[humanser] A Change for Me and A Great Opportunity For Someone

Mon May 23 01:14:20 UTC 2011

Hello. I have some news to share. I will be leaving my position as director of Disability Services at Bethel University in Minnesota to serve as director of Disability Services at Hamline University, also in the Twin Cities. I will be starting there on June 6. As a result, my position at Bethel is open. Bethel is a wonderful place to work and this is a great opportunity for someone with the right combination of skills and for whom a Christian liberal arts institution is a fit. IF you want to chat more about Bethel or the position, please feel free to email me and I'll let you know the best way to contact me or I can give you a call. This position should be posted on Bethel's Website on Monday. Visit www.bethel.edu and click on employment and you should see it under the staff positions. 

I've served at Bethel for 11 years and it's been a fabulous growth opportunity for me. While I'm sad to leave Bethel, I'm excited about my new adventure ahead. Here is the Bethel job description:

POSITION DESCRIPTION 

POSITION TITLE: Director of Disability Services

DEPARTMENT:     Office of Disability Services

REPORTS TO:     Dean of Students and Community Life

PRIMARY PURPOSE:        

Provide leadership and oversight of all disability-related access and programming for students, staff and faculty from all schools of Bethel University, including all campuses of Bethel Seminary. This position works with the institutional compliance officer, as well as faculty and administrators, to ensure access and equal opportunities for Bethel community members and guests with disabilities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

Provides leadership in and personal example of Royal Care to team members and institution through an unrelenting quest for excellence and service. Exhibits a warm and caring attitude that is characterized by cheerfulness, enthusiasm, and helpfulness. As an institutional leader exhibits a commitment to creating a campus environment that is safe, affirming, and rewarding.

Leads efforts to transform the institutional culture by educating, advocating for and raising awareness of inclusion and diversity related to persons with disabilities 

Supervises professional staff, the administrative assistant/accommodations coordinator, and student workers, as necessary.

Provides direct services to qualified students with disabilities by reviewing disability documentation to determine eligibility for services, developing and implementing individualized plans for reasonable accommodations and support, providing advocacy, support, and problem-solving assistance as needed.

Oversees provision of auxiliary services such as conversion of documents into alternate formats, sign language interpreters, and note-taking assistance.  

Consults with the office of Human Resources to determine and assist in implementation of  reasonable accommodations for Bethel employees with disabilities.

Orients, collaborates with and serves as resource and liaison for students, faculty, staff, and administrators regarding reasonable accommodations, universal design, disability-related reconciliation, and compliance with legal requirements. 

Consults with prospective students, parents, professionals, and other external constituents.

Keeps current with and disseminates information about disability law and judicial interpretations. Makes related recommendations for implementation to appropriate administrators, stakeholders and constituents to ensure institutional compliance and effective service to persons with disabilities.

Conducts faculty and staff in-service training on disability issues.

Ensures adaptive technology is updated and maintained.

Proposes, develops, and implements relevant guidelines and policies as needed.

Serves as the institution's Section 504 coordinator.

Performs essential administrative tasks: documentation, accurate record keeping, confidentiality, performance appraisals, and writing annual goals and reports. Prepares and oversees and annual budget designed to increase resources and facilities to serve persons with disabilities.

Represents Disability Services and participates in the life of the Bethel community by serving on various committees, such as the ADA/504 Coordinating Committee.

Participates in professional development activities through professional organizations, conferences, reading, professional study and workshops.

Performs other duties as assigned by the Dean of Students and Community Life.

QUALIFICATIONS:

* Master's degree in special education, counseling, rehabilitation or other appropriate field

* Prefer at least five years experience working with people who have disabilities in higher education

* Knowledge of relevant laws including the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

* Expertise in analyzing and interpreting psychometric reports

* Commitment to and demonstrated effectiveness of leading change in campus ethos for inclusion and diversity related to disability and reasonable accommodation

* A strong commitment to quality relationships, warmth, excellence, and Christ-like service is essential. Must have a mature and contagious evangelical Christian faith. Commitment to the evangelical mission of the institution and the Bethel covenant is necessary. Must be able to work with a diverse student population and demonstrate a commitment to the development of whole and holy persons. 

* The ability to work in a professional and confidential manner with all staff, students, parents, and publics is essential

* Demonstrated effectiveness in collaborating and communicating with a wide range of constituents and stakeholders

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

This is a full-time, exempt, 12-month position.

DISCLAIMER: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

5/2011

BETHEL UNIVERSITY

Director of Disability Services

Kathy McGillivray 