Special Instructions to Applicants:

All interested applicants should attach a resume and cover letter in the Supporting Documents section of the application, preferably in a PDF format to avoid any formatting issues.

About Rice:

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally, and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lecture series, courses, and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff, and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice’s culture. They come through in the way we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name — RICE — Responsibility, Integrity, Community, and Excellence.

Position Summary:
Rice University is enhancing its commitment to inclusive education by broadening support services for students with disabilities and those experiencing previously undiagnosed learning differences. This initiative includes the reorganization of the Disability Resource Center and the establishment of a new Student Disability Resource Center. The Associate Director of the Student Disability Resource Center plays a key role in advancing the university’s commitment to inclusivity by providing leadership, support, and management for disability services and accommodations. This position ensures compliance with federal, state, and university policies related to accessibility and disability services. The Associate Director works collaboratively with students, faculty, staff, and various departments across the university to create an accessible and supportive learning environment for students with disabilities.

Ideal Candidate Statement:

The ideal candidate for Associate Director is a knowledgeable and collaborative professional with a strong understanding of disability services in higher education. In addition to experience in implementing accommodations, the candidate will work closely with students, faculty, and staff to develop a culture of inclusion. The candidate should possess excellent communication and leadership skills to promote and support the university’s mission of accessibility and ensure compliance while enhancing the student experience. They should also be proficient with disability services management software, possess strong planning and analytical skills, and have a proven ability to manage financial, organizational, and staff resources effectively.

Workplace Requirements:
This position is exclusively on-site, necessitating all in-person duties at Rice University. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

Hiring Range: $68,000–$75,000
*Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements:

Bachelor's degree in higher education, special education, social work, psychology, or a related field required
2+ years of experience in disability services or a related field in higher education. In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year-for-year basis, may be substituted

Skills:

Strong understanding of disability-related issues in higher education and best practices for supporting students with disabilities
Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences, including students, faculty, staff, and external partners
Experience developing and delivering workshops, training, and presentations
Ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects and deadlines effectively
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a diverse, inclusive, and dynamic academic environment
Experience with disability services management software or similar tools
Excellent planning, organizational, and analytical skills
Demonstrated ability to make sound business decisions using good judgment and innovative, creative problem-solving
Demonstrated ability to manage financial, organizational, and staff resources
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to cultivate professional and business partnerships

Preferences:

Master’s degree in higher education, social work, psychology, special education, or a related field preferred
Experience working directly with students with disabilities in an academic environment is highly preferred
Experience with Oracle Cloud Applications, AIM, Maxient, Microsoft Office, and Google Drive systems

Essential Functions:

Assist the Director in the development, implementation, and evaluation of the university’s Disability Services program, ensuring it meets the needs of students with disabilities
Lead initiatives to enhance the accessibility of academic, co-curricular, and campus life experiences for students with disabilities
Collaborate with university stakeholders to create policies and practices that ensure students with disabilities receive equal access to educational opportunities
Oversee the process of determining and implementing reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities, including academic adjustments and auxiliary services
Provide guidance and support to students regarding accommodation requests, ensuring they are timely, equitable, and compliant with relevant laws
Work with faculty and staff to implement accommodations effectively, providing training and consultation as needed
Provide direct support to students, offering assistance for academic, personal, and social integration
Develop and facilitate workshops or informational sessions on disability-related topics to promote awareness and inclusivity across the university
Act as a resource for students with disabilities, helping them navigate academic challenges and self-advocacy strategies
Ensure the university is in compliance with the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and other relevant regulations regarding disability services
Monitor and assess university policies and procedures related to disability services and recommend modifications as necessary to improve service delivery
Supervise and mentor Disability Services staff, including Student Disability Resource Center case managers and other support personnel
Provide professional development and training opportunities for staff to enhance their knowledge of best practices and emerging trends in disability services
Coordinate and lead departmental meetings, ensuring that staff remain informed and aligned with departmental goals
Collaborate with academic departments, Student Wellbeing, Rice Counseling Center, and other university units to promote a campus-wide commitment to inclusivity for students with disabilities
Develop partnerships with external organizations and agencies to enhance support services for students with disabilities, including internships, job placements, and assistive technology resources
Collect, maintain, and analyze data related to the use of disability services, accommodations, and outcomes
Prepare reports for university leadership on disability services trends, program effectiveness, and recommendations for improvement
Ensure confidentiality and security of all student records in compliance with FERPA and university policies
Other duties may be assigned as needed

Additional Functions:

Stay current on local, state, and federal disability regulations and guidelines to ensure that university policies and practices are up to date and compliant
Maintain accurate and confidential records of student accommodations and disability-related information
Work with the department director to prepare reports related to disability services and student outcomes as required by university administration or accrediting bodies
In conjunction with the department director, work closely with academic departments, student support services (Wellbeing, Rice Counseling Center, Student Success Initiatives, Academic Advising, etc.), and other campus services to support the overall well-being and academic success of students with disabilities
Foster partnerships with external disability organizations and advocacy groups to stay informed about best practices and emerging trends in the field

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits

Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact Rice University’s Disability Resource Center at 713-348-5841 or adarice@rice.edu for support.

If you have any additional questions, please email us at jobs@rice.edu. Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.

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