Digital Accessibility Specialist - Coordinator for Technical Remediation (Hybrid Position)

Who We Are

The University of Southern California (USC) is a leading private research university located in Los Angeles – a global center for arts, technology and international business. As the city’s largest private employer, responsible for more than $5 billion annually in economic activity in the region, we offer the opportunity to work in a dynamic and diverse environment, in careers that span a broad spectrum of talents and skills across a variety of academic schools and units. As a USC employee, you will enjoy excellent benefits and perks, and you will be a member of the Trojan Family - the faculty, staff, students and alumni who make USC a great place to work.

The Office

The Office of Institutional Accessibility, ADA/504 Coordinator is responsible for ensuring regulatory compliance and oversight of all matters related to access for individuals with disabilities, in collaboration with schools, divisions, governmental agencies and advocacy groups supporting students, faculty, staff and visitors. The office develops and implements policies and procedures for ensuring campus facilities and programs are accessible to the entire Trojan Family, including students, faculty, staff, and guests. USC is committed to the full accessibility of our programs and activities and is currently growing its Digital Accessibility program to ensure that its digital portfolio is accessible.

The Position

The Office of Institutional Accessibility is seeking an experienced professional to serve as the University’s Coordinator for Technical Remediation. Reporting to the Director of Digital Accessibility, the individual will collaborate with a diverse group of campus partners, including IT, communications, and disability services professionals. The individual in this role will serve as a subject matter expert to ensure the University’s technology, computer software, and systems permit all persons with disabilities to acquire the same information, engage in the same interactions, and enjoy the same services with substantially equivalent ease of use as those without disabilities. The Coordinator for Technical Remediation will support the implementation of the Digital Accessibility Program through developing partnerships and providing guidance to technical professionals on technology systems, platforms, and technologies as well as developing and overseeing code level and screen reader based digital accessibility audits to assist internal and external developers on best practices in remediation of barriers.

As a member of the Digital Accessibility Compliance committee, a committee of cross campus IT leaders who review and approve individual unit’s proposed purchases of software and third-party systems ensuring that the products meet USC’s expectations for accessibility, this individual will conduct comprehensive pre-reviews and/or audit analyses of technology to assess for adherence to USC’s standards. The individual will conduct review of vendor’s Voluntary Product Accessibility Templates (VPAT) Accessibility Conformance Reports (ARC), and potentially Requests for Proposals (RFP) for web apps and/or technology under development or considered for procurement. The Coordinator will analyze and interpret program and technical information regarding digital accessibility statutes, rules, regulations, standards and policies and provide detailed reports outlining accessibility of products and services to assist in stakeholder decision-making. Upon request of the Director, the individual may assist in exception requests, recommendation processes, and training of staff and/or faculty.

Key Accountabilities Include:

Serve as USC’s technical digital accessibility expert, consulting throughout USC to guide technical professionals in their strategic decision making so that they are able to meet the requirements of the Digital Accessibility Program.

Collaborate with IT Leaders and practitioners throughout USC to implement accessibility best practices and safeguard electronic information technology accessibility compliance.

Support implementation of USC's Digital Accessibility Program.

Provide technical guidance as part of the Program to make technology systems, platforms, and technologies consistent with USC governance structures and industry standards.

Develop and oversee code level and screen reader based digital accessibility audits and provide guidance to developers internal and external to USC to ensure that they implement best practice remediation of barriers.

Develop digital accessibility education materials and provide training for staff serving in technical roles.

On an as-needed basis, assist with remediation of digital environments or products where internal support is needed.

Develop and maintain as approved USC vendors a group of external remediation companies so that USC technical units are able to access remediation services in a timely and efficient manner.

Serve as technical digital accessibility expert on campus workgroups and committees.

May assist in technical remediation as requested by the Director of Digital Accessibility.

May conduct end-to-end audits of internal digital accessibility assets requiring interactions with students, faculty, staff, and guests of the University to better understand the encountered barriers.

Performs other related duties as assigned or requested. The University reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology and Information Systems, Computer Science, Information Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Instructional Design, Assistive Technology, or related field or equivalent combination of education, experience and certifications.

Three years’ experience in digital accessibility or related computer science/coding fields.

One or more of the following or ability to obtain within one year of hire: Certified Professional in accessibility Core Competencies (CPAAC), Certified Professional in Web Accessibility (CPWA), The Assistive Technology Applications Certificate Program (ATACP), Web Accessibility Specialist (WAS), Accessible Document Specialist (ADS) Certified Professional in Accessible Built Environments (CPABE).

Strong understanding of universal design and ability to guide faculty and staff in meeting digital accessibility standards.

Demonstrated knowledge of best practices for authoring accessible documents, media, and other digital tools.

Knowledge relating to designing and authoring accessible digital content.

Demonstrated ability to work with others from diverse experiences and backgrounds.

Experience with developing and delivering both synchronous and asynchronous training and designing and producing training materials.

Preferred Qualifications:

Master's degree in Information Technology and Information Systems, Computer Science, Information Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Assistive Technology, or related field.

5 year’s experience.

Proficient in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, etc.

User experience skills.

Experience in higher education.

Familiarity with WordPress as well as linters, CMS integrations, and development tools.

Currently holds one or more of the following: Certified Professional in accessibility Core Competencies (CPAAC), Certified Professional in Web Accessibility (CPWA), The Assistive Technology Applications Certificate Program (ATACP), Web Accessibility Specialist (WAS), Accessible Document Specialist (ADS) Certified Professional in Accessible Built Environments (CPABE).

The annual base salary range for this position is $100,364.98 - $112,935.00. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

The University of Southern California is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree Minimum Experience: 3 years