ADMINISTRATOR IV

The IT Accessibility Coordinator position was created as result of Governor’s Executive Order 01.01.2017.23 which directs MDOD to designate a staff person to collaborate with the Departments of Information Technology (DoIT) and Department of General Services Office (DGS) to provide accessibility technical assistance during State procurement processes and address accessibility concerns of State employees utilizing State provided IT solutions.

19

Co-Located:

MDOD facilitates the coordination of accessible state services in compliance with state and federal laws. DoIT and DGS support state agencies in developing, funding and implementing information technology services. All three agencies collaborate to ensure that the state procures, develops and implements accessible information technology systems.

State Guidance and Policy Development on Accessibility ● Support leadership within MDOD, DoIT, and DGS in the development of strategies, policies, and practices that will create a culture of accessibility. ● Lead the state through the creation and implementation of the statewide IT Accessibility Strategic Plan; oversee and advise on activities and timelines included in this plan; ensure objectives are consistently met and improved. ● Serve as the expert on Maryland’s Nonvisual Access clause, Section 508, and WCAG Guidelines and its applicability to procurements and updates of electronic and information technology. ● Advise DoIT, DBM and other relevant agencies on the needs to improve state accessibility policies following any updated Federal Section 508 standards. ● Participate in leadership meetings regarding the updates of regulatory language if initiated by DoIT and others in the executive branch. ● Facilitate ongoing collaboration between DoIT, DGS, and MDOD to identify improvements in the IT procurement process and make recommendations to increase the ratio of accessible IT procured by the State. ● Assist DoIT and DGS by advising on potential procurements as it relates to accessibility for state constituents and employees. ● Manage, evaluate and provide day-to-day supervision of the IT Accessibility Evaluator including steering the direction of the IT Access team (short and mid-term). ● Serve as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) and accessibility advisor to DoIT and or other state agency IT project development teams for major IT infrastructure and critical IT solutions for state government. ● Serve as a liaison between the National Federation of the Blind's Center for Excellence in Nonvisual Access and the State, encouraging state employees to participate in education experiences offered by the NFB, and collaborating with the NFB to develop and host a wide range of accessibility trainings, webinars, and conferences. Technical Assistance, Remediation, and Recommendations ● Serve as the primary point of contact for handling internal and external statewide complaints and/or inquiries regarding state websites, applications, software, etc. and coordinate with appropriate agencies to implement remediation plans. ● Evaluate, identify, and implement a website testing tool to conduct evaluations of current IT being utilized by the state. ● Evaluate Voluntary Product Accessibility Templates and other supporting documents provided by vendors or other state agencies, to support accessibility claims of products during the procurement process. ● Assist DoIT in articulating accessibility needs determined from product evaluations, including accessibility testing of potential vendor products. ● Provide technical assistance to state agencies in relation to accessibility of a product or IT solutions at any stage of the procurement or contract renewal/renegotiation process. ● Provide technical assistance to DoIT regarding accessibility compliance testing of DoIT-managed sites. ● Manage and evaluate the state’s digital footprint for accessibility via scheduled audits using automated testing tools. ● Establish and maintain a data tracking system to track & evaluate all technical assistance, including complaints, remediation steps, and outcomes. ● Support all state agencies and entities through testing of state websites, digital devices, apps and IT solutions organically or upon request, including providing accessibility reports, remediation guidance, and follow up. Training & Outreach on Accessibility ● Develop and implement an online Accessibility Standards training program for State personnel. ● Determine the ability to and the process for state agencies to use the Hub to share accessibility training materials statewide. ● Work with the IAAP to ensure training course content meets the professional requirement so training participants can earn continuing accessibility credits when attending our accessibility webinars. ● Create customized trainings for state agencies (webmasters and POCs) to improve the accessibility of their respective content, by request or as needed. ● Make available to state employees training resources on particular topics of accessibility. ● Host web-based and in-person Information and Communication Technology Trainings for general public. IT Accessibility in Higher Education ● Create and foster existing relationships in the higher education field through guest lecturing and guest speaking to college students. ● Create and advertise an ongoing IT Accessibility Internship via collaboration with local colleges and universities. Including training, coaching and leading an IT Accessibility Intern through the accessibility evaluation process, teaching the use of testing tools and procedures with the end goal of providing interns with usable accessibility/Section 508 testing skills for the workforce. ● Plans, organizes and supervises the work of subordinate staff, which may include professional, technical, administrative or clerical workers;● Other duties as assigned.

Education: A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Computer Science, Information technology specialty, Accessibility, or related fields. Education: A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in any discipline. 

Detailed Knowledge of ADA, Section 504 (part 794 in particular) and Section 508, Universal design principles, and WCAG 2.1;

Knowledge of the State of Maryland Non-Visual Access Regulations;

Broad experience working with the disability community;

Excellent teamwork skills;

Experience developing and leading workshops and/or staff trainings specific to Non-Visual Access;

Experience developing strategies, plans, policies, and/or practices focused on improving IT accessibility and/or disability awareness;

Broad experience working with customers to assess accessibility concerns, and coordinate and/or implement remediation strategies;

Strong written and verbal communications skills;

Broad experience reviewing, interpreting and summarizing Voluntary Product Accessibility Templates (VPAT); and

Broad experience in evaluating websites against WCAG 2.1 standards, creating website evaluation reports, and presenting remediation strategies.

Completed Accessibility Training courses focused on procurement and purchasing utilizing 508 guidelines, available through GSA Section 508.gov or through the Federal Acquisition Institute, or Department of Homeland Security Trusted Tester program.

Certification from the International Association of Accessibility Professionals

Trusted Tester Certification

NVDA Expert Certification 

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year.

The assessment may consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of the position. It is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all experience and education that is related to this position.

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

 

Online applications are highly recommended. However, if you are unable to apply online, the paper application and supplemental questionnaire may be submitted to: Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division, 301 W. Preston St., Baltimore, MD 21201. Paper application materials must be received in our office by the closing date for the recruitment. No postmarks will be accepted.

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact the DBM Recruitment and Examination Division at Application.Help@maryland.gov or 410-767-4850, MD TTY Relay Service 1-800-735-2258.

We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.

People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruitment, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State's diversity.

For education obtained outside of the U.S., a copy of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service must be provided prior to hire.