Job Description

Posting Template

Posting Template

Position Title Access Strategist (TERM)
Required Qualifications

• Master\'s degree in Occupational Therapy, Psychology, Disability Studies, Social Work, Special Education, or related discipline.
• Formal education and training to provide the applicant with an in-depth knowledge of disabilities and accommodation issues.

The formal education and training must provide the candidate with the following knowledge and skills:

• In-depth knowledge of a broad range of disabilities and medical conditions and their functional impacts in diverse environments
• Training in strong clinical reasoning skills
• Training to interpret medical and disability reports
• Training in the science of cognition including cognitive theory, memory, working memory, information processing, models of memory (encoding, storage, retrieval), attention, executive function, meta-cognition
• Training in the theories and models related to disability, including the social constructs of disability
• Training to interpret case law and applicable legislation around disability and accommodation issues
• Training to use a wide range of assistive technology and disability management software

Required Direct Experience:

• A minimum of 3-5 years of specific job experience working directly in a 1:1 support services role with individuals with a diverse range of disabilities, including working directly with students with disabilities in a service role to create accommodation plans in a wide range of post-secondary environments
• Demonstrated and direct experience reviewing disability documentation such as medical reports, psychological assessments, neuro-cognitive assessments
• Demonstrated experience interpreting functional disability impacts from these reports
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience selecting appropriate accommodations to support a broad range of disability impacts.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) to understand the wide range of mental health conditions and their functional impacts
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience applying the Duty to Accommodation Bulletin and Human Rights Legislation.
• Experience integrating assistive technology with learning strategies to support a student\'s cognitive and physical profile.
• Demonstrated experience working effectively as a close-knit team and ability to build trust and rapport among colleagues.
• Experience and demonstrated ability to build trust and rapport with marginalized and vulnerable student populations (LGBTQ2S+; physical, mental, and cognitive disabilities; people of colour, etc.) and create a psychologically safe environment.
• Candidates with a combination of education, experience, and training acceptable to the College will also be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education and experience to complete preliminary assessments to screen for a learning disability and refer for formalized assessment.
• Ability to administer cognitive assessments including, Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scales (WAIS) and Woodcock-Johnson tests of cognitive ability.
• Strong understanding of universal design for adult learning.
• Excellent computer skills, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, internet, email, data management system, virtual meeting software.

Department Accessibility & Wellness Services


is a comprehensive community institution in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. Stretching from north-central Alberta to the borders of Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories, Wood Buffalo is one of the largest municipalities in Canada. Keyano College meets both the training and skills acquisition needs of industry, and the personal enrichment and cultural needs of the Wood Buffalo community. The College provides lifelong, relevant, and practical learning opportunities and is committed to increasing access to post-secondary programs.

Keyano College is currently seeking an Access Strategist. This position reports to the Manager, Wellness and Accessibility Services. Most of the incumbent\'s time will be spent selecting and implementing appropriate accommodations for students with disabilities in diverse post-secondary environments. The remaining time will be spent on the instruction of learning strategies and the delivery of workshops.

The Access Strategist works with complex issues related to disability and accessibility and requires the ability to assess and solve problems, resolve conflict, and maintain good judgment. This position involves a high level of collaboration between stakeholders. The Access Strategist will work closely with students, instructors, and other key stakeholders to determine reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. This position will be expected to manage a caseload of approximately 100 registered students. The Access Strategist will also be expected to provide information and resources to prospective students and their families and support students with disabilities in transitioning to post-secondary education.

Key Job Duties
The Access Strategist will be responsible to work with Keyano College students in collaboration with programs and other student services. The successful candidate will:

• Assist and accommodate students with a wide range of disabilities and accessibility needs: students with Learning Disabilities, mental health disorders, students who are Deaf/hard of hearing, students who are blind, students with medical conditions, etc.
• Use disability documentation to create and implement accommodation plans and support plans for students with disabilities in a wide variety of programs with a combination of courses and practicums: trades, business, nursing, allied health, human services (Educational Assistant, Early Learning and Child Care, Social Work Diploma), University Studies, etc.
• Teach learning strategies to adult learners and have a strong knowledge of assistive technology to support learning.
• Facilitate the student in acquiring disability funding.
• Maintain updated student records in Clockwork.
• Deliver workshops to Keyano employees on accommodations and learning strategies.
• Participate in department meetings and represent the team on internal and external committees related to disability and academic accommodations.
• Follow-up with medical professionals for clarification and further information of disability documentation, when required.
• Make referrals to other student services at the College.
• Respond to complex inquiries related to accommodation and disability.
• Support the development of inclusive and equitable policies and procedures for students with disabilities.
• Effectively negotiate in emotionally charged situations to resolve conflicts.
• Develop and maintain relationships of mutual support with academic programs and other service providers.
• Work effectively as a member of a team with the ability to build and maintain relationships with others/create allies.
• Have a tolerance for ambiguity and an ability to adapt quickly to change.
• Synthesize knowledge and display sound judgment, problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and a high degree of accuracy.
• Demonstrate superior organizational skills, and a proven ability to multi-task and work well under pressure in a fast-paced environment with strict deadlines.
• Knowledge of privacy legislation (FOIP) and ability to maintain student confidentiality.
• Strong understanding of Alberta Human Rights Legislation and the Duty to Accommodate Students in Post-Secondary Bulletin to education the College community on disability issues.
• Remain current on case law around disability and accommodation issues. Review applicable legislation.

**Please note, this is a term position ending on or before December 20, 2024.
Advertised Salary Faculty salary range is $70,151.55 to $120,511.79 per annum. Placement on the salary grid is reflective upon educational and experiential qualifications. Keyano College also offers an attractive health and benefits package.

Posting Form

Posting Details

Number of Vacancies 1
Desired Start Date Immediately
Position End Date (if temporary) 12/20/2024
Open Date 10/26/2023
Close Date
Open Until Filled Yes
Special Instructions to Applicant

Keyano college encourages everyone coming to our campuses to be fully vaccinated and to get their booster shots as soon as they are eligible. Vaccination against COVID-19 remains the best way to prevent severe illness and death, and third doses can boost immunity to improve protection and limit spread.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*). * * Are you legally entitled to work in Canada (i.e. you are a citizen, permanent resident, or hold a valid work permit)?

• Yes
• No
• * How did you find out about this posting?

(Open Ended Question) * * Do you have experience working in the post-secondary sector?

(Open Ended Question) * * Are you currently living in Fort McMurray?

(Open Ended Question) * * There is a requirement for the successful candidate to work on the College campus, if you don\'t live in Fort McMurray, AB, are you willing to relocate?

• Yes
• No
• * As this posting may be used to fill future vacancies, do you consent to being contacted for similar opportunities at Keyano College?

• Yes
• No

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents * Resume

• Cover Letter/Letter of Application

Optional Documents * Curriculum Vitae

Keyano College