Accessibility Specialist (Telework)

WHO WE ARE:
Texas Workforce Commission connects people with careers across the state. While we are based in Austin on the north lawn of the Texas State Capitol, we have offices statewide and many of our positions are suitable for teleworking. We're a Family Friendly Certified Workplace with great work-life balance, competitive salaries, extensive opportunities for training and development, and fantastic benefits.

This position is eligible for telecommuting from anywhere in the State of Texas. You must be a Texas resident to work for the Texas Workforce Commission or willing to relocate to Texas.

WHO YOU ARE:
The ideal candidate is passionate about accessibility and ready to mentor others on methods and techniques for addressing Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) accessibility barriers. Work involves planning, developing, and implementing an agency program, and providing senior-level consultative services and technical assistance to staff throughout the agency, including IT and program areas. May serve as a lead worker providing direction to others.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:
The Accessibility Specialist (Program Specialist IV-VI) perform highly complex to highly advanced (senior-level) consultative services and technical assistance work. Work involves planning, developing, and implementing major agency program(s) and providing consultative services and technical assistance to agency staff and others, including government agencies, community organizations, and the general public. Works under limited to minimal supervision, with moderate to considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

YOU WILL BE TRUSTED TO:
-Provide senior-level accessibility analysis and consultation to teams across the agency.
-Test and remediate information communication technology (ICT), including PDFs, Microsoft Office documents, websites, desktop applications, and mobile apps to meet accessibility standards.
-Ensure compliance with accessibility policies and regulations, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.0/2.1), and Section 508.
-Ensure implementation of industry best practices for accessibility services within the agency.
-Create reports that describe accessibility obstacles as well as provide technical guidance and recommendations to overcome obstacles.
-Deliver testing results to internal customers and participate in follow-up discussions to develop a roadmap in effort to improve the accessibility and usability of agency resources.
-Provide coaching and mentoring to team members and internal customers to improve accessibility knowledge throughout the agency.
-Participate in the development and delivery of instructional materials, aids, and manuals to meet training needs.
-Maintain and grow subject matter expertise in the accessibility field
-Assist in establishing standards, processes, and a philosophy that puts the agency in a leadership position as it relates to accessibility and usability of information technology.
-Maintain a reliable, predictable work schedule, and/or be called upon to work outside of normal business hours to sustain operations or complete urgent assignments.
-May serve as backup to the manager and other team members.
-Actively participate in maintaining and providing input to the departmental dashboard.
-Ensure compliance with all Federal, State, and agency procedures, policies, rules, and laws, including the IT Handbook and SOPs that govern TWC IT.
-Contribute to teamwork and communicate effectively.
-Promote an image of IT excellence.
-Perform other duties as assigned.

YOU ARE A GREAT FIT WITH:
-Demonstrated skills using Microsoft Office software applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, and Adobe Acrobat Professional for PDF documents.
-Understanding of how HTML, CSS, and ARIA technologies are used to create accessible Web content.
-Working familiarity with how people with disabilities use technology, including computers and mobile devices.
-Fundamental understanding of document creation tools -- e.g., Adobe Acrobat Professional, Adobe InDesign, Microsoft Office -- and how they impact accessibility.
-Understanding of accessibility policies and standards, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines and Section 508 and how these policies apply to PDFs, Microsoft Office documents, websites, desktop applications, mobile apps, and other digital content.
-Ability to work independently, and as part of a team, and have a strong desire to deliver a positive customer experience.
-Experience with testing digital content for accessibility.
-Experience using accessibility-testing tools and assistive technology, such as WAVE, screen readers, and screen magnification software.
-Understanding of the accessibility problems facing developers and designers, as well as the accessibility problems faced by users with disabilities.
-Demonstrated ability to attend to precise details in both testing and reporting.
-Demonstrated ability to explain difficult things in simple, clear, and accurate language.
-Demonstrated ability to speak confidently about complex, technical, or non-technical matters.
-Ability to train, lead, and prioritize staff workloads.

YOU QUALIFY WITH:
-Program Specialist IV: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university plus one year and six months of full-time experience in the development, implementation, or interpretation of policies and procedures in a public or private agency. Six months of full-time in-service experience classified as a Program Specialist III or Program Supervisor III with regular status will satisfy the minimum qualifications.
-Program Specialist V: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university plus two years of full-time experience in the development, implementation, or interpretation of policies and procedures in a public or private agency. Six months of full-time in-service experience classified as a Program Specialist IV or Program Supervisor IV with regular status will satisfy the minimum qualifications.
-Program Specialist VI: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university plus two years and six months of full-time experience in the development, implementation, or interpretation of policies and procedures in a public or private agency. One year of full-time in-service experience classified as a Program Specialist V or Program Supervisor V with regular status will satisfy the minimum qualifications.
-For All Levels: One year of full-time experience may be substituted for each year (30 semester hours) of education. Experience and education may be substituted for one another.

YOU GAIN:
-A Family Friendly Certified Workplace.
-Telecommuting offered from anywhere within the State of Texas
-Competitive starting salary: $5,250.00 - $6,300.00/month
-Defined Retirement Benefit Plan
-Optional 401(k) and 457 accounts
-Medical Insurance
-Paid time off, including time for vacation, sick and family care leave
-Additional benefits for active employees can be found at https://www.ers.texas.gov/Active-Employees/Health-Benefits.

VETERANS:
Use your military skills to qualify for this position or other jobs! Go to www.texasskillstowork.com to translate your military work experience and training courses into civilian job terms, qualifications, and skill sets. Also, you can compare this position to military occupations (MOS) at the Texas State Auditor's Office by pasting this link into your browser: https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_ProgramManagement.pdf.

HOW TO APPLY:
To be considered, please complete an Application for Employment and apply on Taleo.

TWC is not considering applications from persons who require sponsorship for an employment visa.

A position utilizing this classification will be designated as security sensitive according to the Texas Labor Code, Section 301.042.