Access Services Advisor

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Hiring Unit: 

Student Accessibility & Achievement

Student Accessibility and Achievement provide an array of learner support services to McGill students of all levels of study, including reasonable academic accommodations for those with documented disabilities of either a permanent, temporary, or episodic nature. ​They foster an accessible and inclusive university experience for McGill’s diverse student population in collaboration with other Student Services and the wider McGill community through resources and services. 

Additional Information: Overtime, including evening and weekend hours may be required during peak periods.

Position Summary:
Under the supervision of the Associate Director, Advising and Learning Supports, the Access Services Advisor serves as a primary point of contact for students with disabilities experiencing barriers to their learning and full participation at McGill. Ensures appropriate support and academic accommodations are identified and implemented to facilitate academic engagement and achievement. Conducts need assessments, provides expert advice to faculty, and collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to ensure seamless service delivery and proper case management. Additionally, the role involves facilitating outreach and education initiatives to raise awareness and foster an inclusive campus environment.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct comprehensive needs assessments with students facing academic or physical barriers due to disabilities, mental health conditions, chronic illnesses, or other impairments, ensuring accommodations align with both the student’s needs and medical documentation. Collaborate with internal and external professionals when necessary to clarify diagnostic details and ensure a fulsome understanding of the barriers being faced.
• Advise faculty and appropriate University departments on the development and implementation of reasonable accommodations in the classroom and other university settings. Act as a liaison between students and faculty to ensure effective communication and accommodation provision.
• Collaborate with key departments within Student Services and across the university to promote understanding and support for students with disabilities. Actively engage in initiatives to enhance campus-wide accessibility and inclusion.
• Manage a portfolio of outreach, promotional and educational activities designed to increase awareness of services and foster a supportive environment for students with disabilities.
• Stay current with best practices and emerging trends in disability services, ensuring that all accommodations and services are compliant with legal and university standards.
• Undertake special projects and initiatives as assigned by the Access Services Advisor – Team Lead, contributing to the continuous improvement of disability support services.

Other Qualifying Skills and/or Abilities

• Graduate degree in Educational Psychology, Counselling Psychology, Inclusive Education or other psychosocial field, required.
• Experience working in a professional service provider role with people who have disabilities.
• Experience working on a one-to-one basis with a potentially high stress, constantly changing clientele.
• Ability to advise faculty and administrators on student disability-related academic accommodations and issues.
• Proven proficiency in crisis intervention and de-escalation required. Proven experience reviewing medical documentation required.
• Experience in the disability field with a particular emphasis on current trends in post-secondary disability service provision, including the Social Model, Universal Design and ecological modes of intervention.
• Knowledge of post-secondary Universal Design for Learning principles. Must be self-directed and able to work autonomously and as part of a multi-disciplinary team. Tact, diplomacy, excellent interpersonal, organizational and communication skills are essential.
• Experience leading discussion groups and classes.
• Awareness and knowledge of adaptive technology for students with disabilities.
• Proven presentation skills.
• English and French, spoken and written.

As one of Montreal's Top Employers, here is what we offer:

• Competitive benefits package (Health, Dental, Life Insurance) (if eligible)
• Defined contribution pension plan (with employer contribution up to 10%) (if eligible)
• Group Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) and Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA)
• Competitive vacation policy
• Two (2) personal days
• Two (2) floating holidays
• Nine (9) "Summer Fridays" - paid days off between the St-Jean Baptiste holiday and Labour Day
• Paid time off over the December holiday period
• Tuition waiver for regular employees and their dependents
• Up to two (2) days of remote work per week where the position permits

Before applying, please note that to work at McGill University, you must be both authorized to work in Canada and willing to work in the province of Quebec at the campus where the position is based / located.

Knowledge of English: McGill University is an English-language university where day to day duties may require English communication both verbally and in writing. The level of English required for this position has been assessed at a level 4 on a scale of 0-4.

For a definition of our language proficiency levels, please click here.

McGill University is committed to equity and diversity within its community and values academic rigour and excellence. We welcome and encourage applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to engage productively with diverse communities.

At McGill, research that reflects diverse intellectual traditions, methodologies, and modes of dissemination and translation is valued and encouraged. Candidates are invited to demonstrate their research impact both within and across academic disciplines and in other sectors, such as government, communities, or industry.

McGill further recognizes and fairly considers the impact of leaves (e.g., family care or health-related) that may contribute to career interruptions or slowdowns. Candidates are encouraged to signal any leave that affected productivity, or that may have had an effect on their career path. This information will be considered to ensure the equitable assessment of the candidate’s record.

McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated equity groups to self-identify. It further seeks to ensure the equitable treatment and full inclusion of persons with disabilities by striving for the implementation of universal design principles transversally, across all facets of the University community, and through accommodation policies and procedures. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, accessibilityrequest.hr@mcgill.ca.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

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