Web Accessibility Specialist

Job Description The Website Accessibility Senior Specialist is a 1-year contract position supporting efforts to make website content accessible. This role focuses on the identification, documentation, and remediation of more complex digital materials, including data visualizations, maps, tables, videos, applications, tools, and other non-document accessibility issues. The specialist will work directly with product owners of digital tools to help bring these tools into compliance. Additionally, this role supports the organization-wide rollout of accessibility procedures and related training, serving as an expert consultant to the working team. On occasion, this role will participate in transforming materials currently available in PDF, Word, PowerPoint, or Excel into formats that meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards and comply with Title II accessibility requirements. Key Responsibilities Compliance Leadership • Serve as an internal authority on WCAG standards across the organization's suite of products. • Conduct hands-on accessibility testing and reporting. • Lead solution development for a variety of products based on accessibility standards. • Guide organizational resources in implementing accessibility solutions. Organization-wide Rollout & Enablement • Develop scalable educational resources and training to increase accessibility knowledge and support hands-on execution of accessible content across the organization. • Support non-technical departments in adopting accessibility best practices for the digital products they manage. • Guide Accessibility Contact Points in identifying accessibility issues and understanding solution options. Hands-on Remediation • Provide solutions for large or complex documents and help stakeholders understand options for creating alternative accessible formats. • Remediate documents. • Make or request code edits where the organization owns the code base. • Make changes where vendor-supplied software has been used in a way that created inaccessible digital content. Minimum Qualifications Education and Experience (one of the following): • High school diploma/GED with five (5) years of experience, including one (1) year of hands-on digital accessibility work, and IAAP certification or similar certification. • Associate degree with four (4) years of experience, including one (1) year of hands-on digital accessibility work, and IAAP certification or similar certification. • Bachelor's degree or higher in Communications, Marketing, Data Analysis, Customer Service, Digital Marketing, Website Development, Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field with at least three (3) years of experience, including one (1) year of hands-on digital accessibility work, and IAAP certification or similar certification. Required Skills • Expertise in web accessibility standards and best practices, including designing and implementing web content compliant with WCAG 2.1 Level AA. • Hands-on experience performing digital accessibility work, including knowledge of content management systems, data visualization programs, and other digital mediums. • Knowledge of accessible alternatives to common digital content issues. • Ability to use automated and manual digital accessibility testing tools. • Proficiency in HTML/XHTML sufficient to understand code-based accessibility issues. • Knowledge of JavaScript (jQuery, AJAX), CSS, XML, and XSLT. • Knowledge of how digital applications are built. • Knowledge of digital application and content management systems. • Experience working with Adobe Acrobat Pro and creating accessible PDF documents. Required Competencies • Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills. • Effective communication skills to collaborate with client team members. • Strong time management and organizational skills. • Ability to manage multiple projects concurrently. • Ability to teach accessibility best practices and accessibility mindsets. • Ability to prioritize work in a fast-paced environment and handle multiple tasks. • Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information appropriately. • Ability to communicate effectively with individuals at all levels of the organization. Additional Requirements • Must be authorized to work in the United States. • Candidates must reside in Minnesota or Wisconsin, preferably in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. • Hybrid work arrangement; telework location must be in Minnesota or Wisconsin.