Menlo College is hiring for the position of Academic Advisor and Disability Services Specialist. Adopting a holistic approach to student development, academic advisors support and mentor students to help them achieve their academic, personal, and professional goals. Advisors proactively work with students to help the College achieve its retention and graduation goals.

The Disability Services Specialist coordinates accommodations and services for students with permanent or temporary disabilities to ensure that all Menlo College programs, activities, and services are accessible. The Disability Services Specialist assists in ensuring compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and other relevant state and federal legislation. Menlo College is willing to provide training and professional development to the right candidate who may not have a background in disability services.

Academic Advising and Disability Services are part of the Center for Academic and Professional Success (CAPS); and advisors and specialists work collaboratively with other CAPS team members in Career Services, the Internship Program, the Writing, and Oral Communication Center, the Math Center, the Peer Tutor, and Testing Center, and First-Year Experience Programs. Advising and disability services staff collaborate closely with the Office of the Registrar, Admissions, Athletics, Student Affairs, and Academic Affairs. This is a unique opportunity for an experienced student success professional to apply principles of innovation and continuous improvement to ignite student potential and ensure student success. Depending on experience, opportunities to teach are available.  

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Academic Advising:

• Manage an academic advising caseload and implement a student-centered advising model that supports student success and encourages assigned advisees to actively engage in academic planning.
• Evaluate students’ skills, needs, goals, concerns, and problems and provide appropriate response and referral. Create 4-year plans with assigned advisees, beginning in the first year.
• Ensure that advisees have the information and support needed to successfully achieve Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for the Academic Advising Program.
• Create student success action plans and academic contracts for advisees who are reinstated after academic disqualification.
• Respond to early alerts for at-risk students and develop an appropriate outreach and intervention plan to ensure student success.
• Coordinate with faculty teaching the Transition to College course to deliver academic planning and goal setting workshops to students.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

Disability Services:

• Manage a caseload of students with permanent and/or temporary disabilities; oversee all activities in ensuring equal opportunity for access to academic and non-academic programs at the College for students with disabilities.
• Collect and interpret medical and educational documentation for students with disabilities in order to identify appropriate accommodations.
• Collaborate with the Testing / Tutoring Coordinator, faculty, and staff to coordinate accommodations, which may include: exam administration; provision of assistive technology and auxiliary aids; residential accommodations; note-takers, etc.
• Serve as a liaison and a resource for students with disabilities; provide information to students regarding their legal rights and responsibilities; collaborate and consult with faculty and staff regarding accommodations and compliance with legal responsibilities.
• Conduct outreach to incoming and prospective students and their families regarding disability services, accommodations, and academic support.
• Represent Disability Services at various Menlo College weekday, evening, and weekend events, including Admissions Open Houses and Orientation.
• Provide recommendations to the Academic Appeals Committee regarding academic probation and disqualification, withdrawal, and readmission to the College for students with disabilities.
• Collect data on documented disabilities and accommodations and prepare an annual report for the Director of Advising, for assessment, institutional research, and strategic planning purposes.

Maintain current knowledge of pertinent laws and regulations regarding access and services for students with disabilities and serves as an informational resource to faculty and staff.