This position will primarily work from the San Luis Obispo campus but will work from the North County Campus in Paso Robles as needed. Typical work hours are Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm and occasional evening hours as determined by department needs.

DEFINITION

Under general supervision of the Dean of Student Services, serve as primary point of contact for students, staff, and faculty; coordinate support services and accommodations for students with disabilities; perform all aspects of DSPS Alternative Testing; recruit and supervise short-term/temporary test proctors/notetakers; assist with student requests for notetakers, assistive technology, adaptive furniture, alternative media, learning disability testing, scheduling of DSPS Specialists, and DSPS tutorial services. The DSPS Program Assistant manages various aspects of confidential student files, assists with requests and coordination of interpreters for the deaf; assemble statistics and information for the department; and perform other related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The DSPS Program Assistant is distinguished from other classes in that incumbents are required to deal on a daily basis with various types and severities of disabilities, act as liaison between students with disabilities and their instructors and other staff, and to provide general information about the Disabled Student Programs and Services. Incumbents in the position oversee the personnel, procedures, equipment and facilities required in the delivery of support services. Strong communication skills in working with students, staff, faculty and administration are necessary. Professionalism is essential in dealing with sensitive issues such as confidentiality and test security. Liaison with outside agencies and knowledge of laws relating to disabilities and education is required. The Assistant must be able to make decisions in various situations, maintain professionalism, confidentiality, and exercise discretion. Incumbents in this position support student learning outcomes and institutional effectiveness by providing services to students who are underrepresented or have a qualified disability, thereby giving such students within these targeted programs a chance to achieve their educational goals and opportunities.

ABOUT THE COLLEGE

Where You Will Work
Serving all of San Luis Obispo County, Cuesta College has provided comprehensive associate degree offerings, certificates, and community programs to the region since 1964. The main campus is located along scenic highway 1, west of San Luis Obispo and east of the beaches of the Pacific Ocean. Cuesta College has a North County Campus in Paso Robles, and South County Center, in Arroyo Grande.

Who We Are
Equity, diversity, and inclusion are essential to our culture and the work we do. Cuesta College is proud to be a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) committed to racial and socio-economic diversity as it reflects our communities and student populations. We actively seek to attract candidates who share this commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. As part of the Cuesta College team, you can expect to be part of a collaborative community of faculty, classified professionals, administrators, students, and community partners advancing educational excellence with intentional support services leading to student success and completion.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Serve as primary point of contact for DSPS students/parents, staff, faculty, community agencies and partners;
• Arrange for support services such as alternative testing, test proctors, readers, scribes, ASL interpreters, alternative media, and adaptive furniture;
• Coordinate, administer and monitor students during DSPS alternative testing/specialized assessment tests, to assure student compliance with established testing policies, procedures, requirements and timelines;
• Input confidential student information and maintain DSPS database for MIS reporting;
• Give specialized testing instructions on one-to-one or group basis;
• Coordinate scheduling and prepare equipment for computer labs and other facilities for alternative/assessment testing; assure adequate and appropriate testing supplies, orientation and materials for testing activities;
• Provide support for DSPS Specialists and Coordinators;
• Recruit, train and schedule notetakers, scribes, proctors, volunteers, and others who will provide services to students with disabilities;
• Collect, review and process all DSPS support service forms and applications, including alternative and assessment testing, and learning disability testing;
• Compile and manage confidential student documentation and files;
• Keep accurate records (equipment, student contacts, alternative testing);
• Monitor student use of DSPS and tutorial services;
• Train students with disabilities in the use of assistive technology;
• Assist students with completing forms as needed and review for accuracy, completeness and compliance with established requirements;
• Produce large print materials and other alternative formats of instructional and testing material for students with disabilities;
• Assist in keeping policies and procedures current;
• Recommend for purchase, necessary supplies and equipment;
• Perform other related duties as required.

Essential functions of particular positions within classifications may vary because job duties may vary by work location.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Required

• Associate Degree

Desirable

• Bachelors Degree

Experience:

Required

• Two years experience working with people with disabilities or medical setting; or
• Two years of experience working with students in areas appropriate to the assignment, such as, learning disabilities.
• Two years experience in office management setting;

Or any equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge of:

• Resources and services for disabled students;
• Criteria for eligibility to Disabled Student Programs and Services;
• Various components of Disabled Student Programs and Services and their functions;
• How to work effectively with students and instructors;
• Computer programs necessary for record keeping and databases;
• Correct English usage: grammar, spelling, vocabulary and punctuation;
• Office management;
• College resources such as counseling, EOPS, financial aid, health services, etc.;
• Current technologies, personal computer, and associated office software such as word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and/or database software;
• District policies and procedures.

Ability to:

• Follow and implement District policies and procedures;
• Operate office machines such as computers and other keyboard equipment, duplicating machines, recorders, calculators, audio-visual equipment and Telephone Communication Devices for the Deaf;
• Administer TEAS Nursing Assessment and Distance Education Tests;
• Work with a minimal supervision;
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the performance of duties;
• Demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds of staff and students and of staff and students with physical and learning disabilities.

Physical ability to:

• Read and comprehend printed matter and text and data on computer monitors;
• Communicate intelligibly and effectively via speech, telephone, written correspondence, and/or email;
• Sit or stand for extended periods of time;
• Lift and/or carry 25 pounds;
• Exert manual dexterity sufficient for keyboard and other office equipment operation.

Licenses and Certificates:

Desirable

• Possess an Ability to Benefit Certificate

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS TO APPLY
Candidates will be required to submit ALL of the required documents below when applying for this position. When uploading documents, PDF uploads are preferred.

• Cover letter;
• Resume;
• Reference List (see further instructions below);
• Unofficial transcripts;
• Diversity statement (see further instructions below).

Diversity Statement Instructions: Cuesta College is committed to building and maintaining a workforce that reflects and honors the diversity of our students. It is important to us that our faculty, staff, and administrators demonstrate an understanding of, sensitivity to, and respect for the diverse academic, socioeconomic, ethnic, and religious backgrounds as well as sexual orientation and abilities of all constituents in the Cuesta College community.

In 500 words or less, with consideration to our Mission Statement and our values expressed above, please explain how you will demonstrate your commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in this position.

Reference List Instructions: Your reference list must include three professional references, their contact information, and their relationship to you.

Completed online applications and all supporting documents must be submitted by the closing date for this position. LATE, INCOMPLETE, FAXED, MAILED OR EMAILED APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

SALARY SCHEDULE
Below is the full salary schedule range for this position, steps A through E. Per Cuesta College’s bargaining agreement, new employees are placed at Steps A through C, which is the anticipated hiring range also listed below. The bargaining agreement also includes step and longevity increases. For a full salary schedule, please see our website: https://www.cuesta.edu/about/depts/humanresources/salary_schedules.html

• Salary Schedule Range: $4,431 - $5,386 per month.
• Anticipated Hiring Range: $4,431 - $4,885 per month.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Cuesta College will not sponsor any visa applications.

San Luis Obispo County Community College District ("Cuesta College") is an equal opportunity employer committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth), age, disability (physical and mental), genetic information, military and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal and state law in admission and access to, or treatment in employment, educational programs or activities at any of its campuses. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose. Cuesta College also prohibits harassment on any of these bases, including sexual harassment, as well as sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.

In compliance with California law, all prospective staff and students are entitled to read the Annual Security Report, published each October by the Cuesta College Department of Public Safety. This report contains information about our emergency and crime reporting procedures, as well as crime statistics for the past 3 years. You may request a copy of this report at one of our two Public Safety Offices: on SLO campus at Building 6600A or on North County Campus at building N1021, during campus business hours. You may also access the complete text of this report at the following website address: https://www.cuesta.edu/about/depts/publicsafety/clery_act

Cuesta College uses E-Verify as part of the I-9 process to verify the work eligibility of all new hires. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9 to data from U.S Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records. For further information, visit: https://www.cuesta.edu/about/depts/humanresources/Job_Opportunities.html

Selected applicants will be invited to attend a Zoom interview and skills test on Wednesday, March 8, 2023.