Disability Support Specialist

Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the Supervisor, Disability Unit the Disability Supports Specialist provides day-to-day guidance, coaching and mentoring services for all provincial, out of province and international post-secondary Education Institutions’ Disability Coordinators, representatives and advisors when reviewing applications for educational supports provided to postsecondary students with permanent or persistent or prolonged disabilities.

This position provides expert program knowledge to interpret relevant legislation, regulations and policies; provide comprehensive training, orientation and troubleshooting services; and to respond to enquiries to ensure team members can effectively and efficiently process assessments, and review submissions.

The Disability Support Specialist role performs the following functions as a part of their role:

• Collaborates with post-secondary Disability Coordinators to ensure familiarity with and understanding of legislation, regulations, policies and guidelines applicable to educational funding programs administered on behalf of the provincial and federal governments, as well as associated operational policies, practices and processes.
• Responds to enquiries from post-secondary Disability Coordinators in relation to issues or concerns with the re-assessment or review of disability educational funding assistance provided to postsecondary students, including interpretation of legislation, regulations, policies, criteria and operational policies and guidelines; coaches and mentors post-secondary Disability Coordinators (i.e. Human Rights claims).
• Reviews system-generated messages and reports to identify issues and problems in relation to reassessment submissions; resolves issues through training and coaching on an individual or team basis as appropriate.
• Collaborates with the Disability Supports Supervisor to determine impact of proposed new or revised policies and programs on post-secondary re-assessment operations.
• Participates in testing and monitoring new procedures prior to and post implementation, including those associated with system changes or modifications.
• Collaborates with Assessing and Disability Support Unit, including other Disability Support Specialists and Post-Secondary Supervisors, and Ministry representatives to ensure coordination and integration of activities.
• Monitors and remains current on court proceedings, national disputes, human rights issues, etc. for students with disabilities.

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

APS Competencies

• Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.
  
  This link will assist you with understanding competencies:
  https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.
  
  
• Creative Problem Solving: Facilitates the creation of a work environment for generating and finding newer ideas to solve existing and potential problems.
• Drive for Results: Plans for and delivers results, from concrete deliverables to process improvements, managing resources effectively and ensuring attention to detail.
• Agility: Possesses an ability to create an adaptable environment and overcome barriers through proactive and flexible approach to work.

Qualifications

University graduation in a related field; no experience required; or equivalent as described below.

Equivalency:
Directly related education or experience considered on the basis of:

• 1 year of education for 1 year of experience.
• 1 year of experience for 1 year of education.
  
  

Assets:

• Previous Experience in working with people with disabilities.
• File Management and Grant Application evaluation skills.
• Knowledge of MS Office 365 products namely Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Teams.
• Project Management Skills.
• Working under pressure on multiple priorities.
• Knowledge of working with 1 GX (SAP Success Factors).
  
  

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. 
Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

There is (1) temporary, full-time position working 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

This position is based in Edmonton. We require you to attach a Cover Letter with your application explaining your qualification and suitability for this role.

The final candidate will be required to undergo a security screening.

Links and information on what the GoA have to offer to prospective employees.

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx.
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.ca.
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits.
• Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive.
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca.
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.