Position Title: Accessibility Specialist

Employee Classification: Assistive Tech Specialist

College/Division: Student Success & Enroll Management

Department: 520710-DISABILITY ACCESS SERVICES

Internal or External Search: Internal - Open to Regular NMSU employees only (temporary/Term employees not eligible)

Location: Las Cruces

Offsite Location (if applicable):

Target Hourly/Salary Rate:  43,908.80

Appointment Full-time Equivalency:  1.0

Exempt or Non-Exempt:  Exempt

Summary:  Accessibility Specialist
Help create an inclusive and accessible learning environment for all Aggies.

The Accessibility Specialist supports students with disabilities by coordinating academic accommodations, auxiliary aids, and services to ensure equal access to all aspects of university life. This position partners closely with students, faculty, and staff to implement accommodations, provide guidance on disability laws and policies, and promote campus-wide disability awareness. The ideal candidate will be passionate about student success, skilled in problem-solving, and committed to fostering universal design and inclusion throughout the campus community.

Classification Summary:
Responsible for the Assistive Technology (AT) portion of Student Accessibility Services (SAS); create and obtain alternate text for students with print disabilities, assess AT needs for students; maintain inventory of AT software and hardware, serve as AT resource person to students, faculty and staff; maintain and improve databases for SAS.

Classification Standard Duties:
Administration of Alternate Text Production. Create/obtain alternate text for students with print disabilities. Develop short and long term plans to provide timely access to alternate media. Oversee the Assistive Technology Lab; coordinate services with assistive technology devices. Assess AT software and hardware needs and ensure same is installed and functioning where needed; troubleshoot and resolve hardware, software, and connectivity problems, including user access and component configuration. Document projects and write user instructions. Monitor and maintain data integrity and system security. Provide for acquisition of AT devices by individuals with print disabilities; demonstrate a variety of AT software to students and parents, assess needs for individuals with print disabilities. Install/coordinate installation of AT; maintain inventory; assess need for upgrades/new equipment. Keep apprised of and research current AT trends, options, tools, and relevant state-of-art technology, equipment, and or systems. Attend conferences, participate in AT Webinars, review listserve postings. Maintain and update four Access databases, three for Services for Students with Disabilities. Design/redesign forms/reports, ensure correct data entry, and create reports based on the needs of end users. Train students and end users to complete forms. In support of Student Accessibility Services and University Disability Services, update and maintain websites and associated documents such as coded, fillable PDF forms and Word documents. Assist with office functions such as SAS testing, paperwork,and attendance at meetings. Provide support in meetings with students, help with students who receive extended testing time, ensure tests are provided in alternate format when needed or requested. Ensure long distance education students have AT needs met. Ensure that e-text and equipment is sent. Consult with students about AT needs. Perform miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Required Education, Experience, Certification/License, Equivalency
Required Education:Bachelor's degree in IT or a related technical field.; Required Experience:No previous work experience required.; Equivalency:Any equivalent combination of education, training and/or experience directly related as approved by Human Resource Services.; Required Certification/License:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
KNOWLEDGE:Knowledge of campus support organizations. Knowledge of current technological developments/trends in area of expertise. Knowledge of a broad range of relevant multi-user computer systems, applications, and/or equipment such as OCR (Optical Character Recognition), Kurzweil, JAWS, Dragon, ZoomText, personal use of high speed scanners, networks, flash drives, etc.; SKILLS:; ABILITIES:Ability to communicate with and instruct students with learning disabilities. Ability to develop and apply communication strategies for the conveyance of instructional material to learning disabled students. Ability to develop and deliver presentations. Ability to investigate and analyze information and draw conclusions. Ability to use independent judgment and to manage and impart confidential information.

Job Duties and Responsibilities
The Accessibility Specialist works directly with enrolled students with disabilities to determine eligibility for academic accommodations, auxiliary aids and services, works to implement and coordinate these services and monitors their effectiveness for the student, including ensuring that the accommodations are provided by the University faculty and staff. The Accessibility Specialist is responsible for the understanding, applying and interpreting office and University policies and procedures and applicable State and Federal rules, regulations and laws (Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act); promoting disability awareness and advocacy in the campus community; providing technical and educational assistance to faculty, staff and students to ensure effective accommodation and equal access and inclusion for students with disabilities, to include advising on the use of universal design concepts and principles.

Preferred Qualifications

Working knowledge of Microsoft Office products
Working knowledge or experience working with web-based database systems
Experience working in higher education

Special Requirements of the Position

Department Contact:  Freda Trujillo

Contingent Upon Funding: Not Applicable

Bargaining Unit Eligibility: This is NOT a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Standard Work Schedule: Standard (M-F, 8-5)

If Not a Standard Work Schedule: 

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Environment: Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.

Physical Effort: No or very limited physical effort required.

Lifting Requirements: Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 10 pounds or some standing or walking.

Risk: No or very limited exposure to physical risk.