Assistant Director, DSS & Access Technology

Colorado School of Mines • Colorado Springs, CO

1d • $68,000 - $75,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Engineering a world of possibilities Disability Support Services (DSS) at Colorado School of Mines seeks a dynamic and innovative Assistant Director of DSS & Access Technology to lead efforts in providing accessible learning solutions and testing accommodations for students with disabilities. With effective collaboration and forward-thinking skills, the Assistant Director of DSS & Access Technology ensures students registered with DSS receive equitable access to course materials, assistive technology, and testing services. The Assistant Director will oversee assistive technology operations, including managing vendor contracts, researching and evaluating new technologies, and providing training. This position will serve as a resource and advocate for students and staff and other internal and external stakeholders on issues relating to assistive technology that impact students. As a member of Disability Support Services, this position receives a high level of cross-training and will be responsible for managing a student caseload, supporting disability registration, and coordinating accommodations. Responsibilities include approving and coordinating accommodations to address a diverse range of disability-related barriers including but not limited to, real-time captioning, sign language interpreting, assistive technology, note-taking assistance, and alternative format texts. Additionally, they will support assistive technology needs at the Mines Testing Center, including text-to-speech (TTS) conversion. In accordance with the Rehabilitation Act Section 504, Section 508, Americans with Disabilities Amendment Act (ADAA), Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.2), and Family Educational Right to Privacy Act (FERPA), the Assistant Director will demonstrate a commitment to equity and inclusion. This is a full-time, 12-month university staff exempt position based on campus in Golden, Colorado. The role requires in-person work and flexibility to ensure adequate staffing during peak periods, such as the start of semesters and final exams.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree. Work experience may be substituted for the degree on a year for year basis.
• Three years experience working with people with disabilities.
• Understanding of laws that govern disability and access (e.g., ADAAA, Section 504, FERPA).
• Experience with assistive technology solutions for persons with disabilities.
• Experience learning, understanding, and becoming proficient in new technologies quickly.
• Advanced computer knowledge, proficiency, and skills.
• Strong oral and written communication, organization, meeting facilitation, and independent decision-making skills.
• Experience maintaining a high level of productivity, prioritizing, and maintaining confidentiality of student information and records.
• Experience collaborating and working effectively with students, faculty, staff, and campus partners.
• High attention to detail.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree and/or certificate in a related field (e.g. Assistive Technology, Disability Services, Information Technology)
• Experience working with people with disabilities in an educational setting; preferably a higher education setting.
• Knowledge of assistive technology solutions specific to STEM based education.
• Accessible Information Management (AIM) knowledge.
• Accommodations knowledge at the higher education level.
• Experience coordinating communication services, which could include communication access services.
• Experience implementing or practicing Universal Design for Learning in a classroom or professional environment.

Responsibilities

• ASSISSTIVE TECHNOLOGY TRAINING, CONSULTATION, AND MANAGMENT Provide support to DSS around technology and accessibility, including digital and web accessibility.
• Provide hands-on training and tech support for student accessibility tools.
• Monitor student needs to support budget forecasting and assistive technology planning.
• Stay informed of the latest developments in the field of assistive technology specific to student disabilities in higher education and STEM.
• Collaborate with campus IT departments to implement adaptive technology solutions for students with disabilities and plan for growth by exploring staffing and training opportunities.
• Monitor legislative and technological developments, including WCAG 2.2 and Section 508, to ensure DSS compliance and advise on innovations, cost efficiencies, and budget impacts.
• Oversee editing, updating, and maintenance of the DSS website to ensure adherence to relevant legal requirements.
• Participate in professional development opportunities relevant to alternative access such as the annual Accessing Higher Ground conference and webinars offered through the Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD).
• Assist the department with conducting ongoing needs assessment for internal training in assistive technology.
• Manage assistive technology hardware and software inventory, maintenance, and procurement for DSS.
• Oversee accessible print, adaptive technology, and communication access for registered students to ensure compliance with regulations.
• Oversee contracts, scheduling, and invoicing of third-party vendors, including the Request for Proposal (RFP) processes.
• Provides supervision to potential interns or student employees who support alternative access for the department.
• Evaluate new technologies and current best practices for teaching and learning adaptive technology.
• Consult with students, faculty, and DSS to address accessibility needs for students.
• Develop, analyze, and review processes, procedures, and efficient workflows for the department.
• Report data and statistics to support the effectiveness of technology and make recommendations for future technology needs.
• DSS REGISTRATION AND ACCOMMODATION COORDINATION Maintain a caseload of students and conduct intake and accommodation review meetings with students in various formats (in-person, virtual, phone).
• Engage in the interactive process to determine eligibility for academic, housing, dining, and other accommodations.
• Provide expertise and recommendations on assistive technology equipment and software for students, especially those with sensory and mobility impairments.
• Maintain accurate, comprehensive, and timely student case notes and records.
• Provide assistive technology support at the Mines Testing Center, including text-to-speech services.
• Solid understanding of educational accessibility tools: familiarity with assistive technologies tailored for academic settings, and the ability to adapt assistive technology offerings to ensure full accessibility for students with disabilities.
• Collaborate with students, faculty, and parents.
• COURSE ACCESS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITY ACCOMMODATIONS Consult with faculty and campus departments to coordinate adaptive or assistive technology accommodations for students with disabilities.
• Ensure registered students have equal access to print materials and technology, coordinating alternative format requests with faculty.
• Provide timely implementation of auxiliary aids and services including peer note-taking and assistive technology.
• Oversee media captioning and audio description coordination through third-party vendors, providing guidance and training on best practices.
• Oversee coordination of ASL interpreters and real-time captioning (CART, TypeWell) services through third-party vendors and provide guidance and training to faculty.
• COMMITTEE LIAISON Stay abreast of relevant regulations (e.g., WCAG guidelines) and serve on relevant alternative access committees and workgroups.
• Collaborate with campus partners to advise on alternative access accommodations and to support compliance and accessibility initiatives.

Benefits

• Flexible health and dental care options
• Generous sick/vacation time: 13 paid holidays per year – including a week-long winter break for entire campus.
• Fully vested retirement plan on first day of employment, with generous employer contribution
• Tuition benefits (6 credits per year for employees, 50 percent discount for dependents)
• Free RTD Ecopass
• All Mines employees also have access to discount programs through the State of Colorado and free tickets for Mines Athletics home games, as well as access to the state of the art Recreation Center (fitness classes and training, swimming pool and more) and equipment rentals through the Outdoor Rec Center.
• We are proud to have recently opened an on campus daycare center.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director