How to Apply

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address reasons for your interest in this position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

If you are interested in applying to this position, we are offering two optional 30-minute information sessions via Zoom to learn more about the role and ask questions. Please email Program Director Dr. Michelle Campbell at [email protected] to sign up for one of the sessions or ask further questions.

Optional information session dates and times:

Thursday, September 19, 2024 at 4pm eastern time
Friday, September 20, 2024 at 12pm (noon) eastern time

Job Summary

We, at the University of Michigan's College of Engineering, are committed to creating an inclusive, respectful, and supportive environment for all members of our community. We are seeking a dedicated individual to join our team as a Disability Navigator, a role fundamental to this commitment. This is a 2-year term limited pilot role with potential for permanent employment.

As a Disability Navigator, your responsibility will be to provide support for employees at Michigan Engineering who encounter disability-related barriers within the college, including faculty, staff, and post-doctoral fellows, as well as undergraduate and graduate student employees. You will connect people with the services they need, maintain confidentiality, and keep accurate records of the disability services offered. As a Disability Navigator, you will help foster a culture of accessibility and work with individuals and units around the College and University to coordinate services.

As part of the Office of Culture, Community and Equity team you will report to the Program Director of Culture, Grants and Advancement. You will bring your expertise as it relates to disabilities and accessibility, which may include employment, academia, public access, new technologies, and facilities. You will be an internal consultant to Michigan Engineering to assist with access and accommodations under the ADA in the compliance areas and work closely with the central ADA team in ECRT and Michigan Engineering human resource personnel. You will be the go-to resource for employees in supporting their specific needs in a compassionate and confidential manner. You will work in a collegial environment, with rapidly emerging and time-sensitive issues, operating with high levels of autonomy.

Because this is a new role for Michigan Engineering, the individual hired for this role will likely spend their initial time building 1:1 relationships with college, campus and community partners; identifying needs and gaps for disabled individuals and communities; presenting to college and department leadership; identifying current processes and ideal state processes; and providing input on strategic goals for this line of service.

Who We Are

Michigan Engineers are world-class educators, researchers, students and staff who strive to build a people-first future. As part of a top national public research institution, Michigan Engineering's mission is to provide scientific and technological leadership to the people of the world, develop intellectually curious and socially conscious minds, create collaborative solutions to societal problems, and promote an inclusive and innovative community of service for the common good.

Our vision, mission and values are supported by a people-first engineering framework that guides our work. As Michigan Engineers, we strive to apply excellent engineering fundamentals, integrated expertise and equity-centered values to reimagine what engineering can be, close critical gaps, and elevate all people. Information about our vision, mission and values can be found at: http://strategicvision.engin.umich.edu/.

The University of Michigan has a storied legacy of commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). Michigan Engineering models that commitment in our research, culture and collaborations. We seek to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as a reflection of that commitment. Learn more about DEI at Michigan Engineering: https://www.engin.umich.edu/culture/diversity-equity-inclusion/

Why Work at Michigan?

In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:

Generous time off
A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
Life insurance
Long-term disability coverage
Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses
Maternity and Parental Leave

Responsibilities*

Provide timely responses to urgent disability-related issues in the College. Ensure respectful service, maintaining confidentiality and accurate records of disability services
Develop, refine and guide individuals through our accommodations process, emphasizing ethics, integrity, and confidentiality
Recommend practices, processes, and strategies that further inclusivity across all levels of the College
Respond promptly to disability related inquiries, providing referrals and detailed information about relevant services
Collaborate with partners to identify vendors that can provide equipment, technology, and facility access to accommodate disabled individuals
Develop resources that endorse accessibility standards and practices for College related events, including transportation, parking, alternative formats, communication materials, facilities, and signage
Utilize knowledge of accessibility best practices in the development of training and educational materials
Serve as an internal consultant on disability-related issues, advising various units on compliance with ADA requirements and proactive measures that further a culture of accessibility
In collaboration with OCCE team members and other subject matter experts, develop and facilitate workshops or seminars for faculty, staff and postdoctoral scholars to increase awareness and understanding about disabilities and accommodations
Stay informed about the latest trends, technologies, and regulations in disability services and access
Communicate with department and college leadership about constituency needs, services and processes

Required Qualifications*

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Disability Studies, Counseling, Education, Psychology, Social Work, Higher Education, or a related field OR 2+ years of related experience assisting individuals with accommodation needs
Demonstrated ability to match assistive technology, environmental adaptations, and/or general resources to individual needs
Demonstrated experience, passion and commitment for addressing diversity, inclusion, social justice and equity issues and ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse communities and cultures
Applied experience using project management skills
Familiarity with Google suite (docs, sheets, gmail, slides)

Desired Qualifications*

Working knowledge of digital accessibility guidelines, such as WCAG 2.1 and Access Board standards for Information and Communication Technology
Experience with accessibility from a design or document design perspective

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Additional Information

This is a 2 year term-limited appointment with the possibility of renewal.

Appointments made for a specified period of time are called term or term-limited appointments. The decision to appoint individuals on a term basis is often due to the funding nature of the position, or the duration of a project.

The term appointment is expected to continue for the specified period of time, assuming satisfactory conduct and performance is maintained, and funding continues as initially expected. Term appointments may be extended, or may be ended prior to the established end date. When extending appointments, the length of the extension will be clearly specified.

Background Screening

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.