PM VII - Director of ADA/Special Accommodations

Company: State of Massachusetts
Location: Milford
Posted on: January 27, 2023

Job Description:

Duties: The Director of ADA/Special Accommodations is responsible for maintaining compliance with Title II (Subtitle A) of the Americans with Disabilities Act which prohibits public entities, in this case a correctional system, from discriminating against any qualified individual with a disability in facilities, programs, policy and procedure. The Director is responsible to ensure that the Massachusetts Department of Correction complies fully with law. Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act ensures that qualified inmates are not subject to unlawful discrimination on the basis of a disability. The Director of ADA/Special Accommodations is responsible to support public safety by providing the physically challenged and those who are disabled by reason of mental illness of developmental disability appropriate services. The opportunity for reasonable accommodation through housing programs and work assignments designed to enhance skills necessary to support successful re-entry into the community. 1. Oversee compliance with statutory requirements of ADA Title II Civil Rights Act of 1990 as it relates to the incarcerated population in Massachusetts. 2. Oversee compliance with M.G.L. as it related to the incarcerated population in Massachusetts to include specialized populations committed to Bridgewater State Hospital, the sexually dangerous at Massachusetts Treatment Center and at Massachusetts Alcohol and Substance Abuse Center, as well as compliance with legal settlements. 3. Ensure that policy and procedure are available for the prompt and equitable resolution of ADA complaints by inmates or requests by inmates with disabilities for feasible accommodation. 4. Maintain and update any and all agency policy and procedure to ensure they are current and made available to all staff and inmates. 5. Provide specialized training for all agency staff that interacts with inmates with disabilities 6. Ensure that all inmates with disabilities are housed in facilities that accommodate their disability and that all applicable agency facilities and programs are ADA compliant. 7. Act as the centralized point of entry to the Massachusetts Department of Correction for information and circulation to staff and coordinate with outside agencies that monitor compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act as well as all agencies that advocate for the disabled population including - Massachusetts Commission for Deaf and Hard of Hearing - Massachusetts Commission for the Blind - Perkins School for the Blind - Disabled Person Protection Commission - Disability Persons Protection Commission - Disability Law Center - Department of Mental Health - Department of Mental Retardation - Massachusetts Commission on Rehabilitation 8. Meet with executive staff and facility administrators on a regular basis to ensure agency goals pertaining to the disabled population are being met. 9. Meet with inmate in all security levels as if facilities to respond to complaints/grievances on a regular basis. 10. Conduct institutional assessments/audits as it relates to inmates with special accommodations and ensure compliance with current agency policy procedure and a practice. 11. Centralize and review all Disabled Persons Protection Commission complaints and provide assistance to superintendents regarding all complaints. 12. Acts as a clearinghouse for all agency staff regarding disability issues concerning the offender population. 13. Participates in relevant work groups and committees focusing on Employment and Reentry with emphasis on services for disabled inmates. Other duties, as assigned. Preferred Qualifications: Must be familiar with The Americans with Disabilities Act and must be able to interpret law, policy, and standards. Must be comfortable with in a correctional setting with an inmate population. Familiarity and knowledge of medical records and the laws/regulations governing confidentiality of the same. Proficiency in with Microsoft Office software. Comments: Please note that salaries for management positions are determined according to the provisions of M.G.L. Chapter 30, Sections 45 and 46C, and by policies outlined in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Salary Administration for Managers, Confidentials, and Unclassified Employees (also known as the "Grey Book"). The DOC urges bi-lingual applicants to apply. Applicants must have no felony convictions, to include any actions defined in 5 U.S.C. 301; U.S.C. 509, 510; 42 U.S.C. 15601-15609. The Massachusetts Department of Correction shall not hire anyone who may have direct contact with offenders, who has engaged in sexual abuse in a prison or other institution as defined in 42 U.S.C. 1997; or has been convicted of engaging or attempting to engage in sexual activity in the community facilitated by force, overt or implied threats of force or coercion, or if the victim did not consent or was unable to consent or refuse, or has been civilly or administratively adjudicated to have engaged in the activity described in the above paragraph. The agency shall consider any incidents of sexual harassment in determining whether to hire anyone who may have contact with offenders or residents. MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must have at least (A) six (6) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, public management, clinical administration or clinical management of which (B) at least two (2) years must have been in a project management, supervisory or managerial capacity or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below. Substitutions: I. A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required (A) experience. II. A Bachelors degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required (A) experience. III. A Graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required (A) experience. IV. A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the required (A) experience. *Comprehensive Benefits* When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future. Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards! Executive Order #595:As a condition of employment, successful applicants will be required to have received COVID-19 vaccination or an approved exemption as of their start date. Details relating to demonstrating compliance with this requirement will be provided to applicants selected for employment. Applicants who receive an offer of employment who can provide documentation that the vaccine is medically contraindicated or who object to vaccination due to a sincerely held religious belief may make a request for exemption. An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role. Job: Administrative Services* *Organization: Department of Correction *Title: *PM VII - Director of ADA/Special Accommodations Location: Massachusetts-Milford-50 Maple Street Requisition ID: 2300002C

Keywords: State of Massachusetts, Worcester , PM VII - Director of ADA/Special Accommodations, IT / Software / Systems , Milford, Massachusetts