Position Summary

Whitworth University Educational Support Services (ESS) provides leadership and consultation to university efforts to ensure an accessible, inclusive, and welcoming environment for students with disabilities while ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations. ESS serves as a central resource on disability-related information, procedures, and services for the Whitworth community and provides expertise in developing, implementing, and acquiring standard disability-related University practices, procedures, and resources.

The manager plans, leads, and oversees the administration of programs and services for Whitworth’s Educational Support Services (ESS) office. Responsible for determining eligibility for students with disabilities and approving accommodation plans, the manager identifies and removes access barriers to ensure equitable opportunities while maintaining fundamental academic and technical standards of academic and co-curricular programs and activities. The manager will create and enhance strong relationships among university partners regarding accessibility, promote the development of student self-advocacy skills, and advance a campus-wide effort for Universal Design for Learning.

Core Responsibilities

ADA | 50%

• Provides leadership and guidance to university partners for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504, and other disability legislation at federal and state levels affecting the provision of disability services at Whitworth University.
• Anticipate and resolve difficulties in providing approved accommodations.
• Works with the Associate Dean for Student Success & Equity with fact-finding and resolution of student disability discrimination complaints; serves as the chair of the Whitworth’s ADA Grievance Committee.
• Serves as primary contact for students with disabilities, faculty and staff within the academic and co-curricular environments. Manages routine correspondence among partners.
• Evaluates eligibility and determines accessibility needs of student with disabilities; coordinates and facilitates across a variety of university partners including the solicitation of resources from public and private organizations in the delivery of services such as ASL interprets, services to the blind, assistive technology, alternative format textbooks and referrals to other supportive resources.
• Manages exam facilitation procedures and modifications related to testing accommodations; arranges with faculty the procurement of exam materials, proctoring instructions, adherence to academic honesty standards, and safe return of testing materials; ensure access to scribes, readers, enlarged texts.

• Analyzes practices, processes, and resources to address student accommodations across the university to inform decisions on best processes, resources, and training needs.
• Compiles reports related to the implementation of services across the university, disability-related trends and resource utilization, unmet needs, and emergent issues.
• Monitors university accommodation expenditures ensuring timely, consistent accommodations while maintaining good stewardship.
• Manages the ESS web page and social media presence; develop student disability-related publications; i.e. brochures, flyers, articles for college newsletters, etc, in both standard English and alternative formats.

• Participates in the recruitment and selection of ESS staff.
• Hires, trains and evaluates student support staff; supervises, assigns, and monitors work performed.
• Ensures knowledge of ESS staff regarding sensitivity to needs of students with disabilities and confidentiality requirements pertaining to documentation, disclosure, procedures and services.
• Manages staff meetings, verbal and written communication.

• Serves as a member of Whitworth’s Educational Review Board (ERB).
• Commits to leadership development opportunities both online and at conferences to grow knowledge, skills, and abilities for managing change related to students with disabilities.
• Manages educational programming on inclusion and academic accessibility strategies in the academic and co-curricular environment; working knowledge of Universal Design for Learning.

• Participate in events and department meetings.
• Assist with special projects.
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications, Skills, and Abilities

Education and Experience

• Associate's degree. Whitworth considers candidates with a wide range of educational backgrounds. We value the skills and knowledge candidates bring to Whitworth, regardless of the paths they have taken to acquire them.
• One to three years of experience in a higher education setting, preferably in disability services, academic support, or student services.
• Demonstrated knowledge and application of ADA, Section 504, and other federal and state disability regulations in a higher education setting.
• Experience in developing and managing accommodation plans for students with disabilities, including assessing student needs and determining eligibility.
• Mental Health First Aid, Suicide assessment training, and/or equivalent certifications

• Personal commitment to the Christian faith and integration of faith and learning.
• Demonstrated growth in cultural competence, awareness of societal and structural inequities, and proven experience in effectively establishing relationships and positive communications with students and other constituents across multiple dimensions of diversity including, but not limited to, race, gender, varying abilities, nationality, sexual orientation, gender identity, class or religious perspectives.
• Commitment to Whitworth University’s educational mission as a Christian liberal arts university.

• Deep understanding of ADA, Section 504, and other applicable disability-related legislation. Ability to provide guidance and leadership in ensuring compliance across campus departments.
• Ability to anticipate and resolve difficulties related to accommodations and accessibility. Strong analytical skills to review practices and identify solutions to operational and accommodation challenges.
• Ability to manage sensitive situations and maintain confidentiality while providing clear, concise guidance to university partners.
• Proficient in assistive technology and alternative formats, including knowledge of tools such as screen readers, text-to-speech software, and adaptive equipment.
• Ability to lead, supervise, and mentor support staff, ensuring their training and understanding of disability services procedures and confidentiality requirements.
• Ability to present educational programs and training on inclusion and accessibility strategies to campus partners.

• Bachelors degree
• Supervisory experience, including the training and management of student support staff, is preferred.
• Completion of professional development programs in ADA compliance, Universal Design for Learning, or related areas preferred.

Other Details

Schedule
Full-time (.92 FTE) | 11 months | 40 hours per week
Whitworth office hours are 8 AM to 4:30 PM Monday – Friday

Whitworth University is a Christian liberal arts university. Our shared mission is to provide our diverse students with an education of mind and heart, equipping them to honor God, follow Christ, and serve humanity. We seek candidates who are willing to engage with the university’s mission and integrate their Christian faith into their work.

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, faith statement, and contact information for at least three professional references. A background check and sexual misconduct check will be required of the successful candidate.

You are on this webpage because a position at Whitworth sparked your curiosity. If you find yourself questioning hitting the apply button because you might not meet 100% of the qualifications, we think you should do it! Research continues to show that women and BIPOC candidates are less likely to hit the apply button unless they meet all the listed qualifications. One way we are working to overcome this trend is every search committee at Whitworth has a trained Equity Advocate (EA) serving on the team. Our EAs are trained to make space for committees to consider each candidate's unique and relevant skills and attributes. So, when you click apply, please know that your application is reviewed by a committee of real, living, and breathing human beings who want to understand your experience and skills to find ways you relate to the key competencies needed for success in the position.

Whitworth complies with all federal, state, and local nondiscrimination laws that are applicable to religious nonprofit institutions and does not engage in unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sexual orientation, sex, or disability. With our Christ-centered commitment to building a diverse and inclusive community, the university encourages applications from populations underrepresented at Whitworth including members of racial/ethnic communities, women, and persons with disabilities.

Online applications are stored on a secure site. Only authorized employees and hiring authorities have access to the information submitted.

It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.

At Whitworth University, we are committed to supporting the well-being of our faculty and staff by offering an extensive benefits package. Eligible employees can enjoy a variety of benefits, including:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Employer-matched retirement plans
• Tuition remission programs available for employees, their spouses, and dependents
• Life insurance and long-term disability coverage
• Accrued vacation and sick leave based on full-time equivalency (FTE)
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program
• Resources for Christian vocation and calling
• No cost access to the University Recreation Center (UREC) and the Megan E. Thompson Aquatic Center
• 17 paid holidays throughout the year