Accessibility Counselor

About the Position

Please Note: Review of applications will begin on October 23, 2025.

Responsibilities

• Use a high level of judgement to determine if student meets legal definition of disability and has documented functional limitations that affect academic participation, to establish eligibility for Accessibility Services accommodations.
• Use a high level of critical analysis to determine the accommodations to be authorized, based on assessment of students’ functional limitations, strengths, accommodation history, nature of courses taken and complexity of curriculum and the specific needs of field placement, internships, etc.
• Use a high level of judgment to determine reasonableness and appropriateness of requested accommodation that is within the requirements specified in applicable statutes such as the ADA, Section 504, case law decisions, Office of Civil Rights guidance, California laws, and applicable CSU policies.
• When a requested accommodation is determined to be unreasonable based on the information provided, communicate this decision and possible next steps using a high level of empathy, compassion, and tact. In collaboration with student, determine what, if any, reasonable alternative accommodations or resources are appropriate.
• Provide disability management counseling to students with disabilities, including disability rights, self-advocacy, and crisis intervention.
• Provide disability advising and disability counseling to assist students in their transition to and matriculation at CSUEB, including the most beneficial uses of accommodations, and effective communication and interaction with faculty, staff and other students.
• Make appropriate referrals to students, staff and faculty regarding services available on campus (tutoring, advising, mental health support, etc.) and relevant services available off-campus (DOR, Social Security, WIC, PSS, etc.).
• Consult and conduct case conferencing with on and off-campus academic advising, mental health, medical, and rehabilitation professionals when needed.
• When needed, collaborate with students, faculty and staff to resolve issues and concerns raised to ensure student accommodations are implemented in a timely and effective manner. Using a high level of judgement, review course learning objectives and expectations to determine reasonable parameters for an accommodation.
• Review and attempt to resolve student complaints and problems regarding accommodations, services, architectural and communication access, and discrimination. When such complaints and problems are not able to be resolved, refer to the appropriate administrator.
• Use sound judgment, effective communication, and interpersonal skills to mediate student/faculty or student/staff conflicts regarding accommodations.
• Work effectively and compassionately with students from diverse backgrounds, including cultural, racial, religious, linguistic, socioeconomic, age, gender, and sexual orientation.
• Discuss with the counseling team the applicability of current and new laws, case laws, and OCR decisions.
• Document all meetings, phone calls, and other interactions with students in the AS database or by other means.
• Conduct site visits to student field placement locations to assess needs for accommodations onsite, as necessary.
• Collaborate with other staff in maintaining all student files, active and inactive.

Minimum Qualifications

Thorough knowledge of the principles of individual and group behavior. General knowledge of the principles, practices and trends of the Student Services field as well as general knowledge of the policies, procedures and practices of the program area to which assigned; general knowledge of individual counseling techniques; general knowledge, or the ability to rapidly acquire such knowledge, of the organizational procedures and activities of the specific campus to which the position is assigned. Working knowledge of student services programs outside the program to which immediately assigned.

Ability to analyze complex situations accurately and adopt effective courses of action; advise students individually and in groups on complex student-related matters; determine appropriate courses of action and proper techniques to utilize while engaged with individuals in personal interactions of an argumentative or sensitive nature; interpret and evaluate descriptions and explanations of problems brought forward by individuals or student organizations, analyze and define the problem, draw valid conclusions and project consequences of various alternative courses of action; carry out a variety of professionally complex assignments without detailed instructions; and establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with a variety of individuals.

Experience:

Three years of progressively responsible professional student services work experience. One year in the program area to which assigned may be preferred but is not required. A master’s degree in Counseling, Clinical Psychology, Social Work, or a directly related field may be substituted for one year of experience. A doctorate degree and the appropriate internship or clinical training in counseling or guidance may be substituted for the three years of experience for positions with a major responsibility for professional career or personal counseling.

Education:

Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university in a related field, including or supplemented by upper division or graduate coursework in counseling techniques, interviewing, and conflict resolution where such are job-related.

Preferred Skills and Knowledge

• Knowledge of counseling theory and practice; interviewing techniques;
• Knowledge of medical, functional, psychological, and cultural effects of disability;
• Knowledge of accommodations laws related to the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act;
• Knowledge of laws, precedence, and best practices related to Title IX;
• Knowledge of universal design;
• Knowledge of higher education practices;
• Knowledge of outreach techniques to reach various populations of the campus community;
• Knowledge of campus policies and practices (ie: special admissions process, accommodation requests, accessible testing); and
• Knowledge of campus community resources.
• Master's degree in related field;
• Excellent communication skills in English, both oral and written;
• Ability to work independently;
• Ability to interpret educational and psychological assessments;
• Competency with word processing and document editing software and commonly used office equipment;
• Ability to manage electronic databases and paper filing systems;
• Familiarity with assistive technology;
• Ability to work collaboratively as a team with colleagues and campus personnel as needed;
• Ability to work evenings and weekends when needed.

Condition(s) of Employment

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including LiveScan, as appropriate), that may include, but is not limited to: criminal records check, verification of academic credentials, licenses, certificates, credit history, professional references and/or verification of work history is required for employment. Cal State East Bay will issue a conditional offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Unsatisfactory results may also affect the continued employment of current Cal State East Bay employees who were conditionally offered the position.

All background checks are conducted through the university's third party vendor, Accurate. LiveScan is conducted through the University Police Department.

EEO Statement

All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal State, East Bay provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. The CSU complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.