Community Accessibility Specialist

State of North Carolina • New Hanover County, NC

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About The Position

The Community Accessibility Specialist works with the Wilmington Regional Center of the North Carolina Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, which serves 12 counties. The role advocates for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind North Carolinians who need communication access from government agencies, first responders, service providers, businesses, transportation providers, and public venues. The position builds community capacity to make communication accessible and offers training, consultation, education, recommendations, and resources on communication needs and solutions. Topics include communication modalities, technology, language, cultural norms, accessibility barriers, and practical solutions.

The specialist provides technical assistance with assistive technology and Weather Alert Radio equipment, supports DSDHH events, collaborates with community organizations and facilities, and conducts public outreach. Duties also include developing and implementing events and initiatives, maintaining documentation, and creating, reviewing, and revising reports, articles, and informational materials. Travel covers the region and may occasionally extend beyond it. Teleworking is determined by business needs at the manager’s discretion. The position requires occasional early mornings, nights, and weekends, as well as loading and unloading equipment weighing up to 30 pounds.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a field relative to the program from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of directly related work experience, preferably with the client population; or a bachelor’s degree from an appropriately accredited institution and three years of experience in a related programmatic area providing experience in casework, group work, or community organization; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to travel, including coverage of the region’s 12 counties and occasional travel outside the region.
• Ability to work before or after regular hours and on weekends.
• Ability to load, unload, and set up equipment and exhibition displays.
• Ability to lift up to 30 pounds.

Nice To Haves

• Skill in public presentations and problem solving.
• Ability to work and collaborate with local and county agencies and service providers to ensure communication access for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind consumers.
• Experience with cultural practices, communication tools, and technologies used by Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind people.
• Basic knowledge of federal and state laws, programs, and services relating to the ADA.
• Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.

Responsibilities

• Train, advise, educate, and consult agencies, service providers, businesses, and consumers on communication accessibility for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind people.
• Build capacity with community agencies, service providers, and businesses to improve accessible communication across varied settings.
• Recommend and provide resources to improve communication access in community and service environments.
• Set up assistive technology at DSDHH events and advise consumers and service providers on appropriate technology.
• Provide technical assistance with assistive technology and Weather Alert Radio equipment.
• Collaborate with agencies, organizations, and facilities serving Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind community members.
• Develop and implement events, programs, and initiatives, including setting up exhibition booths and demonstrations.
• Conduct public outreach about communication-access resources, events, and information.
• Participate in professional networking through meetings, workshops, and conferences.
• Create, review, and revise reports, articles, and informational materials.
• Complete administrative and documentation tasks.
• Travel throughout the region and occasionally outside it as needed.

Benefits

• Health insurance options
• Standard and supplemental retirement plans
• NCFlex program with pre-tax benefit options
• Paid vacation leave
• Paid sick leave
• Community service leave
• Paid parental leave for eligible employees
• A sign-on bonus of $4,000 may be offered to eligible newly hired permanent full-time or permanent part-time employees, contingent on budget approval and final eligibility determination

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time