Digital Accessibility Specialist - Term Limited

This position is only open to Colorado state residents.

This position is term-limited, meaning employment cannot be guaranteed beyond January 1st 2026.



We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of diverse backgrounds and abilities.

Be BOLD and make a real difference . . .

Do you desire a career that provides you with opportunities to improve the world around you? The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is seeking diverse individuals from all backgrounds to apply for a career position that makes a direct impact on improving the lives of Colorado residents. Our mission is to advance Colorado's health and protect the places we live, work, learn, and play. Our vision is to create a healthy and sustainable Colorado where current and future generations thrive.



If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, consider joining the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Our tobacco-free campus offers free parking and is conveniently located near RTD bus lines, Glendale City Set, and the Cherry Creek bike path. In addition to a great location and rewarding, meaningful work, we offer:

Employee wellness programs and facilities

Extensive internal professional development opportunities on a wide variety of subjects

Bike to work programs, including access to storage lockers and bike racks

Distinctive career advancement opportunities throughout the State system

Strong, yet flexible retirement benefits including a choice of the PERA Defined Benefit Plan or the PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus optional 401K and 457 plans

Medical and dental health plans

Paid life insurance

Short- and long-term disability coverage

11 paid holidays per year plus generous personal time off

Mentoring program with opportunities for mentors and mentees

Tuition assistance for college-level courses including Masters degree programs

Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, and

A variety of employee resource groups

We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of diverse backgrounds and abilities.

(This posting may be used to fill multiple vacancies and may be extended.)

Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, go to: https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/pslfFlow.action#!/pslf/launch

Requirements
The Work Unit

The mission of the Prevention Services Division (PSD) is to improve the health, well-being, and equity of all Coloradans through health promotion, prevention, and access to health care. PSD works with public and private partners/stakeholders and funders across Colorado to improve the health of all Coloradans. Division professionals apply a population health and equity lens to their work, implementing evidence-based and informed strategies within a framework of performance management to optimize equitable health outcomes. PSD is committed to the professional development, collaborative effort, and sustained wellness of its workforce as a key component of achieving PSD’s core outcomes. We believe that all people no matter their race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, education level, age, language, religion, ability or geographic location-should have the opportunity to live healthy lives.

The PSD Communications Branch provides a full range of internal and external communication services for the division. The branch executes strategic communication initiatives to improve the health, well-being, and equity of all Coloradans and to promote public health programs among partner agencies, the media, legislative audiences, community partners, and the public. The branch consists of staff uniquely experienced in strategic communications, media and public relations, journalism, graphic design, behavior change marketing, and digital accessibility.

The Position
This position exists to ensure PSD digital materials are accessible to all and ensure compliance with HB21-1110. This work is a key component to PSD’s inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility priorities. This position supports the Prevention Services Division and its programs by testing documents and web content against digital accessibility standards using software tools provided by the department. This position remediates documents and web content and maintains documentation of compliance with digital accessibility standards. This position serves as the primary technical contact for testing and remediation work in PSD and provides training, technical assistance, and guidance to other division staff members regarding the resolution of digital accessibility concerns, testing of documents and web content, and remediation to meet the most current state Office of Information Technology-mandated standards. This position serves on the PSD Digital Accessibility Steering Team, which leads the digital accessibility work for the division. This position contributes their subject matter expertise to inform organization-wide decisions pertaining to accessibility laws and requirements and the processes and procedures PSD must develop and implement to meet requirements. This position maintains a high level of current specialized expertise relating to digital accessibility standards, best practices, and principles and the software tools to test and remediate documents as they exist today and as they continue to evolve in the future.

Qualifications

Must meet one of the following or any combination of experience/education to meet the qualifications:

Six (6) years of professional experience in web development, inclusive design, user experience design, digital communications, or similar work. Work experience must include creating digital products that meet accessibility standards and developing and/or delivering training on digital accessibility.


OR

Graduation from an accredited college or university in computer science, information technology, user experience (UX) design, communications, or a closely-related field.

AND

Two (2) years of professional experience in web development, inclusive design, user experience design, digital communications, or similar work. Work experience must include creating digital products that meet accessibility standards and developing and/or delivering training on digital accessibility.


Substitutions:

A master's or doctorate degree in computer science, information technology, user experience (UX) design, communications, or a closely-related field may substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.


Preferred Qualifications and Essential Competencies
The preferred experience, competencies and abilities are highly desirable for this position and will be considered in selecting the successful candidate:
1. Certification in digital accessibility (e.g., International Association of Accessibility Professionals).
2. Familiarity with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
3. Proficiency in HTML.
4. Practical experience in accessibility implementation, including with accessibility testing and remediation tools and assistive technologies.
5. Knowledge of inclusive design principles.
6. Effective communication and training skills as evidenced by past experience successfully educating and influencing stakeholders on the importance of accessibility, providing training to teams, and explaining remediation strategies to stakeholders.
7. Strong project management and communication skills.
8. Commitment to continuous learning and staying updated on emerging trends, technologies, and best practices in accessibility and remediation.
9. Demonstrated commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive working environment.

Conditions of Employment:

Pursuant to CDPHE policy, a background check is required for all positions at CDPHE.
This position is hybrid in office and work from home.


APPEAL RIGHTS:
If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director.
An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative. This form must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email (dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us), postmarked in US Mail or hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203), or faxed (303.866.5038) within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the department’s action.
For more information about the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it to the State Personnel Board; go to spb.colorado.gov; contact the State Personnel Board for assistance at (303) 866-3300; or refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov under Rules.
A complete application packet must include:

A completed State of Colorado application.

A cover letter that describes how your experience aligns with the minimum and preferred qualifications of this position.

Unofficial transcripts if using to verify educational requirement

If you are a veteran, a copy of your DD214 attached to your colorado.gov/jobs application.

The Selection Process

All applications that are received by the closing of this announcement will be reviewed against the Minimum Qualifications in this announcement. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications proceed to the next step.

Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted based on merit and fitness through a comparative analysis process. Part of, or all of, the comparative analysis for this position may be a structured application review, which involves a review of the information you submit in your application materials by Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) against the preferred qualifications.

A top group, of up to six candidates, will be invited to schedule an interview with the hiring manager.

E-Verify: CDPHE uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.

You must be legally eligible to work in the United States to be appointed to this position. CDPHE does not sponsor non-residents of the United States.

ADAAA Accommodations:

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator, Dan McKenna, at daniel.mckenna@state.co.us or call 303-692-2060, option 5.