Lead Disability Specialist and Supervisor , Disabled Students Program

Overview

About Berkeley At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging makes it a special place for students, faculty and staff. As a world-leading institution, Berkeley is known for its academic and research excellence, public mission, diverse student body, and commitment to equity and social justice.

Since our founding in 1868, we have driven innovation, creating global intellectual, economic and social value. We are looking for applicants who reflect California's diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice. Please consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, Principles of Community, and Strategic Plan.

We provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups (staff organizations) and offer paid time off for professional development (at least 80 hours annually). Find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley.

The Disabled Students' Program (DSP) provides a wide array of legally mandated services to students with disabilities and consists of approximately 41 FTE, serves over 5,600 students, and hires over 400 service providers and student volunteers to provide educational support. DSP also has responsibility for fiscally managing a Department of Education TRIO Student Support Services federal grant and oversees the Disability Cultural Community Center.

The Lead Disability Specialist and Supervisor works in a challenging and complex environment where DSP's services to students are legally mandated by federal and state law and must be provided as the student need for these services increases each year.

The Lead Disability Specialist and Supervisor position primarily focuses on supervising professional career staff, staff development, and the planning, coordination, and implementation of services and processes that ensure students with disabilities have equitable access to the academic and campus environment in compliance with federal and state disability law.

The First Review Date for this job is: 02/05/2026.

• Supervision, Leadership, and Unit Oversight
• Provides direct supervision, mentorship, and professional development to a team of Disability Specialists.
• Oversees workload distribution, performance evaluations, and supports staff in meeting expectations related to case management, service quality, timeliness, and professional conduct.
• Oversees and leads the recruitment and hiring efforts for the DSP Disability Specialist unit.
• Leads internal training and onboarding for new and continuing Disability Specialists to ensure consistency in practices, procedures, legal compliance, and evolving campus standards.
• Identifies training needs and collaborates with the DSP Senior Policy Analyst to design or coordinate learning opportunities to support team growth and service quality.
• Responds to and resolves student and faculty complaints, escalating complex matters to DSP leadership as needed.
• Collaborates with DSP managers and auxiliary services to ensure coordinated service delivery.
• Partners with academic departments and faculty to address accommodation challenges and continuously works toward a consistent campus-wide approach to disability compliance and support.
• Works closely with the DSP Business Admin team and demonstrates understanding of campus processes and guidelines related to HR, recruitment, purchasing, facilities, and other operational needs that align with university policy and day-to-day operations.
• Leads case review meetings, contributes to policy development, and helps shape strategic planning efforts for the specialist unit.
• Strategic Partnerships and Campus Collaboration
• Serves as a key liaison with academic departments, deans’ offices, and student affairs.
• Responds promptly to sensitive or high-level faculty complaints regarding accommodations.
• Represents DSP in campus initiatives, particularly those involving academic access, student experience, or instructional access.
• Collaborates with the DSP Senior Policy Analyst to deliver or coordinate campus-wide training efforts that promote awareness of disability, accessibility, and inclusive teaching practices in higher education.
• Systems Leadership and Process Improvement
• Oversees the integration and functionality of case management systems (e.g., AIM) for the specialist unit.
• Provides leadership on system-related needs in partnership with the Auxiliary Services units, helping shape improvements and enhance staff efficiency and student support.
• Caseload Management/Other Duties as Assigned.
• Maintains a small caseload of students with complex or high-stakes accommodation needs.
• Provides consultation on escalated student cases brought forward by Disability Specialists, Auxiliary Services supervisors, or DSP…