Associate Director, Disability Support Services

Engineering a world of possibilities

The Associate Director for Disability Support Services plays a pivotal role in the management and enhancement of disability support services at Mines. This multifaceted position involves overseeing the comprehensive disability registration process, where interaction with students is paramount, encompassing communication, documentation review, intake meetings, and the determination and coordination of accommodations. Notably, this role aligns these processes with state and federal regulations and best practices. Supervision of professional staff is a core responsibility, from recruitment to daily management.

As a disability accommodation expert, the Associate Director offers education and training to diverse audiences, instilling awareness of disability rights, advocacy, and inclusive practices. Building strategic partnerships with various departments further ensures accessibility within the campus environment. Collaborating with the Director, this role also influences policy development and actively contributes to the department’s strategic plan.

In accordance with our flexible workplace policy, this work is completed primarily on campus in Golden, Colorado. Work occasionally is required on evenings and weekends, particularly during high-volume testing times at the end of each semester.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Management of Disability accommodations and coordination

• Oversee and manage the interactive disability registration process, engaging with students through communication, reviewing disability documentation, conducting intake meetings, determining accommodations and services, coordinating accommodations, and providing ongoing support to students and families, addressing inquiries, accommodation requests, and referrals.
• Manage conflict, address concerns, and tackle challenges with students and faculty regarding disability accommodations.
• Build and strengthen partnerships with Residence Life, Dining Services, Academic Affairs, and various Student Life departments to coordinate academic, housing, dining, and other campus accommodations.
• Coordinate housing and dietary accommodations with Residence Life and Dining Services, maintaining expertise in all disability and housing guidelines and requirements affecting accommodations, including the Americans with Disabilities Act and Fair Housing Act.
• Ensure course materials are accessible to students with disability accommodations. This involves collaboration with faculty and ITS’ Accessibility Technologist, assisting with document remediation and the creation of accessible materials, and outsourcing projects to contracted vendors as needed.
• In the Director’s absence, represent the department and assume responsibility for disability-related inquiries or assistance, including full decision-making authority for office operations.
• Advisor to the student organization, Oredigger Disability Activism and Community (ODAC).
• Act as backup support to the Mines Testing Center, including evening and on-call exam coverage as required.
• Support Mines Testing Center operations during final exam periods (Fall and Spring), involving transitioning DSS operations for final exam preparation and proctoring. 
• Cultivate an inclusive, safe, and supportive culture and environment.

Campus Education, Programming & Legal Compliance

• Implement and align all policies, processes, and procedures related to the disability accommodation process with state and federal laws, as well as current best practices in the field. Ensure departmental compliance with relevant disability laws and regulations, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504, FERPA, HIPAA and Fair Housing Act.
• Maintain knowledge of disability laws and compliance, and communicate procedures and policies to students, families, and the greater campus community.
• Serve as a disability accommodation expert, offering education, training, and professional development to the campus and wider community, including students and families. Provide expertise on disability rights, advocacy, DSS processes, and inclusive practices to create an accessible and welcoming campus environment for students with disabilities. Act as an ally to the disabled community.
• Collaborate with the Accessibility Coordinator to manage, design, and develop student-facing programming and support services, as well as campus disability education and advocacy.
• Manage the department’s Transition to Mines program for registered students, supporting the transition of first-year students from high school to college. This includes coordinating campus resources for designated first-year students who opt in. 
• Collaborate with the Director to revise, develop, amend, and administer institutional and academic disability policies or proc