University of California, Berkeley · 6 hours ago
Lead Disability Specialist and Supervisor (4560U), Disabled Students Program - #83811
Berkeley, CA
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
$83K/yr - $113K/yr
3+ years expThe University of California, Berkeley is a world-leading institution known for its commitment to equity and social justice. They are seeking a Lead Disability Specialist and Supervisor to oversee a team of Disability Specialists, ensuring students with disabilities have equitable access to academic and campus environments in compliance with federal and state disability law.
Responsibilities
Provides direct supervision, mentorship, and professional development to a team of Disability Specialists
Oversees workload distribution, performance evaluations, and supporting staff in meeting expectations related to case management, service quality, timeliness, and professional conduct
Oversees and leads the recruitment and hiring efforts for the DSP Disability Specialist unit
Leads internal training and onboarding for new and continuing Disability Specialists to ensure consistency in practices, procedures, legal compliance, and evolving campus standards
Identifies training needs and collaborates with the DSP Senior Policy Analyst to design or coordinate learning opportunities to support team growth and service quality
Responds to and resolves student and faculty complaints, escalating complex matters to DSP leadership as needed
Collaborates with DSP managers and auxiliary services (Alternative Media, Communications Access, Note Taking, and Proctoring) to ensure coordinated service delivery
Partners with academic departments and faculty to address accommodation challenges and continuously works towards a consistent campus-wide approach to disability compliance and support
Works closely with the DSP Business Admin team and demonstrates understanding of campus processes and guidelines related to HR, recruitment, purchasing, facilities, and other operational needs that align with university policy and smooth day-to-day operations
Leads case review meetings, contributes to policy development, and helps shape strategic planning efforts for the specialist unit
Serves as a key liaison with academic departments, deans’ offices, and student affairs
Responds promptly to sensitive or high-level faculty complaints regarding accommodations
Represents DSP in campus initiatives, particularly those involving academic access, student experience, or instructional access
Collaborates with the DSP Senior Policy Analyst to deliver or coordinate campus-wide training efforts that promote awareness of disability, accessibility, and inclusive teaching practices in higher education
Oversees the integration and functionality of case management systems (e.g., AIM) for the specialist unit
Provides leadership on system-related needs in partnership with the Auxiliary Services units, helping shape improvements and enhance staff efficiency and student support
Maintains a small caseload of students with complex or high-stakes accommodation needs
Provides consultation on escalated student cases brought forward by Disability Specialists, Auxiliary Services supervisors, or DSP management
Ensures the consistent application of accommodation policies across the team
Other duties as assigned
Qualification
Required
A minimum of 3-5 years of direct experience supervising career/professional/represented staff in a service-oriented, compliance-driven environment
Demonstrated ability to manage conflict, address performance concerns, and lead team change management efforts
Demonstrated ability to interface with faculty and campus leadership around sensitive, high-stakes accessibility issues and concerns
Demonstrated success in working closely with departmental managers, unit supervisors, and administrative leads to support coordinated service delivery, resolve operational issues, and implement programmatic improvements
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively across the organization at all levels
Experience in mediating, managing, and resolving conflicts and employing open and clear decision-making processes
Demonstrated proficiency and political acumen in working with a broad range of students, faculty, staff, senior administrators, and community leaders
Demonstrated skills in problem identification, sound judgment, transparent decision making, critical thinking, and creative problem solving
Excellent organizational skills and demonstrated ability to manage competing time and resource demands
Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collaborate with individuals and groups from a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives
Demonstrated commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment that promotes collaboration and mutual respect among all members of the UC Berkeley community and its stakeholders
Must demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to engage with and understand individuals from varied academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender, and ethnic backgrounds
Master's degree or higher in education, rehabilitation counseling, psychology, social work, or a related field with a strong focus on disability, student affairs, or higher education. A combination of advanced education and relevant experience in disability services within postsecondary settings may also be considered and/or equivalent experience/training
Preferred
Professional experience working directly with students with disabilities as an accommodations specialist in a university setting
Advanced knowledge and content experience in disability documentation, academic accommodations and adjustments, auxiliary services, and student service delivery
Thorough knowledge of the legal framework involving accommodations for students with disabilities through state and federal laws and regulations, and the determination of accommodations, within the current legal framework
Benefits
This is a full-time (40 hours/week), career position that is eligible for UC Benefits.
Company
University of California, Berkeley
A wellspring of innovation, the school occupies a 1,232-acre campus near downtown Berkeley.
10001+ employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Laleh Coté
Chair - Coalition for Education and Outreach (CEO)
Adam Sterling
Co-Founder, Startup@BerkeleyLaw
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