Director of Disability Services

Department

Student Engagement and Wellness

Position Summary

Director of Disability Services- Access Center

The Director of Disability Services oversees the Access Center and institutional accessibility initiatives and provides strategic, operational, and compliance leadership for disability resources, access, and inclusive design at Metropolitan State University of Denver. Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Health & Well-being and sitting on the Student Engagement & Well-being leadership team, the Director is responsible for ensuring equitable access to all institutional programs, services, and activities for students with disabilities in accordance with federal and state law, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA).
 

The Director leads a comprehensive Access Center that integrates accommodation services with a proactive, institution-wide approach to student accessibility, including universal design, digital accessibility, assistive technology, and inclusive pedagogy. The Director is accountable for advancing institutional accessibility, managing compliance and risk, leading staff and operations, and improving student access, persistence, and success outcomes.
 

The Director serves as one of University's primary subject matter experts and institutional advisor on disability access, compliance, and inclusive practices, working collaboratively across Academic Affairs, Enrollment & Student Affairs, Information Technology, Facilities, and Auraria Campus partners. The Director will lead efforts for accessibility across campus in partnership with The Center for Teaching, Learning, and Design, Inclusive Higher Education Solutions, and the Office of Equal Opportunity.

Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership, Institutional Accessibility, and Compliance – 30%

• Provide strategic leadership for the development and implementation of a comprehensive, institution-wide approach to student disability accessibility that aligns with the University’s mission, values, and student success priorities.

• Advance institutional efforts beyond accommodation delivery by proactively identifying and addressing systemic barriers through universal design, inclusive practices, and accessibility planning.

• Serve as a primary institutional subject matter expert on student disability access, accessibility compliance, and inclusive design. Advise University leadership on ADA, Section 504, and related legal and regulatory requirements, emerging issues, institutional risk, and best practices in delivery of student accessibility.

• Collaborate with the Office of Equal Opportunity, General Counsel, Shared Governance leaders, Inclusive Higher Education Solutions, The Center for Teaching, Learning, and Design, Faculty Affairs, and campus partners to support policy development, resolve complex issues, and improve student accessibility practices and procedures.

• Provide guidance related to legislative and regulatory developments impacting student accessibility and disability services.

Access Center Operations, Accommodation Services, and Case Management – 25%

• Oversee the daily administration and delivery of Access Center programs and services, including the interactive process for determining and implementing reasonable accommodations, testing accommodations, assistive technology, alternative format materials, and related support services.

• Establish and maintain consistent standards and procedures for documentation review, accommodation determinations, and service delivery.

• Manage escalated student situations, including student grievances and complex accommodation cases requiring advanced judgment and institutional coordination.

• Oversee the operational management of testing services, including scheduling, proctoring, and coordination of appropriate testing environments.

• Ensure timely provision of accessible instructional materials and accommodations while balancing student access, institutional obligations, and operational effectiveness.

Personnel Leadership, Supervision, and Resource Management – 15%

• Provide direct supervision, leadership, coaching, and performance management for professional staff within the Access Center, including direct supervision of three professional staff members and indirect supervision of five staff members.

• Foster a team culture grounded in accountability, inclusion, collaboration, continuous improvement, and professional development. Oversee departmental operations, budget management, and allocation of financial and operational resources associated with approved accommodations and departmental services.

• Support staff development, operational effectiveness, succession planning, and continuous process improvement efforts to ensure high-quality service delivery and organizational sustainability.

Campus Partnerships, Outreach, Training, and Student Engagement – 15%

• Develop and maintain collaborative partnerships across Academic Affairs, Enrollment & Student Affairs, Information Technology, Auraria Campus partners, and external stakeholders to advance accessibility and inclusive practices.

• Participate in orientation, transition, and student success initiatives to support prospective, incoming, and current students with disabilities.

• Develop outreach and marketing strategies that increase awareness, understanding, and utilization of Access Center services and resources across the campus community.

• Support coordination of accessibility efforts related to student housing, instructional materials, and technology integration across campus systems.

• Lead campus wide efforts in identifying barriers for students with disabilities to engage on campus. Foster a sense of belonging for students with disabilities by focusing on creating an accessible campus and learning environment.

Assessment, Reporting, and Continuous Improvement – 15%

• Develop and implement assessment strategies to evaluate program effectiveness, operational efficiency, student outcomes, and campus climate related to disability access and inclusion.

• Collect, analyze, and interpret data to inform strategic planning, resource allocation, and continuous improvement efforts.

• Prepare reports, recommendations, and institutional updates regarding Access Center operations, student trends, compliance considerations, and service outcomes.

• Establish mechanisms for ongoing feedback from students and campus stakeholders to ensure services remain responsive, effective, and aligned with institutional needs and national best practices.

Important Note: Successful applicants will ensure their resumes clearly demonstrate that their work experience describes how they meet ALL required qualifications.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

• Five (5) years of experience in disability services within post-secondary education.

• Experience interpreting and applying ADA and Section 504 requirements.

• Experience administering disability accommodations and related support services.

• Experience leading disability services or accessibility programs.

• Three (3) years of direct supervisory experience.

• Experience managing departmental budgets or financial resources.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Higher Education, Counseling, Rehabilitation Counseling, Disability Studies, Education, Student Affairs, Social Work, Psychology, Public Administration, or a related field.

• Experience with disability services management systems (e.g., AIM, Accommodate, ClockWork, or similar platforms).

Work Hours

• Schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM

• Work Arrangement: Hybrid

• Evening/Weekend Availability: As needed

• Travel: As needed

Salary for Announcement

We anticipate the qualified candidate to be placed between $83,836 to $112,000. The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.
 

The above salary range represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Full Consideration Date

Complete applications received by July 22,2026 at 11:59 PM MST will receive full consideration, however applications will be accepted after this date until the position is filled.
 

Instructions to Apply

For full consideration, please submit the following documents:

• Resume

• Cover letter describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications and interest in the position

Official transcripts will be required of the candidate selected for hire.

If you are an Internal applicant, please apply via the Career tab within the WorkDay Menu

Closing Date

Open Until Filled

Posting Representative

Marina Rios

Posting Representative Email

[email protected]

Benefits

The University’s benefits package is comprehensive and offers medical, vision and dental, free RTD pass, tuition reimbursement, as well as a life and supplemental insurance plans, retirement plans and other programs, such as access to a long-term disability (LTD) plan. Visit MSU Denver’s benefits website to learn more.   

For a brief overview, please see: https://www.msudenver.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/MSU-Benefit-Summary.pdf. 

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at [email protected].

Background Checks

Metropolitan State University of Denver is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students, and visitors.  To Assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background checks on all finalists for positions at the University prior to employment.

Diversity Statement

Metropolitan State University of Denver is a unique, access-oriented campus community that values diversity, equity, and inclusion in all its forms. Our student population consists of nearly 58% first generation students and over 50% students of color. We are a designated Hispanic Serving Institution located in downtown Denver.

We create an equitable learning and working environment in concert with individuals who consistently demonstrate commitment to equity and inclusion. We greatly value the diverse identities and perspectives of our students, faculty, and staff and recognize that in order to achieve a just and equitable society, diversity must go beyond simple representation. It requires critical inquiry and dialogue and a commitment to action. We strive to provide a culture of belonging for all community members to achieve personal and professional success.