| Position Title: |
Director of Accessibility & Disability Services |
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| Location: |
Big Rapids (Main Campus) |
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| Department: |
43500 - Disab & Accessibility Resource Ctr
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| Advertised Salary: |
$65,000 - $70,000; Salary commensurate with education, experiences and other requirements. |
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Benefits:
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Comprehensive benefits package (health care, vacation, etc.). Please see the following link for a list of benefits offered with this position. Admin / Admin Temp Benefit Plans
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| FLSA: |
Exempt |
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| Temporary/Continuing: |
Continuing |
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| Part-Time/Full-Time: |
Full-Time |
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| Union Group: |
N/A |
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| Term of Position: |
12 Month |
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| At Will/Just Cause: |
At Will |
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| Summary of Position: |
Reporting to the Dean, the Director of Accessibility and Disability Services is responsible for supporting and coordinating tasks that pertain to students with identified disabilities and assisting those initiatives meant to advance accessibility at Ferris State University. A key responsibility is working directly with students who are seeking accommodations, undertaking initial student meetings, and serving as a case manager for those registered with the Disability and Accessibility Resource Center (DARC). The Director serves as the University ADA/504 coordinator and works collaboratively with Educational Counselors, General Counsel, other university partners and external service providers to manage DARC's support services, including testing accommodations, assistance technologies, educational programming, student and faculty/staff orientation, student and staff consultations, accommodation appeals and processes concerning student accommodations. The position requires working with students, faculty and staff, to ensure policies, procedures, processes, and guidelines are recommended, implemented and maintained.
This is a 12-month, administrative position reporting to the Dean. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience and includes a competitive benefits package.
The anticipated start date is by, or before, August 18, 2025. |
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| Position Type: |
Staff |
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| Required Education: |
A minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in Special Education, Rehabilitation Counseling, Psychology, Higher Education Administration or related field is required. A Master-level degree in a related field is preferred; however, commensurate professional background/experience may be considered in lieu of the advanced degree. |
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| Required Work Experience: |
A minimum of 3 years of direct experience working with students with physical, sensory, learning, psychological and/or other disabilities in a higher education, K-12 or clinical setting. Successful candidates should be knowledgeable of various disabilities and accommodations and best practices regarding implementing accommodations. |
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| Required Licenses and Certifications: |
N/A |
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| Physical Demands: |
- Office Environment
- Bending
- Moving
- Reaching
- Sitting
- Twisting
- Balancing
- Repetitive movement
- Standing
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| Additional Education/Experiences to be Considered: |
N/A |
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| Essential Duties/Responsibilities: |
* Conduct in-depth intake processes with prospective, new, and currently enrolled students requesting accommodations; determine reasonable accommodations, implement accommodations, provide orientation, referrals, educational planning, and on-going case management.
* Ensure the appropriate collection and management of documentation for students with disabilities.
* Provide oversight and management for the budget and physical assets assigned to the Disability and Accessibility Resource Center (DARC).
* Serve as ADA/504 coordinator with responsibilities that include assuring compliance with the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Act, Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to persons with disabilities.
* Coordinate policies and procedures relating to persons with disabilities, tracking progress relating to policies and procedures as well as state and federal laws relating to persons with disabilities.
* Hire, train, and supervise staff; support departmental faculty and staff with the completion of contractual processes related to evaluations, reappointment, tenure, post-tenure, sabbatical, etc.
* Oversee the development and maintenance of the department's website and, as appropriate, social media tools of communication.
* Oversee the research and purchase assistive technologies.
* Advise faculty and staff on methods and means to assist students with disabilities; organize and arrange awareness activities.
* Maintain policy updates in accordance with state and federal law.
* Advocate for appropriate and reasonable access for students..
* Coordinate clients, services and programming for the Disability and Accessibility Resource Center (DARC).
* Participate in university, college and departmental meetings as well as represent accessibility on committees when needed.
* Design/Disseminate information on policies and procedures for accessibility.
* Research best practices in disability support in higher education.
* Actively engage in grant and fund procurement activities supporting accessibility and student accommodations.
* Participate in both internal and external meetings and professional development opportunities to maintain awareness of current and emerging issues and trends.
* Provide orientation and training as part of new faculty and staff orientation programming.
* Support the training and development of full, part-time and paraprofessional (student) staff in the Disability and Accessibility Resource Center (DARC).
* Work with various offices throughout the University (via meetings, workshops and/or seminars) to (a) promote accessibility, (b) provide knowledge/input related to the role of the accommodations and disabilities services, (c) assist with evaluating student accessibility, and (d) discuss campus accessibility matters).
* Process reports and documentation in alignment with university policy, college and departmental processes and procedures, and collective bargaining agreements.
* Consult with the Dean or their designee on policies, resources, procedures, and programs.
* Cultivate an environment of belonging that values, respects, supports, and celebrates individual similarities and differences, allowing students, faculty and staff to thrive authentically.
* Support, promote, and develop university student enrollment and retention initiatives.
* Any other duties assigned within the position classification area. |
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| Marginal Duties/Responsibilities: |
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| Skills and Abilities: |
1. Strong verbal and written communications skills are required, as well as excellent interpersonal skills, detail orientation and computer frequency.
2. Experience working with vulnerable student populations and their parents/guardians.
3. Demonstrated successful experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
4. Knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the impact of these laws on accommodations for students with disabilities. |
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| Required Documents: |
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- Unofficial Transcript 1
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| Optional Documents: |
Unofficial Transcript 2 |
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| Special Instructions to Applicants: |
* Applications submitted by July 11, 2025, assured full consideration
* Unofficial Transcript 1 (REQUIRED): Applicants must attach a copy of a unofficial transcript of their Bachelor's Degree in Special Education, Rehabilitation Counseling, Psychology, Higher Education Administration or related field. Transcript must include institution name, applicant name, date degree attained, and date degree awarded. Finalist will be required to submit an official transcript.
* Unofficial Transcript 2 (OPTIONAL): If applicable, attach a copy of unofficial transcript of Master-level degree in a related field. Transcript must include: Institution name, applicant name, date degree attained, degree awarded. Finalist will be required to submit an official transcript.
Ferris State University was established in 1884 as a school dedicated to the mission of education for all people as envisioned by our founder, Woodbridge N. Ferris. More than a century later, the University is still committed to the idea of quality education for students with a dedicated faculty and more than 190 majors that prepare students for rewarding futures. Graduates of Ferris are in demand by employers because of cutting edge and hands-on education in state-of-the-art facilities. That education makes graduates ready for the real world. The main campus in Big Rapids is located on 935 acres and includes state-of-the-art facilities for education, recreation, entertainment, and athletics. Our students enjoy a well-rounded educational experience that includes more than 200 student organizations. Ferris offers Division I men's ice hockey, competing in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, and 17 varsity sports, competing in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. To learn more about Ferris, go to www.ferris.edu.
For a complete posting or to apply, access the electronic applicant system by logging on to http://employment.ferris.edu. Ferris State University, an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer is committed to enhancing equity, inclusion, and diversity within its community. The University actively seeks applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and other underrepresented groups. |
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Initial Application Review Date:
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July 14, 2025 |
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| Open Until Position is Filled?: |
No |
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Posting Close Date:
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July 11, 2025 |
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| EEO Statement: |
Ferris State University, an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, is committed to enhancing equity, inclusion, and diversity within its community. Ferris offers employment opportunities to qualified candidates seeking careers in a student-focused environment that values opportunity, collaboration, diversity and educational excellence. Learn more about the Ferris Mission and community at ferris.edu. The University actively seeks applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and other underrepresented groups. For more information on the University's Policy on Non-Discrimination, visit: Ferris Non-Discrimination Statement. |
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Click here to learn more about working at FSU and KCAD. |
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Ferris State University
Jun 13, 2025