Access & Disability Officer

School/Unit: Academic & Student Affairs, Student Experience

Post Title & Subject Area: Access & Disability Officer

Post Duration: Permanent, Full-Time

Grade: Grade V

Reports to: Student Experience Manager

Salary: : €49,707 - €59,455 * per annum

*Candidates should note that as per Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform guidelines, entry will be at the minimum point of the scale and the rate of remuneration will not be subject to negotiation and may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy. Different terms and conditions may apply if you are a currently serving civil or public servant.

Annual Leave: Annual Leave will be 25 working days. This leave is exclusive of public holidays.

Hours of Attendance: Working hours will be 35 hours per week (net of rest breaks).

Location: This position is based at NCAD, 100 Thomas Street, Dublin 8.

NCAD is seeking to appoint an experienced Access & Disability Officer. The post holder will work under the guidance of the Student Experience Manager to implement and develop a range of disability, access and community related supports, services and initiatives in order to ensure the highest quality experience for all students and other stakeholders at NCAD.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

● Coordinate all aspects of the disability, learning support and assistive technology services at NCAD

● Manage the first level of support for students with disabilities in NCAD. This includes assisting students registering for disability supports

● Assist in the assessment of prospective and current students' disability supports to enable full participation in college life

● Organise and coordinate induction and other supports for students who enter through the HEAR and DARE schemes

● Ensure that students with disabilities receive suitable, reasonable accommodations.

● Provide advice, information, guidance and support to prospective and current students with disabilities on support available in NCAD

● Provide advice, information and guidance to staff across the College as required to facilitate the provision of relevant supports for prospective and current students with disabilities

● Manage the PONS (Profile of Needs) system at NCAD

● Administer applications for the European Social Fund (FSD) for students with disabilities and other funding and reporting as appropriate

● Liaise with academic and other departments and statutory and voluntary agencies in the arrangement of appropriate support and facilities for students with disabilities

● Assist in the championing of the application of Universal Design for Learning throughout the College

● Manage the Access Policy for the College

● Manage the NCAD Access Programme – Schools and Community Outreach, encompassing

o NCAD Access Day

o Student Shadowing Programme

o Artist Mentoring Programme

o Primary School Access Programme

o Portfolio Scholarship Programme

o A range of primary, post primary and community outreach programmes

● Administrative support to Student Experience Manager in respect of Programmes for Access to Higher Education (PATH) Initiatives

● Prepare all related reports for the HEA and other relevant agencies, e.g., reports for FSD allocation, Student Assistance Fund, AHEAD survey and all other Access and Disability related reports

● Manage and report on the HEA Laptop Loan Scheme

● Represent NCAD, in the capacity of Access Officer at events relevant to the role, such as, HEAR/DARE, AHEAD and DAWN conferences, workshops or clinics

● Manage the Student Assistance Fund

● Manage the administration of all Access/Disability student bursaries and scholarships

● Monitor the progress of Access students in the College and act as mentor where appropriate

● Build and update content on the relevant NCAD webpages as necessary

● Organise support for students who enter college through the mature entry route

● Promote awareness of and knowledge about the College through school visits, campus tours for prospective and new students, attendance at higher education events, and attending and assisting with open day

● File and archive documents electronically and in hard copy for HEA/EU Audit

● Maintain GDPR compliance at all times

NCAD Access Service is a dynamic area and consequently duties may vary and develop. The applicant will be expected to take on other duties that arise in accordance with the evolving needs of the Institute.

Selection Criteria

Selection criteria outline the qualifications, skills, knowledge and/or experience that the successful candidate would need to demonstrate for successful discharge of the responsibilities of the post. Applications will be assessed on the basis of how well candidates satisfy these criteria.

Mandatory:

• An appropriate award NFQ Level 6 or higher
• 5 years’ experience in a similar role, preferably within an academic environment, with a proven track record of achievement
• Ability to build and maintain collaborative and harmonious relationships with professional services staff and academic colleagues across the College.
• Good understanding of the reasonable accommodations required to support students with disabilities in engaging with their programme
• Good understanding of the relationship between socio-economic disadvantage and education
• Demonstrable experience of project planning, development and delivery
• Ability to work across a number of different activities and projects at the same time
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Excellent technology skills and an understanding of information technology as a driver of efficiency; experience of spreadsheet applications and database software
• Experience in the compilation and editing of reports and the ability to administer and manage multiple budgets
• Demonstrable capacity to work to a high standard of accuracy with attention to detail in all aspects of work
• Ability to work efficiently and effectively on one’s own initiative
• Ability to work flexibly as a team player
• Demonstrable ability to work flexibly within a busy office and capacity to shift focus as necessary
• Be organised and able to prioritise work effectively and to meet deadlines

Desirable:

● An appropriate third level degree, NFQ Level 8 or higher

● Ability to build and maintain existing relationships with external stakeholders, e.g., primary, post primary, community, HEI