Lead Student Disability Specialist at University of California, Riverside – Riverside, California
About This Position
Overview
Job ID 37097745
Category Student and Educational Services
Organization Health Wellbeing and Safety
Department Student Disability Resource Ct
Location Main Campus - UCR
Salary $73,600 - $133,200
Date Posted February 24, 2026
Application Deadline Open Until Filled
Schedule 8AM - 5PM
Full/Part Time Full-time(100%)
Level of Supervision General Supervision
Personnel Program Code Professional & Support Staff
Other Information Qualifies for Employee Referral Bonus: No
UC Internal Job: No
Position Information
The Student Disability Resources Center provides services for students with various permanent or temporary disabilities. These disabilities may include learning disabilities; attention deficit disorder; autism, visual, mobility, or hearing impairments; psychological disabilities; chronic systemic disorders (e.g., lupus, Crohn's disease, multiple sclerosis, diabetes); injuries. The Lead Disability Specialist interprets medical documentation and gathers information to recommend and facilitate reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities, to ensure access to the educational opportunities of the University of California, Riverside. The Lead Student Disability Specialist serves as a technical leader with a high degree of knowledge in the overall field and recognized expertise in specific areas related to services and accommodations for graduate and professional students. Major responsibilities include assessment of disability documentation forms, medical documentation, and psychological/psychoeducational evaluation to verify disability in accordance with University, State, and Federal guidelines to determine appropriate accommodations and support. The Lead Disability Specialist will interpret and assess whether accommodations conflict with or violate technical and academic standards set by the Graduate Division, appropriate professional school, or accrediting agency. They are responsible for providing information to graduate and professional UCR students who believe they may have a disability and make appropriate referrals to on and off-campus resources; provides specialized disability-related counseling for graduate and professional students; liaisons with on and off-campus departments and programs to coordinate services and to explain services for graduate and professional students served by SDRC; leads and/or facilitates support groups and instruct workshops in disability management advocacy; provides disability awareness presentations for faculty, staff, and students. Other assignments are made by the Associate Director/Director on a project basis. The Lead Disability Specialist's work is reviewed periodically with the Associate Director/Director through status reports, meetings, and when actions necessitate a deviation from standard guidelines. The Lead Disability Specialist will counsel office staff and students on disability management concerns. They will develop and maintain relations with campus departments, community agencies, and national organizations. They will perform research and development of training and evaluation tools, screening mechanisms and teaching modules. Prepares other written materials, and assists, as needed, in other SDRC services and functions. Position is expected to work evenings and weekends during high demand periods (e.g., final exams, programs, events, outreach, etc.).**Please be advised that we strongly recommend applicants submit a cover letter and resume.**The full salary range for the Lead Student Disability Specialist is $73,600 - $133,200 annually. However, the expected pay scale for this position is up to $106,600 annually. We base salary offers on a variety of considerations, such as education, licensure and certifications, experience, and other business and organizational needs.Applicants must have current work authorization when accepting a UCR staff position. Currently, we are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa for staff.As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.
Requirements
Educational Requirements
| Degree | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Advanced degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training. | Required |
| PhD or PsyD in clinical or counseling psychology or related field, or a Master's degree in counseling psychology (or related field) and two years of experience as a professional psychologist. | Preferred |
| Condition | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Completion of Disability Resource Professional (DRP) Academy - Docs with Disabilities Initiative | Preferred |
| Experience | Requirement |
|---|---|
| 6-10 years of related experience. | Required |
| Professional experience in post-secondary settings with students who have disabilities, and working knowledge of support services and accommodation methods. | Required |
| Experience in interpreting psycho-educational reports and neuropsychiatric reports, and ability to apply information for determination of appropriate disability accommodations. | Required |
| Professional experience in post-secondary settings with graduate students or professional school students, and working knowledge of policies, procedures, and technical standards present in graduate and professional programs. | Preferred |
| Experience in disability management and or crisis management with adults with disabilities. | Preferred |
| License | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Licensed Educational Psychologist | Preferred |
| Licensed Psychologist | Preferred |
| Certification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) | Preferred |
| Learning Disability Specialist Certification | Preferred |
| Advanced knowledge of assessment, accommodation, and intervention techniques involved in employee's specialty, for example, learning disorders, mobility disability, visual impairment, etc. |
| Ability to work collaboratively with individuals, departments and organizations on and off campus. |
| Demonstrated ability to advise and lead other staff members in the delivery of support services and accommodations to students. |
| Working knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Assembly Bill 746. |
| Skill in communicating effectively (oral and written) to obtain and convey information, particularly with faculty and other academic personnel. |
| Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with other staff members, subordinates and management. |
| Interpersonal skills to interact sensitively with students (with various disabilities and from diverse backgrounds) and with campus colleagues, governmental officials and community representatives. |
| Skill to communicate with instructors and other organizational entities regarding a student's accommodations and other academic needs. |
| Advanced knowledge of the legal framework involving accommodations for students with disabilities through state and federal laws and regulations. |
| Demonstrated skill in interviewing techniques, training, teaching and empowering students with disabilities. |
| Advanced knowledge of procedures for assessing and determining disability accommodation issues, including the Disability Compliance Office procedures. |
| Ability to organize and teach workshops and support groups to assist students with disabilities to develop personal understanding about disability-related issues. |
| Knowledge and ability to provide counseling on disability management and compensatory strategies for students with disabilities. |
| Ability to interpret, analyze, and advise on complex policies and procedures related to academic program requirements, support services, and professional/technical standards. |
| Working knowledge of accessible technology, including adaptive computer technology and specialized software. |
| Advanced working knowledge of a variety of assessment instruments and psycho-educational reports used to diagnose specific learning disabilities in adults (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Test, Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Achievement, Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Cognitive Abilities, Wechsler Individual Achievement Test, etc.), and demonstrated ability to interpret test results and psycho-educational reports to determine eligibility for services. |
| Knowledge of University of California and UCR policies and procedures related to duties. |
Additional Information
In the Heart of Inland Southern California, UC Riverside is located on nearly 1,200 acres near Box Springs Mountain in Southern California; the park-like campus provides convenient access to the vibrant and growing Inland region. The campus is a living laboratory for the exploration of issues critical to growing communities' air, water, energy, transportation, politics, the arts, history, and culture. UCR gives every student, faculty and staff member the resources to explore, engage, imagine and excel.
UC Riverside is recognized as one of the most ethnically diverse research universities in the country boasting several key rankings of which we are extremely proud.
- UC Riverside is proud to be ranked No. 12 among all U.S. universities, according to Money Magazine's 2020 rankings, and among the top 1 percent of universities worldwide, according to the 2019-20 Center for World University rankings.
- UC Riverside is the top university in the United States for social mobility. - U.S. News 2020
- UCR is a member of the University Innovation Alliance, the leading national coalition of public research universities committed to improving student success for low-income, first-generation, and students of color.
- Among top-tier universities, UC Riverside ranks No. 2 in financial aid. - Business Insider 2019
- Ranked No. 2 in the world for research, UCR's Department of Entomology maintains one of the largest collections of insect specimens the nation. - Center for World University Rankings
- UCR's distinguished faculty boasts 2 Nobel Laureates, and 13 members of the National Academies of Science and Medicine.
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories under state or federal law. It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.
For information about our generous employee benefits package, visit: Employee Benefits Overview