Assistive Technology Specialist

Cherokee Federal•Washington, DC

1d•$129,000 - $131,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Assistive Technology Specialist provides technical expertise, research, evaluation, demonstrations, and coordination support for assistive technology used by Department employees with disabilities. Working with the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations Accessibility Division, the Disability and Reasonable Accommodations Division, and other stakeholders, the specialist identifies, evaluates, and supports technology solutions for individual workplace access needs. The role researches available technologies, evaluates potential solutions, provides technical guidance and demonstrations, helps users assess products, and coordinates established Department processes for review, approval, procurement, deployment, and lifecycle management. The specialist also supports the Department’s Access Center by maintaining assistive technology equipment, conducting demonstrations and tours, supporting training, and staying informed about emerging technologies. The role provides technical and advisory support only: it does not determine reasonable-accommodation eligibility, select or approve accommodations or technologies for Department use, authorize procurement, or obligate Government funds. Those authorities remain with authorized Government officials.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in assistive technology, accessibility, information technology, rehabilitation technology, disability services, or a related field and at least 3 years of relevant professional experience; alternatively, an equivalent combination of specialized education, training, certifications, and progressively responsible professional experience demonstrating the required knowledge and skills.
Experience conducting assistive technology demonstrations, presentations, training sessions, workshops, or similar educational activities.
Demonstrated experience working with assistive technology hardware, software, peripherals, and other technologies used to address workplace accessibility needs.
Experience researching and evaluating assistive technology products, including comparing functionality, compatibility, availability, technical specifications, and potential workplace applications.
Knowledge of software licensing and technology lifecycle management, including tracking software and equipment currency, licensing periods, product availability, and technical approval status.
Ability to research emerging technologies and translate technical information into practical information for Government personnel and employees with varying levels of technical knowledge.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and other Department-approved IT, case management, collaboration, and communication systems.
Ability to coordinate assistive technology implementation and technical support across geographically dispersed domestic environments and overseas posts.
Experience supporting evaluation, implementation, configuration, demonstration, or troubleshooting of assistive technology hardware and software.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including researching accessibility barriers and developing potential technical solutions for Government consideration.
Strong customer service and interpersonal skills, including working directly with employees to understand functional requirements and facilitate hands-on evaluation of potential technology solutions.
Ability to prepare and maintain accurate technical documentation, product research, case records, inventory information, SOPs, training materials, and other program documentation.
Ability to collaborate with accessibility and reasonable-accommodation personnel, IT and procurement professionals, security personnel, vendors, and other stakeholders while maintaining appropriate contractor and Government roles.
Ability to work independently within established procedures and identify technical, programmatic, procurement, or approval matters requiring referral to appropriate Government personnel.
Must be a U.S. citizen; the posting also states that the government contract restricts the position to U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents and requires documentation of qualifying status.
Must have an active Secret security clearance; the posting notes potential for TS/SCI upgrade if necessary.
Must pass pre-employment qualifications of Cherokee Federal.
Must pass pre-employment drug testing.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of Federal information and communication technology accessibility requirements, including Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Familiarity with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, reasonable-accommodation principles, and the use of assistive technology as a workplace accommodation.
Knowledge of Federal or Department technology review, cybersecurity, procurement, property-accountability, and technology-approval processes.
Experience providing assistive technology or accessibility support within the Department of State, another Federal agency, or a large organizational environment.

Responsibilities

Provide assistive technology consultation and technical support for reasonable-accommodation cases referred by authorized Department personnel.
Meet with employees, after authorized personnel confirm approval for accommodation services, to document accessibility barriers, functional requirements, current technology use, and potential assistive technology needs.
Research and evaluate potential assistive technology solutions and provide technical findings, options, and recommendations to appropriate Department personnel.
Present and demonstrate potential solutions and facilitate hands-on evaluation of products, software, and equipment when appropriate.
Conduct workshops, product demonstrations, and comparative evaluations of potential solutions.
Prepare product and technical information to support Government procurement of approved assistive technology, including descriptions, model numbers, product links, shipping information, technical approval information, and supporting documentation.
Prepare and track documentation and coordinate with authorized Government procurement personnel through established procurement processes.
Track assistive technology cases and maintain documentation on evaluations, approved solutions, procurement status, delivery, property documentation, and administrative completion.
Coordinate equipment receipt and property documentation, maintain acknowledgments, update case records, and complete administrative actions under Government procedures.
Protect and appropriately handle medical, disability-related, personally identifiable, and other sensitive information.
Research assistive technology products, software, hardware, peripherals, and emerging technologies.
Monitor software licensing periods and notify appropriate Government personnel of upcoming expiration or renewal requirements.
Conduct authorized vendor market research on licensing, pricing, technical details, product availability, and other information for Government consideration.
Monitor the currency and availability of commonly used assistive technology equipment and software, including commercial availability and current Department technical approvals.
Research Department technology catalogs and technical review systems for product approval status, expiration information, and potential alternatives.
Prepare technical documentation for submission or resubmission of products and software through Department technology review processes.
Maintain and track Access Center equipment and demonstration resources under property-accountability procedures; conduct routine checks and report equipment needing repair, replacement, updates, or evaluation.
Support operation of the Access Center as a resource for employees, supervisors, managers, IT personnel, and other stakeholders seeking assistive technology and workplace accessibility information.
Conduct Access Center tours, demonstrations, informational sessions, and outreach using Government-approved materials and talking points.
Demonstrate Access Center hardware and software and explain functionality, potential workplace applications, and accessibility features to technical and nontechnical audiences.
Support Department assistive technology training through demonstrations, hands-on instruction, and established courses or educational programs coordinated by the Accessibility Division.
Provide technical guidance to Department IT personnel implementing and troubleshooting Government-approved assistive technology domestically and overseas; coordinate support at overseas posts as needed.
Assist in developing, maintaining, and updating SOPs, technical reference materials, product lists, training materials, and other Access Center and assistive technology documentation.
Monitor emerging assistive technology trends, products, software, accessibility features, and industry developments and provide research and potential solutions to the Accessibility Division for Government consideration.
Coordinate with Accessibility Division, DRAD, IT, procurement, security, vendors, and other stakeholders to facilitate implementation of Government-approved solutions.
Provide technical troubleshooting and user support within the scope of the position and coordinate issues requiring additional Department support.
Perform activities in accordance with Department policies, procedures, technical standards, and Government direction through authorized contract channels.
Perform other job-related duties as assigned.