team and independently, with a commitment to day‑to‑day and longer‑term operations. Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills across a wide range of populations. Discretion with private and/or confidential student, staff, or departmental information. Sound professional judgment in prioritization, responsiveness, and proactive assistance to students in distress. Proven ability to manage multiple competing priorities, meet established deadlines, and maintain quality assurance. Minimum Qualifications Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Disability Studies, Counseling Psychology, Special Education, Rehabilitation Counseling, Higher Education Administration/Student Affairs). Three years of experience working with students with disabilities in a higher education setting. Combined experience/education as an acceptable substitute for minimum education. Preferred Qualifications Doctorate Degree in a relevant field (e.g., Disability Studies, Counseling Psychology, Special Education, Rehabilitation Counseling, Higher Education Administration/Student Affairs). Five years of experience working with students with disabilities in higher education. Additional experience with teaching, law school, external work placement accommodations, or peer mentorship programming. Salary The annual base salary range for this position is $72,206.69–$86,429.82. Equal Opportunity Employer USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. #J-18808-Ljbffr University of Southern California