Software Systems Specialist III (Digital Accessibility Program) - ITS-Software Development Solutions

University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB)•Galveston, TX

3d•Remote

About The Position

This position serves as UTMB's designated Digital Accessibility Officer under Texas law. The role is responsible for developing, implementing, and sustaining the institution's digital accessibility program. This includes establishing policy, standards, and governance to ensure UTMB's digital products and services conform to the state's accessibility law and administrative rules (1 TAC 206 and 1 TAC 213) and to WCAG 2.1/2.2 Level AA. The goal is to make these digital assets usable by employees and members of the public with and without disabilities. The role also involves analyzing operating and application system procedures, coordinating software system implementation, evaluating and modifying existing components, and participating in studies of projected enhancements. Additionally, the specialist will advise and supervise lower-grade programmers and software system specialists, make work assignments, and review completed work. Adherence to internal controls and performance of related duties are also expected.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a related field and three (3) years of related experience.
Working knowledge of WCAG 2.1 and 2.2 Level AA and the ability to apply it to web, mobile, application, and document content.
Ability to conduct accessibility audits using automated tooling and manual techniques, including keyboard-only and screen reader testing.
Strong understanding of semantic HTML, ARIA, keyboard navigation, focus management, color contrast, and accessible design patterns.
Ability to write actionable remediation plans and track defects to resolution with development and content teams.
Ability to review vendor accessibility conformance documentation (VPAT/ACR) and advise on procurement risk.
Working knowledge of Texas HB 5195, 1 TAC 206, 1 TAC 213, ADA Title II, and Sections 504 and 508.
Ability to assess compliance risk, determine when a requirement imposes a fundamental alteration or significant financial burden, and document exceptions for executive approval.
Ability to design alternate methods of access for individuals with disabilities when an exception is approved.
Ability to complete state-mandated compliance reporting, including the biennial Information Resources Deployment Review.
Ability to develop policy and standards and gain adoption across a large organization.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate technical requirements into plain guidance for non-technical audiences.
Ability to operate as a change agent, driving adoption of new practices across developers, designers, content authors, and business owners.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage a large asset inventory and competing remediation priorities.
Ability to collaborate effectively across IT, Procurement, General Counsel, and clinical and academic units.
Commitment to inclusive design and to improving the experience of users with disabilities, including patients, students, faculty, staff, and the public.

Nice To Haves

2 or more years of experience in digital accessibility.
Professional accessibility certification, such as IAAP CPACC, WAS, or CPWA.
Experience in higher education, an academic medical center, healthcare, or a public sector organization subject to state or federal accessibility requirements.
Demonstrated experience building or operating a digital accessibility program, including policy development, auditing, remediation planning, and training.
Experience developing institutional accessibility policy and a formal compliance plan.
Experience completing or contributing to state compliance reporting, such as the Information Resources Deployment Review (IRDR).
Experience applying WCAG 2.1 and 2.2 Level AA success criteria across web, mobile, and document content.
Experience with automated and manual accessibility testing tools, such as axe, WAVE, ANDI, Lighthouse, and Accessibility Insights.
Experience with assistive technology, including screen readers such as JAWS, NVDA, and VoiceOver.
Experience reviewing vendor VPAT/ACR documentation and integrating accessibility requirements into procurement processes.
Familiarity with Texas HB 5195, 1 TAC 206, 1 TAC 213, Texas Government Code 2054, ADA Titles II and III, and Section 504 and 508.
Experience creating accessible documents in Word, PowerPoint, and PDF, including remediation of existing content.
Experience working within a content management system, such as Sitefinity, and with modern web application frameworks.
Experience delivering training and presenting to both technical and non-technical audiences, including executive leadership.

Responsibilities

Serves as UTMB's designated Digital Accessibility Officer under Texas law, responsible for developing, implementing, and sustaining the institution's digital accessibility program.
Establishes policy, standards, and governance so that UTMB's digital products and services conform to the state's accessibility law and administrative rules (1 TAC 206 and 1 TAC 213) and to WCAG 2.1/2.2 Level AA, and so that they are usable by employees and members of the public with and without disabilities.
Analyzes existing and projected operating and application system procedures, including studies of the interaction of several software systems to ascertain feasibility and performance.
Coordinates implementation of software systems, and evaluates and modifies existing components of the computer operating and application systems.
Participates in studies of projected enhancements in hardware and software and in the development of recommendations to management based upon the results of such studies.
Advises software system specialists of lower grade with respect to determination of and possible solutions to work problems.
Plans, coordinates, and supervises other programmers and software system specialists of lower grade.
Makes work assignments and reviews completed work.
Adheres to internal controls established for the department.
Performs related duties as required.