Disability Support Specialist

Disability Support Specialist

The Student Disability Resource Center (SDRC) provides services for students with various permanent and temporary disabilities. The Disability Support Specialist (DSS) is independently responsible for initial student registration functions for the department, including inquiries, informational meetings, and registration meetings. This includes initial review of the student file, requesting supporting documentation, and providing general information the process to obtain services. Position is responsible for insuring each student that they work with understands the internal and external services available to them. The DSS will work directly with students with physical disabilities (mobility, manual function, vision, hearing), chronic health conditions, and temporary disabilities. They will review support documentation to recommend and facilitate reasonable accommodations for students. Position also manages requests for ESAs in campus housing facilities; accessible furniture requests, and mobility support. They must perform research, assess needs, provide disability management counseling, and collaborates with supervisor and department leadership in developing and administering programs that assist the campus in meeting its obligation to students with disabilities as required by Federal and State laws, and University policies. The Disability Support Specialist serves as the primary department contact for outreach and training requests from campus constituents (departments, offices, organizations). They are responsible for developing and providing training and education to students, faculty, staff, prospective students, and family members on resources, sensitivity, and inclusion for people with disabilities and services provided by the department. Position also serves as an advisor to student organizations affiliated with SDRC and maintains communications with other disability-related student organizations on campus. Position is expected to work evenings and weekends during high demand periods (e.g., final exams, program, events, outreach, etc.).

The full salary range for the Disability Support Specialist is $56,000.16 - $96,402.96 annually. However, the expected pay scale for this position is up to $76,191.12 annually. We base salary offers on a variety of considerations, such as education, licensure and certifications, experience, and other business and organizational needs.

Educational Requirements

Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training. - Required

Master's Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling, Disability Studies, Educational Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Higher Education Counseling, or equivalent experience/training. - Preferred

Experience Requirements

2 - 4 years of related experience. - Required

Minimum of 2 years experience working with adults who have disabilities. - Preferred

Minimum of 3 years experience working in higher education. - Preferred

Certification Requirements

Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) - Preferred

Learning Disability Specialist - Preferred

Special Conditions

Overtime - Required

Occasional travel for university related business meetings, conferences and/or professional development. - Required

Shift Work (hours outside standard Mon-Fri 8AM-5PM work hours) - Required

Minimum Requirements

Skill in communicating and responding appropriately to the needs of students with a wide range of disabilities.

Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Ability to work effectively independently or as part of a team, and to work with diverse groups.

Skill in communicating with students, faculty, staff, and vendors concerning access accommodations.

Preferred Qualifications

Demonstrated ability to interact with tact and sensitivity with a wide range of individuals, including students, families, staff, faculty, and members of the community, in a high-volume public contact setting.

Familiarity with community resources for people with disabilities.

Skills in using Google and Microsoft Office products; and adaptive technology.

Familiarity with laws and policies related to the position, including the ADA, Section 504, FERPA, and California civil rights laws.

Ability to independently compose letters, memos, reports, and articles using MS Word or similar word processing software with proper grammar.

Ability to plan and implement a wide variety of educational programs for students, staff, and faculty, including assessment of needs, event planning, promotion, publicity, and presentation.

Professional experience working with students with disabilities in higher education settings.

Keen ability to pay attention to detail.

Knowledge of the legal framework involving accommodations for disabilities through state and federal laws and regulations in relation to the narrow focus of specialization.

In the heart of Inland Southern California, UC Riverside is located on nearly 1,200 acres near Box Springs Mountain in Southern California; the park-like campus provides convenient access to the vibrant and growing Inland region. The campus is a living laboratory for the exploration of issues critical to growing communities' air, water, energy, transportation, politics, the arts, history, and culture. UCR gives every student, faculty and staff member the resources to explore, engage, imagine and excel.

UC Riverside is recognized as one of the most ethnically diverse research universities in the country boasting several key rankings of which we are extremely proud.

• UC Riverside is proud to be ranked No. 12 among all U.S. universities, according to Money Magazine's 2020 rankings, and among the top 1 percent of universities worldwide, according to the 2019-20 Center for World University rankings.
• UC Riverside is the top university in the United States for social mobility. - U.S. News 2020
• UCR is a member of the University Innovation Alliance, the leading national coalition of public research universities committed to improving student success for low-income, first-generation, and students of color.
• Among top-tier universities, UC Riverside ranks No. 2 in financial aid. - Business Insider 2019
• Ranked No. 2 in the world for research, UCR's Department of Entomology maintains one of the largest collections of insect specimens the nation. - Center for World University Rankings
• UCR's distinguished faculty boasts 2 Nobel Laureates, and 13 members of the National Academies of Science and Medicine.

The University of California 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, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories under state or federal law. It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.

For information about our generous employee benefits package, visit: Employee Benefits Overview