Digital Access Specialist

Position Title:
Digital Access Specialist

Position Type:
Regular

Salary Range:
$33.46-$39.35/hour commensurate with experience

Pay Frequency:
Hourly

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

The Digital Access Specialist manages digital accessibility initiatives for the Office of Accessible Education (OAE) and the University at large. Charged with identifying University needs for improved accessibility and inclusivity of digital materials, they will provide programmatic technical support and training for faculty, students, and staff on the implementation of a range of assistive tools and technologies. This position will act as the primary expert in managing all digital accessibility resources on campus. The Digital Access Specialist implements accessibility best practices campus-wide. In collaboration with Instructional Technology, they will provide training for faculty and staff. This includes digital accessibility best practices for content creation to ensure ADA compliance. The Digital Access Specialist will provide technical assistance to provide materials (books, videos, publications, audio files) in an accessible format, in one-on-one or group settings, for students with disabilities. The Digital Access Specialist will be responsible for evaluating student educational access needs for the Office of Accessible Education, recommending appropriate assistive technology for such needs, and developing individualized training plans for students, faculty, and staff in support of campus technology needs. Additional responsibilities include support of website maintenance, OAE database management, tracking of student status, and creation of annual reports.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Provides campus-wide guidance on Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, WAI-ARIA 1.2, additional applicable W3C standards, and Section 508 accessibility compliance in collaboration with Academic Technology, Marketing and Communications, etc. to ensure that campus technologies meet accessibility requirements.

2. Evaluates and remediates campus-wide digital accessibility of the following

Textbooks

Course materials (including Open Educational Resource materials)

University-used materials

3. Serves as Subject Matter Expert (SME) for digital accessibility of the following to identify campus accessibility needs and advise on enterprise accessibility software solutions for:

SCU website

Internal campus portals and resources

Content Management Systems and Learning Management Systems

Learning materials and resources, including both text and audiovisual

4. Works with faculty and the Bookstore to ensure digital access to textbooks and course-materials (i.e. E-text and other alternative formatting)

5. Curates and manages relationships with vendors for accessibility products and software

6. Builds effective relationships with course developers, designers, and other key stakeholders to ensure the successful use of assistive technologies for disabled students

7. Manages the maintenance and updating of note taking softwares (i.e. Glean)

8. Determines need for and implements various access-oriented softwares for screen reader and text-to-speech software, recording technology, speech-to-text and voice technology (i.e. ZoomText, Dragon Naturally Speaking, Read&Write Gold, JAWS, etc.)

9. Oversees additional assistive technology-related accommodations for students including alternative formats, physical hardware, and other ancillary assistive technology

10. Manages assistive technology for in-class and testing purposes for OAE accommodated students

11. Enhances campus learning outcomes by supporting faculty and troubleshooting lectures, recordings, and presentations for in-person, hybrid, and remote instructional modalities.

12. Manages accessibility and compliance for SCU online courses and programs

13. Collaborates with departments and facilitates the captioning and transcription of audio, video, and other multimedia content in various educational platforms

14. Manages OAE Website and Online Services in collaboration with OAE Office Manager

Assures compatibility with campus digital infrastructure

Uses T4 web content management system to develop, maintain, and update OAE website

15. Manages AIM Portal

Acts as primary AIM liaison and contact

Maintains AIM database integrity

Works with developers to implement additional features as needed

Provides training and technical support to staff and students

16. Develops, manages and trains faculty and staff on digital accessibility best practices for content creation in their courses and departments

17. Evaluates student educational access needs, recommending appropriate assistive technology for such needs, and developing individualized accommodation recommendations with students to meet their access needs

18. Manages Alternate Formatting for Texts

Procures books as needed in the appropriate format for students

Facilitates Bookshare memberships for students

Requests pdf copies of books from publishers

Keeps records of proof of purchase of books by students

Scans books, with publisher authorization, as needed

19. Directs the training of students and faculty for Assistive Technology (i.e. iPads, Livescribe pens, FM Systems, etc.)

20. Manages the tracking and quarter/semester inventorying of all OAE Assistive Technology (Software and Hardware)

21. Other duties as needed

GENERAL GUIDELINES

Interacts effectively across all units of the university

Recommends initiatives and implements changes to improve quality and services

Identifies and determines cause of problems; develops and presents recommendations for improvement of established processes and practices

Maintains contact with students and solicits feedback for improved services

Maximizes productivity through use of appropriate tools; planned training and performance initiatives

Researches and develops resources that create timely and efficient workflow

Prepares progress reports; informs supervisor of project status; and deviation from goals. Ensures completeness, accuracy, and timeliness of all operational functions

Prepares and submits reports as requested and required

Develops and implements guidelines to support the functions of the unit

Able to work independently to address and make decisions on day-to-day inquiries and issues, consulting with managers as needed on major issues

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The items below are representative of the knowledge, skills, abilities, education, and experience required or preferred

This position requires the ability to effectively establish and maintain cooperative working relationships within a diverse multicultural environment

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, the California Fair Employment & Housing Act, and all other applicable laws, SCU provides reasonable accommodations for qualified persons with disabilities. A qualified individual is a person who meets skill, experience, education, or other requirements of the position, and who can perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation

Considerable time is spent at a desk using a computer terminal

May be required to travel to other buildings on the campus

May be required to attend conference and training sessions within Bay Area or in- or out-of-state locations

May be required to occasionally travel to outside customers, vendors or suppliers

May be required to help move items (boxes, supplies) from one location/building to another

Ability to work evenings and weekends

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described below are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job

Typical office environment

Mostly an indoor office environment

Offices with equipment noise

Offices with frequent interruptions

KNOWLEDGE

Experience with (or willingness to learn) the TerminalFour (T4) web content management system

Familiarity with or willingness to learn campus systems such as T4, the Canvas LMS, LiveWhale, Peoplesoft, Workday, Google Suite functions and Microsoft Office including Excel (pivot tables, e.g.).

Familiarity with and commitment to the mission, goals, and vision of Jesuit education, and of Santa Clara University in particular, preferred

SKILLS

Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills

Creative problem solving skills

Strong interpersonal skills with ability to deal with a wide variety of students, faculty, staff, and administrators

Strength of character, honesty, integrity, good judgment, and discretion

ABILITIES

Ability to work independently

Excellent time management, organization, and ability to see assigned tasks through to completion

Ability to manage finances, including running Peoplesoft or Workday budget reports

Creativity, flexibility, and ability to work independently

Willingness to take initiative in solving problems

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's degree required, Master's degree preferred

5-6 years of relevant experience required

Experience working in Academic Context (K-12, Higher Ed, Educational Startup, etc.) preferred

EEO Statement

​ Equal Opportunity/Notice of Nondiscrimination

Santa Clara University is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and California State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. Applications from members of historically underrepresented groups are especially encouraged. For a complete copy of Santa Clara University's equal opportunity and nondiscrimination policies, see https://www.scu.edu/title-ix/policies-reports/

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972

Santa Clara University does not discriminate in its employment practices or in its educational programs or activities on the basis of sex/gender, and prohibits retaliation against any person opposing discrimination or participating in any discrimination investigation or complaint process internally or externally. The Title IX Coordinator and Section 504 and ADA Coordinator is Jenna Elliott, Interim Director of Equal Opportunity and Title IX, 408-551-3043, jrelliot@scu.edu , www.scu.edu/title-ix . Inquiries can also be made to the Assistant Secretary of Education within the Office for Civil Rights (OCR).

Clery Notice of Availability

Santa Clara University annually collects information about campus crimes and other reportable incidents in accordance with the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. To view the Santa Clara University report, please go to the Campus Safety Services website . To request a paper copy please call Campus Safety at (408) 554-4441. The report includes the type of crime, venue, and number of occurrences.

Americans with Disabilities Act

Santa Clara University affirms its' commitment to employ qualified individuals with disabilities within the workplace and to comply with the Americans with Disability Act. All applicants desiring an accommodation should contact the Department of Human Resources , and 408-554-5750 and request to speak to Indu Ahluwalia by phone at 408-554-5750 or by email at iahluwalia@scu.edu .