Job Description

Working/Functional Title

Access Specialist

Michigan State University has earned a reputation for excellence in facilitating inclusion of persons with disabilities in a range of educational and work-related opportunities. Access Specialists maintain and employ cutting edge knowledge in their specialty areas to provide outstanding advising, outreach, and direct services related to the specialization at hand.

This position:

• Provides advising, direct services, consultation, and referrals to persons with disabilities to facilitate full participation in university programs and services
• Provides outreach, consulting, and presentations to university faculty and staff to facilitate an environment of accessibility and inclusion
• Develops and administers programs and services intent on increasing engagement in the mission and programs of Michigan State University, fostering student success, and ultimately advancing career and life success

Illustration of duties:

RCPD Ability Access Specialists are non-union, academic specialist employees.

1. Provision of direct services to persons with disabilities (60%):

• Interact with students and employees to assess program eligibility, conduct needs assessments, and determine reasonable accommodations
• Review, recommend, and implement auxiliary aids/services and reasonable accommodations
• Facilitate full participation in academic, workplace, and extracurricular life through advising, service coordination, and networking
• Utilize disability documentation and data from needs assessments to implement effective accommodation strategies that enable students and employees to meet essential functions in academic and workplace settings
• Monitor academic progress and assist with academic advising
• Assist with selection and usage of appropriate compensatory strategies and assistive technology where relevant
• Facilitate positive peer contacts and interactions among persons with disabilities

2. Presentations, in-services and consultation with faculty, staff, and departments (20%):

• Provide consultation and advocacy with faculty and staff regarding individual accommodation needs
• Make referrals to appropriate campus and community resources
• Produce and present workshops and presentations on disability and accommodations

3. Coordination of programs providing services to persons with disabilities (20%):

• Read, interpret, and critically analyze medical and functional capacity documentation to determine when conditions represent ADA qualified disabilities
• Develop and implement innovative programs to address student needs
• Annual reporting of programmatic needs, progress, and strengths/weaknesses
• Maintain knowledge/expertise regarding the issues, resources, and concerns for disabled individuals
• Collaborate on proposals that facilitate new or expanded programmatic efforts
• Other duties as assigned

Supervision received:

Reports to the Assistant Director of the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities for general direction and specific projects. Innovation, independent judgment, and collaboration with colleagues is expected for most assignments.

Compensation:

Salary of $60,389 to $65,000 commensurate with experience as well as a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and retirement.

Please note this is a hybrid position located in East Lansing, MI with expectation of 3 in-person days and 2 non-consecutive remote days per week.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Masters -Special Education, Rehabilitation Counseling, Psychology, or other relevant fields

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s degree in special education, rehabilitation counseling, Psychology, or other fields related to supporting people with disabilities in education and the workplace

Knowledge, abilities and skills required:

• Knowledge of educational and employment-related accommodations, skills, and tools used by persons with a range of disabilities
• Knowledge of state and federal laws pertaining to disability
• Ability to use personal interviews and medical documentation (including psycho-educational reports, individual educational plans, and assessment reports) to assess disability and to determine and implement appropriate accommodations and auxiliary aids/services
• Excellent written communication skills and ability to produce clear case notes
• Excellent oral communication skills including group presentations
• Strong collaborative/team skills balanced by an ability to operate independently with minimal prompting
• Working knowledge of assistive technology and its role in facilitating full participation by persons with disabilities

Desired Qualifications

• Experience working with persons with disabilities with focus on learning, attention, mental health, or other DSM disabilities in an educational setting is preferred

Required Application Materials

• Resume or CV
• Letter of interest
• Minimum of three professional references

Special Instructions

This is a hybrid position located in East Lansing, MI with expectation of 3 in-person days and 2 non-consecutive remote days per week.

Remote Work Statement

MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.

Website

RCPD.MSU.EDU

Department Statement

Spartans change lives every day in ways practical and profound, creating opportunities through study and research, finding solutions for some of the world’s most challenging needs. Education expands opportunity and for those experiencing disabilities, education is a most empowering choice. This is why Team RCPD works diligently to engage MSU traditions of quality, inclusiveness and connectivity for the benefit of all.

Together, we create a welcoming environment, fortify capacity and compassionately challenge each person to reach their fullest ability. Disabilities need not preclude the achievement of goals and dreams; rather, they mandate a greater level of creativity, commitment and a repertoire of compensatory techniques. We grow ambition into personal and professional success as we connect MSU knowledge, self-advocacy, innovative technology and community.

Team RCPD is ready to assist students, employees and visitors with resources that create an environment of opportunity. We value full integration of persons with disabilities throughout the University mission, programs and services.

MSU is committed to achieving excellence through cultural diversity.

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.