Director of Student Success and Disability Services

Recruitment Period: 04/03/2023 - Until Filled

Status: Full Time

Salary Information: Annual Minimum Salary-$67,200-Annual Maximum Salary-$107,500

Hiring Range: $32.31-$36.83

Commensurate with qualifications and experience

Applicants for all positions will be required to provide proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 during the hiring process. Valid medical or religious exemptions will be considered.

Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNWU) was founded as a 501(c) (3) non-profit medical institution in 2005 aimed at increasing access to health care in medically underserved areas of the Pacific Northwest.

The University currently offers the degrees of Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Doctor of Physical Therapy, and Master of Arts in Medical Science enrolling over 550 students annually with plans to develop other programs and/or colleges. Interprofessional education partnerships with other universities adds another 100 students to the population. The campus includes 300 employees with academic programming spread over a five state region.

PNWU is located in Yakima, WA, a city of approximately 95,000 located in the south central part of the state near the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains in a major agricultural and outdoor recreation region. It is approximately 140 miles from Seattle, 170 miles from Portland, and 200 miles from Spokane. The Yakima Valley is a wonderful place to live, work and play. For more information, visit https://www.visityakima.com/ .

General Summary:

The Director of Student Success and Disability Services assists students with achieving their true potential, and provides oversight of student academic progress, well-being, professionalism and behavioral issues, and disability services. Under the general direction of the Dean of Students, the Director of Student Success and Disability Services provides leadership, directs academic retention services, evaluation, and assessment of students with potential learning disabilities and mental health conditions, in addition to program development for at-risk students enrolled at PNWU who are not achieving standard academic progress. The Director of Student Success and Disability Services administers all aspects of the accommodations process for students requesting accommodations.

The Director of Student Success and Disability Services is a student advocate liaison to program deans/directors. In concert with other administrators and the faculty, the Director of Student Success and Disability Services provides leadership and makes recommendations for students.

Essential Job Functions:

• Meet with students individually as needed regarding any issue; provides consultation, coaching, counseling, and/or referral with respect to academic success strategies, personal well-being, and acute crises including suicidality
• Provide leadership for all assistive technology needs, including: notetaker services, electronic textbook services, and assistive technology accommodations processes
• Assessing individual student needs and develop individualized learning plans to support student success
• Provide appropriate consultation and/or referral as well as instruction to help students who are diagnosed with a learning disability or who are at at-risk academically, to compensate and develop new learning, study, test taking and time management strategies, regardless of whether they seek accommodations
• Determine appropriate accommodations and support for students with learning challenges and at-risk students
• Evaluate disability documentation to determine program eligibility, conduct access interviews with students to identify reasonable accommodations/services and work closely with students, staff, and faculty in an interactive process to ensure appropriate accommodations are in place
• Support and guide students through the process of requesting accommodations for national certification, board, or licensing exams and appealing denials of such requests
• Interprets psycho-educational reports to verify learning disabilities according to University and State guidelines
• Assists students in professional bio, personal statements, and Curriculum Vitae development, as well as other professional development documents
• Advocates for students
• Standing member of Student Progress Committees and Ad Hoc Threat Assessment Team; serves on other committees and task forces as requested
• Prepares comprehensive reports for submission to the appropriate academic program leadership and/or committees, national licensure organizations, national academic program organizations and/or other appropriate entities on behalf of the students
• Understands accreditation standards and regulations specific to the department and adheres to policies and procedures to ensure compliance
• Conducts self appropriately and consistently in accordance with the philosophy and mission of PNWU
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

Education:

• Required: Doctorate or Master's Degree in Education, Psychology, Special Education, Counseling, Learning Disabilities, Higher Education Administration or related field

• Required: Certification as a 504 Coordinator through ATIXA (or attainable within 6 months of hire)

Experience:

• Required: Five (5) years of related experience in a college- or professional graduate school-level student support services, focused on learning skills and disability services; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Background in counseling skills

Desired Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

• Knowledge of psycho-educational test instruments

• Knowledge of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA of 1990), the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008

• Knowledge of best practices in the realm of establishing equal access for students with disabilities in graduate health science education

• Strong organization, interpersonal, and planning skills

• Strong verbal and written communication skills

• Ability to compose, proofread and edit various communications and prepare and make presentations to students, faculty, and executive leadership

• Ability to maintain strictest standards regarding confidentiality of all student information

• Ability to handle emergency situations independently and with sensitivity

• Ability to work in a team and flexibility to work with others in a variety of circumstances

• Ability to problem solve by analyzing issues and creating action plans

• Ability to manage projects and people and prioritize and self-direct workflow

• Ability to work with and manage different computer programs and databases

To ensure full consideration submit:

• A letter of introduction outlining background and qualifications for the position

• Detailed curriculum vitae

• Contact information for three professional references

The job announcement above is not the full job description, but represents the job responsibilities and requirements. A full job description can be provided upon request.

PNWU offers a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees first of the month following date of hire and competitive salary.

For information about life in Yakima visit our PNWU page.

PNWU is a drug-free workplace, equal opportunity employer and educational institution. To request this publication in an alternative format, or to apply in an alternative format, please call Human Resources, 509.452.5100.