Disability Specialist (Full-Time)

Description

Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) is Wisconsin's largest and most diverse technical college, offering 170+ high-quality programs that connect students to a career in as little as one to two years. The college also offers a less expensive path to a four-year degree. MATC is transforming lives, industry and our community by preparing students today for the careers of tomorrow. Together, we are meeting the needs of the community we share and are focused on students with the greatest needs. We are seeking passionate individuals to join our team who shares the same passion in serving this purpose. Learn more about MATC at www.matc.edu.

This is a grant-funded position. Funding for this position is contingent upon the terms of the grant. This position is funded through June 30, 2026. This is a 43 week position- an academic year position which typically runs from mid- August through mid-May.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities

• Determines factors and conditions that promotes individual learning.
• Designs, modifies, and adapts supplemental instruction to meet the needs of students with disabilities.
• Interprets and/or clarifies classroom instruction.
• Teaches test taking strategies, study skills, comprehension skills, memory techniques, time management, research methods, and computer skills.
• Informs instructors of alternative strategies of instruction when teaching students with disabilities.
• Monitors student progress, concerns, or issues impacting their education. Assists with problem solving skills and methods to solve or mediate issues. Provides information school services information (Counseling and Advising, emergency funds), community services (food pantries, housing assistance, mental health services), government services (Social Security, Department of Vocational Rehabilitation) and natural support. Help students develop an action plan to access needed services.
• Provides customized academic support to individual EEN students and/or small groups in areas such as composition, reading comprehension, and other areas.
• Proctors tests and quizzes in all disciplines and programs with accommodations. Interprets test instructions and questions while avoiding unfair test advantages consistent with needs accommodations.
• Serves as liaison between students and instructors, other MATC programs and services, community agencies, such as: Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Goodwill Industry, and Center for Independence; high schools and community agencies.
• Generates and maintains detailed individual student records required by funding sources.
• Documents and reports note taking and tutoring arrangements; records time and pay sheets and other services provided.
• Explains career sheets and/or program information to students ensuring understanding of program requirements and career opportunities at MATC.
• Advises students on selected program enrollment requirements and procedures, including financial aid information.
• Assists developing class schedules of required classes, course availability, program changes, filled programs/classes, etc. for students.
• Attends in-service training, workshops, and other education activities as required or assigned.
• Performs other related duties as required for the efficient operations of the division.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Compliance with all state, federal, and accreditation standards/requirements, as well as all MATC policies and procedures.

Minimum Required Education AND Experience:

• Required 90 approved college credits in job-related area. - Secondary Education, Special Education, Adult Education, Psychology, Social Work, Counseling Psychology, Counseling, and Vocational Rehabilitation.
• Three (3) years of work experience serving the needs of individuals who are disabled or any equivalent combination of training and occupational experience.

• Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education, Special Education, Adult Education, Psychology, Social Work, Counseling Psychology, Counseling, and Vocational Rehabilitation.
• Five (5) to seven (7) or more years of relevant experience serving the needs of individuals with physical and psychological disabilities.
Special Education; Certified Social Worker; CPR/First Aid Certification.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of instructional and related procedures for students with disabilities.
• Knowledge of various categories of learning styles of students with disabilities.
• Knowledge of computers, common software programs, internet navigation, as well as specialized applications such as JAWS, and Zoomtext, for visual impairment, Kurzweil 3000 / Firefly for a variety of Specific Learning Disabilities, Dragon Naturally Speaking, and Google Voice for speech to text entry, and other adaptive equipment like FM systems, Smart pens, Plextalk, etc.
• Ability to teach students with disabilities from diverse backgrounds and with different needs.
• Ability to communicate effectively with students with disabilities, faculty, community agencies, other MATC students and staff, and the general public.
• Ability to design, modify and adapt supplemental instruction to meet the needs of students with disabilities.
• Ability to use judgment, discretion, and decision-making skills in dealing with confidential and sensitive issues.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a support service team or to work equally as well independently.
• Ability to communicate effectively through both oral and written means.
• Ability to understand and support teacher-student relationships.
• Ability to convert textbooks (Word, PDF files) to Accessible format using Kurzweil, Adobe Pro Abbyy Finereader, etc.
• Ability to support use of assistive software and technology such as Jaws; Windoweyes; Kurzweil; Dragon Naturally Speaking; Wynn Software, CCTV's; talking calculators; magnification devices, etc.
• Must possess a high caliber of customer services skills in order to establish and maintain effective working relationships with MATC staff, faculty, students, representatives from outside agencies, business community and the general public.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with people of diverse backgrounds and promote a positive working environment.
• Demonstrated ability to create, structure, and deliver public presentations to a variety of groups.
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently, and as a team member.
• Ability to access and disseminate information using computers and proficient knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite including Excel, PowerPoint and Word.

COMPETENCIES

• Cultivates innovation
• Optimizes work processes
• Ensures accountability
• Collaborates
• Interpersonal savvy
• Communicates effectively
• Instills trust
• Customer focus
• Action oriented
• Values differences
• Self-development
• Compassion

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Ability to lift up to 30 lbs., carry, and push up to 20 lbs. and ability pull up to 50 lbs
• Ability to climb stairs and a ladder and maintain balance.
• Ability to stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, hear and speak.
• Sitting/Standing/Walking: 75% of time spent sitting, 20% of time standing, and 5% of time walking.

Supplemental Information

• Resume
• Unofficial Transcripts
• Complete Application. A complete application entails providing thorough details, including personal information, educational background, and comprehensive work experience. This should include specific job positions held, duties performed, dates of employment, and any relevant licenses or certifications. Additionally, candidates may be required to attach copies of licenses or certifications as requested by the employer. It's crucial to ensure all aspects of the application are thoroughly addressed and documented.