Director, Office of Accessibility and Accommodations

Job Type: Location Type: On-site

 

Pacific University achieves excellence and distinction by investing in exceptional people to think, care, create, and pursue justice in our world. We embrace discovery in a close and nurturing environment that leads to genuine transformation. Our community is diverse, sustainable, and dedicated to discovery and excellence in teaching, scholarship, and practice.

At Pacific University, we thrive in an extraordinary environment, surrounded by the beauty of the great Pacific Northwest, with campus locations in Forest Grove and Hillsboro. We humbly acknowledge and thank the original caretakers of the lands on which we live, work, teach, and acquire and share knowledge.

Enrollment Management & Student Affairs at Pacific University is dedicated to fostering student development in support of a more just, sustainable, and caring world. Guided by our core values-equity and inclusion, care, community, and learning-we center holistic student wellbeing, cultivate a sense of belonging, and champion equitable practices. As part of this area, the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations (OAA) is committed to continuous growth, collaboration, and innovation in service of our students and campus community.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF POSITION
The Director of the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations (OAA) provides leadership and oversight for the university’s disability access and accommodation services, ensuring compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendment Act of 2008 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The Director is responsible for the overall operations of the OAA, including supervision and development of staff, establishment and assessment of departmental policies and practices, and coordination of accommodation determinations and services. Working collaboratively with campus partners, faculty, and staff, the Director guides institutional efforts to ensure equitable access for students with disabilities, supports complex accommodation decision-making, and leads continuous improvement of services and programs that promote student success.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Leadership, Compliance, and Strategic Direction
• Provide leadership and administration of all functions of the Office of Accessibility & Accommodations (OAA).
• Serve as the university’s primary interpreter of federal and state disability laws related to student accommodations, including ADA, Section 504, implementing regulations, court precedent, and U.S. Department of Education guidance.
• Lead the development, regular review, and revision of OAA policies and procedures to ensure legal compliance, effective use of university resources, and alignment with best practices, including universal design where appropriate.
• Exercise sound judgment in consulting with University legal counsel and/or the University Section 504 Coordinator on complex or high-risk cases and policy matters.
• Maintain and oversee an assessment plan for OAA, including student outcomes, data collection, reporting, and continuous improvement.
• Provide regular reports on OAA activities as requested or required.

2. Student Support, Consultation, and Case Management
• Meet with students to discuss disabilities, determine eligibility for accommodations, and refer to specialists for assessment or testing as appropriate.
• Intervene and consult in situations involving complex, novel, or disputed accommodation requests, including facilitating resolution between faculty and students.
• Operate within established Student Affairs protocols to assess and refer students experiencing behavioral, academic, or attrition risk.
• Listen for and respond empathetically to students experiencing distress, initiating referrals and documentation for follow-up as needed.
• As a core member of Undergraduate and Graduate/Professional Care Teams, maintain detailed case records in Maxient, support coordinated outreach, and engage in consultation with campus partners.

3. Department Operations, Systems, and Resources
• Oversee the day-to-day operations of OAA, including office procedures and service delivery. Support the delivery of accommodations, including testing accommodations, as needed.
• Serve as administrator and subject matter expert for the OAA accommodation management system (Symplicity Accommodate), including system configuration, workflows, templates, and coordination with University Information Services.
• Manage the OAA budget and oversee all third-party contracts, including enterprise software, auxiliary aids, alternative format providers, and interpreting services.
• Engage in the ongoing development of OAA services, resources, and infrastructure, including adaptive technologies, auxiliary aids, and accessibility features of university-wide systems.

4. Education, Collaboration, and Campus Partnerships
• Provide direction, guidance, and training to faculty, staff, and students regarding disability-related policies, procedures, and inclusive practices.
• Collaborate with campus partners across academic and student support areas (e.g., advising, tutoring, housing, orientation, wellness, co-curricular programs) to ensure accessible and coordinated services for students with disabilities.
• Promote understanding of disability access, equity, and inclusion through consultation, training, and campus engagement.

5. Supervision, Staff Development, and Professional Leadership
• Train and supervise OAA professional staff.
• Support ongoing professional development of OAA staff, including current legal considerations, disability-related knowledge, and best practices in accessibility and universal design.
• Contribute to divisional strategic planning, staff training, and professional development initiatives within Student Affairs.
• Represent OAA, Student Affairs, and the university on committees, task forces, and hiring committees as needed.

SECONDARY FUNCTIONS
• Actively identify innovative ways to enhance the student experience and student success.
• Occasionally serve on the Student Affairs On-Call Team, participating in after-hours response as scheduled.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

JOB SCOPE:
• Performs duties independently with minimal supervision, operating from specific and definite directions and instructions.
• Decisions are made within legal and University and Student Affairs policy constraints, but often require independent decision-making.
• Oversight of special projects on occasion in collaboration with colleagues within Student Affairs and other on-campus colleagues.
• Complies with laws, rules, and ethical standards applicable to duties.

SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITY
• Supervises Professional Staff: This position supervises OAA professional staff members and is responsible for hiring, training, performance management, and professional development support. The OAA Director also has ultimate responsibility for OAA student employees.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE
• Master’s degree in a related field such as rehabilitation counseling, special education, disability studies, higher education, counseling, or psychology is strongly preferred, or equivalent years of experience in a related field.
• 3 years of prior professional experience working with college-age individuals with disabilities, preferably in an accessibility office setting in a college or university
• Experience working with federal laws regarding postsecondary education and disabilities, including ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
• Experience working with confidential information
• Experience with or technological competence for supervising services that rely heavily on multiple software programs and platforms.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Excellent customer service and successful written and verbal communication with a broad and diverse audience in a culturally responsive manner.
• Ability to maintain confidential, detailed records.
• Proficient in the use of common office software, spreadsheets, email, databases, and electronic platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with people in a wide range of roles.
• Demonstrates critical thinking skills in problem solving and decision-making.
• Ability to build and sustain collaborative relationships with university staff, students, and university partners of diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to prioritize and perform multiple projects, track data, meet timelines, respond to others in a timely manner, and work both independently and as a collaborative member of the University with a high standard of integrity and ethics, in support of the University’s strategic vision and the division’s annual goals.
• Able to make independent decisions and recommendations that align with policies, rules, and procedures; ability to ask questions and seek assistance when needed.
• Able to handle a variety of tasks in a fast-paced environment, working independently and/or as part of a team.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Experience determining and providing student accommodations within a higher education setting.
• 3+ years of experience working in a higher education setting.
• Experience supervising professional staff.
• Skill in using Symplicity’s Accommodate database to manage student records and accommodations.
• Ability to manage crisis situations and/or training in conflict-resolution and de-escalation techniques.
• Spanish, Chinese, or Japanese language skills/abilities.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work Setting:
• This is a full-time, in-person (not remote) position based on the Forest Grove Campus. Regular work and meetings on the Hillsboro campus required.

Schedule Expectations:
• Typically standard weekday hours (Monday-Friday), apx. 8:30-5:30, though hours may vary depending on departmental needs
• Occasional early morning, evening, and weekend work, especially during final exam periods in fall and spring semesters
• Peak periods (such as August, December and May) require high-volume coordination and rapid response to accommodation and training requests
• Occasional on-call responsibilities

Travel Requirements:
• Frequent travel required between Hillsboro and Forest Grove campuses, typically multiple times per week, as needed
• Occasional travel for professional development (such as conferences or workshops)
• Other occasional travel, as needed

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
• Light work – involves lifting up to 20 pounds
• Visual acuity – ability to see and interpret visual information
• Standing and walking for extended periods
• Repetitive hand motions including fingering and grasping
• Talking and hearing to communicate with others
• All physical requirements and activities may be performed with or without reasonable accommodation

APPLICATION INFORMATION

Required:
• Resume
• Cover letter

Application Deadline:
• [Priority Review]: Candidates are encouraged to apply by January 12 at 5 PM for priority consideration. The position will remain open until filled.

Annual Salary Range: $68,000 – $75,000, depending on experience.

APPLICATION PROCESS
To apply, please upload your resume and cover letter along with your Paycom application. Persons who do not follow and complete the application process are not applicants and will not be considered for employment.
Only qualified applicants will be contacted for an interview. During the selection process, we will strive to provide timely notifications. The selection process may vary from recruitment to recruitment but typically includes multiple interviews and may take several weeks depending on the position. All qualified applicants will be notified once the selection process has closed.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and continue to work without employer visa sponsorship, now or in the future.

At Pacific University, we are dedicated to offering experiences that are authentic, holistic, equity-minded, and responsive. Our communal success rests on the recognition that complex problems and effective solutions are best approached by teams with a variety of diverse perspectives. and life experiences. As we continue to develop our equity practices, we actively promote access to opportunities and equitable pay for all employees.
We, who make up Pacific University, aspire to become a community of purpose where everyone is enabled to be wholly and comfortably who they are; accountable for inclusive behaviors and practices; built on trust, civility, care, openness, and honest conversations often around critical subjects. We know that these values are critical to prepare for a global world with complex problems, through an asset-based mindset so that every one is afforded an opportunity to succeed. We believe in fostering a workplace where every employee is respected, their contributions are valued, and they are provided opportunities to succeed.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
We offer a comprehensive benefits package for qualifying employees. Current benefits include:
• Generous paid time off (for vacation, holidays-including winter break-and sick leave)
• Medical coverage with alternative care options (with in-network services covered at 100% after payroll deduction)
• Comprehensive dental and vision plans
• Generous retirement contribution after one year of service with no match required
• Free mental health appointments
• Tuition remission for employees and their dependent child(ren) who meet eligibility requirements
• On-campus benefits, including free access to our sports facility and library
• Discounts on campus food, bookstore purchases, clinic services, and outdoor program gear rentals (including kayaks, snowshoes, and bikes)

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT
Pacific University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to complying with all applicable laws, including those concerning employment and workplace policies. We are committed to fostering a non-discriminatory and inclusive work environment. We are proud to encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those from historically underrepresented groups.

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY
Pacific University makes all employment decisions without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, religion or religious creed, disability, sex, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable law. Applicable laws include, but are not limited to, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Questions or complaints may be directed to the Vice President for Academic Affairs at 2043 College Way, Forest Grove, OR 97116 or via email at provost@pacificu.edu.