Digital Accessibility Program Coordinator (Hybrid)

Hiring Range

The University of California, Merced is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs.Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $83,300 - $95,000.

Job Closing Date

This position is approved for a hybrid work modality.

The initial applicant review will take place on or around 9/25/2024. Posting may close any time after that without notice.

About UC Merced

The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system's 10 campuses and the first American research university built in the 21st century. With more than 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students, UC Merced offers an environment that combines a commitment to diversity, inclusion, collaboration and professional development. With bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs, strong research and academic partnerships, and community involvement, the UC Merced campus is continually evolving and requires talented, knowledgeable and dynamic educators, researchers, management and staff.

Ranked among the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, UC Merced is uniquely equipped to provide educational opportunities for highly qualified students from the San Joaquin Valley and throughout California. The campus enjoys a special connection with nearby Yosemite National Park, is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design and supports the economic development of Merced and the region.

The Merced 2020 Project, a $1.3 billion public-private partnership unprecedented in higher education and completed in 2020, nearly doubled the physical capacity of the campus, enhancing academic distinction, student success and research excellence. UC Merced also operates the Downtown Campus Center, a $33 million, three-story administrative building located in the heart of Merced.

The university’s mission of educational excellence and rigorous inquiry is powered by three schools and numerous research institutes and centers that seek scientific and social solutions for the Valley, California and the world. In partnership with UC San Francisco, UC Merced is preparing the way for a rigorous medical education program.

The course of UC Merced’s evolution is piloted by a long-range strategic plan. Enacted in 2021, the 10-year blueprint is guiding how the values of equity and justice influence our pathway to earning Carnegie R1 research status, growing enrollment, upholding our identity as a minority-serving institution, and operationalizing how commitments to equity, diversity and inclusion are enacted in each campus unit.

About The Job

The Digital Accessibility Program Manager will lead implementation and provide oversight of all aspects of the Information Technology Accessibility Program, building from the ground up to support our campus community by providing an accessible and inclusive experience for technology and digital services. The person in this position will create and maintain a digital toolbox of accessibility tools and create training programs and resources to support the campus community in the use of those tools. They will collaborate with all relevant campus stakeholders, including active participation in the Accessibility Resource Group, compliance and escalation work with Campus Risk Services, website analysis and remediation with the Marketing & Communication team, and building of Universal Design for Learning resources and training programs with Instructional Designers. The Digital Accessibility Program Manager is also responsible for ensuring accessibility through monitoring of university websites and learning management course sites, working with content owners on remediation of inaccessible content, and reviewing and testing software purchased by the university.

Key Responsibilities

Oversees the IT Accessibility Program through analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation of the procedures and processes relevant to maintaining the program.
Ensures accessibility and compliance of university digital assets through monitoring, working with content owners on remediation, and escalating non-compliance when necessary.
Ensures accessibility and compliance for campus software purchases through review of HECVATs and VPATs, testing software for accessibility, maintaining a relationship with the vendor for accessibility remediation, creating ACRs, working with requesters on EEAAPs, and maintaining a database to track all the aforementioned.
Builds and maintains a digital accessibility toolbox that empowers the campus to create accessible content and remediate inaccessible content for all our digital assets: websites, services, learning management system course sites, and all related media. Creates training guides, videos, and resources to assist the campus community in the use of these tools.
Collaborates with all relevant campus stakeholders, including active participation in the Accessibility Resource Group, compliance and escalation, website analysis and remediation, and building of resources and training programs.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in relate area and/or equivalent experience/training; and
3+ years of experience in a role that supports accessibility (required) and
3+ years of experience in using digital accessibility monitoring and remediation tools (preferred).
In-depth knowledge of accessibility laws and best practices, with a focus on digital accessibility, including ADA, Section 508, WCAG 2.1, and WebAIM.
Experience reviewing and testing software for accessibility compliance and inclusion, including using ACRs and VPATs.
Experience using digital accessibility analysis and remediation tools such as SiteImprove, A11y or Yuja Panorama, and PDF/Office document remediation.
Experience and understanding of assistive technologies such as screen readers, alternative formats, captioning, and assisted listening devices.
Experience in creating guides, training programs, and digital resources to support technological solutions.
Ability to work in a highly collaborative manner with people from diverse backgrounds.
Interpersonal and communications skills to work with both technical and non-technical personnel at various levels in the organization and campus community.
Process-oriented with a strong ability to problem solve to achieve results that support the entire community.
Experience working in a higher education environment (preferred).

Background Check

Background check required.

Policy Statement

How To Apply

An online application is required for each position to apply.The University of California, Merced is aware that some web-based application processes may be cumbersome for differently abled applicants. Where appropriate, alternative accommodations will be provided. For applicants with disabilities who need additional assistance using TAM, or reasonable accommodations during the interview or search process, please contact ucmjobs@ucmerced.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California, Merced is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, pregnancy, or status as a disabled veteran or Vietnam-era veteran, or other protected categories covered by the UC Nondiscrimination and Affirmative Action Policy. UC Merced intentionally promotes and maintains a discrimination- and harassment-free workplace by demonstrating it neither condones nor tolerates employment practices that discriminate against or harass any person or specific group of persons on the basis listed above. We seek candidates who will support our vision to cultivate a vibrant, equity-minded, inclusive excellence university community. When applying to UC Merced, we strongly encourage you to reflect on our Principles of Community and our 2021 strategic plan.

Vaccination Program Policy

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Policy. All Covered Individuals under the policy must provide proof of Full Vaccination or, if applicable, submit a request for Exception (based on Medical Exemption, Disability, and/or Religious Objection) or Deferral (based on pregnancy) no later than the applicable deadline. For new University of California employees, the applicable deadline is 14 days after their first date of employment.

Smoke And Tobacco Free Policy

The University of California, Merced is a smoke and tobacco free workplace. Information and the Smoke and Tobacco Free policy is available at http://smokefree.ucmerced.edu.

E-Verify

All employers who receive Federal contracts and grants are required to comply with E-Verify, an Internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA). E-Verify electronically verifies employment eligibility by comparing information provided on the I-9 form to records in the DHS and SSA databases. Certain positions funded by federal contracts/subcontracts requires UC Merced to notify job applicants that an E-Verify check will be conducted and the successful candidate must pass the E-Verify check.

Pay, Benefits & Work Schedule

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University of California visit: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/

Employee Referral Program

This Position Is Eligible For The UC Merced Employee Referral Program (ERP). If You Were Referred By a UC Merced Employee, Please Identify That Employee By Name In Your Application As Follows

Step 5 of 7 Referrals

How did you hear about the job? (select) “other”

Additional information? (select) “other”

Specific Referral Source? (write in) first and last name of referring employee

Referring employee MUST be named on application for eligibility.