To advance the college’s mission, vision, principles, values and strategic initiatives through continuous improvement decisions.
 
GENERAL JOB SUMMARY: 
This position plays a key role in enacting the College’s commitment to providing a welcoming, inclusive and accessible environment to a diverse group of students seeking to learn and grow at Kirkwood. This position will join a team of individuals focused on advocacy, service and support of students with disabilities. This position requires a high degree of independent judgment, initiative, organization, and problem-solving skills. Access Advocates will be responsible for advocating for equal access to educational opportunities for students by identifying accommodations and removing barriers associated with a disability. The ideal individual collaborates with faculty, staff and the College to remove barriers, and provides education and outreach to support students with disabilities.  

The typical schedule for this position will be Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm.
 
UNIVERSAL CORE COMPETENCIES: 

• Advocate for Continual Improvement- empowering each other to identify opportunities for excellence.
• Collaborate with Mutual Accountability- working together with a willingness to take ownership and account for our actions. 
• Champion Service- anticipating needs and create a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive environment. 
• Perseverance- commitment to excellence even in the face of adversity or delay in achieving success. 
• Lead- regardless of title, through positive influence. 

• Develop and identify reasonable accommodations and individualized support plans for students with disabilities 
• Monitor student progress and teach appropriate skills and interventions necessary to support academic and personal success. 
• Facilitate communication between students and instructors in the dynamic, interactive process of developing and managing accommodations for students with disabilities
• Document and maintain accurate accommodation letters, communications, notes, and related record information 
• Teach students problem-solving skills that support growth toward academic and personal autonomy
• Provide specialized academic support and skill building related to academic, personal and social skills and connect students to resources
• Assist with planning and facilitation social events, workshops and activities for students 
• Create and deliver presentations to students, families, faculty, staff and other groups about accommodations, disability law, students with disabilities, assistive technology
• Consult with faculty and staff who are supporting students with disabilities
• Engage and support students through the on-boarding process of attending college
• Maintain current knowledge of disability-related policies, procedures, assistive and adaptive technology, and law
• Perform other related work duties as assigned

• You are able and willing to provide outstanding customer service and serve as a positive representative of the department and the student services division.
• You express yourself clearly and effectively thorough oral and written communications with attention to audience-awareness. 
• You are committed to understanding diversity within and among equity-seeking populations and work to build engagement strategies that welcome a diverse group of perspectives and values.
• You work in collaboration with academic departments, student services, college wide programs and community resources to implement student success strategies 
• You possess the ability to exercise independent judgment and critical thinking skills
• You are a self-motivated individual with excellent time-management and organizational skills. 
• You possess a working knowledge of personal computer and have the ability to learn database software related to working with student data, institutional data, and communication. 
• You work with people of all backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, as well as cultivate an environment that values differences.

Position involves working in an office setting. Occasional (10-33%) standing, pushing, pulling and grasping. Frequent (34-66%) reaching and viewing a computer and other types of close visual work. Constant (67-100%) sitting, walking, repetitive motion, talking and hearing.

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Counseling, Psychology, Sociology, Human Services or related field    
• Experience working with individuals with disabilities
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to work independently
• Strong problem solving and critical thinking skills

• One year of experience in education or a related field
• Knowledge of or experience with disability law, policies, and procedures