General Access Specialist

Position Summary

Under the general supervision of the Director of the Disability Resource Center (DRC), the Program Specialist 2 (General Access Specialist) will conduct access meetings and support a caseload of students with their accommodations.

The General Access Specialist will coordinate through analysis of disability-related barriers the appropriate student accommodations.

The employee will evaluate accommodation-related needs, support students regarding their disability barriers, and assist with educating the campus on disability services.

The General Access Specialist will work with professionals- both staff and faculty- across campus to ensure consistent support of students.

The General Access Specialist will be a vital member of the DRC team working closely with team members to provide excellent service delivery in all facets of course modifications and auxiliary aids to comply with disability law, campus pluralism efforts and adherence to BC’s mission and vision statements.

Additionally, the General Access Specialist will carry a general student caseload. In this role, the position identifies, approves, and implements specific academic accommodations deemed appropriate for DRC program students with disabilities, and coordinates accommodations for program participants.

This position has extensive day-to-day contact with students and faculty and acts as a DRC program liaison to provide consultation to program participants, including faculty and outside entities.

The position reviews, interprets, and applies BC policy and State and Federal disability laws as it pertains to approved accommodations and alternative media policies, procedures, and regulations, including the quarterly assessment and reporting to DRC staff and external parties of current and projected needs.

This position composes written communications, provides verbal presentations, and establishes and maintains reliable records relating to program operations.

Pay, Benefits & Work Schedule

Position Salary Range : $44,568 / year - $59,508 / year

The salary information shown above is a general guideline only. The salary will be determined based on candidate's qualifications and related experience, as well as market and business considerations.

Individuals newly hired to Classified position are placed in a salary range based on the WPEA Collective Bargaining Agreement.

We offer comprehensive compensation package with salary and benefits as the main components. Competitive salary is within the Range stated above, and commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Generous is offered through Washington State plans that includes multiple medical, dental, life and disability coverage choices for employees and dependents;

choices of retirement and deferred compensation plans; paid holidays, sick, and vacation plans; transit program, reduced tuition, employee discounts and memberships, etc.

The employee is scheduled to work 40 hours per workweek. This is a Classified, overtime eligible position and represented by the Washington Public Employee Association of Higher Education (WPEA-HE).

About The College

Bellevue College is a diverse student-centered, comprehensive and innovative college, committed to teaching excellence that advances the life-long educational development of its students while strengthening the economic, social and cultural life of its diverse community.

Bellevue College is located just 10 miles east of Seattle where we serve a student population of over 54% students of color and over 1,300 international students.

The college promotes student success by providing high-quality, flexible, accessible educational programs and services; advancing pluralism, inclusion and global awareness;

and acting as a catalyst and collaborator for a vibrant region.

We strive to create a vibrant and inclusive campus community that supports a diverse student body, faculty and staff. As an essential part of our , diversity, equity and pluralism are promoted and fostered in all aspects of college life.

By enriching student life through leadership opportunities, personal learning and cultural experiences, we are committed to building an inclusive and diverse campus community that fosters creativity, innovation and student success.

For more information, visit .

About the Department

The Disability Resource Center (DRC) is dedicated to service excellence in the provision of comprehensive and flexible accommodation plans which contribute to the successful academic endeavors for qualified students who have disabilities.

The DRC works in innovative ways to provide teaching and learning opportunities to college employees and community partners which further the understanding and success of the students we serve.

The DRC nurtures and coaches its students in skills necessary to achieve success academically and in promoting essential life skills that will integrate students who have disabilities into the overall campus community.

The DRC aligns itself with the social justice model of disability and promotes this on campus in a variety of forms.

Essential Functions

Conduct Access Meetings and Maintain Student Caseload

Conducts initial and updated student access meetings, including the review and approval of disability documentation and accommodations;

occasionally schedules these meetings

• Communicates and coordinates approved academic accommodations with the DRC Team, faculty, and staff
• Problem-solves accommodation issues with students, staff, and faculty
• Acts on behalf of fellow Program Specialists in their absence.
• Confers regularly with Director and other Access Specialists regarding interpretation and implementation of disability laws, DRC and college policies
• Inputs and utilizes student data information in the DRC and Bellevue College (BC) databases
• Refers students appropriately to other student services and educational departments
• Contacts students to review their progress and support student retention and completion strategies
• Teaches students self-advocacy skills and facilitates student groups and / or workshops, as needed
• Maintains regularly updated case notes on students
• Maintains confidentiality of all student information in accordance with FERPA laws
• Monitors email and voicemail accounts, and responds to inquiries in a timely manner; including responding to DRC account as needed

Front Desk / Testing Coverage

• Assists with breaks, lunch, and absence coverage of the Front Desk and Testing Areas
• Appropriately monitors student exams, records testing times, completes test returns, and interacts with faculty in relation to exams
• Interacts with students, staff, faculty, and visitors as they enter the DRC in a manner conducive to supporting their needs
• Assists with answering emails in the DRC inbox while covering Front Desk
• Perform other duties as Assigned

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent education / experience in student affairs, social sciences, or mental health field of study.

Relevant years of experience may be substituted for the education requirement on a year-for-year basis

• Effective communication skills (note : application materials are used to evaluate written communication skills)
• Demonstrated ability to use computers for data entry, web applications, searching the internet, and troubleshooting computer issues.
• Demonstrated experience working with diverse communities
• Proficient in MS Office
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize tasks and attend to student needs and program duties in a busy office environment
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Demonstrated interpersonal and problem-solving skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with disabled students in higher education
• Knowledge of the laws and regulations that impact disability services such as the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of Rehabilitation Act, HUD and state policies
• Familiarity with Universal Design for Learning in higher education
• Experience that illustrates a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic and ability backgrounds of community college students
30+ days ago