[Jobs] FW: [OED-List] Disability Director Search, Univ of MN

[Rovig, Lorraine]

-----Original Message-----
I wanted to send you a copy of a job announcement for a Director of
Disability Services at the University of Minnesota because I thought you
might have contacts that might be interested in the position.  I would
say that it is a fairly high level position that would be responsible
for running a department with about sixty employees.  The attached job
posting [now posted below] has more information on the job
responsibilities and instructions on how to apply.  If you know of
anyone that might be interested, please have them submit an application.
They are also welcome to give me a call at (612)
624-9814 if they have questions.

Michael O'Day

Begin forwarded message:

From: Rusty Barcelo <barcelo at umn.edu>
Date: December 14, 2007 1:24:35 PM CST
To: Equity and Diversity Listserv <Oed-list at disserv.stu.umn.edu>
Subject: [OED-List] Disability Director Search

Office for Equity and Diversity
University of Minnesota

Director of Disability Services

The University of Minnesota is one of the most comprehensive public
universities in the United States and ranks among the most prestigious.
It is both the state land-grant university, with a strong tradition of
education and public service, and the state's primary research
university, with faculty of national and international reputation.
Founded in 1851, the University of Minnesota has five campuses-Twin
Cities, Duluth, Morris, Crookston, and Rochester-extension offices, and
research and outreach centers throughout the state. 

For the past three years, the University has been engaged in the process
of strategic positioning, and equity and diversity have been repeatedly
recognized as critical elements of achieving the institution's strategic
positioning goals. One important action evidencing this commitment was
the creation of the Office of the Vice President and Vice Provost for
Equity and Diversity. This office includes the following units and
program: the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action,
Disability Services; the Multicultural Center for Academic Excellence;
the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Ally Programs Office; the
Office for University Women; and the Bridge to Academic Excellence. 

The Office of the Vice President and Vice Provost for Equity and
Diversity at the University of Minnesota is seeking a highly qualified,
motivated and creative leader for its Disability Services office, which
is considered to be one of the nations leaders in providing progressive
services to people with disabilities. The University of Minnesota
Disability Services office (DS) is a catalyst for ensuring equal
learning and working opportunities for students, faculty, staff and
guests with disabilities by increasing the capacity of the University of
Minnesota to eliminate physical, programmatic, policy, informational and
attitudinal barriers. The office promotes barrier-free environments that
facilitate equal opportunities for people with disabilities and that
assist the University in meeting its obligations under federal and state
statutes and University policies. DS works to ensure access to
University employment, courses, programs, facilities, services, and
activities by providing or arranging reasonable accommodations, academic
adjustments, auxiliary aids and services, training, consultation, and
technical assistance.

DS serves the needs of over 1400 students, 700 employees and numerous
guests of the University by providing direct service, supporting student
organizations (e.g., Disabled Student Cultural Center, Active Minds),
and participating in cross-department collaborations (Provost's
Committee on Mental Health). To accomplish this, DS has over 60
permanent employees in four administrative units: Employee Services,
Student Services, Access Programs and the Interpreting/Captioning Unit.
DS is within an organizational structure that provides exciting
opportunities for collaboration with units with consistent and
complementary missions as well as opportunities to work with academic
and administrative units on all campuses throughout the University of
Minnesota system.

This is a full-time, twelve-month, professional/administrative position
and is annually renewable. The University offers a competitive
compensation package with excellent benefits.  This position is expected
to begin June 2008.

Responsibilities
Leadership and Administration
*	Supervise Associate Directors, who in turn supervise Employee
Services, Student Services, Access Programs and the
Interpreting/Captioning Unit.
*	Manage a budget of approximately $4 million (FY06-07). Develop
budget proposals that reflect anticipated demand for services as well as
demonstrate good fiscal stewardship.
*	Develop a strategic plan for DS allowing it to further establish
its position as a leader in the field of disability services. Ensure the
strategic alignment with the Office of the Vice President and Vice
Provost for Equity and Diversity. Develop an implementation plan,
evaluation tools and metrics to measure DS's effectiveness and monitor
progress towards articulated goals. 
*	Serve as a critical member of the Leadership Team of the Office
of the Vice President and Vice Provost for Equity and Diversity to
provide policy direction, accomplish the Office's vision and mission,
and support the University's achievement of its strategic positioning
goals.
*	Continuously seek to understand and represent the perspectives
of students, employees and University guests with disabilities.
*	Provide administrative leadership, support and assistance in
resolving day-to-day problems that arise.

Outreach
*	As a subject matter expert, educate those throughout the
University on issues pertaining to universal design, disability issues
and reasonable accommodations. 
*	Raise awareness of issues affecting persons with disabilities
and promote self-determination and community for persons with
disabilities.
*	Collaborate with disability services offices on the University
of Minnesota coordinate campuses.

Institutional Support
*	Oversee the University's compliance with the Americans with
Disabilities Act and other federal and state laws, and proactively
identify areas where the university might be at risk of being out of
compliance. 
*	Oversee the University's compliance with University policies
pertaining to accessibility. Identify policy changes as needed to ensure
that the University is accessible to people with disabilities.
*	Serve on University-wide committees, working groups, task forces
or networks (e.g., Senate Subcommittee on Disability Issues).
*	In collaboration with the Office of Vice President and Vice
Provost for Equity and Diversity, report to the administration, the
Board of Regents and other audiences on the work of DS and the current
status of equity and diversity as it relates to people with disabilities
at the University.
*	Educate the University community on the role of DS and the
services it provides.

Essential Qualifications
*	Advanced degree;
*	Five years of administrative/management experience at a higher
education institution or other large, complex organization;
*	Significant knowledge and appropriate experience regarding
disability issues;
*	Significant and appropriate experience with issues faced by
individuals from diverse, underrepresented and marginalized communities;

*	Ability to work effectively with colleagues in a team
environment; 
*	Ability to encourage creativity and innovation;
*	Superb expressive and written communication skills;
*	Excellent administration, management and leadership skills;
*	Excellent judgment in complex, nuanced contexts;
*	Excellent interpersonal skills;
*	Demonstrated ability to bring together and lead groups of people
toward a common mission.

Preferred Qualifications
*	Experience providing direct service to individuals with
disabilities in a higher education setting;
*	Experience managing an office responsible for delivering
disability services;
*	Demonstrated experience in working on equity and diversity
initiatives within and across different constituencies;
*	Familiarity with the capabilities of information technology
(e.g., Web based self-service, chat) to foster relationships with
students and staff;
*	Experience writing and/or managing federal or state grants.

Application Process
Applications will be reviewed beginning January 15, 2008 and will be
accepted until the position is filled. Application must be made
electronically through the University of Minnesota's Online Employment
System at https://employment.umn.edu/. The requisition number is:
152702. Please submit the following documents online: a current resume,
a list identifying three references, and a letter explaining how your
background qualifies you for this position.  If you have questions,
please contact Barbara Chapin at chapi001 at umn.edu. (Phone: 612-626-7386
or 612-624-0594).

More information about the Disability Services office is available at
ds.umn.edu.

The University of Minnesota is committed to the policy that all persons
shall have equal access to its programs, facilities and employment
without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex,
age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran
status or sexual orientation.  This document is available in alternative
formats upon request at 612-624-0594.