Health and Wellness Services at Fort Hays State University is seeking an Accessibility Services Advisor as part of the Student Support team. This is a full-time position reporting to the Director of Counseling Services. Fort Hays State University recognizes that disability reflects diverse characteristics and experiences, and is an aspect of diversity that is integral to society. This position collaborates with students, instructors, staff, and community members to create useable, equitable, inclusive and sustainable learning environments. Health and Wellness Services is committed to supporting Fort Hays State University as a non-discriminating campus for qualified students with disabilities as mandated by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and its amendments.
The Accessibility Services Advisor contributes to the overall functioning as it relates to the accommodative needs of students with a variety of disabilities, ranging from physical and chronic health impairments to learning and psychological conditions. These needs are assessed in relation to the environmental barriers that may create a discriminating effect for the student's desire for academic success. Accommodations and advocacy support are provided based on the individual need of students and within the resources available to the office. Although contact with students is primarily on an individual basis, interaction with other campus entities, including faculty, staff and groups of students is also expected.
Responsibilities:
Direct Student Service includes:
- Conduct individual assessment of accommodative needs to ensure a student has access to academic programs through recommended appropriate accommodations. Assessment process involves a review of disability documentation in addition to gathering information gained from dialogue with a student.
- Partner with each student as the student develops independence, ability to self-advocate for needs and proper support, and gains skills necessary for academic success.
- Provide individual coaching, counseling, and/or mentoring of students as they transition into college, progress through graduation, while assisting the student in the process of understanding the impact of a disability on academic performance, and other life activities.
- Provide individual advocacy on behalf of a student to ensure equitable access to participate and/or benefit from any program for which the student is qualified.
- Provide individual referral to other campus or community resources as is necessary to meet the needs of a student and provide as full a spectrum of support and services as is fitting.
- If the Accessibility Services Advisor is a licensed mental health professional, he/she may also provide therapeutic counseling services to students with disabilities and other clients of Health and Wellness Services as needed.
Other duties may include:
- Consulting and collaborating with other staff to ensure students with disabilities are afforded the same opportunities as any other student to participate in and/or benefit from opportunities available in the campus environment.
- Developing and delivering in-service training to faculty, academic advisors, and campus colleagues on general and specific issues affecting students with disabilities.
- Representing the office in a variety of venues to disseminate information regarding the support available to students with disabilities.
- Participating in the development of office policies and procedures related to working with students with disabilities.
- Maintaining timely documentation in the electronic health record of Health and Wellness Services.
- Engaging in on-going professional development activities to expand skills and knowledge needed to be effective in working with students with disabilities.
- Participating in assessment and collection of data related to services.
- Fulfilling other duties as assigned in support of the office and/or students with disabilities, including supervising and training of student staff.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in counseling, education, psychology, social work, occupational therapy, or related field.
- Experience working in an educational or human service environment.
- Prior work experience must reflect an ability to work with a variety of diverse individuals, including those with disabilities.
- Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
- Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, excellent interpersonal skills, ability to work in a collaborative environment and maintain effective working relationships.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in counseling, education, psychology, social work, occupational therapy, or related field.
- Prior experience working with students with disabilities and academic accommodations.
Successful candidates will have consented to and successfully completed a criminal background check. Salary range commensurate with qualification/experience, twelve-month position with benefits.
Benefits: Competitive benefit package http://www.fhsu.edu/humanresourceoffice/Prospective-Employees/
Priority Deadline: April 7, 2023. Review of applicants will begin immediately following the priority deadline and continue until the position is filled.
Application Process: To apply for this position, please visit https://fhsu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/CAREERS. Only electronic applications submitted through the webpage will be accepted.
Required Application Documents: Applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, and names and contact information for three professional references. Applicant documents should be submitted in one PDF.
If you have questions regarding the position, please contact:
Name: Gina Smith
Phone: 785-650-1495
Fort Hays State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, religion, national origin, color, age, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability or veteran status. The Director of Equal Employment Opportunity, coordinator of Title, IX, Title VI, Section 504 and ADA regulations may be contacted at 600 Park Street, Hays, KS 67601-4099, (785) 628-4033.
Community of Hays
FHSU is located in Hays, a vibrant college town of approximately 20,000, located halfway between Kansas City and Denver on Interstate 70. Hays is the regional center for education, health care, professional services, shopping, culture, and recreation for the western half of Kansas. The community boasts excellent recreational programs and facilities, including the comprehensive Center for Health Improvement, Hays Aquatic Park, Smoky Hill Country Club, Hays Municipal Golf Course, and extensive walking, running, and biking trails. Hays is within 45 minutes of two large lakes that offer great opportunities for boating, fishing, and camping. The Hays Municipal Airport provides connecting service to Denver with several flights daily. The Hays community is home to excellent Pre-K and K-12, public and private schools. With over 60 restaurants, major retail outlets, a low unemployment rate, and very short commute times, the city provides a safe, welcoming, low-cost, high-quality living environment for the residents who call "Hays, America" home.
Notice of Non-discrimination: Fort Hays State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, religion, national origin, color, age, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability or veteran status.
Background Check: Final candidate will have consented to and successfully completed a criminal background check.
Notice to KPERS retirees applying for a position: Recent legislation changes working-after-retirement rules for both you and your employer if you go back to work for a KPERS employer. Please contact your KPERS representative or
www.kpers.org for further information on how this might affect you.
