About Us:

Founded in 1968 to meet the post-secondary and continuing education needs of Cecil County residents, Cecil College has been serving the community and shaping its future for more than 50 years. The College is governed by a Board of Trustees appointed by the governor. The College’s fifth president, Dr. Mary Way Bolt, reports directly to the Board of Trustees.

Cecil College is centrally located in Maryland’s most northeastern county, just one half mile from Interstate 95. It is easily accessible from Philadelphia and Baltimore, as well as from Wilmington, Delaware.

With a diverse student population, Cecil College enrolls approximately 2,500 credit students and 3,400 non-credit students. Cecil offers associate degrees, certificate programs and non-credit classes. Cecil offers a variety of associate degree and certificate programs.

Through its open admissions policy, Cecil College provides learning opportunities for all who have the desire and ability to benefit from its courses and programs, regardless of age, gender, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, or socioeconomic status.

Employees of Cecil College, including instructors for online and virtual courses, must be residents of Maryland or the contiguous states of Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, or the District of Columbia.
Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the US, as the College does not offer Visa sponsorships.

JOB SUMMARY

This position meets regularly with students and interacts frequently with faculty, administrators and community professionals to address the needs of students with behavioral, physical, and/or learning disabilities. The Assistant Director also facilitates programs and activities to ensure a welcoming and accessible learning environment for all students. The position coordinates and supervises interpreters and scribes/readers, notetakers as needed.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Eligibility and accommodation determination and implementation/provide support for students with disabilities 50%)

• Manage caseload of students who disclose a disability, and assist students interested in exploring resources to determine if they have a disability.
• Interpret documentation of all prospective Accessibility Services students to determine eligibility for accommodations.
• Determine appropriate accommodations through the interactive process, ensuring a thorough understanding of each individual student’s disability limitations and access needs.
• Advise registered students regarding Accessibility Services procedures, and coach as needed to ensure understanding of the student’s role in implementation of accommodations each semester. Provide training as needed and create tutorials for the use of various assistive technologies.
• Collaborate with faculty to implement approved accommodations and serve as a resource for faculty and staff providing training on complex issues related to the provision of services for disabled students; educate faculty and staff on compliance with federal and state regulations as needed.
• Collaborate with college departments, programs, and services to coordinate accommodations for student related college ceremonies (i.e., Commencement), programs, events, and conferences.
• Serve as the Accessibility Services representative to Cecil College committees.
• Co-chair the college-wide Accessibility Committee
• Conduct semester campus tour with facilities to ensure safety, visibility and compliance regarding accommodations.
• Monitor academic progress of Accessibility Services students and provide supplemental services to improve skills in various areas, such as self-advocacy skills, strategies for academic success, and effective goal setting.
• Acquaint Accessibility Services students with available college resources and provide appropriate referrals to on and off campus services whenever indicated.
• Assist students in collaboration with their Academic Advisor with appropriate course selection and educational planning.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of emerging issues and standards in the field of disability services: network with peer institutions and engage in continuing education and professional development to proactively develop systems and services to incorporate best practices and continually deliver innovative services, programming, and accommodations.
• Serve as a core member of the CARES (BIT) team to determine support plans for referred students struggling with various challenges including but not limited to food or housing insufficiency, behavioral and mental health concerns, drug and alcohol abuse, domestic violence, etc., and provide disability related perspective when indicated.

Administrative Duties/Training and Development (30%)

• Organize and maintain a complete spreadsheet of all registered Accessibility Services student information.
• Track status of student semester requests and ensure timely receipt of faculty accommodation notification letters and timely coordination of specific accommodations each semester: Hire/Assign and schedule support personnel (ASL Interpreters, Scribes/Readers, Notetakers, etc,) and maintain a database of trained support personnel available to meet the students’ needs.
• Develop and maintain effective systems to support equipment and alternative textbook/materials format requests and maintain accurate inventory of equipment and secured alternative textbook formats for student distribution.
• Utilize, manage and update Accommodate, the College’s web-based accommodations management system, to ensure complete case files and thorough documentation of services.
• Develop, maintain, and update procedures, policies, forms, and all other Accessibility Services publications, including content for the college catalog, schedule of classes and syllabus ADA statement.
• Develop, revise, and maintain accessible content on the Accessibility Services website, student platforms, and marketing materials whenever and wherever indicated in conjunction with college procedures.
• Keep abreast of current technologies/trends and make improvements as needed; stay aware of upgrades/updates for current programs/assistive technologies, consult to address technical issues, and ensure products are fully utilized.
• Manage ongoing confidential data collection and analysis. Work in collaboration with Institutional Research for required data assessment reporting.
• Complete other tasks and participate in initiatives as assigned.

Programming (20%)

• Hire, train, monitor and supervise work study students, interns, temporary or contractual employees, and internal and external support providers as needed.
• Respond to inquiries and participate in campus wide events for current and prospective students such as New Student Orientation, Welcome Week, Admissions Open House, and other informational events.
• Collaborate with Catalyst -The Center for Institutional Learning to support a Universal Design for Learning approach as well as the creation and utilization of accessible print and technology based educational materials.
• Deliver training and programs to faculty, staff, and students
• Attend and provide information at the fall and spring Mental Health Wellness Fair.
• Participate in annual academic programs (faculty) welcome back event, fall and spring, when requested.
• Maintain compliance standards related to ADA, FERPA, HIPAA and MHEC in matters related to specials services.
• Complete other tasks and participate in student activities, events and engagements as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK:

• Master's degree required in a relevant field, such as Disability Studies, Higher Education, College Student Personnel, Counseling/Psychology or Social Work.
• Minimum of five years of progressive experience, preferably in disability services or advising in an educational setting.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Working knowledge of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, its 2008 amendments, and other appropriate laws pertaining to higher education and disabilities.
• Demonstrated proficiency in evaluating disability documentation and the appropriate process for determining appropriate accommodations at the college level.
• The diplomatic and tactful nature required to build relationships quickly across cultures within the college and to work effectively with a wide range of people, including persons from diverse backgrounds. A proven record of working successfully with a variety of populations.
• An understanding of issues relevant to persons with disabilities and the ability to anticipate students' needs, expectations, and requirements with a focus on universal design in a post-secondary environment.
• Ability to assist students in crisis, de-escalate and gauge safety concerns, and identify and connect students to the appropriate support resources.
• Experience working with disability services software such as Accommodate is highly desirable.
• An understanding of assistive technologies for persons with disabilities.
• Demonstrated strong analytical skills to research and analyze data and information from a variety of sources to make sound recommendations and decisions.
• The ability to manage a staff of work study students, interns, and support personnel, and to ensure their timely completion of assigned tasks.
• Strong interpersonal, oral and written communication skills and listening skills.
• Strong technical skills, including knowledge of online access issues and means for addressing them.
• The ability to produce letters, reports, brochures, handbooks, posters and informational materials.
• Ability to develop and implement short and long-range goals that meet program needs. Collaborative, strategic problem-solving, planning and organizational skills.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple and varied assignments.
• Excellent judgment and sensitivity to the unique and confidential needs of students with disabilities.
• Computer skills to include proficiency using Microsoft Suite.
• This position is eligible for telework, one day a week.

SCHEDULING REQUIREMENTS:

• Varied work schedule during critical periods, sometimes requiring evening and weekend work hours depending on the needs of special events.
• Due to the need of interaction with students, employees, and the college community this position requires in-person presence.
• This position is eligible for telework.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

This position classifies the physical exertion requirements as sedentary work involving lifting no more than 10 pounds at a time and occasionally lifting or carrying articles like docket files, ledgers, and small tools. Although a sedentary job is defined as one which involves sitting, a certain amount of walking and standing is often necessary in carrying out job duties. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required occasionally, and other sedentary criteria are met. However, there may be times where additional lifting is required to set-up materials and display equipment at outreach events.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of such places as office or meeting and training rooms, e.g., use of safe work place practices with office equipment, avoidance of trips and falls, and observance of fire and building safety regulations, and traffic signals when driving.

General Benefits:

Cecil College offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefit package offering medical, dental and vision coverage for employee and eligible dependents; generous annual, sick and personal leave; 19 paid holidays; tuition assistance and tuition waiver based on eligibility guidelines; opportunity to enroll in retirement accounts (403B or Maryland State Retirement System based on eligibility guidelines); voluntary retirement account with TIAA or Fidelity, employee paid short term disability, employer provided basic life insurance and accidental death insurance, and employee paid voluntary life insurance, access to Fitness Center, and library. For more information Employee Benefits | Cecil College

Salary: This is an exempt position (not overtime eligible); Grade 117 (pay scale:$64,093-103,029). Based on the budget, the salary for the position will $74,600. Applicants' initial salary placement is based on internal equity and relevant candidate experience.

Posted on 12/04/2024

Due to the critical need to fill this position as soon as possible, the search committee will be reviewing resumes and scheduling interviews with identified candidates as they are submitted.

Based upon the budgeted hours of a position, contribution to the Maryland State Retirement Pension System may be required.

*We are committed to ensuring equal opportunity and non-discrimination in all hiring and employment practices. Cecil College will not discriminate against any individual by reason of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic status, genetic information, veteran status or any other status protected by federal, state or local laws.