Access Consultant

The Generalist Access Consultant provides or arranges for reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities or medical conditions to ensure access to courses, programs, facilities, services, and activities on campus. Additionally the Access Consultant works in collaboration with individuals with disabilities and campus partners to improve accessibility and inclusion within the University community. The Access Consultant provides consultation and support to instructors and departments. This position serves all students and their instructors and programs on the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campuses. This position reports to a Manager or the Associate Director of Student Access in the Disability Resource Center.

Direct Service (70%)

An essential function of the Access Consultant position is to identify impacts and environmental barriers for students with medical conditions or disabilities, and to determine reasonable accommodations to facilitate their access and participation in all aspects of the University. This includes discussing access, inclusion, and reasonable accommodations with programs, instructors, and others on campus:

• Regular communication with students, instructors, program administrators and other stakeholders. Communication may include in-person, phone and written communication.
• Assist students with obtaining documentation to assist in determining the need for reasonable accommodations/adjustments.
• Assist students in understanding their legal rights and responsibilities, promoting self-advocacy, independence and development.
• Provide support to students regarding the impacts of a disability in an educational environment; and psychosocial aspects of a learning environment for a student with a disability or medical condition.
• Maintain confidentiality in verbal and written communications.
• Assist course instructor and administrators in identifying essential functions of a course, program, or curriculum.
• Assess the interaction of the student's functional limitations with the learning environment and develop a plan for reasonable accommodations.
• Coordinate the provision of reasonable accommodations as identified through the interactive process.
• Facilitate problem-solving groups with students, instructors, and other stakeholders.
• Facilitate communication between faculty, staff, and students with disabilities.
• Provide general career development and job seeking skill instruction as needed.
• Document and maintain up-to-date, accurate case records in the electronic database and in the hard copy file.

Outreach, Institutional support and professional development (30%)

An essential function of the Access Consultant position is pursuing their own professional development, providing outreach, training and institutional support to the University community:

• Provide on-going consultation and problem-solving assistance to University of Minnesota departments regarding access and accommodations for students with disabilities and medical conditions.
• Participate in University committees, task forces, networks and liaisons to advance the development of the Disability Resource Center and the University of Minnesota.
• Provide professional opinion regarding actions taken on behalf of students as requested by the Associate Director of the Disability Resource Center, and the University Office of the General Counsel.
• Provide on-site training (formal and in-formal) to the University and the community on disability-related topics to promote awareness, sensitivity, and competence in ensuring equitable access for employees with disabilities and medical conditions.
• Provide guidance to University departments to ensure access and compliance with legislation regarding individuals with disabilities.
• Provide information and training on federal and state disability laws regarding access for people with disabilities; specifically ADA and amendments.
• Provide consultation/technical assistance on disability or medical issues as needed or requested by individuals and groups at the University.
• Maintain membership and involvement with relevant professional organizations and participate in professional development activities through presentations, publications, attendance at conferences and/or related activities.
• Participate in community-based organizations serving individuals with disabilities.

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS in Rehabilitation Counseling, Social Work, Industrial Psychology, Counseling Psychology, or a related field.
• Four years of experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters degree in Rehabilitation Counseling, Social Work, Industrial Psychology, Counseling Psychology, or a related field.

Pay Range: $65,000.00 - $68,000.00; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment Category: 100% Appointment

Position Type: P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

For a complete application, please include a cover letter and resume. Applications will begin being reviewed on June 9, 2025.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).