Access Specialist (1 of 2)

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 interest in contributing to our positive and collaborative work environment.

Reporting to the Director, Student Services, the Access Specialist's primary focus is to work directly with students with disabilities to determine reasonable accommodation 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) 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 emails, phone calls, and appointments (both in-person and virtual),
• consult with instructional faculty members and departments regarding implementing accommodations, Universal Design for Learning, and technology,
• collaborate with other areas such as Counselling, Financial Aid, the Diversity, Equity and Human Rights Office, Advising, the Student Health Clinic, Conduct and Care, Student Housing, the Centre for Innovation and Excellence in Learning, and the Office of Indigenous Education and Engagement, among others,
• develop effective working relationships with internal departments and external stakeholders to promote increased institutional accessibility,
• develop community connections with local agencies to make appropriate referrals,
• participate in departmental meetings, VIU committees, task forces, working groups and policy development as related to accessibility,
• participate in ongoing professional development to the field of post-secondary disability accommodation and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, and
• develop and facilitate educational presentations to faculty/staff related to disability and accommodation.

An Access Specialist requires 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.

Required skills include:

• outstanding judgement and emotional intelligence,
• 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.

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 other related disciplines, and a minimum three years' recent and relevant experience in disability accommodation.

• Recent, relevant experience and knowledge of academic accommodation of disabilities in a post-secondary setting,
• Experience working in a team-based, student-centered 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, 2SLGBTQ+, religious/faith, international, and non-traditional student populations,
• Strong technical skills including use of Windows, Outlook, document management, work processing and databases.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with BC Colleges and University systems, programs, services, policies, and procedures,
• Demonstrated track record of achievement in working with internal and external stakeholders to create institutional change which benefits students.

VIU is pleased to offer eligible 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.