Accessibility Specialist - Information Technology

Austin, TX, United States

Position Information

We have an exciting opportunity for a highly skilled and motivated Accessibility Specialist to join our leadership team within ITD Applications. The Accessibility Specialist oversees TxDOTs ICT (Information and Communication Technology) accessibility program and serves as its subject-matter expert (SME) regarding ICT accessibility matters.

We offer a hybrid work schedule and have a beautiful campus where productivity can thrive. If this sounds like something you have been looking for, apply today!

The Texas Department of Transportation reserves the sole right to determine the level of position based on the applicant's work experience, education, skill level, and all other appropriate factors and based on business needs.

Benefits and Perks

At TxDOT, we value employee work-life balance. In keeping with our commitment to this value, our employees benefit from a wide array of programs and activities that include:

Low Turnover

Retirement Pension

Alternative Work Schedules

Paid Leave/Holidays

Health Premiums paid at 100% for full-time employees

On the Job Training

Tuition Assistance Program

Comprehensive Wellness Program/Wellness Leave Incentives

Career Development Programs/Opportunities for advancement

For a complete list of our total compensation package please visit our website at: Total Compensation Package

To view benefits available to all State of Texas employees visit: Benefits at a Glance | ERS (texas.gov)

Position Description

The Accessibility Specialist oversees TxDOTs ICT (Information and Communication Technology) accessibility program and serves as its subject-matter expert (SME) regarding ICT accessibility matters. Responsible for all aspects of developing and maintaining the program, including supervising the program and working through its governance structures, guiding and consulting agency stakeholders on accessibility matters, developing and implementing detailed accessibility criteria for the specific ICT at TxDOT, evaluating and remediating TxDOT ICT for compliance with accessibility laws, and delivering ICT accessibility training specific to TxDOTs ICT needs.

Serves as a Lead Worker. Reports to the Applications Branch Manager. Employees at this level self-supervise and assume direct accountability for the work product.

Essential Duties: Directs all agency ICT accessibility initiatives and strategies, including developing, maintaining, and improving the following policies, ICT compliance review and approval procedures, technical guidelines for meeting statutory requirements regarding ICT accessibility, implementation and remediation plans, and processes for receiving and responding to reports of inaccessible ICT.

Advises and updates ICT accessibility governance groups on accessibility initiatives and challenges and inventorying and evaluating TXDOT ICT for statutory compliance.

Advises on accessibility requirements and best practices for evaluating, creating, testing, remediating, and procuring accessible ICT.

Advises Executive Administration and other stakeholders on ICT accessibility costs, benefits, and risks.

Works with IT management and staff on how to develop, configure, and update their ICT to be accessible.

Identifies, selects, and uses software and other tools to test, diagnose, and remediate agency ICT so that it complies with all applicable ICT laws, standards, and regulations.

Consult and train agency stakeholders, including IT developers and testers, procurement staff, and TxDOT staff who create or modify ICT, on the use of these tools.

Remediates strategic agency ICT, evaluating and testing the Accessibility of ICT procurements, guiding Accessibility corrective action plans, and identifying and implementing solutions to urgent accessibility issues.

Develops and maintains specific, detailed technical criteria and standards necessary to ensure that all agency software applications, software platforms, and data files that are produced, modified, or procured comply with all applicable ICT laws, standards, and regulations.

Works with software developers, project managers, and testers to understand and implement the functional criteria into their development requirements and testing processes. Also works with content creators to meet the requirements when creating ICT with desktop applications and with training and communication staff to ensure that all audio-video content meets the identified criteria.

Identifies the agency's ICT accessibility training needs and develops training plans to meet those needs. This includes identifying, selecting, developing, and administering ICT accessibility training that increases Accessibility compliance for existing and new IT platforms, computer applications, digital documents, and other ICT.

Serves as a lead worker to TxDOT employees by serving as a resource for complex questions and providing technical training; providing input on employees' career conversations; approving employees' leave requests to ensure operations coverage; and presenting workflow and operational updates to the supervisor/manager.

Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education : Bachelor's Degree in a related discipline. Relevant experience may be substituted for education on a year per year basis. Substitutions for Minimum Qualifications

Experience: 5 years of experience in ICT Accessibility program or a closely related field. (Experience can be satisfied by full-time or prorated part-time equivalent). Related graduate-level education may be substituted for experience on a year-per-year basis.

Licenses and Certifications: Valid driver's license. This position requires driving a state vehicle.

Preferred Qualifications: Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC).

Competencies:

Extensive knowledge of ICT Accessibility Laws and Standards, including Texas Administrative Code §206 and §213, Texas Government Code 2054, and WCAG 2.0 AA.

ICT challenges associated with state procurement and contracts.

Proficient skill in Planning, directing, coordinating, and leading the work of others.

Leading, assigning, reviewing, and monitoring the work of others.

Using Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and SharePoint.

Maintaining a safe working environment.

Delivering presentations and training to large and small audiences both in-person and online.

Effective oral and written communication, including creating highly detailed, in-depth technical documents.

Ability to Communicate effectively

Use various accessibility applications (NVDA screen readers, SiteImprove, WAVE)

Provide dynamic and engaging training.

Work independently as well as lead teams through complex projects and initiatives.

Analyze and interpret program and technical information regarding ICT accessibility.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions: Sedentary work: Lift up to 10 lbs at a time and occasionally carry files/small tools

Light work: Lift up to 20 lbs at a time and frequently lift or carry objects up to 10 lbs

Sitting - prolonged periods of time

Standing - prolonged periods of time

Talking - expressing or exchanging ideas by spoken words

Close Visual Acuity - work includes data/figures; view a computer screen; extensive reading

Repetitive Motion - substantial movements of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers

Conditions of Employment:

Please click this link to read the standard conditions of employment for all positions: Standard Conditions of Employment (TxDOT)