Lead ADA Counselor

College: DCC

Department: Student Affairs

Sub department: Advising, Retention & Counseling Center

Type of Appointment: Full time - Regular

Duties and Responsibilities: 

Lead the review, creation, implementation and enhancement of services, programs, training, policies and procedures to support students with disabilities or in need of supportive services due to sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking to support student success and retention and ensure federal compliance.
Assists the Title IX Coordinator by providing subject-matter expertise on requirements of and compliance with Title IX, VAWA, and related federal state laws.

Serve as the primary resource related to campus student accessibility and works collaboratively with the Title IX Coordinator to identify, facilitate, and implement appropriate student support services due to disabilities, sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking.

Inform faculty regarding student academic accommodation, compliance with legal responsibilities, as well as instructional, programmatic and curriculum modifications. Inform faculty of their rights and responsibilities to ensure equal educational access.

Monitor and report performance related to goals and manage office contracts and professional agreements.

Serve as a Lead for all ADA Taskforce and college-wide counseling, and as the liaison between college leadership, faculty, and counselors.

Conduct crisis/triage assessments and referrals for mental health crisis.

Assist in overseeing the selection, training, professional development, and evaluation of all counseling staff.

Provide online counseling services via email, phone, and other applicable technology to include distance education students as needed.

Maintain confidential student records.

Provide community resources and follow-up as needed.

Develop and implement caseloads for at-risk students, including those on academic probation, suspension, or early alert status, providing supportive counseling and behavior intervention as needed.

May serve on the College Behavioral Intervention and Threat Assessment Team.

Review medical documentation and determine appropriate accommodations. ADA Counselor ensures accommodations are consistent across campus and within legal requirements.

The ADA/504 Counselor, in consultation with legal counsel and the Office of EEO and Title IX, make alterations in the protocol or individual accommodation plans as legal decisions/requirements dictate change.

Educate and assist faculty and staff with ADA and 504 regulations.

Provide campus and college-wide awareness regarding rights and responsibilities of students with disabilities or in need of supportive services due to sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking, and the available program resources.

Provide campus -wide leadership to support collaborative working relationships between Counseling and Accessibility Services and other departments within Student and Academic Services.

Facilitate partnership between our community partners by coordinating connections/participation in events.

Ensure Counseling department compliance and coordination of services in regard to DAAPP, BITAT/Maxient, Title IX, VAWA, and related federal and state laws.

Possess a working knowledge of the overall legal rights and responsibilities of students with disabilities, including the Office of Civil Rights grievance procedures.

Provide accessibility awareness training (regarding rights and responsibilities of students with disabilities or in need of supportive services due to sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking, and the available program resources) for college constituencies such as faculty, staff and administrators.

Collaborate with students, families, faculty, staff, mental/medical health providers, and social workers.

Coordinate with Records

Coordinate with the Office of EEO and Title IX on student complaints alleging discrimination and non-compliance under the ADA and other applicable federal and state laws regarding discrimination based on disability.

Perform other duties, tasks and assignments as required.

Required Education: 

Master’s degree required with a concentration in Counseling,
Education, Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, Rehabilitative
Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy

Required Experience: 

Experience in case-management and working in a fast paced environment overseeing special projects and leading team members.

• Knowledge of FERPA, Title IV regulations, student identity verification requirements, and higher education compliance expectations.

• Experience using Banner or a comparable student information system.
Operate with an extensive knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, HIPPA, FERPA, Title IX, VAWA, and federal laws and state licensure boards.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: N/A

Required Licenses or Certifications: 

Independently licensed in the State of Louisiana - i.e. Licensed
Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Marriage and Family
Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), or
Licensed Psychologist) required
Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) credentials a plus

Preferred Education: Doctorate’s degree in Counseling Studies, Social Work or equivalent.

Preferred Experience: 

3 years management experience; preferably in a higher education
counseling setting or counseling adult populations; 1 of these years
should be working with individuals with disabilities, administering and
creating programs to accommodate individuals with disabilities and
Title IX related supportive services, and 3 years of mental health.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: N/A

Benefits: As a member of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, DCC has an attractive benefits package with a wide variety of benefit options. Benefits offered include retirement, multiple medical insurance options, supplemental insurances (dental, term life, disability, accident, vision, etc.), Tax Saver Flexible Benefits Plan (saves tax dollars on some child care and medical expenses), holidays (14 per year, typically includes longer break at Christmas), generous annual (vacation) and sick leave benefits and Employee Assistance Program. Specific benefits depend on job category, percent effort and length of employment.

Passing pre-employment criminal background screen is required as a condition of employment. DCC is an equal opportunity/equal access employer. DCC is a State As a Model Employer (SAME) agency that supports improved employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.