Accessibility Remediation Specialist

Accessibility Remediation Specialist Colorado Department of Higher Education
POSTING DATE: March 23, 2023
CLOSING DATE: Open until filled
COMPENSATION: $30.00-35.00/Hourly
DESCRIPTION OF JOB: The Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) cares about making our digital assets as accessible as possible to all users. This position will be responsible for the remediation of the Department’s various digital assets that include, databases, program applications, websites, presentations, meeting minutes, marketing materials, etc. to ensure our websites are accessible. This is a temporary, part time position - 12 months, 25 hours per week. We hope you can begin work ASAP.

Your work will happen virtually/remotely. Regular 1:1 meetings with Accessibility Project Manager during business hours (M-F, 9-3 pm) will be required but can occur virtually. This position will develop a plan (prioritizing highest-traffic assets + highest impact changes) to ensure all digital assets are reviewed and compared against specific accessibility guidelines provided by the Office of Information & Technology (OIT). This position will have access to Site Improve as well as other applications provided by the state in this effort. This position will participate in OIT Accessibility meetings and exchange best practices with your remediation counterparts in other state agencies as appropriate. This position will use the plan you develop, the above-mentioned resources -– and your professional acumen -– to remediate the digital assets. Successful remediation will be defined as a passing score from a third-party tester. In doing the remediation, this position will collaborate closely on content and design consultation with CDHE’s Communication division and with each division’s webmaster within the Department.

This position will report to the Project Manager for this Department-wide initiative.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities Remediation includes: 1. Repairing inaccessible design elements; 2. Rewriting inaccessible content; 3. Redesigning pages on a case-by-case basis; 4. Posting accessibility statements on a page-by-page basis when remediation isn’t deemed appropriate; 5. Outlining changes we need vendors to make on vendor hosted and managed sites for programs we run; 6. And other remediation tasks.

Phase 1 1. Become acquainted with DHE’s websites and intranet sites, SiteImprove, and brand guidelines; 2. Meet DHE’s webmasters; 3. Obtain necessary software access.

Phase 2 (on-going, cumulative) 1. Assess level of accessibility of digital assets as a point of reference; 2. Document processes and develop maintenance plan of best practices; 3. Liaise with OIT third party testers to obtain a passing score; 4. Attend pertinent meetings; 5. No description is complete without the ubiquitous ‘other duties as assigned’ line, right? Even though this is a project-based temporary position, you will be integrated into our department’s web team.

Phase 3 1. Remediate digital assets in close collaboration with Communications team; 2. Redesign highest priority web pages as needed; 3. Serve as a resource for training staff on creating content that is accessible; 4. Document progress towards full-accessibility of digital assets; 5. Document remaining work to be done.

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
 HTML proficiency
 Excellent understanding of digital writing concepts
 Excellent understanding of digital design concepts
 Proficiency with Microsoft Analytics  Proficiency with Microsoft 365
 Ability to work independently and in a team environment
 Willingness to work in an environment with a degree of ambiguity Education & Experience Experience
 1+ year experience using the Drupal platform
 1+ year experience implementing digital accessibility best practices

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
 One or more IAAP certifications (e.g. CPACC, WAS, CPWA, and CPABE) – these are certifications offered by the International Association of Accessibility Professionals.
 Proficiency with SiteImprove
 Proficiency with screen readers
APPLICATION PROCEDURES: To be considered for this position, candidates must possess the minimum qualifications listed above and submit the following: Cover letter and resume.
Submit your completed application materials to: HR@dhe.state.co.us
Or: Colorado Department of Higher Education
Attention: Human Resources 1600 Broadway, Suite 2200 Denver, Colorado 80202 This position is not governed by the selection process of the classified personnel system and is not part of the classified state personnel system. Consistent with the State's Universal Policy on Flexible Work Arrangements, CDHE permits Flexible Work Arrangements (FWA) and this role qualifies for FWA participation. However, FWA is evaluated and granted by the appointing authority at their discretion based on business need, the nature and function of the work performed, and employee performance.
Employees of the State of Colorado must be authorized to work in the United States. The Department of Higher Education does not assist with relocation expenses. Employees of the Department must advise the Department in writing of any potential conflict of interest upon commencing employment and while employed.
Conflict of interest includes supplemental employment which interferes with normal business hours or productivity levels, or alternative employment with entities or agencies with which the Department may contract for services or products. It also includes any outside employment or activity that is directly incompatible with the duties and responsibilities of the employee’s state position. Conflict of interest also includes any direct or indirect ownership of an interest in, or ability to influence (including acting as a board member or other agent for), any business or organization which has any potential, ongoing or previous interaction or business relationship with the Department.
Application Deadline: Position will remain open until filled.
Application review begins immediately and position start is immediate. Employment is contingent on successful completion of a criminal background check. Benefits: temporary employees participate in PERA (State employee pension program), and accrue paid sick leave, but do not receive medical benefits, paid holidays or paid vacation. Employees of the State of Colorado do not contribute to Social Security, but contribute to Colorado Public Employee Retirement Association (PERA) 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 Higher Education 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 preemployment 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 Human Resource Director, Cindy Langan, at HR@dhe.state.co.us or call 720.264.8575.