Palo Alto University (PAU), a private, non-profit university founded in 1975 and located in the heart of Northern California’s Silicon Valley, is a community grounded in values of social justice, dedicated to

addressing pressing and emerging issues in the fields of psychology and counseling that meet the needs of today’s diverse society. The students at PAU reflect the diversity of the region, are engaged in their education, and are committed to improving the lives of others. The University sees diversity in its staff and faculty as very important to serving its diverse student body (or synonymous with inclusive excellence). PAU offers undergraduate and graduate programs with online, hybrid, and residential options. PAU has an engaged faculty who significantly contribute to their fields and prepare future leaders who make a difference in the lives of individuals and communities. When you put all of this together, PAU creates a legacy of confident, competent, and compassionate professionals at the forefront of psychology and counseling and who move ahead in life by moving lives ahead.

Position Description:

Job Title: Technical Support Assistant - Doctoral Programs 

Department: Student Success

Reports To: Sharyn E. Moore, M.A., M.S., Accessibility Specialist 

Location: All PAU Campuses

Summary

Technical Support Assistant Responsibilities:

Technical Support Assistants provide technical support and guidance to Doctoral Program students who are registered to receive disability-related accommodation through the Office of Accessible Education (OAE). The Technical Support Assistant will work directly with the student(s) to whom they are assigned in order train (as necessary) and support fellow students in managing the technical components of classroom requirements (i.e., uploading assignments to CANVAS, uploading content for discussion posts, etc.). The direct services component of the job is determined by the student need being supported by the OAE at any given time, and is thus subject to change. A secondary function of the role is to support the ongoing research and development of content for the design and management of the OAE campus web site. Please note that the amount of time devoted to either job function may fluctuate each week and across all academic Quarters.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

The primary role of a Technical Support Assistant is to support the OAE’s mission to promote academic accessibility for students who are registered to receive accommodation. This position requires the assistant to have excellent communication skills and the ability to adapt their support strategies to meet the needs of their assigned students. The Technical Support Assistant may be required to implement instructional activities in individual sessions.

• Provide one-on-one technical assistance by meeting individually with assigned student(s) to provide personalized technical support
• As the individual needs of the student(s) to whom one is assigned will vary, be available to troubleshoot the challenges that may arise as the assigned student(s) finds his/her/their preferred approach for technical engagement with class content
• Foster a supportive and inclusive learning environment by creating a welcoming and non-judgmental relational climate where students feel comfortable discussing their academic concerns and seeking guidance
• Maintain accurate records and track student progress by keeping detailed records of individual meetings, any concerns discussed, and recommendations provided
• Based on experience with direct student support, conduct a review of relevant professional literature, and survey subject content that is routinely posted on University Accessibility Office websites to assist with research and design content that may potentially be added to PAU’s OAE web page

Required Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Must be enrolled as a graduate student in good academic standing (3.0 GPA is preferred) at Palo Alto University
• Ability to establish rapport with diverse students and create a supportive and inclusive learning environment

• Strong, active listening and communication skills
• An interest in becoming acquainted with the literature that supports disability service providers
• Prior experience in tutoring, mentoring, or teaching is highly desirable
• Ability to manage student appointments, maintain accurate records, and meet deadlines
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills
• Ability to handle sensitive student information with discretion and maintain a professional demeanor
• Genuine interest in supporting fellow students and promoting their academic success
• Ability to work with minimal supervision

Application Procedures:

To apply, please submit the following: resume/CV and cover letter to Sharyn E. Moore, M.A., M.S. Accessibility Specialist, by uploading your documents to this employment posting site. PAU is committed to providing an educational environment that supports a diverse, equitable, and inclusive population. In your cover letter, please include information on how your background and experience have prepared you to be in an environment that holds equity and inclusion core to its mission and values.

EEOC Policy:

The University is an equal opportunity employer and is firmly committed to non-discrimination in its hiring and other employment practices and in the application of its personnel policies. In compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, except where a bona fide occupational qualification exists, employment decisions will be made irrespective of the staff member's race, color, religion, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, age (except for minors), sex, marital status, citizenship status, military service status, sexual orientation, medical condition (cancer-related or genetic condition), disability and/or any another status protected by law. When necessary, the University will reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities, if the individual is otherwise qualified to safely perform all essential functions of the position and if it will be done without undue hardship to the University.

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