Assistant Director for Accessibility and Wellness Services - Duke Law School

Duke University:

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

Occupational Summary

The Assistant Director for Accessibility and Wellness Services reports to the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs and is an integral part of the student services team. The Assistant Director will implement a full range of disability-related accommodations to students at Duke Law and coordinate the development and implementation of wellness programming targeted to law students.

This person will work closely with others in the student affairs team, administrators, and staff to implement approved accommodations, and is the primary liaison between the Student Disability Accessibility Office (SDAO) and the law school on all issues related to disability support. The Assistant Director will ensure the comprehensive and seamless delivery of support and resources to law students and provide guidance to faculty and staff on best practices to ensure an inclusive and welcoming learning environment.

Work Schedule

Regular, full-time. Monday-Friday with some weekend work occasionally.

Work Performed

Accessibility Services 50%

• Manage a caseload of students with accommodations, including prospective, admitted, and current students.
• Counsel students on implementing reasonable and appropriate ADA accommodations by meeting with individual students and reviewing approved accommodations. Facilitate an interactive process between the student, staff, Law School faculty, and SDAO.
• Inform students of SDAO program services, resources, support available, deadlines, and requirements. Explain policies, procedures, student rights, and responsibilities throughout the academic year.
• Ensure that information is appropriately communicated to students through email, the Duke Law Daily, the website, and other appropriate means.
• Collaborate with students, faculty, and staff through an interactive process to provide appropriate and reasonable academic accommodations while preserving the integrity of programmatic and curricular goals.
• Coordinate with Facilities, the Law School Communications Office, and Academic Technologies to ensure that the physical plant and website are accessible to all students.
• Coordinate technology needs and requirements for accommodated exams with faculty assistants and the registrar.
• Develop and implement systems and practices for maintaining the confidentiality of accommodated students and grading anonymity.
• Develop an accommodated exam calendar. Oversee the administration of all accommodated exams including room assignments, scheduling, and supervision of proctors.
• Work with staff assistant to solicit note-takers, distribute class notes, and other support required for accommodated students.
• Support law students in completing needed certification to the Bar Examiners for accommodations requests; ensure that accommodated students have the needed forms and procedures to apply timely for bar exam accommodations.
• Work with the Career and Professional Development Center (CPDC) to counsel accommodated students on internships and post-graduate employment. Advise students of best practices in addressing disclosure, non-disclosure, and requesting accommodations when seeking employment opportunities given the student’s individual situation.
• Research, evaluate, and stay informed of accessibility and wellness best practices for law students and the initiatives of other law schools, legal and other entities, and bar organizations, including participation and membership in relevant professional organizations.

Event Coordination and Wellness Programming 35%

• Collaborate with the Assistant Director of Student Affairs and the Student Affairs Assistant in the planning and execution of events sponsored by the Office of Student Affairs including LEAD Week, Convocation Ceremony, exam study breaks, First Mondays.

• Develop and implement a range of programs for students to promote resilience, professionalism, and overall wellness.
• Advise and assist with student organizations conducting wellness activities and programming.
• Manage the Dedicated to Durham program.
• Manage the Quiet Room.
• Coordinate implementation of religious accommodations.
• Assist with other programs as needed.

Financial and Administrative 15%

• Act as a backup for financial processing.
• Assist students with transactions.
• Enforce financial requirements and standards.
• Assist the Student Affairs Office with other administrative tasks to maintain the productivity of the office, as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education

Work requires analytical, communications and organizational skills generally acquired through completion of a bachelor's degree program.

Experience

Work generally requires two years’ experience in personnel, college or university administration, or a related field to acquire skills necessary to provide program management, advising and general administrative support.

OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Preferred Education and Experience

MA-level or higher education.

Prior work with students and ADA accommodations.

Knowledge and experience counseling students on matters concerning ADA accommodations.

Knowledge and understanding of ADA requirements

Skills and Abilities

• Strong customer service orientation;
• High level of competence in both written and oral communication;
• Outstanding organizational skills;
• Excellent problem-solving abilities;
• Ability to prioritize and manage short and long-term projects;
• Able to work independently as well as in a cooperative setting;
• Good control and follow-up of own work; and
• Ability to effectively plan and manage deadlines.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Work requires analytical, communications and organizational skills generally acquired through completion of a bachelor's degree program.

Experience

Work generally requires two years experience in personnel, college or OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE university administration, or a related field to acquire skills necessary to provide program management, advising and general administrative support.

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essentialjob functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.