Accessibility Specialist

City of New York • New York City, NY

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The New York City Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) is seeking an Accessibility Specialist to assist its Senior Director of Physical Accessibility. This role serves as the primary point of contact for field visits, site visits, inspections, and documentation related to accessibility in the built environment. MOPD collaborates with City agencies, property owners, design professionals, and community stakeholders to promote accessibility and inclusive design across New York City. The specialist will provide technical guidance, review accessibility concerns, coordinate site assessments, and develop practical recommendations for buildings, public spaces, facilities, and events.

Requirements

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and two years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties described above; or
• High school graduation or equivalent and six years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties as described above; or
• Education and/or experience which is equivalent to '1' or '2' above. However, all candidates must have at least one year of experience as described in '1' above.
• Organized, practical professional with a degree or experience in architecture, construction, engineering technology, building inspection, accessibility, project management, or a related built-environment field.
• Ability to document existing conditions.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments.
• Ability to communicate clearly with City agencies and the public.
• Ability to turn field observations into clear reports and practical next steps.
• Understanding of basic architectural and construction concepts, including field surveys, existing conditions, measurements, photographs, drawings, and written documentation.
• Demonstrated interest in accessibility, universal design, inclusive design, public service, and/or improving access to buildings, public spaces, events, and services for people with disabilities.

Nice To Haves

• Basic knowledge of the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design.
• Basic knowledge of the NYC Building Code.

Responsibilities

• Serve as MOPD’s primary point of contact for physical accessibility site visits, field visits, inspections, and related follow-up assignments.
• Coordinate, schedule, and attend field visits involving City agency facilities, public buildings, community spaces, public events, constituent concerns, interagency accessibility matters, Dining Out NYC locations, and other physical accessibility issues as assigned.
• Conduct field documentation of physical accessibility conditions, including photographs, measurements, notes, sketches, and other records needed to describe existing site conditions clearly.
• Prepare timely written site visit reports and follow-up materials that organize photographs, measurements, field notes, observed accessibility concerns, and recommended next steps for supervisory review.
• Support fast-turnaround accessibility assessments for events, programs, and site conditions where recommendations may be needed within the same week or day as the site visit.
• Track multiple active field assignments, including logging requests, maintaining site visit records, monitoring report status, coordinating follow-up, and documenting final disposition or close-out.
• Assist with developing and maintaining standard site visit procedures, inspection checklists, photo documentation protocols, field report templates, and internal tracking tools.
• Assist with developing standard response templates for common physical accessibility inquiries and referrals to the appropriate City, State, or federal agency.
• Apply basic knowledge of the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, NYC Building Code, and related accessibility concepts to help identify applicable requirements for accessible features observed during field visits, with final technical determinations subject to supervisory review.
• Participate in interagency meetings, walkthroughs, task force discussions, and community or constituent site visits as directed by MOPD leadership.
• Under supervision, assist with other physical accessibility projects as identified by MOPD leadership.

Benefits

• Inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce.
• Work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level