IT Accessibility Officer (Contract-Based)

This is a contract-based employment opportunity

The Executive Office of Technology Services and Security (EOTSS) is the lead enterprise technology organization for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Charged with driving the ongoing alignment of business and technology across the Commonwealth’s Executive Branch, EOTSS oversees and manages the enterprise technology, digital infrastructure and services, as well as the Commonwealth Security Operations Center and an enterprise Standard Operating Environment that includes an information security and risk management framework for over 125 state agencies and over 43,000 state employees. We directly serve our constituents by providing digital services and tools that enable taxpayers, drivers, businesses, visitors, families and other citizens to do business with the Commonwealth in a way that makes every interaction with government easier, faster, and more secure.

Our Mission: We provide technology leadership across the Commonwealth to enhance the quality of public service and foster positive community outcomes.

About The Role:
The Executive Office of Technology Services and Security is actively seeking multiple highly motivated and experienced IT Accessibility Officers (4) to develop and implement a plan and adoption program to ensure the accessibility, equity, and usability of digital programs and services for Secretariats and agencies within the Executive Department.

Secretariat agencies are committed to ensuring that digital services and information are accessible to everyone we serve. Massachusetts is a diverse state, and people that access our services have diverse needs. Approximately 26.5% of adults in the state have a disability, which can make it difficult to use state websites, digital content, and other information technologies. Factors such as cultural and linguistic diversity and technology access and literacy also affect people’s ability to meaningfully access state services.

Today, millions of people interact with services online. However, the accessibility of web properties and digital tools varies, as does the capacity of agencies to make them more accessible.

As an IT Accessibility Officer, you are charged with addressing these challenges and working to make our digital services more equitable and accessible through strategy and tactical implementation. You will lead the development and execution of a new Secretariat-wide digital accessibility and equity adoption program. This program will align with a statewide strategic plan developed by the Commonwealth’s Chief IT Accessibility Officer and the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security (EOTSS) as part of Executive Order No. 614.

You will report to the TSS Chief IT Accessibility Officer with dotted line reporting to the Secretariat CIO and work closely with the Executive and IT teams, as well as the Commonwealth’s Chief IT Accessibility Officer, to align, develop and implement organizational accessibility strategies and agency roadmaps. You will collaborate with a complex network of stakeholders, including agency directors and chiefs of staff, IT application managers, legal and procurement experts, and external state contractors and vendors. You will streamline feedback loops and communication channels with the public. You will continuously evaluate our progress towards our goals and adapt.

This role might be for you if you are passionate about helping large organizations create accessible digital products that they can use to serve their constituents.

This position is a full-time contract opportunity. The primary work location for this role will be at One Ashburton Place Boston, Massachusetts 02108. The work schedule for this position is Monday through Friday, 9AM to 5PM EST. This position is expected to follow a hybrid model of reporting to work that combines in-office workdays and work from home days as needed.

All offers of employment into this position are conditional and subject to passing: a Massachusetts Criminal Background Check (CORI); a security clearance (fingerprinting) consistent with IRS and/or public safety requirements; and security training.

Responsibilities:
Develop and execute a Secretariat-wide digital accessibility and equity adoption program.
Partner with key internal stakeholders to provide leadership and guidance toward implementing accessibility strategies in collaboration with the Chief IT Accessibility Officer and IT Accessibility Officers in other secretariats.
Advise and partner with Secretariat and agency senior leadership on accessibility strategic efforts and enhancements.
Track progress and milestones for internal and external digital assets to contribute to a statewide accessibility and equity dashboard and reporting requirements.
Collaborate with IT management to drive accessibility opportunities, resolve roadblocks and track accessibility metrics.
Embed accessibility and equity requirements and tooling into software development processes including reviews, testing and definitions of ready and done
Collaborate with EOTSS and IT Accessibility Officers for each of the secretariats to identify training needs and adoption of a role-based training program.
Embed accessibility requirements into all stages of the procurement process.
Collaborate with Accessibility Officers at other Secretariats to assist with projects and program development work.
Advise organizational management on opportunities to enhance areas of digital accessibility and equity.
Ensure that digital accessibility requirements are included in Secretariat governance decisions and processes.
Partner with Technology Services and Security central accessibility team to assist with developing standardized processes and procedures for IT accessibility.
Actively participate in Digital Accessibility and Equity Governance Board working group activities to advance accessibility across the executive Department.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
4-8 years of experience in an accessibility role including management experience.
Deep commitment to resolve accessibility and equity issues with digital programs and services.
Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret and translate data into actionable insights for accessibility improvements.
Personal experience with the challenges we are working to address and the services and systems we are working to improve.
Demonstrated ability to develop and implement innovative accessibility solutions that go beyond traditional compliance standards.
Experience in identifying and/or applying applicable accessibility best practices based on research or other approaches.
Knowledge and understanding of state and national accessibility laws and standards for digital resources including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) requirements, WAI-ARIA and Section 508 standards.
Exposure to and understanding design and development processes involving design prototype reviews, testing and incorporation of user research.
In-depth understanding and familiarity of automated, manual, and functional accessibility testing processes and tools
Experience influencing leadership and stakeholders about the importance of digital accessibility and equity.
Demonstrated ability to lead and foster an inclusive environment that values diverse perspectives and promotes accessibility for all.
Ability to lead teams, develop excellent stakeholder relationships and help parties reach consensus.
Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts; to devise solutions to complex problems; and to prepare concise reports.
Excellent communication skills and ability to create executive level presentations for small or large audiences.