Digital Access Specialist
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA,US
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 .