Access and Learning Accommodations Advisor

Are you someone who strives for excellence, values accountability, provides the best service, all while reflecting unwavering integrity? Our talented team members across the state follow the behaviors, beliefs and outcomes of these core values to ensure that our vision is met. If you're ready to join the TSTC family and make great memories please complete our application process.

Job Description

Texas State Technical College is tasked with contributing to the educational and economic development of the State of Texas through providing advanced technical programs. The Access & Learning Accommodations (ALA) Advisor position is crucial in facilitating the implementation of academic accommodations, services, and access to campus life for students with disabilities in order to assist students in achieving their personal and professional goals. As an Enrollment Management team member, this position pledges to actively engage in a Culture of Caring, striving to respond systematically to student needs and remove barriers that may prevent students from participating in programs and activities at TSTC with equal access and with equivalent ease of use. The effectiveness of this position will be determined through lead measures and goals focused on student success which contribute to goals for the Enrollment Management division and college as a whole. This position reports to the Statewide Lead of ALA and is responsible for upholding the policies and practices consistent with the College mission and values of excellence, accountability, service and integrity.

Essential Functions

• Employee will demonstrate TSTC Core values of Excellence, Accountability, Service and Integrity with internal and external stakeholders, customers, students and members of the community.

The Advisor is the front-line staff person to assist students with disabilities through the process of acquiring accommodations. Types of duties include but are not limited to:

• Engages in communication with students.
• Educates students on the process for acquiring accommodations.
• Performs intakes with students who self-report disabilities.
• Collects supporting documentation, updates case notes, and tracks information through the data management system.
• Consults with the ALA Consultant to review case materials and plan accommodations.
• Prepares and sends accommodation letters to the student and the instructors.
• Serves as first contact for instructors who have questions or concerns about the accommodations.
• Escalates problems with accommodations to the ALA Consultant and/or the Statewide Lead.
• Performs routine check-ins with students on caseload to ensure accommodations are being provided and that the accommodations are appropriate and effective for the student.
• Coordinates with the Testing Center to ensure testing accommodations for eligible students with disabilities.
• Coordinates alternatively formatted materials and assistive technology for eligible students.
• Fully participates in a Culture of Caring through the referral of students to other college resources, follow-up, and support.

The Advisor will foster effective communication. Types of duties include but are not limited to:

• Responds in a timely manner to all student inquiries received via email, text, and phone systems.
• Follows the ALA Interactive Communication Cycle.
• Consults with ALA Consultant to review cases and determine accommodations.
• Collaborates with faculty and staff in academic and administrative departments across campus to implement accommodations and promote universal design principles.
• Communicates with all parties in a professional, respectful, clear, and concise manner.
• Promptly documents all conversations and makes case notes in the designated areas of the data management system.
• Maintains confidentiality of all student information except when another TSTC colleague has an “educational need to know.”

• Demonstrates a general understanding of college policies, procedures, requirements, and effectively communicates them to students.

The Advisor will advocate for and promote a positive campus environment for those with disabilities. Types of duties include but are not limited to:

• Offers informative workshops/presentations to faculty, staff, and students to increase knowledge and awareness of equal access to programs, services, and activities at TSTC.
• Collaborates and participates in Retention Services planning and programming, hosts workshops, and fosters positive relationships with students, faculty, staff, and administration.
• Participates in campus events including New Student Orientation (NSO), Commencement, Registration Rallies, Move-In, etc.

• Advocates for opportunities that provide equal access and inclusion for those with disabilities.

Education/Experience/Knowledge/Skills

• Bachelor's degree in education, special education, counseling, social work or any related field which trains for critical inquiry, communication, and/or assessment required. Three years of experience may substitute for educational requirements for those who possess an Associates Degree.
• Two years minimum in projects or programs related to human resource development, counseling, educational development, job training, economic development or participant case management.
• Thorough knowledge of the Americans with Disability Acts and Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1974 and Fair Housing Standards.
• Ability to relate to individuals and groups of students using empathy, compassion, and effective communication.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a service environment that is subject to frequent interruptions.
• Skill in setting priorities that accurately reflect the relative importance of job responsibilities; ability to adapt well to change and reprioritize activities as needed.
• Ability to focus and make progress on multiple projects at a time.
• Skill in working independently and following through on assignments with minimal direction.
• Ability to develop and maintain a good rapport with departmental colleagues, staff, faculty, students, parents, and members of the broader public.
• Ability to effectively, professionally, and tactfully interact and communicate, both orally and in writing, with students, faculty, staff, and visitors.
• Skill in independently composing letters, memos, reports, and written communication materials using correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, composition, text editing, and proofreading skills.
• Demonstrated abilities in critical thinking, reasoning, professional judgment, decision-making, and problem solving.
• Knowledge of when to seek help with complex cases and/or escalate issues for appropriate support.
• Ability to read and understand IEPs, psycho-educational evaluations, medical documentation, mental health and psychological evaluation, and other types of relevant documentation to identify effective accommodation strategies for students with disabilities.
• Knowledge of various disability types and ease in working with students who experience barriers because of one or more disabilities.
• Knowledge of assistive/adaptive technologies and alternate formats.
• Skill in accurate record keeping with strict attention to detail. Skill in organizing tasks, documents and materials with efficiency and accuracy.
• Knowledge of the applicable federal and state regulations governing areas related to the responsibilities of the position including the Federal Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA) with the ability to maintain strict confidentiality at all times.
• General knowledge of college policies, procedures, and requirements.
• Demonstrated computer proficiency using Google suite, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, etc.) or equivalent software, the internet, email, and web-based applications.
• This job description covers a position in which the percentage of time spent on the essential functions will vary based on the workload and will ultimately be determined by the supervisor.
• This position will require a 5% or greater out-of-town travel that could extend overnight(s). *This position may occasionally require 10% or more availability to work beyond regular hours of operation and/or weekends.
• Security sensitive position

Equal Opportunity Employer

Texas State Technical College (TSTC), as an equal opportunity employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination. TSTC is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Employment Eligibility Verification

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at TSTC.

Background Checks

A criminal history background check will be required for the finalist(s) under consideration for this position.