Career Center

The Access Consultant provides or arranges for reasonable accommodations for all staff and faculty with disabilities or medical conditions to ensure access to employment, programs, facilities, services, and activities on campus.  The Access Consultant also works on behalf of all persons with disabilities to improve the understanding and support of the University community. The Access Consultant provides ongoing consultation and support to supervisors and departments. This position serves all University of Minnesota employees and departments on all UofM campuses. This position reports to the Associate Director of the Disability Resource Center for Employee services/UReturn.

This is a 100%, 12-months annually renewable appointment in the academic administrative personnel series (job code 9341AC, Access Consultant).

Duties and Responsibilities:

Provide information, referral, and support to employees with medical conditions or disabilities, supervisors, Human Resources, and union representatives (70%):

• Regular communication with employees, supervisors, Human Resources, union representatives and other stakeholders. Communication may include in-person, phone and written communication.
• Assist employees with obtaining medical documentation and determining the need for reasonable accommodations/adjustments. 
• Assist employees in understanding their legal rights and responsibilities, promoting employee self-advocacy, independence and development. \
• Provide adjustment counseling to employees regarding the impacts of a disability in an employment environment; and psychosocial aspects of a working environment for an employee with a disability or medical condition.
• Maintain strict confidentiality in verbal and written communications. 
• Assist Human Resources and department supervisors in identifying essential and marginal functions of employee positions. Conduct on-site job analyses as needed.
• Assess the interaction of the employeeâ™s functional limitations with the employment 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 employees, supervisors, Human Resources, union representatives and other stakeholders. 
• Facilitate communication between faculty, staff, and employees with disabilities, as well as Short-term Disability, Long-term Disability and Workers Compensation stakeholders.
• Consult with claims examiners, Risk Management, Department of Environmental Health and Safety, and other internal partners.
• 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 file.

Provide outreach, training and institutional support to the University community (30%):

• Provide on-going consultation and problem-solving assistance to University of Minnesota departments and Human Resources in the provision of services and accommodations for employees 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 faculty and staff in formal grievances, arbitrations, depositions, and other forums 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 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 FMLA
• 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. 

WORK MODE: Hybrid (some days in the office and some remote).

PAY RANGE: $60,013-$73,000

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelorâ™s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling, Social Work, Industrial Psychology, Counseling Psychology, or a related field (bachelor's degree outside of these fields can be substituted with related experience)
• Four years of experience in the areas of facilitating access for people with disabilities, working in employment and retention of people with disabilities and/or health conditions or a combination of the two
• Knowledge of federal and state disability laws regarding access for people with disabilities; specifically ADA and FMLA
• Demonstrated knowledge of community resources for people with disabilities
• Experience in providing consultation and training on disability issues
• Strong communication and organizational skills 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Masterâ™s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling, Social Work, Industrial Psychology, Counseling Psychology or related field.
• Work experience with employers that have integrated return-to-work, work retention systems
• Knowledge of issues related to adults with disabilities; the impact of a disability in an employment environment; and psychosocial aspects of a working environment for an employee with a disability
• Knowledge of the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus' inter-department relationships; labor relations; and other resources for employees available within, and outside, the University system.
• Proficiency using computers, particularly using communication networks and adaptive technology.
• Demonstrated experience in, and a an ongoing commitment to, working effectively with and across diverse communities, including specific experience with one or more of the following identities/communities:  people of color, including underrepresented groups and new immigrant populations; American Indians; people with both visible and invisible disabilities; women; people of various gender and sexual identities and expressions; and first-generation students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

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