Assistive Technology/Accommodated Testing Specialist

About Us
Howard Community College (HCC) is an exciting place to work, learn, and grow! We are proud to have received the Great Colleges to Work For honor for 12 consecutive years, 2009-2020.
Howard Community College values diversity among its faculty, staff and student population. We are an innovative institution that is committed to responding to the ever-changing needs and interests of a diverse and dynamic community. No matter where you want to go in your career, you can get there from here!

Position Title
Assistive Technology/Accommodated Testing Specialist

FLSA
Exempt

FT/PT
Full Time

Hours Per Week
37.5

Work Schedule
M-F 8:30-5

Grade
14

Minimum Compensation
$60,883

General Responsibilities
Is responsible for all accommodated testing and assistive technology for students with disabilities and makes sure all programs and services are in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act and WCAG standards. Evaluates accessibility of technology and materials campus-wide to ensure compliance with these regulations. Is an integral part of the campus-wide Accessibility of Technology committee, established by the Vice President of Student Services and the Vice President of Information Technology to ensure accessibility of all technology, software, and hardware on campus. Is a technical resource on accessibility for the college’s website and online classes. Assists with the development of technical accessibility priorities that align with all applicable federal and state regulations and contributes to strategic planning and budget development relating to accessibility of technology. Assists with the review and further development and maintenance of technology policies and procedures. Assists with all technology implementations, hardware, and software updates. Is responsible for the development of policies and procedures regarding testing and assistive technology. Is responsible for procuring and producing books and classroom materials in alternate formats for use with assistive technology. Is responsible for setting up and maintaining the assistive technology lab. Is responsible for hiring, scheduling, and supervising the Accommodated Testing Assistant as well as the reader/writer/proctors and securing rooms for accommodated testing for students with disabilities. Works closely with students to evaluate their needs for assistive technology and instructs them regarding the use of this technology. Is responsible for keeping up to date on new technology (for student use, alternate format production, and for campus accessibility) and recommending changes for the lab and the campus. Serves as a resource for students, faculty and staff regarding assistive technology needs and universal design. Serves as an integral part of the Disability Support Services office regarding strategic planning, data collection, staffing needs and special projects. This position will serve as a technical liaison to several offices and divisions within the college, including Information Technology, Web Enterprises, Procurement, and Instructional Media as well as faculty and staff in all the divisions. This is a critical position both within the Disability Support Services Office and throughout the college to ensure the college’s compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act as well as ensuring access to all programs and services for students with disabilities.

Work Performed
Assesses the needs of students with disabilities regarding the use of technology and alternate formats of course related materials. Manages assistive technology accommodations and services, including, but not limited to, Kurzweil/Firefly and JAWS reading software, Dragon Naturally Speaking, Texthelp Read and Write, Livescribe smart pens, Zoomtext, Math Type, Ginger Software and mouse alternatives.
Is an integral part of, and serves as a resource for, the campus wide Accessibility of Technology committee.
Assists the director with strategic planning and budget development for technology initiatives. he assistive technology lab.
Keeps abreast of best practices and legal requirements pertaining to assistive technology and accessibility issues and strives to align DSS and campus policies to those standards in order to ensure compliance.
Collaborates with faculty and staff in planning proactively for accessible information and technology for students with disabilities.
Evaluates, researches, recommends, and coordinates purchase of new hardware and software to keep the lab, and the campus as a whole, current with new advances in the field.
Coordinates with Student Computer Services regarding the installation, maintenance and upgrade of assistive technology as needed.
Provides technical support and troubleshoots problems for students with disabilities using the technology and serves as a resource for web accessibility and assist with compliance audits and ongoing college website accessibility.
Provides coordination of all alternate format requests for course related materials, including acquiring books and permissions from publishers, as well as conversion of print and electronic materials to accessible formats.
Interacts with faculty and staff regarding individual student needs as well as to the understanding of assistive technology and alternate formats
Maintains a catalog of alternate format print and digital materials
Hires, trains, and supervises the Accommodated Testing Assistant as well as the readers, writers, and proctors for the accommodated testing service
Works with various campus offices to schedule space for accommodated testing
Tracks, records, and reports proctoring activities
Trains students to use assistive technology and books in alternate format
Keeps current in the fields of assistive and accessible technology, disabilities, and alternate formats
Serves as a resource for the college community as well as various community agencies and school systems
Trains and supervises work study students in the production of alternate formats of printed materials
Oversees and keeps current the hardware and software of the adaptive technology lab as well as other labs and classrooms on campus
Advises the Information Technology department as to the implementation of assistive technology in various labs and classrooms
Collects and compiles statistics on use of accommodated testing services and use of assistive technology
Responsible for assisting with the organization and coordination of Individual Proctoring Services (IPS) for students requiring this service
Oversees provision of both technology and peer note taking accommodations


Minimum Education Required
Bachelor’s degree

Minimum Number of Years Experience Required
1

Other Knowledge Required
Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred.
One year of prior experience with providing assistive technology support to individuals with disabilities is required.
Thorough knowledge of federal and state legislation involving students with disabilities, assistive technology, compliance and copyright issues (ADA, 504, 508, FERPA, Chaffee law, etc.)
Experience working with students with vision/hearing/speech/motor/cognitive disabilities and assessing technology needs for various disabilities
Experience using and training students to use the assistive technology currently used on campus which could include, but not be limited to, Kurzweil, Dragon Naturally Speaking, Inspiration, Texthelp Read and Write, JAWS, ZoomText, Math Type, Ginger Software.
Prefer experience working with college students; classroom experience would be helpful.
Experience with staff training preferred.

SUPERVISION
Supervises reader/writers/proctors, work-study students, and any other part time hourly staff that are working in the area of assistive technology or accommodated testing.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Regular attendance is a requirement of this job.
Strong interpersonal and organizational skills
Ability to work and interact with a diverse range of people, including people with varying levels of ability.
Performs all duties while considering the impact of any actions on the college’s sustainability initiatives in the areas of environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and economic prosperity.


Working Conditions
Fast paced, busy environment. Ability to deal with crisis situations with a diverse group of students. Ability to deal with continual interruptions requiring concurrent management of numerous assignments and responsibilities. Frequent high stress conditions. Willingness to work remotely when necessary.

Occasional evening and weekend work required.

Supervisory Postion?
No

Division
Student Development (Div)

Department
Academic/Student Support & Career Services

Posting Detail Information
Posting Number
B150P

Number of Vacancies
1

Best Consideration Date
03/31/2023

Job Open Date
03/17/2023

Job Close Date
03/31/2023

Open Until Filled
No

Job Category
Staff

Benefits Summary
Howard Community College offers competitive salaries, excellent medical and dental selections, tuition reimbursement and paid leave programs. As a participating member of the Maryland Retirement and Pension System, HCC offers two retirement options: The Pension, which requires a 7% employee contribution and The ORP, a 403(b) with a 7.25% employer contribution only. Employees in positions that do not require a bachelor’s degree must participate in The Pension. Employees that possess a bachelor’s degree and hold professional positions that require a bachelor’s degree may choose to participate in either The Pension or The ORP.

Applicant Instructions
*Pre-employment criminal background investigation is a condition of employment.

HCC is interested in all qualified applicants who are eligible to work in the United States. However, HCC will generally not sponsor applicants for work visas. Due to HCC policy, only employees living in states contiguous to Maryland are eligible for work at HCC and include Virginia, West Virginia, Washington DC, Pennsylvania. Candidates must live in the commutable area or willing to relocate at their own expense if offered the position because HCC does not offer relocation benefits.

Please complete the entire HCC Employment Application (Candidates will be evaluated on completing the college’s application in full).

Quick Link for Internal Postings
https://howardcc.peopleadmin.com/postings/2607

EEO Statement
Howard Community College (HCC) is an Equal Employment Opportunity & Affirmative Action employer & values diversity within its faculty, staff & student population. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status.
HCC understands that persons with specific disabilities may need assistance with the job application process and/or with the interview process. For confidential assistance with the job application process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at 443-518-1100.