DSPS Program Specialist (Substitute)

Job Description:

DSPS Program Specialist (Substitute)

Description

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

Under general supervision from assigned supervisory or management staff, performs a variety of specialized duties related to providing support services to students with special needs or disabilities; performs initial intake and screening of new students; provides ongoing support to continuing students including to provide or coordinate accommodations for students within the assigned area; coordinates interpreting and captioning services; assists in integrating students with disabilities into the College system; and coordinates services and activities with other College offices, faculty, and community agencies.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

Perform a variety of specialized duties related to providing support services to students with special needs or disabilities.

Provide overview of program and services to students; assist students with completion of necessary forms and paperwork; respond to requests and inquiries and investigate complaints from students requiring special services.

Complete and maintain files and records related to student contact; assume responsibility for data entry and reporting of correct and accurate information; maintain various documentation including to request and monitor required medical documentation.

Assist in organizing services and activities for students with special needs or disabilities; provide or coordinate accommodations including note taking, test proctoring including scribe and reader services, tutoring, registration assistance, interpretation services, and matriculation testing; provide adaptive materials and equipment including to monitor, maintain, and check out equipment.

Schedule accommodated tests with students; conduct accommodated testing orientations with students; meet with students to process instructor notification forms; physically maintain tests and make any alterations in test format including to enlarge, copy for reader, scan, or other alterations; prepare tests for proctor pick-up; coordinate with faculty to schedule tests for pick up and to deliver tests to faculty as necessary; resolve issues and problems related to testing accommodation including those related to cheating, incorrect tests, instructor questions, and related items; maintain student testing accommodation files.

Coordinate and schedule interpreters for deaf or hard of hearing student’s classes; arrange for substitute interpreters; contact outside agencies for interpreters as required.

Monitor and track students through the learning disability (LD) eligibility process; maintain waiting list for incoming LD students; schedule and track student appointments; prepare and provide student files for LD Specialist; assist in the administration and scoring of assessment/achievement instruments under the supervision of the LD Specialist; assemble intake packets; prepare letters to student who missed appointments or who are not enrolled; prepare list of students for priority registration; maintain LD inventory of testing instruments, protocols, and supplies.

Assist special services classes with software issues for students with disabilities.

Recommend temporary accommodations.

Interview and train volunteers for various positions in the special services program; receive requests from departments for special services and place appropriate volunteers as necessary.

Verify monthly timecards of assigned staff for accurate reporting of hours worked.

Prepare and implement policy and procedures manuals and forms as necessary including handbooks, notification forms to instructor, absence letters, and evaluation forms.

Coordinate assigned services and operations with other campus departments and functions including bookstore, library, and Matriculation Office.

Perform a variety of general clerical duties as required; answer phones, schedule appointments, provide assistance to students, answer questions from the general public and prepare letters and reports.

Perform related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:

Programs, methods, and resources available for persons with disabilities.

Needs of students with disabilities or requiring special services.

Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations, including Americans with Disabilities Act, Title V regulations, and Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Confidentiality requirements when dealing with personal and sensitive student information.

Data collection and basic research principles and practices

Principles, practices, and procedures of business letter writing and report preparation.

Record keeping methods and procedures.

Principles and practices used to establish and maintain files and information retrieval systems.

Diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students.

Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.

Work organization principles and practices.

Principles and techniques used in public relations.

Interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and courtesy.

Principles and practices of providing training, work direction, and guidance to lower-level staff and student workers.

English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary.

Ability to:

Performs a variety of specialized duties related to providing support services to students with special needs or disabilities.

Understand the needs and requirements of disabled students and utilize programs, methods, and resources available to assist students with various disabilities.

Understand the organization and operation of the College as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.

Understand, interpret, and apply administrative and office policies and procedures as well as pertinent laws, regulations, and ordinances.

Compile and maintain detailed data related to assigned functions.

Respond to requests and inquiries from students, staff, or the public; effectively present information in person or on the telephone to students, staff, or the public.

Implement and maintain filing and record-keeping systems.

Independently compose and prepare correspondence and memoranda.

Plan and organize work to meet schedules and changing deadlines.

Work within the policies, functions, and requirements of area of assignment.

Provide lead supervision and training to assigned staff.

Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.

Adapt to changing technologies and learn functionality of new equipment and systems.

Type or enter data at a speed necessary for successful job performance.

Use correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary.

Work under steady pressure with frequent interruptions and a high degree of public contact by phone or in person.

Work independently and effectively in the absence of supervision

Work with and exhibit sensitivity to and understanding of the varied racial, ethnic, cultural, sexual orientation, academic, socio-economic, and disabled populations of community college students.

Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Report to work on a regular and consistent basis, as scheduled, to assigned job.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE GUIDELINES

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education/Training:

Equivalent to two years of college level course work in special education, psychology, education, or a related field

Experience:

Two years of increasingly responsible administrative and programmatic experience including experience involving providing support services to persons with disabilities.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Environment: Work is performed primarily in a standard office setting. Duties are typically performed at a desk or computer terminal; subject to noise from office equipment operation; frequent interruptions and contact in person and on the telephone with students, academic and classified staff, and others. At least minimal environmental controls are in place to ensure health and comfort.

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard; and to verbally communicate to exchange information.

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction.

Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

Work Schedule: TBD - Schedule and shift vary and are subject to change in accordance with the department's needs.

Hours per Week: 32

Employment Conditions and Information:

This is a short-term, temporary, hourly Non-Bargaining Unit (NBU) assignment, not to exceed 160 days and 960 hours per fiscal year (July 1 st through June 30 th ). Short-term, temporary NBU positions may only be used on an intermittent, seasonal, or project basis. Education Code Section 88003 states "Short-term employee means any person who is employed to perform a service for the district, upon the completion of which, the service required or similar services will not be extended or needed on a continuing basis.”

After successful completion of the onboarding requirements, an individual may be employed by the South Orange County Community College District (SOCCCD) as a short-term, temporary NBU employee. Employment will be on an “if and as needed” basis, as determined by the SOCCCD. The assignment may be shortened or extended at any time, due to departmental needs, with little to no notice. NBU employment is at-will, and either party may terminate this working relationship at any time. Neither party shall be required to provide any reason for the separation. NBU employees shall not have reemployment rights or recourse to petition to be reinstated.

NBU employees are limited to working in a single position for a single department and site (assignments are onsite only).

NBU employees are paid on a monthly basis. The payroll reporting period is from the 1 st of the month to the last day of the month. NBU employees are paid on the 10th of the following month.

Example : For the following reporting period: January 1 st through January 31 st , the NBU employee will be paid on February 10 th .

NBU employees who work more than 1000 hours per fiscal year are required to contribute to the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), through payroll deduction. The SOCCCD does not intend to employ NBU employees for more than 960 hours during any fiscal year.

Closing Date/Time: Fri, 13 Mar 2026

Salary:

31.51 - 31.51 Hourly