Job Summary

Under the general supervision from the Director of Disability Resource Center, the Access Specialist works with a moderate degree of independence, to provide general and specific academic advising and related services to assist students supported by the Disability Resource Center (DRC) in making successful progress toward their degree objectives. The Access Specialist works with a high degree of self-direction to plan their workload, solve problems, and take action in situations where independent judgment and critical thinking skills are necessary to ensure students with verified temporary and permanent disabilities receive appropriate services and accommodations allowing for equal access and opportunity.

Department Summary

The Disability Resource Center (DRC) is a central service unit within Student Affairs. The DRC consults with the campus community to promote welcoming environments and facilitate equal opportunity for students with disabilities in their academic courses, campus services, and all student programs and activities. The DRC collaborates with students to identify and eliminate potential and real barriers to accessibility by promoting inclusive design, providing reasonable accommodations, and assessing effectiveness.

Key Qualifications

• Ability to understand and interpret medical, psychological and psycho-educational assessments to determine functional limitations and appropriate accommodations.
• Ability to address student concerns and university issues in a proactive manner with the ability to maintain appropriate professional boundaries from students and separate personal and student issues.
• Ability to learn, interpret, communicate clearly and apply federal and state laws, CSU guidelines, university policies, and program rules pertaining to the provision of services to students with disabilities and to learn university referral resources.
• Working knowledge of federal disability-related laws and policies, (e.g., Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, ADA, and IDEA).
• Ability to use learning outcome assessment to evaluate and improve program offerings.

Education and Experience

• Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university in one of the behavioral sciences, public or business administration or a job-related field. Two years of professional experience in one of the student services program areas or in a related field. A master's degree in a job-related field may be substituted for one year of the professional experience.

• Additional specialized experience during which the applicant has acquired and successfully applied the required knowledge and abilities may be substituted for the required education yearly.

Salary and Benefits

Anticipated Hiring Range: $58,092 - $60,000 Per Year

Classification Range: $58,092.00 - $82,608 Per Year

Cal Poly offers a best-in-class benefits program, including health, dental and vision insurance, retirement participation in the Public Employees' Retirement System, and educational benefits for eligible employees. See our benefits website for additional information. 

Cal Poly

Cal Poly is a nationally-ranked public university located in San Luis Obispo, California, and known for its Learn by Doing philosophy. Each year more than 20,000 top-tier students come to San Luis Obispo to put knowledge into action, taking their learning outside the classroom as they prepare for careers in engineering, agriculture, science, business, humanities and the built environment. Cal Poly’s hands-on philosophy, small class sizes and close student-faculty mentorships result in graduates ready from day one to impact their communities, California and the world. For more information, visit calpoly.edu.

Diversity Statement

At Cal Poly, we believe that cultivating an environment that embraces and promotes diversity is fundamental to the success of our students, our employees and our community. Bringing people together from different backgrounds, experiences and value systems fosters the innovative and creative thinking that exemplifies Cal Poly's values of free inquiry, cultural and intellectual diversity, mutual respect, civic engagement, and social and environmental responsibility.

Cal Poly's commitment to diversity informs our efforts in recruitment, hiring and retention. Cal Poly is an equal opportunity employer. 

Supplemental Information

Following a conditional offer of employment, a background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate may start work with Cal Poly. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may result in the withdrawal of the offer of employment. Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Cal Poly has designated as sensitive.

The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo is not a sponsoring agency for staff positions (i.e. H-1B visas).

Positions are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days.