Technology Specialist for Accessibility & Compliance

Southwestern College (CA)•Chula Vista, CA

68d•Onsite

About The Position

The Technology Specialist for Accessibility and Compliance position plays a key role in advancing the District's commitment to digital accessibility. This position is part of the Online Learning Center team and supports faculty in developing and delivering quality instruction that is equitable and accessible. This position facilitates training on accessible course content, provides individual and group consultations with faculty, and supports a range of projects including distance education certification training, online course alignment with the California Virtual College (CVC) Course Design Rubric, and the District's Zero Textbook Cost initiative. The services provided by the Technology Specialist for Accessibility and Compliance play an essential role in the District's progression toward the milestones outlined in the Accessibility Capability Maturity Model. SUMMARY DESCRIPTION Under the direction of the Chief Information Systems Officer, perform a variety of specialized duties involved in identifying and recommending potential solutions for accessibility barriers based on the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guideline (WCAG) 2.0 Level AA standards as well as compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 508, and other accessibility related laws for Electronic and Information Technology (EIT); work in collaboration with faculty and staff to ensure compliance with applicable standards, practices, guidelines, and laws; and provide expertise and guidance to faculty and staff in assistive technology and national accessibility standards, practices, and guidelines. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS This classification has primary responsibility for ensuring the District's compliance with various laws, regulations, and applicable industry standards related to access technology. Responsibilities will include assisting faculty and staff in identifying and incorporating access needs consistently across the District, providing training and serving as a resource, and maintaining awareness of changing laws, regulations, and technical standards as well as emerging technologies. Secondary responsibilities will include assisting in researching other technology needs, participating in implementation, and providing training to facilitate incorporating new and changing technology and maximize end user benefits.

Requirements

Any combination equivalent to: Bachelor's degree in computer science or related technical field
Three years of experience in that includes researching and implementing new technologies and providing training to end users.
Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures related to area of assignment including: Section 508 of the U.S.
Rehabilitation Act; Americans with Disabilities Act; California Government Code 11135; Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act; Section 225 of the Telecommunications Act; Section 501 and 505 of the U.S.
Rehabilitation Act; and Office of the State CIO, Information Technology (IT) Policy Letter 10-10.
Various standards related to area of assignment including EIT accessibility standards; W3C WCAG 2.0 Level AA web content accessibility standards; and Assistive Technology Act of 1998.
California Community Colleges Online Education Initiative and California Community Colleges Accessibility Center.
EIT and Web access for individuals with disabilities Current computer, web based and access technologies.
Best practices in EIT and accessibility training protocols for faculty and staff.
Perform a variety of specialized duties involved in identifying and suggesting potential solutions for accessibility barriers.
Provide specialized and technical support and assistance.
Analyze and solve complex and difficult accessibility problems related to people, processes, and technology.
Provide training for faculty and staff on accessible EIT and Section 508 compliance.
Understand and follow oral and written directions.
Work independently with very little or no direction.
Operate computers and peripheral equipment properly and efficiently.
Plan and organize work to meet schedules and time lines.
Work productively and cooperatively with others.
Work with and exhibit sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse racial, ethnic, disabled, sexual orientation, and cultural populations of community college students.

Nice To Haves

Experience with access technology that demonstrates knowledge and understanding of accessibility and regulatory compliance issues is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Provide advice on the development and implementation of processes to meet institutional compliance with laws, regulations, and established technical standards related to access technology, including but not limited to, Section 508, W3C WCAG 2.0 Level AA standards, and ADA.
Audit online, hybrid, and web-enhanced courses for compliance with accessibility laws and regulations such as Section 508 and WCAG 2.0 Level AA accessibility standards; make recommendations for compliance.
Audit Publisher and other propriety websites and materials for compliance with accessibility standards as established in laws and regulations such as Section 508 and WCAG 2.0 Level AA; make recommendations to ensure compliance with these and related laws, regulations and standards.
Review new Distance Education (DE) course proposals for accessibility and compliance with Section 508 and related laws and regulations; provide originating instructors with a checklist and resources to bring course into compliance.
Design templates that meet accessibility standards.
Develop and offer educational opportunities for faculty and staff in the use of universal design and accessibility techniques.
Serve as primary contact person for faculty and staff regarding questions related to institutional EIT and accessibility of DE and web-enhanced course content.
Provide training, resources, and support to faculty and staff to ensure websites and webpages meet accessibility compliance standards.
Review and test third-party electronic and information technology Voluntary Productivity Accessibility Template (VPAT) for accessibility compliance including Publisher websites requiring an access code.
Assist in performing research and development with new technology that may be suitable for implementation within the District; participate in all aspects of implementation including developing and providing training.