Pierce College District Hiring for District Director of Access and Disability Services at Lakewood, WA Full Time

The mission of Pierce College is to create quality educational opportunities for a diverse community of learners to thrive in an evolving world.

Recognized by the Aspen Institute as one of the Top 10 community colleges in the nation (2021), Pierce College is an innovative, mission-driven, data-informed, and equity-minded community college dedicated to helping all students achieve their academic and professional goals, with a focus on racial and social equity and justice. 

Reporting to the Dean of Student Success – EDI CARES for Pierce College District, the District Director of Access and Disability Services will provide leadership, operational management, and supervision of districtwide ADS offices and staff for Fort Steilacoom, Puyallup and Joint Base Lewis-McChord. 

The District Director of Access and Disability Services is positioned within Student Services EDI CARES (Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, College Access, Retention and Engagement Services) that focuses on closing college access gaps, increasing persistence, degree completion, and college/university enrollment for prospective and enrolled students from minoritized and marginalized backgrounds.

The District Director of Access and Disability Services creates an empowering environment and creates equitable services for BIPOC and all students with disabilities to remove barriers that impede student access and holistic success. The Director promotes learning around disability awareness, advocacy, history, and engagement districtwide. The Director uses in-depth knowledge of legislation and case law to develop and establish accommodation standards and practices for the students in Pierce College District. An essential component of establishing standards is to provide consultation and expertise, provide professional development opportunities for the college community related to access and equity. This position determines appropriate accommodations and authorizes reasonable accommodations and auxiliary aids and services for students on a case-by-case basis. The Director provides the necessary leadership to campus stakeholders, faculty, and staff to plan and provide equitable access through strategic planning, administrative functions, policy development, assessment, and providing direct service to students with disabilities.

About the District

The college enjoys a strong presence in the community and participates in numerous partnerships with business, community, government, and educational organizations.

Pierce College at Fort Steilacoom

Located on a beautiful 140-acre site adjacent to a 340-acre community, recreational park, and Waughop Lake. Want a feel for our District, take a peek with aerial campus views! 

Pierce College at Puyallup

Located on a luscious site with 125-acres of wooded land including modern facilities and beautiful hideaways.

Pierce College at JBLM

Located at the Joint Base Lewis-McChord military sites, serving many of our military and active duty families serving our country.

The District Director of Access and Disability Services will be responsible for the following, but not limited to:

Leadership, Administration & Record Management

• Create a brave and collaborative environment that centers anti-racism, equity, and solidarity that is inclusive to the experiences of all students, staff, and college community.
• Provide leadership, supervision, and direct the daily operations, implementation, coordination and evaluation of ADS services and activities to ensure department outcomes and objectives are met.
• Develop, assess, and maintain departmental standards for the independent determination of appropriate and reasonable accommodations and/or services.
• Provide leadership for process improvements, identifying possible efficiencies, and improving workflow.
• Ensure department operations, programs, and services align with the EDI CARES division outcomes.
• Interview, hire, train, and supervise staff, assign and direct work, set expectations, instruct, coach, identify training needs, and evaluate job performance in accordance with College policies and procedures based on employee type.
• Supervise disability records management and in accordance with FERPA regulations.
• Ensure the accuracy of ADS records (employment, student, fiscal) in accordance with federal, state and college requirements.
• Develop, modify and update ADS policies and procedures to meet current federal and state compliance requirements.
• Manage departmental budget including tracking expenditures, developing long term fiscal plans and making all necessary purchases that are in line with departmental needs. 
• Assess and analyze data and complete quarterly and annual reports regarding ADS operations, service population, outcomes progress and fiscal accounting, modify as needed in consultation with the Dean.
• Manage and ensure department marketing and communications of department website, database software, social media, and publications are kept current.
• Other duties as assigned.

Student Academic Adjustment, Auxiliary Aids and Services

• Assist with conducting intake interviews with prospective, new and currently enrolled students who are interested in obtaining accommodations for a disability or disabilities.
• Evaluate disability documentation, develop academic adjustments and accommodation plans, and oversee implementation of plans.
• Provide referrals and on-going case management to students in coordination with ADS staff.
• Consult with faculty, staff, and administrators, as appropriate, when implementing accommodation plans.
• Provide problem-solving, advocacy and mediation for students with disabilities.
• Understand and appropriately apply, interpret and explain ADS and Pierce policies and procedures, state and federal rules, regulations, and laws.
• Collaborate with ADS staff to ensure students have consistent accommodation plan implementation across the district.

District Collaboration & Engagement

• Collaborate closely with Dean of Student Success, EDI CARES and EDI CARES staff to coordinate pathways of access and retention of ADS students into TRiO Student Support Services, ASPIRE and for equity empowerment programs for Black and Brown students and all marginalized populations.
• Develop and coordinate engagement programs, trainings for students, staff, faculty and public to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of accommodations/services according to current research, national standards, and internal program assessment.
• Liaison with college offices and departments to promote disability awareness that includes disability culture, racial and social justice, and intersectionality of marginalized students in collaboration with ADS staff.
• Serve as a campus resource in applicable disability service law, best practices, and national trends in academic success for students with disabilities.
• Create, foster, and maintain collaborative working relationships with faculty, staff, administration, and students.
• Cultivate and maintain collaborative contact with local, county, and state resources that interface with people with disabilities in order to provide resources and referrals to support students.
• Represent ADS to college departments/divisions, campus committees, educational partners, community agencies/associations and regional/state organizations at meetings, presentations, and other events as it relates to division outcomes as approved by Dean.
• Collaborate with the District Section 504 Coordinator on policies, guidelines, procedures, facilities, and other matters related to providing equitable access to students.
• Provide visibility for the ADS by participating in governance activities and serving on councils and committees as available.

Education Required

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in social/behavioral science, vocational rehabilitation, special education or related field.

Experience Required

• Minimum of three (3) years of experience working with people with disabilities.
• Experience working with economically disadvantaged, first generation to college students, and students from ethnic/culturally diverse backgrounds.
• Demonstrated experience with personnel supervision.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of applicable disability law, including Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and demonstrated ability to apply this understanding in a college context.
• Extensive knowledge of and ability to administer high quality support services to students with disabilities. 
• Knowledge and understanding of racial equity, and intersectionality and how race intersects with disability status.
• Knowledge and experience with creating and sustaining cross departmental relationships, especially with departments focused on racial equity work.
• Extensive knowledge of and ability to interpret and comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504 & 508, college policies, and other applicable state, local, and federal laws and regulations.
• Expertise and competence in understanding a broad variety of disabilities (e.g. physical, mental, learning, psychological).
• Knowledge of and experience accessing a wide network of local, county, and state resources that interface with people with disabilities in order to provide resources and referrals to support students.
• Knowledge of Student Services in higher education, and skill and ability to apply appropriate models for disabilities services. 
• Proven leadership and advocacy skills coupled with the skills and ability in managing and developing staff. 
• Excellent time-management and problem-solving techniques, and professional judgment in complex and sensitive situations. 
• Demonstrated ability to adhere to high standards of confidentiality, integrity and honesty.
• Ability to function in a consultative and collaborative manner for case management, decision-making and problem solving. 
• Value diversity and possess an understanding of equity, diversity, and inclusion and ability to work effectively with faculty, staff, students, families and other customers from different backgrounds.
• Ability to work in a district environment.
• Ability to take direction and perform duties as assigned.

Special Requirements

• The successful candidate must consent to and pass a criminal background checkafter a conditional offer of employment.
• Must meet and maintain security standards for installation (JBLM) access authorization.

To be considered for this position, applicants must

• Meet the required qualifications as outlined in this announcement.
• Complete the online application profile and apply for the specific job opening at: https://www.pierce.ctc.edu/hr
• Upload (attach) a cover letter that addresses how you meet the required qualifications as outlined in this announcement. (Cover Letter)
• Upload (attach) detailed résumé of all educational and professional experience.(Résumé)
• Transcripts are not required in order to apply for this position; however, if you are selected for an interview, you will be asked to submit copies of unofficial transcripts showing completion of the required level of education. Please upload current copies of your transcripts, if available. Unofficial copies of all college and university transcripts must include degree received and conferral date. International transcripts must include a foreign transcript evaluation. For a list of approved credential evaluation services visit: www.naces.org/members.htm (Unofficial transcripts acceptable for application process; official transcripts required upon hire). (Transcripts)
• Upload (attach) a list of at least two professional references with names, addresses, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses. Letters of recommendation will not be accepted. (References)
• Provide a response to the following question: (Supplemental Question)

Please Note

To ensure consideration, application materials should be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on the closing date.

Terms of Employment

This is a full-time administrative – exempt position. The primary work location will be at Pierce College Fort Steilacoom campus. Frequent travel to Pierce College campuses or other sites, to include Joint Base Lewis McChord, may occur. Standard work hours are between 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, with occasional evening and weekend hours required. 

Salary & Benefits

The salary range for this position is $86,546 to $93,759 annually. Your paycheck is just part of the total compensation package. There is an outstanding benefits package which is worth an additional value equivalent to about 30% of your salary. A comprehensive health care benefits package for you and your dependents includes medical, dental and vision insurance. Life and long- term disability insurance plans; vacation, sick and personal leave; reduced tuition; and retirement benefits are also provided. For more information, please visit our Benefits and Leave website at: https://www.pierce.ctc.edu/hr– benefits.

Physical Work Environment

This position works indoors in an office environment.

Reasonable Accommodation

Applicants with disabilities who require assistance with the application and employment process will be accommodated to the extent reasonably possible. Requests should be made to the District Human Resources Office by calling 253-964-7342. Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may dial 711 to place a call through Washington Relay, the state’s free telecommunication access service.

Screening & Interview Process

Only those candidates who have complied with the application process and meet the required qualifications will be considered. Following the review of application materials, the most qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview. Check the email account you used for the application process for communication regarding the status of your application. Application materials submitted to Pierce College are the property of the College and will not be returned.

Conditions of Employment

Pierce College is a “fully vaccinated campus” under the state’s higher education guidance, which means that COVID-19 vaccination (or allowable exemption) will be required for all employees and students. More information can be found here: Vaccination Requirements.

Prior to the start of employment, the finalist for this position will be subject to a criminal background check as a condition of employment. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington State Law RCW 28B.112.080.

An offer of employment will not carry with it any responsibility or obligation on the part of the District to sponsor an H-1B visa. In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, proof of authorization to work in the United States will be required at the time of hire.

Pierce College has adopted a Drug Free Workplace policy. As a condition of employment, employees must agree to abide by the requirements established in that policy.