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 and institutional policies and enhances understanding of disability as a cultural identity.

Under the leadership of the Senior Director of Student Disability Services, Homewood Campus, the office provides a variety of services to undergraduate and graduate students with documented disabilities in Whiting School of Engineering (WSE), Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS), and the Peabody Institute, our conservatory focused on music and dance. Those services include: providing leadership and collaboration in framing a commitment to disability access and equity as an integral aspect of JHU’s culture, advising and educating the campus community about disability and inclusive practices, and providing services, strategies, and accommodations to mitigate the barriers faced by individual disabled people.

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 Services Specialist who will ensure that accommodations are delivered thoroughly, effectively, and efficiently; and 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 and at the Peabody Institute. 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. 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.

The position will be based on the Homewood Campus (75%) and the Peabody Institute (25%) but will have the ability to work remotely (typically 1 day per week during the semester, up to 2 days per week during breaks/summer), but flexibility is essential.

The goal is to ensure students with disabilities have consistently inclusive and accessible experiences at Hopkins. The Disability Services 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. The ability to travel and work at other campus locations is required as well as experience working in a diverse and multicultural work environment.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

Coordinate Accommodations (80%)

• 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.

• Review 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.

• Advise prospective and current students regarding accessibility services, technology, and related resources.

• Support students in disability identity development and self-advocacy as appropriate.

• Collaborate with faculty to implement reasonable and appropriate accommodations.

• Act as a resource for faculty and staff providing training on complex issues related to the provision of services for disabled students; educate faculty and staff on compliance with federal and state regulations as needed.

• Interact with student services departments to ensure that disabled students have equal access to enrollment services, financial aid, in-person and online courses, and other student success initiatives.

• Research on an ongoing basis; proactively develop systems and services to determine and incorporate best practices. Collaborate with colleagues (national and local) as well as partners across campus to continually innovate and deliver services/accommodations in most inclusive way.

• Participate in school Orientations, create promotional materials, respond to inquiries, and serve as a local expert.

• Promote and support a culture of acceptance and inclusion for students with disabilities through training, programming, and consultation.

• Collaborate with SDS staff university-wide, including participation in User Group meetings with SDS staff.

• Work closely with the Communication Access Specialist and the Alternate Format Specialist to ensure student needs are met timely.

• Collaborate with faculty to support a Universal Design for Learning (UDL) approach. Provide guidance around accessible and inclusive approaches to campus community members and increase awareness addressing barriers proactively.

File Maintenance and Data Collection (10%)

• 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 (10%)

• 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.

• Assist with/provide backup for notetaking services and test proctoring

• 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.

• Coordinate other administrative duties as needed including interpreting office and campus policies.

Special 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, and 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

• A Master's Degree in Counseling, Higher Education, Social Work, or a related field is strongly preferred.

• Experience determining and providing accommodations for music/dance performance-related programs is strongly preferred.

Classified Title: Student Services Administrator

Job Posting Title (Working Title): Disability Services Specialist

Role/Level/Range: ACRP/03/MC

Starting Salary Range: $48,000 - $84,100 Annually (Commensurate with experience)

Employee group: Full Time

Schedule: Mon - Fri / 08:30am - 05:00pm

Exempt Status: Exempt

Location: Homewood Campus

Department name: ​​​​​​​Student Disability Services

Personnel area: University Student Services

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Johns Hopkins University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other occupationally irrelevant criteria. The university promotes affirmative action for minorities, women, disabled persons, and veterans.