Accessible Media Specialist

About Coastline College
Coastline College opened in 1976 as the first campus-free college in the United States - scattering classes among storefront locations throughout Orange County, California. A few years later, Coastline introduced distance learning via television, earning multiple Emmys in the process. Over the years, the “college beyond walls” evolved to teach courses both online, as well as remote learning, and in face-to-face classrooms. Coastline guides diverse populations of students toward the attainment of associate degrees and certificates leading to career advancement, personal empowerment, and transfer. By meeting students where they are, Coastline provides innovative instruction and services designed to achieve equitable outcomes. Coastline is committed to creating opportunities for student success. Mission & Values


Department Specifics

Coastline College's Special Programs and Services for Students with Disabilities Department is committed to supporting students with disabilities. The department's mission is to facilitate academic proficiency and independence for students with disabilities by providing accessible, effective, and creative support services in a caring and respectful environment. The department promotes shared responsibility with students, programs, professors and college partners to achieve student success. Students with disabilities are an integral part of the Coastline College community.

The Accessible Media Specialist supports the department in a variety of ways. Some examples include converting course materials into alternative and accessible formats, training students in the use of various types of assistive technology, troubleshooting and providing consultation related to accessibility issues with students, faculty and staff, coordinating closed captioning services, and coordinating/providing test proctoring services.

Summary
Coordinates and provides equal access technical support to the College’s alternative media services for enhancing accessibility to learning tools, instructional technology, education resources, and facilities. Sets up and maintains technology center containing media and technologies to meet all students’ learning and access needs.

Distinguishing Career Features
The Accessible Media Specialist is a technical position that integrates technology with disabled students program support. The Accessible Media Specialist sets up and maintains computer lab presence which enables students to have equal access to instruction and student services. The Specialist requires the ability to learn and apply software for converting instructional materials to alternative formats such as Braille, audio, and captioning, pertinent state regulations for assistive technology.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Specific duties may vary among departments, divisions and jobs. Incumbents typically perform a substantial portion or all of the following types of duties, as assigned:

Serves as a liaison between faculty, students and Disabled Students programs to secure and translate instructional related materials to alternate formats for disabled students.
Provides guidelines for faculty and staff in formatting electronic documents and information as related to accessibility laws.
Produces course work in alternative formats, including, but not limited to braille, audio text, e-text, large print, and screen reader friendly curriculum web pages.
Serves as liaison to statewide center and to community agencies to produce alternative educational media.
Works with state and community agencies including but not limited to High Tech Center Training Unit, Alternate Text Production Center, CA Community College’s Accessibility Center, Learning Ally, Alternate Text Network.
Provides technical assistance to campus instructional and technology areas on access requirements for persons with disabilities.
Evaluates and modifies computer hardware and software for disabled students.
Ensures that various learning environments are maintained in appropriate condition.
Coordinates and consults with technical support staff to resolve network and computer equipment issues as needed.
Remain current on computer information systems and adaptive technology through appropriate training to better serve disabled students.
Develops and maintains a current resource bank of access strategies for the various types of disabilities which students may have and for the various instructional media used by faculty.
Provides on-going updated guidelines as it relates to technology and accessibility to faculty and staff.
Collaborates with instructors and bookstore to work with publishers who provide textbooks in alternate format(s) upon request.
Develops course content to train faculty and staff to create accessible documents for use with email, websites, and distance education courses.
Produces information in alternative formats with use of assistive technologies to ensure that the needs of disabled students are reasonably met.
Works with department managers, faculty and staff to help caption existing videos so that they are accessible to students with disabilities including deaf or hard of hearing students.
Coordinates and consults with distance education and technical support staff to resolve accessibility issues in online courses and network and computer equipment problems.
Collaborates and provides accommodations for distance education courses.
Works with the distance education department and faculty and students to provide students with disabilities accommodations for their online courses including textbooks and online tests accommodations.
Researches and provides input and support to budget development process. Monitors department budget including AB 77 grant funds and general fund. Assists Director with completing year-end report which is submitted to state chancellor’s office.
May lead or oversee the work of subordinate employees.
Performs other related duties as assigned that support the objective of the position.
Required to abide by all District policies and procedures including Board Policy 3050 – Code of Professional Ethics.

Qualifications and Physical Demands

Qualifications

Knowledge and Skills

Alternate media guidelines for community colleges.
Distance Education guidelines for community colleges.
Legal requirements such as Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as applicable to the position.
Software and hardware utilized to provide access to individuals with various disabilities.
Software and hardware technologies utilized to adapt text and electronic text to alternate media such as Braille, large print, and audio.
Modern automated office, microcomputer, and multi-media equipment, components, and terminology.
General use of microcomputer software and hardware.
Operating systems, such as windows-based and network operating systems, and microcomputer utilities. Interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and courtesy.


Abilities

Requires the ability to perform the essential responsibilities and functions of the position.
Requires the ability to carry out all aspects of the position.
Requires the ability to learn and apply regulations governing access and accommodation such as but not limited to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, and Title V.
Requires the ability to maintain the learning or simulation lab and equipment in a safe and organized manner.
Requires the ability to instruct students in the use of learning assistance equipment and programs.
Requires the ability to perform routine record keeping and report writing duties.
Requires the ability to maintain confidentiality of records and files.
Requires the ability to organize and prioritize work and manage time effectively.
Must be able to communicate in both formal and informal settings with students, instructors, and other interested parties.
Requires the ability to demonstrate unique sensitivity to students with disabilities and offer encouragement, build confidence, enhance self-esteem, and assist with establishing personal academic and other goals.
Requires the ability to demonstrate sensitivity to persons of varying socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds.
Requires the ability to coordinate the activities of work-study students, temporary employees, and volunteers.


Physical Abilities

The general physical demands, working conditions, and essential job functions associated with this classification will be kept on file with the Office of Human Resources.
Essential functions will vary by position.
As defined by Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) and California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (“FEHA”), the District shall engage in a timely, good faith interactive process with employees or employment applicants who are requesting or are in need of reasonable accommodations and, provide reasonable accommodations for employees or employment applicants who, because of their disability, are limited in or unable to perform one or more of the essential functions of their job in accordance with applicable state and federal law.


Education and Experience

The position typically requires an Associate’s Degree or higher in computer or media field or in disability related health care profession giving understanding of physical mobility concepts. Three (3) years of experience working with students with disabilities and alternative learning technologies. Experience with adaptive software and hardware; experience with Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software and have the ability and know-how to manipulate digital media. A minimum two (2) years’ experience in digital media/computer graphics is preferred. Or, any combination of education and experience which would provide the required equivalent qualifications for the position.
A Bachelor’s degree is preferred.
AND
Demonstrated evidence of responsiveness to and understanding of the racial, ethnic, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic, academic, and cultural diversity within the community college student population, including students with different ability statuses (e.g., physical and/or learning) as these factors relate to the need for equity-minded practice within the classroom and campus.

Licenses and Certificates

May require a valid driver license.

Working Conditions

Work is performed indoors where minimal safety considerations exist.

This job/class description describes the general nature of the work performed, representative duties as well as the typical qualifications needed for acceptable performance. It is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, work steps, and skills required of the job.

Note: D.E.I.A. - Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Anti-Racism
The Coast Community College District (Orange Coast College, Golden West College, and Coastline) continues to strengthen our efforts around diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and anti-racism. The Coast Community College District is focused on creating a culture of inclusive excellence by uplifting employees and students through an environment that is equitable, diverse, inclusive, and accessible. We have a strong focus and importance on D.E.I.A. and Anti-Racism (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility) and will be actively listening, assessing, and evaluating this throughout each stage of the application, recruitment, and interview process.

Conditions of Employment

Note: Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.


This is a categorically funded, full-time, 12-months per year classified position. The normal hours of work will be Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, with the flexibility to occasionally work extended hours and/or weekends, if necessary, to meet the department's needs. The effective date of employment will be arranged with the supervisor. The District provides medical, dental, and vision insurance for the employee and eligible dependents and life insurance for the employee.
(Salary Schedule: EE-117)

Regular attendance is considered an essential job function; the inability to meet attendance requirements may preclude the employee from retaining employment. The person holding this position is considered a mandated reporter under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in Coast Community College District policies, procedures, and Title IX. (Reference: BP/AP 5910 ) The Coast Community College District celebrates all forms of diversity and is deeply committed to fostering an inclusive environment within which students, staff, administrators, and faculty thrive. Individuals interested in advancing the District's strategic diversity goals are strongly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose.

Pay Philosophy:
Coast Community College District, through policies, practices, and other benefit programs, delivers a fair and equitable total compensation program that promotes equal employment opportunity, inclusion, and workforce vitality. In general, it is the policy of the District to place new employees at the first step of the salary grade. All movement on the salary schedule will occur July 1 of each year for all classified employees.

Application Requirements:
Application materials must be electronically submitted online at http://www.cccd.edu/employment to be considered for employment.



Incomplete applications, application materials submitted by mail, and documents not requested in the job announcement will not be considered. Please note that the district does not return materials submitted in the application process (copies of original supporting documents are acceptable).



A complete application packet includes:

A complete Coast Community College District Online Employment Application.
Responses to Supplemental Questions (please provide clear and detailed responses, as they will be carefully evaluated to determine the most qualified candidate(s) to be invited for an interview; please do not paste your resume, put "see resume" or "N/A", or leave blank).
A Cover Letter highlighting your experiences relevant to this position and addressing the minimum and essential qualifications, including your demonstrated evidence of D.E.I.A. (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Access). (upload as a separate attachment - PDF recommended).
A Current Resume of professional and educational background and experience (upload as a separate attachment - PDF recommended).



Submit an application online at:
http://www.cccd.edu/employment