Assistant Director, DSS & Access Technology

Engineering a world of possibilities Disability Support Services (DSS) at Colorado School of Mines seeks a dynamic and innovative Assistant Director of DSS & Access Technology to lead efforts in providing accessible learning solutions and testing accommodations for students with disabilities. With effective collaboration and forward-thinking skills, the Assistant Director of DSS & Access Technology ensures students registered with DSS receive equitable access to course materials, assistive technology, and testing services.

The Assistant Director will oversee assistive technology operations, including managing vendor contracts, researching and evaluating new technologies, and providing training. This position will serve as a resource and advocate for students and staff and other internal and external stakeholders on issues relating to assistive technology that impact students.

As a member of Disability Support Services, this position receives a high level of cross-training and will be responsible for managing a student caseload, supporting disability registration, and coordinating accommodations. Responsibilities include approving and coordinating accommodations to address a diverse range of disability-related barriers including but not limited to, real-time captioning, sign language interpreting, assistive technology, note-taking assistance, and alternative format texts.

Additionally, they will support assistive technology needs at the Mines Testing Center, including text-to-speech (TTS) conversion. In accordance with the Rehabilitation Act Section 504, Section 508, Americans with Disabilities Amendment Act (ADAA), Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.2), and Family Educational Right to Privacy Act (FERPA), the Assistant Director will demonstrate a commitment to equity and inclusion.

This is a full-time, 12-month university staff exempt position based on campus in Golden, Colorado. The role requires in-person work and flexibility to ensure adequate staffing during peak periods, such as the start of semesters and final exams.

Primary Responsibilities

ASSISSTIVE TECHNOLOGY TRAINING, CONSULTATION, AND MANAGMENT

Provide support to DSS around technology and accessibility, including digital and web accessibility.

Provide hands-on training and tech support for student accessibility tools.

Monitor student needs to support budget forecasting and assistive technology planning.

Stay informed of the latest developments in the field of assistive technology specific to student disabilities in higher education and STEM.

Collaborate with campus IT departments to implement adaptive technology solutions for students with disabilities and plan for growth by exploring staffing and training opportunities.

Monitor legislative and technological developments, including WCAG 2.2 and Section 508, to ensure DSS compliance and advise on innovations, cost efficiencies, and budget impacts.

Oversee editing, updating, and maintenance of the DSS website to ensure adherence to relevant legal requirements.

Participate in professional development opportunities relevant to alternative access such as the annual Accessing Higher Ground conference and webinars offered through the Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD).

Assist the department with conducting ongoing needs assessment for internal training in assistive technology.

Manage assistive technology hardware and software inventory, maintenance, and procurement for DSS. 3 Revised 06/2023

Oversee accessible print, adaptive technology, and communication access for registered students to ensure compliance with regulations.

Oversee contracts, scheduling, and invoicing of third-party vendors, including the Request for Proposal (RFP) processes.

Provides supervision to potential interns or student employees who support alternative access for the department.

Evaluate new technologies and current best practices for teaching and learning adaptive technology.

Consult with students, faculty, and DSS to address accessibility needs for students.

Develop, analyze, and review processes, procedures, and efficient workflows for the department.

Report data and statistics to support the effectiveness of technology and make recommendations for future technology needs.

DSS REGISTRATION AND ACCOMMODATION COORDINATION

Maintain a caseload of students and conduct intake and accommodation review meetings with students in various formats (in-person, virtual, phone).

Engage in the interactive process to determine eligibility for academic, housing, dining, and other accommodations.

Provide expertise and recommendations on assistive technology equipment and software for students, especially those with sensory and mobility impairments.

Maintain accurate, comprehensive, and timely student case notes and records.

Provide assistive technology support at the Mines Testing Center, including text-to-speech services.

Solid understanding of educational accessibility tools: familiarity with assistive technologies tailored for academic settings, and the ability to adapt assistive technology offerings to ensure full accessibility for students with disabilities.

Collaborate with students, faculty, and parents.

COURSE ACCESS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITY ACCOMMODATIONS

Consult with faculty and campus departments to coordinate adaptive or assistive technology accommodations for students with disabilities.

Ensure registered students have equal access to print materials and technology, coordinating alternative format requests with faculty.

Provide timely implementation of auxiliary aids and services including peer note-taking and assistive technology.

Oversee media captioning and audio description coordination through third-party vendors, providing guidance and training on best practices.

Oversee coordination of ASL interpreters and real-time captioning (CART, TypeWell) services through third-party vendors and provide guidance and training to faculty.

COMMITTEE LIAISON

Stay abreast of relevant regulations (e.g., WCAG guidelines) and serve on relevant alternative access committees and workgroups.

Collaborate with campus partners to advise on alternative access accommodations and to support compliance and accessibility initiatives.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree. Work experience may be substituted for the degree on a year for year basis.

Three years experience working with people with disabilities.

Understanding of laws that govern disability and access (e.g., ADAAA, Section 504, FERPA).

Experience with assistive technology solutions for persons with disabilities.

Experience learning, understanding, and becoming proficient in new technologies quickly.

Advanced computer knowledge, proficiency, and skills.

Strong oral and written communication, organization, meeting facilitation, and independent decision-making skills.

Experience maintaining a high level of productivity, prioritizing, and maintaining confidentiality of student information and records.

Experience collaborating and working effectively with students, faculty, staff, and campus partners.

High attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications

Advanced degree and/or certificate in a related field (e.g. Assistive Technology, Disability Services, Information Technology)

Experience working with people with disabilities in an educational setting; preferably a higher education setting.

Knowledge of assistive technology solutions specific to STEM based education.

Accessible Information Management (AIM) knowledge.

Accommodations knowledge at the higher education level.

Experience coordinating communication services, which could include communication access services.

Experience implementing or practicing Universal Design for Learning in a classroom or professional environment.

Salary and Benefits

$68,000 - $75,000 annual salary

Mines takes into consideration a combination of candidate’s education, training and experience as well as the position’s scope and complexity, the discretion and latitude required in the role, work location, and external market and internal value when determining a salary level for potential new employees.

Colorado School of Mines offers a robust portfolio of benefits for all employees. For this role, that includes:

Flexible health and dental care options

Generous sick/vacation time: 13 paid holidays per year – including a week-long winter break for entire campus.

Fully vested retirement plan on first day of employment, with generous employer contribution

Tuition benefits (6 credits per year for employees, 50 percent discount for dependents)

Free RTD Ecopass

All Mines employees also have access to discount programs through the State of Colorado and free tickets for Mines Athletics home games, as well as access to the state of the art Recreation Center (fitness classes and training, swimming pool and more) and equipment rentals through the Outdoor Rec Center. We are proud to have recently opened an on campus daycare center. For more details about benefits at Mines, visit mines.edu/human-resources/benefits.

How to Apply

Complete an online application (personal information, demographic information, veteran status)

Upload a resume or CV

Upload a cover letter

Candidates must be currently authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

This posting may be used to fill more than one vacancy based on business needs.

References will not be contacted until later in the selection process and you will be informed before that contact is made.

Application review will begin February 25, 2026. This posting will remain open until filled and may close without notice. For best consideration, apply by February 24, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. as applications received after that date may not be reviewed.

Successful Completion of a Background Investigation is Required for this Position.

About Mines & Golden, CO

When the world looks for answers, the world looks to Mines.

Colorado School of Mines is a top-ranked public university solving the grand challenges facing our society, particularly those related to the Earth, energy and the environment. Founded in 1874 with specialties in mining and metallurgy, Mines’ scope and mission have continually expanded to meet the needs of industry and society. Today, we are the No. 36 public university in the nation, recognized for our innovation and undergraduate teaching in science, technology engineering and math (U.S. News and World Report, 2025).

Mines graduates are change makers, boundary breakers and problem solvers. Since our earliest days, a Mines education has been and continues to be a transformational opportunity, with one of the strongest returns on investment out there for talented STEM students of all backgrounds.

At the same time, Mines faculty members are pushing their fields in new directions, whether that’s manufacturing, space resources, quantum engineering, carbon capture or more. Mines was recently classified as a R1 “Very High Activity” research institution by Carnegie, a notable feat for any university but particularly one of our size.

That size – roughly 8,200 undergraduate and graduate students – also translates to a close-knit campus community, where employees have opportunities to get involved in multiple ways, continued professional learning is valued and everyone can make an impact.

Community Alliance groups bring together employees for professional development, networking, and community involvement, and all Mines employees also have access to the wealth of activities happening every day on campus – nationally-renowned speakers, special events and Mines traditions like Engineering Days, just to name a few.

And don’t get us started on our hometown. We are located in the heart of Golden, Colorado --with its charming historic downtown and nearby hiking trails – and in close proximity to all that Denver and the Rocky Mountains have to offer. That includes the sunny, high-altitude climate and outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities that make the Denver area an ideal place to live, work and play.

Are you looking for an inspiring, mission-driven workplace where you can contribute to solving the world’s problems and educating the next generation of change makers? Are you an individual who values a community where our individual perspectives and experiences enrich the educational and work experience?

Look to Mines.

Additional Information and Reasonable Accommodation Requests

It is the intent of Mines to comply with the applicable requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008, and their implementation rules and regulations, in support of equal opportunities for qualified applicants with disabilities. To meet this goal, Mines will make reasonable accommodations during the employment selection process and within our working environment.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on our site as a result of your disability. You can request a reasonable accommodation by contacting our Human Resources team at or for assistance.

Successful completion of a background investigation is required for this position.

Equal Opportunity

Colorado School of Mines is committed to equal opportunity for all persons. Mines does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), ancestry, creed, marital status, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status or current military service. Further, Mines does not retaliate against community members for filing complaints regarding or implicating any of these protected statuses.

Mines’ commitment to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and equal access is reflected in the administration of its policies, procedures, programs and activities and in its efforts to achieve a talented student body and workforce.

Through its policies, procedures and resources, Mines complies with federal law, Colorado state law, administrative regulations, executive orders and other legal requirements to prevent discrimination (including harassment or retaliation) within the Mines campus community and to address potential allegations of inequality or concerns for safety.

Colorado's premier engineering and applied science university for 150 years and counting

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