Assistant Director, Exam Accommodations

Columbia University • Full-time • Morningside, New York, US • 2m ago

Job Type: Officer of Administration
Bargaining Unit:
Regular/Temporary: Regular
End Date if Temporary:
Hours Per Week: 35
Standard Work Schedule:
Building: Wien Hall
Salary Range: $85,000 - $90,000

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Director of Exam Accommodations and in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Assistant Director of Exam Accommodations manages all aspects of the day-to-day administration of accommodated exams and proctoring services. This includes processing a high volume of academic and exam accommodations for eligible students with disabilities. The Assistant Director also manages the daily operations and services of the Disability Services Testing Center. They oversee Testing Center staff, including the hiring, onboarding, and training of Proctors, Scribes, and other casual employees. This position ensures procedural compliance and academic integrity while upholding individual student accommodations, test conditions established by faculty, and departmental policies and procedures.

The typical schedule for this position is 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. or 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. based on operational needs. This is an essential on-site role that requires schedule flexibility, including work outside of standard business hours (early mornings, evenings, or occasional weekends). Limited hybrid work arrangements may be considered during winter and summer recess periods, subject to operational needs.

Responsibilities

Exam Administration (70%)

Manage and process over 11,000 accommodated exams annually for students with approved testing accommodations.
Review administrative requirements prior to testing events to ensure academic integrity and the successful implementation and execution of students’ testing accommodations.
Collaborate with the Director of Exam Accommodations to plan proctoring sessions and Testing Center activities.
Effectively deploy fully trained proctors to administer scheduled accommodated exams.
Serve as the primary liaison to faculty, staff, and students to address testing-related issues; correspond with faculty regarding the facilitation of testing accommodations; secure exams and instructions for test administration; and respond to inquiries regarding accommodated exams.
Triage and manage issues raised by Proctors; elevate critical exam-related issues to the Director; respond to student inquiries regarding scheduled accommodated exams; and troubleshoot and resolve testing issues to ensure efficient, high-quality service delivery.

Supervision and Administrative Management (25%)

Collaborate with the Director of Exam Accommodations to develop and update services, policies, and procedures in response to changing demands.
Manage the day-to-day administrative operations of the Disability Services Testing Center, including coverage for Testing Center operations and a range of evening and late-night testing events.
Manage Testing Center resources, including testing supplies and equipment, and resolve logistical and operational issues related to accommodated exams and associated services.
Provide functional and procedural supervision, including onboarding, training, mentoring, performance management, and oversight of Exam Accommodations professional staff.
Manage and supervise Proctors and other casual Testing Center personnel; plan and coordinate scheduling and work assignments; and review and approve timesheets and time-off requests for direct reports.
Recruit and manage a cohort of approximately 100 Proctors, Scribes, and other part-time casual staff; forecast casual staffing needs during peak operations; and maintain a team of highly trained proctors to support a wide range of accommodated exams.
Plan and conduct Disability Services Testing Center staff onboarding and deliver initial and ongoing training for Testing Center staff and Proctors to ensure exams are administered in compliance with policies and procedures.
Maintain Testing Center statistics, including the number of individuals tested and the number and types of exams administered; prepare monthly and annual reports; and make recommendations to the supervisor regarding staffing and programming implications.
Provide technical assistance to faculty and staff on testing- and disability-related policies, exam administration procedures, and related services.
Advise students, parents, faculty, University administrators, and staff on disability-related issues.
Represent Disability Services at meetings, workshops, and seminars.

Performs other duties as assigned (5%)

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in rehabilitation, special education, counseling, psychology, social work, higher education, or a related field.
Minimum of four (4) years of related experience required.
Demonstrated experience managing personnel (professional and student staff), with the ability to train employees and foster a collaborative work environment.
Experience managing and supervising accommodations and services for individuals with disabilities, with knowledge of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and ADA compliance.
Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and organizational skills, with demonstrated knowledge of planning and scheduling techniques.
Highly motivated, organized, and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage complex procedures and collaborate effectively with multiple stakeholders.
Strong analytical skills and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, prioritize urgent tasks, and maintain superior attention to detail.
Demonstrated discretion, diplomacy, and confidentiality when handling sensitive University data.
Strong computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office and familiarity with assistive technology.

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s degree in rehabilitation, special education, counseling, psychology, social work, higher education, or a related field.
Experience working with students with disabilities and managing a testing center or overseeing testing administration in a university or higher-education setting.
Prior experience supporting students with disabilities within a higher-education or similar environment.
Advanced experience managing and analyzing complex systems and implementing process-improvement strategies, including key performance indicators (KPIs).

Other Requirements