Accommodations Specialist, Pre-College Student Life

Job Description:

The Division of Pre-College and Undergraduate Programs is responsible for developing and offering non-credit and credit courses and programs for 6,000 high school students. Students participate in programs on Brown University’s Providence campus, as well as online and in other locations. Brown University’s Pre-College Programs are a leader in the field of higher education institutions that provide rigorous academic opportunities to students. These Programs offer students an opportunity to study a wide range of liberal arts subjects that reflect the breadth of Brown’s undergraduate open curriculum while strengthening their connection to a robust community of peer scholars from around the world. Students develop personal and social skills that are critical to success in the college setting and get a feel for college life – the responsibility, the freedom, and the new friendships.

The Division of Pre-College and Undergraduate Programs is dedicated to ensuring a supportive, challenging, inclusive, and equitable living and learning environment for pre-college students who hail from all 50 states in the U.S. and over 70 countries. The planning for and implementation of the pre-college programs are fast-moving and fluid. The division’s shared goals of safety, support, and excellent learning mean that each staff member plays a critical role in the program's success. This success includes timely, effective, and supportive responses to the needs of staff, students, and families. Reporting to the Associate Director of Pre-College Student Life – Student Support and Operations, the Accommodations Specialist contributes to these goals by creating and facilitating quality delivery of accessibility services. The Accommodation Specialist will conduct intake interviews to gain a foundational understanding of summer pre-college students’ and staff member’s accessibility needs and evaluate information from medical and/or psychological clinicians to determine eligibility, and make referrals and/or engage in consults with clinicians and campus colleagues, as necessary. The Accommodation Specialist is a remote position starting April 14, 2025 and ending July 19, 2025 with the expectation that the position will be full-time (37.5 hours per week – standard Brown University schedule) during that time period. This is a seasonal/intermittent position that is not benefits-eligible. Evening and weekend work required. Compensation is a taxable stipend of $16,170.

Major Responsibility: Engage with students and their families, as well as seasonal staff, seeking accommodations to determine reasonable accommodations, provide support and encourage self-advocacy. (70%)

Supporting Actions: Communicate with students and their families, and seasonal staff to review requests for accommodation, respond to disability inquiries, request and review supporting documentation. Within the frameworks of the pre-college programs and in consultation with the Associate Director, determine eligibility for accommodation. Consult with campus colleagues in the office of Student Accessibility Services, , Health and Wellness departments, Facilities Management, faculty, and other campus offices. Orient, support, and provide guidance to students and those in their support systems about the student accessibility process and appropriate use of accommodations or services. 

Major Responsibility:  Collaborate with the Associate Director and Divisional staff to review complex or difficult requests for accommodation, departmental policies and processes. (30%)

Supporting Actions: Identify efficiencies and solutions to accommodation-related concerns. Collaborate with the Associate Director, staff, and academic departments to ensure the provision of appropriate resources for students. Maintain an understanding of disability compliance including but not limited to Section 504 and the ADA, as well as updates and changes in current emerging solutions for equitable access.

Decisions Position is Free to Make

Describe the authority held by the position by listing 1 to 2 examples of decisions that the position is free to make and explain the decisions that depend on the position’s advice.

Decisions free to make:

• Determination of a qualifying disability for students.

• Determination of reasonable accommodations for students with qualifying disabilities.

• Determination of priorities and executing/coordinating next steps for effective communication both electronically and in print

• Identification of and work with both academic and non-academic department liaisons to implement best practices.

 Explain the decisions that depend on position’s advice:

• Consultation with faculty regarding helpful classroom strategies for pre-college students. Consultation with faculty regarding appropriate accommodations.

Education & Experience

• Master’s degree in Counseling, Social Work, Education or similar program preferred; Counseling coursework preferred.

• 3-4 years of experience working with students with disabilities, preferably in an academic setting or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Experience working in a fast-paced, culturally and demographically diverse setting.

• Experience with reviewing and evaluating documentation to determine accommodations in higher education or employment settings.

• Experience interpreting federal and state laws/regulations governing the provision of services to persons with disabilities.

Job Competencies

Indicate the essential job competencies. Competencies are required knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the job successfully. 

• Demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively with a diverse staff and student body and demonstrate cultural competence and inclusiveness; sensitivity to an understanding of diverse perspectives that students and staff bring to their work, including those of academic, socioeconomic, culture, race and ethnicity, ability, gender, sexuality, and intersectional identities.

• Strong counseling skills.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

• Strong written communication skills.

• Effective problem-solving and conflict resolution skills.

• Ability to manage multiple tasks and competing demands.

• Ability to work effectively as part of a team.

• Knowledge of effective current and new assistive technology.

• Knowledge and understanding of ADA regulations, guidelines, and standards as applicable to a higher education or academic program.

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of background check and education requirements.

Benefits of Working at Brown:

Information on the Benefits of Working at Brown can be found here.

Recruiting Start Date:

2024-12-12

Job Posting Title:

Accommodations Specialist, Pre-College Student Life

Department:

Pre-College & Undergraduate Programs

Grade:

Grade 9

Worker Type:

Employee

Worker Sub-Type:

Seasonal/Intermittent (Fixed Term) (Seasonal)

Time Type:

Full time

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

37.5

Position Work Location:

Remote Eligible

Submission Guidelines:

Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any staff position at Brown University you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.

Still Have Questions?

If you have any questions you may contact [email protected].

EEO Statement:

Brown University is an E-Verify Employer.

As an EEO/AA employer, Brown University provides equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination, harassment and retaliation based upon a person’s race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law, and caste, which is protected by our University policies.