508 Compliance & Digital Accessibility Officer

Job Description

The 508 Compliance and Digital Accessibility Officer will serve as a bridge between the Office of Equity and Accessibility and the Accessible Technologies group within Technology-enhanced Learning and Online Strategies (TLOS). This position will report to the Director of ADA and Accessibility Services within the Office of Equity and Accessibility and the Senior Director of Universal Design and Accessible Technologies within TLOS. The person filling this position will lead the university’s efforts in evaluating and recommending accessibility policies, procedures, and best practices for electronic and information technology (EIT). The 508 Compliance and Digital Accessibility Officer will assist with the development of strategic roadmaps to ensure university operations align to Section 508 accessibility requirements.

The 508 Compliance and Digital Accessibility Officer will collaborate with university stakeholders to provide compliance guidance, promote appropriate support resources, and establish accountability plans that foster inclusivity and accessibility compliance. A critical aspect of this position will involve collaboration with Virginia Tech’s procurement teams to establish and continuously improve processes for purchasing or deploying EIT aligned to Section 508.

The 508 Compliance and Digital Accessibility Officer must have a thorough understanding of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the requirements for accessibility in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and FCC 255 as appropriate and be able to apply this knowledge to create strategies for bringing the maximum functionality to ADA users (individuals with disabilities).

Core responsibilities include strategic planning & leadership in addition to compliance management.

While the majority of responsibilities of the position may be performed remotely, the work will require the incumbent be present onsite 4-6 times per year with minimal notice.

Required Qualifications

A bachelor's degree in business IT, computer science, information systems, educational technology, communications, or other areas applicable to the position's description and needs.
Progressive experience with Section 508 Compliance and Assistive Technology.
Advanced expert knowledge of Section 508 provisions and related application to policy, products and services.
Experience with developing governance, policy and documentation and coordination across multiple stakeholders
Experience in training and coaching on compliance matters.
Experience with accessibility tools like JAWS/NVDA, iOS VoiceOver, Android TalkBack, ZoomText, and Read&Write.
Strong organization and project management skills to effectively manage multiple projects and competing priorities and deadlines
Strong interpersonal skills with a record of building collaborative relationships across all levels and functions of an organization.
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

Preferred Qualifications

Certification as a Certified Professional in Web Accessibility (CPWA) by the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP), Department of Homeland Security Section 508 Trusted Tester Certification, or related certifications in Accessibility.
Experience performing accessibility remediations of documents (e.g. PDF, Word, PPT, Excel)
Experience with structured programming languages (HTML5, Javascript, and CSS)
Demonstrated ability to convey complex technical information to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Familiarity with Agile tools including JIRA and Azure DevOps
Previous experience working with students and employees with disabilities in higher education.

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

mid- to high- $80,000, commensurate with experience

Review Date

June 14, 2021

Additional Information

The selected candidate may work remotely but must be located in the United States and able to follow a work schedule that aligns with the standard working hours of employees in the Blacksburg and Northern Virginia campuses. During the initial 1- to 2-week onboarding period, the successful candidate will be required to work on the Blacksburg, Virginia campus.

The successful Candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Julie Weaver at juliew19@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.