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Administration/Managerment

Disability Specialist

Western University of Health Sciences · United States
Deadline
Jul 09, 2027
Closing in 263 days
Location
N/A
United States
Employment
None
Full time
Reference
N/A
Posted Sep 08, 2026
Offered salary$32.85 Hourly

About the role

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About WesternU

As you take your first step onto a Western University of Health Sciences campus, each path, each person, each structure comes with a transformative story. WesternU is more than the practice of medicine. We are defined by character and culture.

At WesternU, you will discover humanism at the heart of every interaction: a warm welcome, a sincere smile, a positive word, a kind deed, a thoughtful gesture. You will see students work together on case studies; a parade of pets in campus parks; student clubs offering opportunities for career growth and community involvement; and faculty, staff and students designing their future and the future of WesternU. We display a collaborative mindset in how we operate, educate, and serve others.

Although, geographically, we are two campuses - as humanists, we are one: to enhance and extend the quality of life in our communities and achieve excellence in everything we do. We attract diverse, professional faculty, staff and students that thrive in an environment of humanistic health care education. Join our team of faculty and staff and make a difference.

Posting Details

Position Title Disability Specialist

Position Control Number S04107 Type of Position Staff Position Status Full-time Campus Western University Campus-Pomona, CA Position Location California Department 4201-Harris Family Center for Disability and Health Policy Job Summary Under general supervision from the Director of HFCDHP and lead work direction from the Associate Director of HFCDHP, the Disability Specialist provides services to students requesting accommodations through an interactive process, assessment for the presence and severity of disabling conditions, and the study of medical/psychological/educational documents in conjunction with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and applicable Western University of Health Sciences (WesternU) and HFCDHP policies and procedures to provide reasonable academic accommodations. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Individuals must possess the knowledge, as well as the following skills and abilities or be able to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities.

Knowledge :

  • Thorough knowledge of the principles of individual and group behavior, individual counseling, research, and interview techniques. Ability to obtain factual and interpretive information through interviews.
  • General knowledge of the principles, practices and trends of the student services field as well as general knowledge of the policies, procedures, and practices of the program area to which assigned; general knowledge, or the ability to rapidly acquire such knowledge, of the organizational procedures and activities of WesternU colleges.

    • Skills:

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Must be able to effectively interact with faculty, staff, administration, students, healthcare professionals, and outside contacts; ability to communicate with others in person, by telephone, and by email; and facilitate presentations at all levels.
  • Excellent computer skills including the ability to navigate Microsoft 365 and Zoom, Teams, draft and format documents in Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, Publisher and any other software program required for this position.

    • Abilities:

  • Ability to analyze complex situations accurately and adopt effective courses of action; advise students individually and in groups on complex student-related matters; determine appropriate courses of action and proper techniques to utilize while engaged with individuals in personal interactions of an argumentative or sensitive nature; interpret and evaluate descriptions and explanations of problems brought forward by individuals or student organizations; analyze and define the problem, draw valid conclusions, and project consequences of various alternative courses of action.
  • Ability to carry out a variety of professionally complex assignments without detailed instructions; and establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with a variety of individuals. Ability to use initiative and resourcefulness in planning work assignments and in implementing long range program improvements.
  • Ability to reason logically; ability to collect, compile, analyze and evaluate data and make verbal or written presentation based on these data.
  • Ability to recognize multicultural, multi-sexed and multi-aged value systems and work accordingly.
  • Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with a variety of individuals to include faculty, WesternU administrators, student organizations, and other private and public agencies and others in committee work, student advising, and community contacts.
  • Demonstrate a commitment to working in an organization that values and promotes humanism.

    • Required Qualifications Education:

  • Bachelor's degree in special education, counseling, guidance, psychology, social work, or a related field.

    • Experience:

  • Experience: 3-5 years of experience in assessing students with disabilities. Knowledge of ADA and disability legislation as it relates to higher education. An understanding of how to analyze documentation used to assess students with disabilities. Knowledge of college student growth and development.

    • Preferred Qualifications

  • Prefer a master's degree in special education, counseling, guidance, psychology, social work, or a related field.
  • Prior experience reviewing, evaluating, and determining academic accommodations for college students with disabilities preferred.

    • Essential Job Duties

    Key Responsibilities Counseling: Under the general direction of the Director, authorizes accommodations for students with disabilities enrolled at WesternU requesting accommodation, on a case-by-case basis that are commensurate with the student's verified disability(ies) and are in accordance with the ADA, ADAAA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, applicable WesternU and HFCDHP policies and procedures through an interactive process and study of medical and educational documents as they supplement the students' presentation; creates student accommodation plans; conducts routine follow up and assessment of needs; and maintains records of encounters.

    The Disability Specialist employs the following measures to assign accommodation:

  • Assesses for the presence and severity of visual, physical, psychological, hearing, and other disabilities that may affect academic achievement (permanent and temporary).
  • Interviews and assesses students' accommodation needs through an interactive process and a thorough review of medical/psychological/educational documents and other pertinent information that may be of a sensitive or confidential nature.
  • Solicits medical/psychological/educational documents when necessary to clarify the student's functional limitations in the academic setting to inform appropriate accommodation decisions.
  • Troubleshoots functional limitations and their persistent adverse effect on academic achievement.
  • Authorizes and explains accommodations to include department policies and guidelines and how to request and access them.
  • Documents the encounter and disposition timely in the student's file.
  • Drafts accommodation memorandums of students' accommodations based on established policies and procedures.
  • Contributes to innovation in disability counseling services through consistent assessment and by working with department staff, faculty, and other campus professionals to design student success programs and services and advise and connect students to on and off campus resources based on need.

    • Key Responsibilities Case Management:

  • Routinely assesses the provision of accommodations, provides disability- related counseling to enrolled students; addresses student concerns; works with them to resolve issues that may arise; and provides referrals to on and off campus entities to address needs.
  • Routinely identifies by GPA, length of time to degree and severity of functional limitations, students that are at high risk for academic failure and meets with them to develop innovative accommodation plans and connect them to resources that will better meet their needs. Consults with the Director and Associate Director of HFCDHP regarding accessibility and accommodation challenges on assigned caseload.
  • Coordinates students' requests for surrogates with on campus departments.
  • Assists students with connecting to appropriate HFCDHP staff for notetaking and Smartpen services, exam accommodation services, sign language and Remote Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) services, assistive technology, accessible furniture, and alternative media.
  • Serves as an advocate for the student within WesternU and with outside service agencies.
  • Orients students to campus evacuation procedures and provides class schedules to risk management and Campus Security for all students that cannot self-evacuate in a campus emergency.

    • Key Responsibilities Collaboration:

  • Promotes disability awareness among faculty, staff, and students through in-service trainings. Provides guidance on disability-related legislation to WesternU staff and faculty.
  • Assists in the development and implementation of special programs focusing on students with disabilities access, success, and retention.
  • Consults with colleagues at post-secondary education institutions and at workshops.
  • Develops and maintains close working relationships with disabled student counseling personnel in feeder schools to aid in student transition.
  • Represents department by serving on department, division, university-wide and community committees.
  • Contributes articles related to disabilities to the department's e-newsletter and social media platforms.

    • Key Responsibilities Other Duties:

  • Attends trainings relevant to the position and upholds the principles of humanism.
  • Other duties as assigned and in keeping with the classification.

    • Posting Details Continued

    Work Schedule

  • Monday-Friday; 8 AM to 5:00 PM. Some overtime may be required for HFCDHP events.

    • Working at WesternU

    We believe in making an impact in the lives of our employees, personally, and professionally. Every employee has different individual and/or family needs. We offer benefits that are both comprehensive and flexible to address your unique needs. We believe work-life harmony is positive and achievable.

    We offer competitive salaries, generous paid time off, insurance plans, reimbursements, and retirement benefits. Additionally,

    • Our faculty, staff, and administrators are 100% focused on student success.

    • Our University culture creates the context for a nurturing and supportive environment.

    • Faculty, staff, and students can expect to make deep, personal relationships within the University community.

    • As a Faculty, Staff, or Student at WesternU, you can focus on work that you love, be your authentic self, and lead to the future with innovation in health sciences.

    • WesternU's core value of humanism encourages all to bring their whole self in all that they do.

    • We are committed to fostering a culture of respect, equity, collaboration, and fun at all levels for all people!

    Expected Pay Scale

    Minimum $32.85 Hourly

    Maximum $32.85 Hourly

    Physical Demands

    Physical Demands

    Do the essential functions of this job require lifting? Yes

    If yes, list maximum weight and duration The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by any employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

    While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to use hands to operate a PC in the performance of job duties and talk and hear. The employee is regularly required to sit, and reach with hands and arms, and occasionally required to stand, walk, stoop, and smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance, and peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to focus, and the ability to read aloud. Describe Work Environment Normal conditions for a general office environment. The employee will be working with the public; meeting with students with disabilities requesting accommodation through an interactive process held by phone, remotely, and in-person. Meeting with and facilitating accommodation services for students with disabilities. Working cooperatively with a variety of individuals to include faculty, WesternU administrators, student organizations, and other private and public agencies and others in committee work, student advising, and community contacts.

    Posting Information

    Posting Number S01798

    Posting Date 07/09/2026 Close Date 07/09/2027 Open Until Filled Yes

    Conditions of Employment - Background Check

    To secure employment, successful fulfillment of a background check, including a criminal records check, may be required. Western University of Health Sciences will extend a conditional offer of employment, subject to rescission if the background check unveils disqualifying information or if it is found that the candidate deliberately withheld or misrepresented information. Non- completion of the background check to satisfaction may impact the ongoing employment of a current Western University of Health Sciences employee who received a conditional offer for the position.

    Pay Transparency Act

    Pay Transparency Act- Western University of Health Sciences is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range considers various factors in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The Expected Pay Scale is defined as the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. Placement within the Expected Pay Scale is determined by internal equity and relevant qualifications.

    Equal Opportunity Statement (EEO)

    It is the policy of Western University to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment as required by law without regard to age, race, color, national origin ancestry, citizenship, ethnicity, creed, religion or religious creed, sex or gender (including gender identity), marital status, sexual orientation, disability (both physical and mental) including HIV and AIDS, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), pregnancy (which includes childbirth, breastfeeding and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding), age, genetic information, military and veteran status, or any other applicable protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.This policy applies to all employment practices within WesternU including without limitation, hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoffs, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, and training. WesternU makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merits, and business needs at the time.

    Applicant Documents

    Required Documents

  • Resume
  • Cover Letter
  • Letter of Recommendation #1
  • Letter of Recommendation #2
  • Letter of Recommendation #3

    • Optional Documents

  • Additional Applicant Document
  • Required License/Certification
    • Supplemental Questions

    Required fields are indicated with an asterisk ().

  • How did you hear about this employment opportunity? Please provide the name of the website, individual, or organization.

    • (Open Ended Question)

    How to apply

    Read the full posting, then apply through the employer's own site. Applications are handled by the institution, not by AcademicGates.

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