Accessibility Specialist

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is seeking an Accessibility Specialist (Program Specialist III-V) to join the IT Planning and Project Management Department, located at 1411 Brazos St, Austin, TX. The ideal candidate should be passionate about accessibility and ready to mentor others on methods and techniques for addressing barriers.

Work involves planning, developing, and implementing an agency program and providing complex to advanced consultative services and technical assistance to staff throughout the agency, including IT and program areas. May provide guidance to others. Work is performed under general to limited supervision with moderate to considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

The salary range for this position is $4,500.00-$5,500.00 per month depending on qualifications. TWC not only offers a competitive salary but the State of Texas benefits package includes health insurance, a retirement plan, and a variety of leave types. Learn about TWC jobs and benefits at www.texasworkforce.org/twcjobs.

GENERAL DUTIES:
- Provide support to teams across the agency with accessibility analysis and consultation. Test information communication technology (ICT) to meet accessibility standards.
- Evaluate websites, PDFs, Microsoft Office documents, desktop applications, mobile apps, and other ICT.
- Ensures compliance with accessibility policies and regulations, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.0) and Section 508.
- Ensures implementation of best practices for accessibility services within the agency.
- Creates reports that describe accessibility obstacles as well as provide technical guidance and recommendations to overcome obstacles.
- Delivers testing results to internal customers and participate in follow-up discussions to develop a roadmap in effort to improve the accessibility and usability of agency resources.
- May assist in the development of instructional materials, aids, and manuals to meet training needs.
- Assists in establishing a philosophy, standards, and processes that puts the agency in a leadership position as it relates to accessibility and usability of information technology.
- Performs other duties as assigned.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Demonstrated skills using Microsoft Office software applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook; working with Web Accessibility and PDF documents. Working familiarity with how people with disabilities use technology, including computers and mobile devices.
- Displays a fundamental understanding of Web-development technologies -- e.g., HTML, CSS, and JavaScript -- and how they impact accessibility OR a fundamental understanding of document creation tools -- e.g., Adobe Acrobat Professional, Microsoft Office -- and how they impact accessibility.
- Understands accessibility policies, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines and Section 508 and how these policies apply to websites, PDFs, Microsoft Office documents, desktop applications, mobile apps, and other digital content.
- Candidates must be able to work independently as and as part of a team and have a strong desire to deliver a positive customer experience.
- Experience with testing digital content for accessibility.
- Experience using using accessibility-testing tools and assistive technology such as screen readers and screen magnifiers.
- Possesses a basic understanding of the accessibility problems facing developers and designers as well as users with disabilities.
- Demonstrates an ability to attend to precise details in both testing and reporting.
- Demonstrates an ability to explain difficult things in simple, clear, and accurate language.
- Speaks confidently about complex, technical or non-technical matters.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
All: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university
Twelve semester hours of graduate study from an accredited college or university may be substituted for each year of the required qualifying experience
One additional year of full-time qualifying experience may be substituted for each year (30 semester hours) of the required education.
Program Specialist III: plus three years of full-time experience in the development, implementation, or interpretation of policies and procedures in a public or private agency
A doctorate degree from an accredited college or university will satisfy the minimum qualifications.
Program Specialist IV: plus three years and six months of full-time experience in the development, implementation, or interpretation of policies and procedures in a public or private agency
A doctorate degree from an accredited college or university may be substituted for three years of the required qualifying experience.
Program Specialist V: plus four years of full-time experience in the development, implementation, or interpretation of policies and procedures in a public or private agency
A doctorate degree from an accredited college or university may be substituted for three years of the required qualifying experience.

VETERANS:
Use your military skills to qualify for this position or other jobs! Go to www.texasskillstowork.com to translate your military work experience and training courses into civilian job terms, qualifications and skill sets. Also, you can compare this position to military occupations (MOS) at the Texas State Auditor's Office by pasting this link into your browser: http://www.hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_ProgramManagement.pdf

HOW TO APPLY:
To be considered, please completed a State of Texas Application for Employment and submit via ONE of following: apply online at www.workintexas.com (Preferred method); or fax a completed State of Texas Application to 512-463-2832; or mail a completed application to Texas Workforce Commission, Human Resources Department, Room 230, 101 East 15th Street, Austin, Texas 78778-0001.