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Digital Accessibility Specialist (Contract)

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Digital Accessibility Specialist (Contract)

Salary

$30.25 - $39.93 Hourly

Location

City of Thornton; City Hall, CO

Job Type

Contract Full-Time

Job Number

25138

Department

Communications

Division

Communications

Opening Date

04/24/2025

Closing Date

5/15/2025 11:59 PM Mountain

FLSA

Non-Exempt

WORK HOURS

STANDARD 40 HOUR WORKWEEK

PROBATION

NONE, NOT CAREER SERVICE

STATUS 2

FLSA NON-EXEMPT

BENEFITS

SEE BENEFITS TAB

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

Under direction , performs advanced and complex work to ensure that digital content, such as websites, applications, kiosks, digital signage, documents, video, audio, and third-party tools , are designed and developed in a way that makes them accessible to people with disabilities while developi ng comprehensive strateg ies for implementing digital accessibility policies and procedures for the organization .

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

(Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics.? The list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class.)

Promotes digital accessibility awareness by educating employees and stakeholders on relevant guidelines, laws, and standards through training and communication.

Collaborates with internal teams, external partners, and vendors to ensure digital accessibility compliance, provide guidance on remediation, develop comprehensive strategies for implementing digital accessibility policies and procedures and coordinate accessibility efforts across departments.

Develops, maintains , and enforces accessibility policies and guidelines to ensure compliance with industry standards, legal requirements, and evolving regulations, while ensuring contributors follow best practices for accessibility and inclusion, such as using alt tags, video captions, descriptive text, and accessible color choices.

Ensures accessibility is integrated into new projects by working closely with design, development, and content teams throughout planning and execution.

Leads PDF remediation efforts by implementing best practices, evaluating alternative solutions, and serving as a subject matter expert on DocMD and Remediate tools. Reviews and approves or rejects documents submitted by external vendors.

Develops and delivers ongoing digital accessibility training, workshops, and resources to help employees create accessible content and use inclusive technologies while maintaining the Digital Accessibility intranet page.

Tracks and documents accessibility assessments, issues, and remediation efforts, generating reports on progress and areas for improvement. Assists departments in determining document qualification for 'Active Use' and when to consult legal on 'Undue Burden.' Manage digital accessibility inquiries.

Maintains the Digital Accessibility webpage with up-to-date resources, and update the 'Progress-to-Date' report quarterly. Additionally, supports Communications with accessible templates and documents and review the Digital Accessibility Transition Plan.

Conducts regular accessibility audits of websites, PDFs, and digital content using testing tools and assistive technologies, ensuring compatibility with screen readers and voice recognition software. Establishes routine assessments, identify issues, and report compliance concerns to departments, while providing guidance on access and use of assistive technologies.

Collaborates with the Digital Engagement Manager to develop best practices for website updates, plan future accessibility audits, and conduct user testing with individuals with disabilities.

Maintains compliance with House Bill 21-1110, Colorado Laws for Person with Disa bilities .

Reviews new software requests for compliance with HB21-1110 and collaborate with IT to maintain and update ICT hardware.

Ensures mobile apps meet accessibility standards. Conducts user testing with individuals who have disabilities to gather feedback.

Ensures videos and audio files are digitally accessible by creating and editing transcripts, adding captions and audio descriptions, providing descriptive titles and thumbnails, and conducting manual testing with user feedback.

Maintains communication with software vendors to ensure compliance with accessibility laws and monitor external service provider websites for VPAT and compliance policies.

Develops and implements feedback tools to collect input from users with disabilities on their experiences and challenges.

Regularly reviews and acts on user feedback to enhance accessibility. Conducts testing sessions with users with disabilities and integrate their insights into improvement plans.

Collaborates with local disability organizations to gather insights and ensure services meet community needs. Involves individuals with disabilities in the design and testing of digital projects to promote inclusivity.

Performs o ther duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Experience:

High school diploma or GED.

Five (5) years' experience implementing Digital Accessibility Standards and/or Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 , including experience working with Drupal, Siteimprove , and Microsoft Office Suite products. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Associate’s degree in Computer Science , Information Technology, Web Development or Web Design, Disability Studies, Communications, or a related field is preferred.

Licensing/Certification Requirements:

Certifications related to accessibility, such as WAS, CPWA, CPACC, NVDA, or JAWS are preferred .

International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP) certification ( i.e. CPACC, WAS, CPWA and CPABE) is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of the policies, procedures , and goals of the city of Thornton and the Communications department.

Knowledge of the general operations and staff of the city of Thornton’s various departments and divisions.

Knowledge of current Web Content Accessibility Guidelines ( WCAG ).

Knowledge of Colorado’s accessibility laws including HB21-1110 as well as related guidance, directives, and recommendations.

Knowledge of website development.

Knowledge of strategic planning and public facilitation.

Knowledge of government ethics and understanding of municipal codes.

Knowledge of project manag e ment principles and methodologies.

Skill in evaluating, applying, and remediating documents, websites , and other digital platforms for WCAG guidelines.

Skill in designing, developing, and delivering effective training programs.

Skill in excellent customer service and communication .

Skill in organizing and prioritizing activities .

Skill in communicating effectively both orally and in writing.

Skill in screen readers and other assistive technology.

Skill in customer service.

Ability to interpret federal and state regulations.

Ability to apply current Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

Ability to apply Colorado’s digital accessibility laws.

Ability to meticulously review digital content, documents, and web applications to identify accessibility issues, ensure compliance with accessibility standards, and maintain accuracy in audits, reports and remediation efforts.

Ability to effectively manage multiple accessibility projects, audits, and training initiates by setting priorities, meeting deadlines, and ensuring compliance with accessibility standards across digital platforms.

Ability to interpret, understand, and comply with complex statutes , ordinances, regulations, standards, and laws.

Ability to explain complex concepts to a wide variety of audiences.

Ability to identify , cultivate, and sustain strategic relationships.

Ability to collaborate effectively with diverse teams, communicate accessibility requirements clearly, and build relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Ability to use standard office equipment, personal computer, and job-related computer applications including e-mail and text messaging.

Physical and Mental Requirements:

While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is required to reach, finger, grasp, talk, hear , and make repetitive motions. The position is mostly sedentary work; exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. The employee is required to have close visual acuity.

TESTING PROCEDURES

Examinations may include but are not limited to application screening beyond minimum qualifications; written, oral, practical exercise or any combination thereof or other job related assessment deemed appropriate by Human Resources.

Your application will be used as a screening tool. Completeness and accuracy are important! Any false or untrue statements or material omissions in the application and related paperwork or during the selection process could disqualify you from consideration.

As a condition of employment, the city of Thornton conducts background investigations for all positions which may also include a review of credit report and/or driving record. A drug screen, physical, and/or psychological examination administered by a city-designated provider will be required for pre-determined positions.

The City of Thornton is an equal opportunity employer.

The City of Thornton offers employees an outstanding benefits package. Benefit eligibility is based on the status of the position. Please email [email protected] to receive a copy of our 2025 Benefits Guide.

Benefits offered may include the following depending on the job type/status of the position:

+ Health Insurance

+ Dental Insurance

+ Vision Insurance

+ Life, Dependent Life & Supplemental Life Insurance Options

+ Voluntary Accidental Death & Dismemberment Policy

+ Flexible Spending Plan

+ Retiree Health Savings Plan

+ Pension Plan & Deferred Compensation Plans

+ Short & Long-term Disability Plans

+ Paid Holidays

+ Vacation & Sick Leave

+ Multilingual Incentive Pay

+ Recreation Pass

+ Wellness Program - Learn more here (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ecAZ5bF8G3UKkXFWVXFFrqVAbC4DQyjc/view?usp=sharing)

+ In-House Training Opportunities

+ Tuition Reimbursement

+ Employee Assistance Program

+ Flexible Schedules

+ Hybrid Schedules