Access Specialist

Duties:

Vancouver Island University’s Accessibility Services department is seeking an experienced Access Specialist to join our Student Services team. The successful candidate will have experience in determining academic accommodations for students with a wide range of disabilities, strong administrative skills, and an interest in contributing to our positive, collaborative work environment.

Reporting to the Director of Student Services, the Accessibility Services Access Specialist’s primary focus is to work directly with students with disabilities to determine reasonable accommodation in order to reduce or remove students’ disability-related barriers in the academic setting.

The Access Specialist will:

• integrate information from a variety of sources (medical documentation, high school IEPs, student self-report, personal knowledge of a wide range of disabilities, consultation with faculty) in order to determine reasonable accommodations for students with a wide range of disabilities (invisible and visible)
• assist students with disabilities to apply for grants for equipment and services
• respond to a high volume of e-mails, phone calls, and both face-to-face and virtual appointments
• participate in departmental meetings, VIU committees, task forces, working groups, and policy development related to accessibility
• consult with faculty members and departments regarding implementing accommodations, Universal Design for Learning, and technology
• collaborate with other VIU areas such as Counselling, Financial Aid, Diversity, Equity, and Human Rights Office, Advising, the Student Health Clinic, Services for Aboriginal Students, Student Conduct and Care, International Student Services, Residence, Centre for Innovation and Excellence in Learning to name a few
• develop effective working relationships with internal departments and external stakeholders to promote increased institutional accessibility
• develop community connections with local agencies in order to make appropriate referrals
• participate in ongoing professional development relevant to post-secondary disability accommodation and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. For example, Canadian Association of Colleges and University Student Services (CACUSS) conferences
• develop and facilitate educational presentations to faculty/staff related to disability and accommodation

An Access Specialist applies background knowledge in the areas of:

• duty to accommodate
• human rights
• Universal Design for Learning
• common academic and practical barriers experienced by students with a wide range of disabilities
• physical accessibility
• required learning outcomes and pedagogy as they relate to accommodation
• assistive technology and software applications for students with vision loss, hearing loss, learning disabilities, ADHD, etc.

Successful candidates will participate in a wide range of activities, including, student support; institutional, faculty and departmental committee meetings and other initiatives; and professional activities in keeping with their disciplines in and outside the institution.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution in Psychology, Educational Psychology, Special Education, Social Work, Vocational Rehabilitation, Occupational Therapy, or another related discipline from an appropriately accredited institution
• Minimum three years’ recent and relevant experience in the area of disability accommodation
• Experience working in a team-based, student-centred environment
• Demonstrated interpersonal and written communication skills
• Experience working in a fast-paced, changing environment, requiring multi-tasking
• Experience working in an environment requiring a high degree of confidentiality and professionalism
• Knowledge of basic counselling skills
• Experience working with Equity, Diversity and Inclusion intersectionality identities such as Indigenous, BIPOC, 2SLGBTQIA+, Religious/Faith, International, and non-traditional student populations
• Strong technical skills including use of Windows, Outlook, document management, word processing, and databases
• A combination of experience and education may be considered

Required skills include:

• high-level of organization and attention to detail with the ability to set priorities and meet deadlines
• ability to handle difficult/sensitive situations in a calm and effective manner
• strong technical skills
• nuanced understanding of informed consent and confidentiality
• quickly establishing rapport and trust with students while maintaining professional boundaries

Preferred Qualifications:

• Recent, relevant experience and knowledge of academic accommodation of disabilities in a post-secondary setting
• Familiarity with BC Colleges and University systems, programs, services, policies, and procedures
• Demonstrated track record of achievement in working with internal and external stakeholders in order to create institutional change which benefits students

Benefits:

As per the Collective Agreement, this position has 44 days of vacation and 10 days of professional development available per year. The pension plan is a defined benefit plan.

VIU is pleased to offer employees a comprehensive benefit plan; ample paid holiday time; professional development opportunities and a desirable pension plan. As part of the VIU campus community, our employees work with supportive colleagues within an encouraging environment and are provided with the tools and training that promote learning and development. The perks of VIU employment are multiple, and include well-being initiatives and services, strategic discounts, and flexible work opportunities.

Note:

• Short-listed candidates must provide original transcripts, or applicable original certifications at time of interview.
• All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
• Vancouver Island University (VIU) is collectively committed to building and sustaining a diverse and inclusive working and learning environment for faculty, staff, and students. In our journey towards greater diversity, we invite applications from members of equity-seeking communities including women, racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of all gender identities and sexual orientations who bring value to the VIU community through their lived experiences. We encourage members of all equity-seeking groups to self-identify within their application cover letter. When a candidate voluntarily discloses this information in their cover letter, the information will be used only for the fulfillment of the career opportunity. Disclosure and/or self-identification with an equity-seeking group will not lead to advantageous treatment of a candidate who is not qualified.