Salary/Position Classification

• $72,000+ Annual, Dependent on Experience, Exempt
• 40 hours per week
• 100% Remote Work Availability: Yes
• Hybrid Work Availability (requires some time on campus): Yes

Purpose of Position

The Senior Digital Accessibility Specialist is a University leader in digital accessibility. The position is responsible for identifying, planning, and implementing strategic initiatives and overall coordination of the University’s digital accessibility compliance. The position acts as a liaison for the department to internal and external partners on digital accessibility issues. The position develops strategic roadmaps to ensure University operations align with accessibility requirements.

The Senior Digital Accessibility Specialist is responsible for evaluating and testing software, web/mobile applications, and other digital content to ensure compliance with accessibility standards, including as part of the University’s procurement process. The position also develops and presents digital accessibility education to students and employees.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Oversee University’s digital accessibility compliance
  • Lead UND’s efforts to comply with applicable digital accessibility regulations and standards
  • Maintain deep technical knowledge of digital accessibility compliance to serve as UND’s expert in this regard
  • Maintain superior knowledge of current trends, new technologies, and best practices within the digital accessibility field
  • Provide guidance and consultation to ensure effective technical implementation of digital accessibility requirements
  • Identify inaccessible content, advise content owners of inaccessibility, escalate any continued noncompliance with accessibility requirements to ADA Coordinator for further management
  • Lead or participate in evaluation of RFPs and RFIs related to digital accessibility
  • Collaborate with Procurement & Payment Systems to develop and continually improve processes for purchasing and deploying software and other digital content in compliance with accessibility requirements
  • Develop and maintain University policies and procedures to support digital accessibility compliance
  • Develop and maintain a process for evaluating and assessing the University’s compliance with digital accessibility requirements
  • Serve on or lead, as applicable, University committees and working groups related to digital accessibility
  • Other duties as assigned
• Review, test, and facilitate remediation of digital content for compliance with accessibility standards
  • Independently review and assess ACRs for compliance with UND policy and appropriate technical standards. Independently determine whether accessibility standards are met. If accessibility standards are not met, follow appropriate procedures to address noncompliance.
  • Independently manually test high impact web content and applications for compliance with accessibility criteria. Independently determine whether accessibility standards are met.
  • Communicate accessibility concerns and barriers effectively with key stakeholders.
  • Utilize technical expertise and problem-solving skills to work with stakeholders and vendors to resolve issues and/or develop alternative access plans
  • Provide technical assistance and direction to facilitate remediation of digital content
  • Other duties as assigned
• Create and present campus education on digital accessibility topics
  • Independently develop, design, and facilitate presentations and training on relevant WCAG and/or other digital accessibility standards
  • Provide guidance on accessible digital content.
  • Other duties as assigned

Required Competencies

• Deep understanding of digital accessibility standards
• Ability to analyze complex issues, problems, and data efficiently and correctly.
• Superior verbal and written communication skills.
• High level of professional integrity
• Ability to adhere to confidentiality and privacy requirements
• Collaborative working style
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to maintain neutrality and calm demeanor in sensitive or stressful situations
• Ability to independently identify all accessibility barriers

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Five years of experience in digital accessibility compliance and concepts
• Two years of experience teaching and/or creating and leading training
• Two years of experience reviewing and assessing completed VPATs (ACRs)
• Two years of experience testing accessibility of mobile apps, websites, and digital documents
• Thorough knowledge of digital content remediation processes, including reviewing and remediating PDFs with Adobe Acrobat Pro
• Thorough knowledge of WCAG standards at various levels
• Thorough knowledge of how people with different disabilities use technology and the implications of their different needs.
• Experience using Excel, Word, Adobe Acrobat Pro, and PowerPoint or other presentation software, with specific knowledge of accessibility functions
• Successful completion of a Criminal History Background Check

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the US and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. This position does not support visa sponsorship for continued employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s or higher in related field
• Experience working within university environment
• Experience working with PREP or another PDF Remediation Platform
• Experience working with accessibility integration to LaTeX, InDesign, and similar specialized software
• Certifications/credentials relevant to duties, e.g., DHS Trusted Tester Certification, IAAP certifications, etc.