St. John’s University is pleased to invite applications and nominations for the position of Director of the Office of Disability Services (ODS). This position, reporting to and in consultation with the Assistant Vice President of Student Wellness, provides overall leadership, planning, and supervision for the disability support services area. The Director is responsible for designing and managing the data information systems, directing and evaluating program activities, developing disability awareness curricula for faculty and staff, supervising professional and support staff, managing the annual department budget, maintaining a caseload of students, and collaborating with all areas of the university. This is a critical role in education, ensuring students have access to the resources needed and to ensure compliance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations (e.g., Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990).

The ODS is housed within the Department of Student Wellness at St. John’s University—a collection of units engaged in an integrated approach to wellness that fosters collaboration between Student Health Services, Wellness Education and Prevention, Center for Counseling and Consultation (CCC), Office of Disability Services (ODS), Campus Recreation, and Sexual violence Outreach, Awareness, and Response (SOAR). The Director will be based on St. John’s main campus in Queens.


About the University:

St. John’s, established in 1870, has three New York City campuses; international locations in Rome, Italy; Limerick, Ireland; and Paris, France; and study abroad locations around the world. The Princeton Review and other top rankings consistently recognize the University’s outstanding academics, diverse student body, dynamic internship and volunteer opportunities, focus on student life, and diverse study abroad offerings. St. John’s University offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs in its six colleges and schools, with a growing number of programs offered online. The University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and 12 other major academic and professional associations.

A dedication to diversity, equity and inclusion is at the heart of the St. John’s mission. As a Catholic and Vincentian university, St. John’s is committed to institutionalizing practices of inclusive excellence to ensure a welcoming community that celebrates the intrinsic worth of all.

 
Responsibilities:

  • Provide leadership in the administration, organization, and daily operations of the ODS office, including but not limited to the scheduling of service provision, and the maintenance of records and tracking systems.
  • Set up and maintain a database system for monitoring and reporting on the number of students with disabilities, their needs, and the effectiveness of service delivery for program improvement purposes.
  • Provide direct supervision of management of staff including student workers and Graduate Assistants.
  • Plan and implement effective policies and procedures to improve services and ensure compliance with state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to the rights of students with disabilities.
  • Promote understanding and awareness of programs, needs, and innovative services in the field of disability including but not limited to Universal Design; maintain current knowledge of legislation and technology related to programs and services for students with disabilities.
  • Develop a disability awareness curriculum for faculty and staff promoting enhanced disability inclusion, community awareness, and retention for students with disabilities.
  • Develop and implement a plan for promoting ODS programs and services to students, families, and faculty/staff including the development of marketing materials, updating the website, social media, etc.
  • Review documentation of disabilities, including psychological, medical, academic, and educational assessments, and recommend reasonable accommodations for students for both academic programs and student life needs.
  • Oversee requests for Emotional Support Animals and manage Committee on Service and Assistance Animals.
  • Coordinate services and equipment necessary for reasonable accommodation, as well as work with third-party vendors when relevant to providing assistive technology, note takers, transcription services, sign language interpreters, etc.
  • Identify and implement assistive technology resources to ensure students with disabilities have access to university curricula and programs.
  • Develop and implement program orientations and other transition and success activities for students with disabilities and their parents.
  • Identify and collaborate with public and private entities that provide services, assistance, or information to students with disabilities, including other postsecondary institutions, social service agencies, secondary schools, etc.
  • Assist in university efforts to ensure that all programs and services are accessible and consult with Human Resources, Facilities, and all other college divisions regarding campus and program accessibility.
  • Act as a liaison, advocate, and resource person for students with disabilities.
  • Identify sources of grant funding and scholarship programs for students with disabilities.
  • Manage annual departmental budget.
  • Serve as a member of the Student Wellness leadership team; collaborate and work closely with the directors of other health-related programs and services.
  • Other duties as assigned by the Assistant Vice President of Student Wellness.


Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

  • Ability to work effectively and harmoniously with colleagues in an environment that promotes innovation, teaching, learning, and service to a diverse student population.
  • Ability to effectively interact with persons of diverse socioeconomic, racial and ethnic backgrounds.
  • Ability to work with community agencies that serve people with disabilities.
  • Ability to apply legal and policy provisions to various problems consistently and correctly.
  • Ability to manage categorical budgets and grants.
  • Ability to work with interruptions, frequent deadlines, and multiple assignments.
  • Knowledge of federal and state laws as they pertain to working with students with disabilities in an educational setting.
  • Knowledge of accommodations and support services typically provided to students with disabilities in higher education.


Qualifications:

  • Master’s degree or JD required; JD or doctoral degree preferred in Special Education, Psychology, Counseling, Rehabilitation Counseling, or related field.
  • 7+ years of experience in developing, coordinating, and managing disability-related services; experience in a higher education setting preferred.
  • Proven track record of developing innovative programs that strengthen the quality of services provided to students with disabilities.
  • Deep understanding of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Sections 504 and Amendments.
  • Understanding of physical, cognitive, and emotional/mental impairments.
  • Ability to comprehend and interpret psychological assessments, disability documentation, and diagnostic testing and determine appropriate reasonable accommodations.
  • Awareness of best practices of adaptive technology.
  • Strong oral and written communication skills.

St. John’s offers a competitive compensation program which is commensurate with your qualifications, experience, and contingent upon the departmental budget. We also offer an extremely comprehensive benefits program to meet the diverse needs of our workforce. Along with exceptional benefits such as medical, dental, life insurance, long term disability insurance, tuition remission, generous 403(b) employer contribution, employee assistance program, and liberal paid time off policies, faculty and staff can also enjoy St. John’s performing arts, libraries, bookstores, dining facilities, campus recreation and sporting events.

Any offer of employment is subject to receipt by St. John’s University of satisfactory references, verification of employment and education.

St. John’s University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from women and minorities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

 

Application Process

Applications should include a resume and a cover letter addressing your interest in and qualifications for the position. Application materials must be sent, preferably as PDFs, to recruiting@keelingassociates.com with the subject heading “SJU Director of ODS.” Candidates are encouraged to submit materials by April 19, 2024, to receive full consideration. The search will continue until St. John’s appoints a director. Confidential inquiries and nominations should be addressed to the K&A consultant leading this search, Dr. Brent Turner, at bturner@keelingassociates.com.

Consistent with its mission as a Catholic, Vincentian, metropolitan and global institution of higher education, St. John’s University abides by all applicable federal, state and local laws, which prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, nationality or ethnic origin, age, sex (including sexual harassment and sexual violence), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, citizenship, status as a victim of domestic violence, genetic predisposition or carrier status, status in the Uniformed Services of the United States (including veteran status) or any other characteristics prohibited by law. The University also abides by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in all education programs and activities. The University’s policy of non-discrimination extends to employment opportunities, admission of students to its programs, and to the administration of its educational policies, scholarships, and loan programs, athletics and other institutionally administered programs or activities generally made available to students at the University.