Accessibility Services Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Position Overview

The Accessibility Services Specialist reports to the Director of Accessibility Services and works in close collaboration with the Accessibility Services staff and the staff of Student Affairs, the Academic Success Center, the faculty, and other campus partners. The Accessibility Services Specialist is responsible for providing academic accommodations and support to students with documented disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act and other Federal and State laws and regulations pertaining to students with disabilities. The Specialist will also provide academic success coaching for undergraduate students registered for academic accommodations, as well as those in the Activate Program.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Maintain a coaching caseload of registered students, both within Accessibility Services and the Activate Program, by advising and counseling, including organization/study skills, advocacy, family contact, record-keeping, and referrals needed for academic success.

• Review documentation for the purposes of determining appropriate, reasonable accommodations; conduct intake meetings, assist in coordinating accommodations between the faculty, student, and the office including helping with the Testing Center and assistive technology demands.

• Introduce and train students in assistive technologies to strengthen their access, including using accessibility features on their laptops/tablets, requesting and using alternative-formatted texts, utilizing note-taking software, using Canvas to access course materials, and making other materials accessible as needed.

• Manage both alternative-format text requests and note-taking assistive technology.

• Support incoming and newly admitted students and their families’ concerns, meet with and communicate with outside agencies when necessary.

• Provide supervision to Accessibility Services Graduate Fellow

• Assist in processing non-academic accommodations i.e. parking, emotional support animal requests and dietary requests.

• Assist the Director of Accessibility Services in planning and running campus events and programming.

• Oversee student groups as determined by interest and specialty areas.

• Participate in new student orientation and other programs as needed.

• Other tasks as determined by the Director of Accessibility Services Office.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree preferred

• Professional experience in a field relevant to the delivery of support services to disabled students

• Experience delivering academic support to college level students is preferred

• Cultural competence and ability to support students from historically underrepresented and underserved communities

• A professional working knowledge of the disabilities affecting college-age students along with knowledge and experience in diagnostic assessments for the purpose of determining appropriate accommodations.

• A solid level of knowledge of campus department partners for consultation and referrals and of academic curriculum to give general academic advice and make referrals.

• The individual in this position must possess excellent human relations, problem-solving, accountability, and excellent written, oral, and technological communication skills.

• Previous experience working at the college level is preferred.

• Experience working with blind students and with a Testing Center preferred.

• Demonstrated ability to identify disabilities affecting college-age students with knowledge and experience in interpreting diagnostic assessments for the purpose of determining appropriate accommodations.

Application Materials Should Include:

• Cover letter stating motivation and interest in the position, citing experience relevant to the qualifications and including experience with, and commitment to, our Catholic Augustinian mission and our values.

• Resume

• Names and contact information for three (3) references.

This position is subject to the successful completion of a criminal background check.

Statement on Our Mission

Merrimack College is a Catholic Augustinian institution of higher education committed to building an accepting and respectful community. Our mission is to enlighten minds, engage hearts and empower lives and is inspired by our Catholic faith and the Augustinian tradition of seeking truth through inquiry and dialogue.

Merrimack College seeks candidates who understand, respect, and can contribute to Merrimack’s Catholic and Augustinian mission. All candidates should describe in their application how they will foster a culture that supports our mission.

About Merrimack College

The only Catholic, Augustinian institution of higher education in New England, Merrimack College is a private, independent, coeducational institution with more than 4,000 undergraduate and 1,900 graduate students from 46 states and 45 countries. The College features more than 160 career-focused academic programs in science, engineering, business, nursing, health sciences, education, social sciences and humanities across undergraduate, professional and graduate programs, all taught by exceptional faculty who are passionate about their subject and student success. The College has six schools: arts and sciences, engineering and computational sciences, nursing and health sciences, education and social policy, the Girard school of business, and the Graduate School of counseling and social work. The College’s suburban 220-acre campus is just north of Boston in North Andover, Massachusetts. Merrimack is a Professions-focused, Undergraduate/Graduate -Master’s Large/Medium institution in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Merrimack is one of the fastest-growing educational institutions in the country and has steadily climbed up in the U.S. News & World Report’s ranking of Best Colleges, ranking 37th in the Regional Universities North category in 2025. Merrimack is a NCAA Division I athletic institution.

Merrimack College is an Equal Opportunity Employer.