Disability Specialist

Johns Hopkins University’s Student Health & Well-Being portfolio supports disability services, health education, primary care and mental health services for JHU students and learners across all nine schools within the University.
Student Disability Services (SDS) coordinates academic, housing, dining and transportation accommodations in accordance with applicable laws institutional policies and enhances understanding of disability as a cultural identity.
The Homewood Student Disability Services Center coordinates accommodations and services for full-time undergraduate and graduate students with disabilities in the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS), the Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) and the Peabody institute.
The position will be based on the Homewood Campus, but will have the ability to work remotely (typically 1 day per week during the semester, 2 days per week during breaks/summer).
The goal is to ensure students with disabilities have consistently inclusive and accessible experiences at Hopkins.
The Disability Specialist will support the diverse academic, personal/developmental, and interpersonal needs of our growing population of students with disabilities with a focus on proactively reaching out to students, developing relationships, and having campus visibility.
Overall, we seek committed, adaptable staff who enjoy working in a university climate that promotes cultural diversity, multicultural understanding, and social justice.
Ability to travel and work at other campus locations is required as well as experience working in a diverse and multicultural work environment.
Accommodation provision is a primary responsibility of a disability services office as a function and responsibility to equity and inclusion for students with disabilities as well as a commitment to accessibility.
We are seeking a Disability Specialist who will ensure that accommodations are delivered thoroughly, effectively, and efficiently; build needed connections with faculty members, graduate assistants, and information technology professionals supporting learning inside and outside the classroom.
They will meet the accommodation needs of undergraduate and graduate students on JHU’s Homewood campus.
This position will work in collaboration with the Assistive Technology and Communication Access teams while being responsible for evaluating and interpreting student disability documentation to inform those seeking services about the process and identify eligibility as well as develop, implement, and oversee formal accommodation plans for each qualified student in accordance with applicable guidelines.
In addition, they will coordinate accommodations for Intersession programs.
Finally, they will assist the Senior Director and colleagues in supporting the diverse academic, personal/developmental, and interpersonal needs of our growing population of registered students, support a high-quality learning experience for students with disabilities and provide training for campus stakeholders.
Specific Duties & Responsibilities Coordinate Accommodations (65%) Meets with a caseload of students who disclose a disability as well as with others interested in exploring resources, with a specialty focus on supporting students seeking housing and dining accommodations on the Homewood Campus.
Provides information and advice regarding accessibility services and related resources both on and off campus.
Reviews documentation to support the eligibility process for disability services and accommodations while also providing direct services to students including advising and strategy development.
Assists the Senior Director by collaborating with faculty to implement practices that ensure that students receive reasonable and appropriate accommodations.
Uses effective problem-solving and decision-making skills while practicing solution-focused service delivery.
Summer & Intersession Program Accommodations (15%) The university has Summer Programs for Pre-College/ high school and visiting college students.
The Specialist will take the lead by collaborating with campus partners to provide consultation and facilitate accommodations for students.
Intersession/Winter session courses occur in January and the Coordinator will take the lead on managing processes related to these programs, which tend to be less traditional and may require creative accommodations and short turnaround times.
Manage Notetaking Accommodations (10%) Oversee Notetaking module in AIM, training GAs to provide support.
Manage the Notetaking email account.
Coordinate Notetaking technology and training for the Homewood Hub in conjunction with the ATC staff.
File Maintenance and Data Collection (5%) Oversee the input of appropriate, accurate, and detailed student information into the student database.
Document a summary of student meetings via electronic file notes.
Manage information on the SDS shared drive.
Prepare regular and year end reports to document and assess programs, services, and accommodation use.
Maintain and update confidential files and program records accurately and securely.
Other Duties (5%) Essential Job Duties are intended to be examples of duties and are not intended to be all inclusive.
There will be other duties as assigned to include but not be limited to, Participate in staff meetings, events, and in-service training opportunities.
Assist in proctoring exams, serving as a reader and/or scribe for eligible students.
Network with other institutions to exchange resources and attend relevant conferences and meetings.
Engage in continuing education and professional development related to the essential functions of the position.
Will coordinate other administrative duties as needed to include interpreting office and campus policies.
Additional Knowledge, Skills & Abilities We seek committed, adaptable staff who enjoy working in a university climate that promotes inclusion, multicultural understanding, and social justice.
Flexible hours are required at key times in the academic year including evenings, weekends and/or peak periods.
Working knowledge of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, its 2008 amendments, and other appropriate laws pertaining to higher education and disabilities.
The diplomatic and tactful nature required to build relationships quickly across cultures within the university and to work effectively with a wide range of people, including persons from diverse backgrounds.
A proven record of working successfully with a variety of populations and building community.
An understanding of issues relevant to persons with disabilities and the ability to anticipate students' needs, expectations, and requirements with a focus on universal design in a post-secondary environment.
Ability to review medical documentation, neuropsychological reports and other evaluations to determine appropriate academic, dining, housing, and transportation accommodations.
Ability to deal calmly and deliberately with students in crisis and identify the appropriate support resources.
Knowledge and understanding of student development, retention issues, trends, and programs.
Ability to manage multiple responsibilities and work in a fast-paced environment.
Excellent analytical and quantitative reasoning skills.
Energetic, creative thinker and self-starter, with a strong sense of professional ethics.
Commitment to integrity, excellence, lifelong learning/ professional development.
Ability to work closely with the director to make fiscally responsible budget projections based on daily operations and researched accommodations costs to efficiently meet service obligations.
Strong interpersonal, oral and written communication skills and listening skills.
The ability to set priorities to achieve objectives and to manage multiple, and varied assignments/projects.
Collaborative, problem-solving, planning and organizational skills.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Communicate respectfully and build relationships of trust with people of all cultures and abilities, affirming the worth and preserving the dignity of individuals, families, and communities.
Minimum Qualifications Bachelor's Degree.
One-year related experience.
Additional education may substitute for required experience, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.
Preferred Qualifications Master's Degree in Counseling, Higher Education, Social Work, or a related field strongly preferred.
Experience working in a diverse and multicultural work environment is preferred.
ASL fluency or experience is preferred.
Classified Title: Student Services Administrator Job Posting Title (Working Title): Disability Specialist Role/Level/Range: ACRP/03/MC Starting Salary Range: Min $47,500 - Max $83,300 Annually ($65,000 targeted; Commensurate with experience) Employee group: Full Time Schedule: Mon-Fri (8:30-5:00) Exempt Status: Exempt Location: Hybrid/Homewood Campus Department name: ​​​​​​​Student Disability Services Personnel area: University Student Services Total Rewards The referenced salary range is based on Johns Hopkins University’s good faith belief at the time of posting.
Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level.
Johns Hopkins offers a total rewards package that supports our employees' health, life, career and retirement.
More information can be found here: https://hr.
jhu.
edu/benefits-worklife/ Please refer to the job description above to see which forms of equivalency are permitted for this position.
If permitted, equivalencies will follow these guidelines: JHU Equivalency Formula: 30 undergraduate degree credits (semester hours) or 18 graduate degree credits may substitute for one year of experience.
Additional related experience may substitute for required education on the same basis.
For jobs where equivalency is permitted, up to two years of non-related college course work may be applied towards the total minimum education/experience required for the respective job.
**Applicants who do not meet the posted requirements but are completing their final academic semester/quarter will be considered eligible for employment and may be asked to provide additional information confirming their academic completion date.
The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check.
Johns Hopkins is committed to hiring individuals with a justice-involved background, consistent with applicable policies and current practice.
A prior criminal history does not automatically preclude candidates from employment at Johns Hopkins University.
In accordance with applicable law, the university will review, on an individual basis, the date of a candidate’s conviction, the nature of the conviction and how the conviction relates to an essential job-related qualification or function.
The Johns Hopkins University values diversity, equity and inclusion and advances these through our key strategic framework, the JHU Roadmap on Diversity and Inclusion .
Accommodation Information If you are interested in applying for employment with The Johns Hopkins University and require special assistance or accommodation during any part of the pre-employment process, please contact the Talent Acquisition Office at jhurecruitment@jhu.
edu .
For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711.
For more information about workplace accommodations or accessibility at Johns Hopkins University, please visit accessibility.
jhu.
edu .
Johns Hopkins has mandated COVID-19 and influenza vaccines, as applicable.
The COVID-19 vaccine does not apply to positions located in the State of Florida.
Exceptions to the COVID and flu vaccine requirements may be provided to individuals for religious beliefs or medical reasons.
Requests for an exception must be submitted to the JHU vaccination registry.
For additional information, applicants for SOM positions should visit https://www.
hopkinsmedicine.
org/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine/ and all other JHU applicants should visit https://covidinfo.
jhu.
edu/health-safety/covid-vaccination-information/ .
The following additional provisions may apply, depending on campus.
Your recruiter will advise accordingly.
The pre-employment physical for positions in clinical areas, laboratories, working with research subjects, or involving community contact requires documentation of immune status against Rubella (German measles), Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis B and documentation of having received the Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination.
This may include documentation of having two (2) MMR vaccines; two (2) Varicella vaccines; or antibody status to these diseases from laboratory testing.
Blood tests for immunities to these diseases are ordinarily included in the pre-employment physical exam except for those employees who provide results of blood tests or immunization documentation from their own health care providers.
Any vaccinations required for these diseases will be given at no cost in our Occupational Health office.
Note: Job Postings are updated daily and remain online until filled.