Associate Director of Quality Assurance and Accessibility

Job Summary
As a member of the Teaching and Learning team at Gies College of Business, this role oversees and leads the quality and accessibility of course content, establishing and structuring comprehensive quality practices, policies, and procedures, and coordinating reviews to support our staff in efforts to develop and deliver high-quality learning materials that comply with ADA and WCAG standards. Provides strategic guidance on inclusive and universal design for learning and supports faculty and staff with expert advice on quality, accessible teaching strategies, and technology. Maintains and enhances the college's dedication to high-quality, inclusive education.

Duties & Responsibilities

Oversight of Quality Assurance Standards and Processes

Develop and Enhance Quality Standards: Craft and uphold a robust process for establishing and reviewing course quality standards, with a special emphasis on inclusivity and accessibility.
Coordinate Quality and Accessibility Data and Reporting: Coordinate with data specialists and other staff to manage the collection and analysis of data, fulfilling information requests regarding the quality and accessibility of programs and courses. Contribute to transparent and effective reporting to inform strategic decisions and enhance team efficiency.
Innovate Accessible Content Delivery: Formulate and maintain a comprehensive framework for producing accessible materials, enhancing the learning experience for all students.
Streamline Accommodation Processes: Design and oversee efficient processes to swiftly accommodate course accessibility requests, guaranteeing that all courses meet accessibility needs consistently and effectively.
Oversee Title II Accessibility Reviews and Remediation: Lead and coordinate compliance with federal guidelines to support proactive accessibility of digital content for all learners.
Evaluate Student Feedback: Periodically review student feedback on course quality and accessibility to gain insights on needed improvements to QA standards and processes.
Strategic Project Involvement: Engage in quality and accessibility-focused projects with the potential to influence program, department, and college-wide initiatives. Contribute to projects that drive significant improvements in teaching and learning environments.

Inclusive Design & Technology

Advise on Inclusive Design Strategies: Provide expert consultation to faculty and staff on applying inclusive design strategies, leveraging pedagogical theories such as Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and other methodologies in course and content development and communication.
Promote Digital Accessibility Best Practices: Lead the adoption of digital accessibility and inclusive best practices in developing instructional strategies, course materials, multimedia content, assessment methods, and the integration of instructional technologies.
Stay Informed of Industry Trends: Maintain up-to-date expertise in digital accessibility, inclusive education practices, and educational technologies to provide current and effective recommendations.
Regulatory Expertise: Maintain current knowledge of accessibility regulations and standards. Offer expert guidance to stakeholders on compliance strategies to ensure all educational materials and practices meet legal and ethical standards.
Foster Campus Strategic Collaborations: Actively collaborate with campus units as an accessibility advisor, contributing to working groups and committees to address and prioritize accessibility concerns proactively. Build ongoing collaborations and partnerships with key campus entities involved in quality assurance and accessibility efforts to create a cohesive network that supports and enhances the educational experience.
Instructional Technology Accessibility: Manage the accessibility evaluation of emerging instructional technologies and their potential to support all learners, ensuring their alignment with the goals of Gies College of Business courses.
Innovate Through Technology: Investigate new technologies and vendors that can enhance course quality and accessibility, focusing on the creation and remediation of accessible materials.

Coordination of Quality and Accessibility Reviews within Teaching and Learning

Quality Review Coordination: collaborate across Teaching and Learning teams to review and ensure the implementation of course quality standards.
Ensure ADA Compliance: oversee the final accessibility reviews of all course learning materials within Learning Management Systems (LMSs) and digital learning platforms, ensuring adherence to accessibility standards.

Supervision and Team-Building

Talent Management and Supervision: Spearhead the recruitment, training, and supervision of both full-time and part-time quality and accessibility staff, ensuring a skilled and motivated team aligned with organizational goals.
Work Allocation and Performance Feedback: Delegate responsibilities effectively, monitoring workloads to ensure equitable distribution. Conduct regular reviews of staff performance, providing constructive feedback and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Training

Develop and Implement Training Programs: Oversee the design, development, and delivery of comprehensive workshops, training sessions, and resources for faculty and staff, in coordination with the Director of Faculty Development and Excellence. Focus on enhancing skills in course- and program-level quality review practices, accessibility standards, inclusive teaching and learning methodologies, and the application of assistive technologies.
Enhance Outreach and Engagement: Actively conduct outreach activities to raise awareness and promote the adoption of Teaching and Learning services among faculty, specifically in the realms of quality and accessibility.

Other Duties

Committee Participation: Actively serve on committees as deemed appropriate, lending expertise to shape policies and practices that enhance the educational experience for all students.
Professional Growth: Commit to ongoing professional development, seeking opportunities to enhance personal knowledge and skills relevant to advancing quality, accessibility, and inclusion in education.
Adaptability: Perform additional duties as assigned, demonstrating flexibility and a readiness to address emerging challenges or opportunities to support the mission of Gies College of Business.

Minimum Qualifications

Master's degree in education, educational psychology, or the humanities such as history, political science, literature, journalism, communications, or philosophy
AND
Six (6) months of experience which included any of the following areas professional writing or editing, audiovisual design and/or production, design and/or production of evaluation tools, educational programming, curriculum development, or classroom teaching

OR

Baccalaureate degree in education, educational psychology, or the humanities
AND
Eighteen (18) months of experience which included any of the following areas professional writing or editing, audiovisual design and/or production, design and/or production of evaluation tools, educational programming, curriculum development, or classroom teaching

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s degree with a minimum of 3 years of full-time experience in higher education instructional design, quality assurance, or accessibility OR a Bachelor’s degree with 5 years of full-time experience in the same fields.
Master’s degree in Psychology, Communication, Education, Instructional Design, Learning Technologies, Disability Studies, or a closely related field. Certification in digital accessibility is highly advantageous.
Extensive experience evaluating courses and materials for quality and accessibility compliance.
Experience assessing educational technology for accessibility compliance.
Track record of working effectively with individuals with diverse learning needs and disabilities.
Demonstrated supervisory experience.
3+ years full-time experience in supervising and managing staff.
Experience in designing online courses and facilitating training programs.
Experience with the administration or development of Massive Online Open Courses (MOOCs).
Experience building courses and content in Learning Management Systems (LMS) such as Canvas, Blackboard, BrightSpace, Moodle, etc.
Experience with a variety of assistive technologies, accessibility testing, and remediation tools.
Experience with business education, professional development, and/or continuing and online education practices.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Fluency in English. • In-depth knowledge of accessibility guidelines and standards, including ADA, WCAG, Section 504 and 508, IITAA. • Knowledge of best practices in teaching and learning, emphasizing quality assurance, digital accessibility, and equitable design for higher education. • Familiarity with current research and professional literature on accessibility, inclusive design, and faculty development. • Strong communication, presentation, and team collaboration skills. • Deep understanding of course Quality Assurance (QA) processes, quality review (QC) standards, and resources.

Training, Licenses, or Certifications Required: None specifically required, but a strong foundation in the field’s relevant knowledge base is expected. Preferred: • Certifications in digital accessibility, such as IAAP Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC) or Web Accessibility Specialist (WAS). • Certification in online course quality standards (e.g., Quality Matters (QM), OSCQR (OLC), etc.). • Any additional training or certifications relevant to digital accessibility or inclusive design.

Appointment Information
This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 3289 - Instructional Development Specialist position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the search close date. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience while also considering internal equity. The budgeted salary range for the position is $75,000 to $87,000. May be eligible for remote work.

The University of Illinois offers a wide variety of benefits, including paid leave and holidays:

https://www.hr.uillinois.edu/benefits

https://www.hr.uillinois.edu/leave

https://www.hr.uillinois.edu/leave/holidays

For more information about Gies Business, visit https://inside.giesbusiness.illinois.edu/work-at-gies

For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information
Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on August 15, 2024. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. In order to be considered as a transfer candidate, you must apply for this position. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later than the first day of employment. For further information about this specific position, please contact lsrice@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

For full consideration, please submit a cover letter and resume with your application.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.