IT Accessibility Specialist

The Department of Information Technology (DoIT) leads the State in the creation and implementation of information technology solutions that improve IT infrastructure and government services and keep Maryland current within IT industry trends.
GRADE
STD 0020

LOCATION OF POSITION

Dept. of Information Technology

100 Community Place

Crownsville, MD 21032
Main Purpose of Job
The Maryland Department of Information Technology’s (DoIT) Office of Accessibility (OOA) facilitates the coordination of accessible information technology in compliance with state and federal law. OOA supports state agencies in developing, procuring, and implementing accessible information technology services. DoIT collaborates with the Maryland Department of Disabilities and the Department of General Services to ensure that the state procures, develops and implements accessible information technology systems.

The IT Accessibility Specialist position will provide technical assistance internally and to state agencies through consultation, evaluation, technical remediation support, and training. Additionally, this position will serve as direct support staff to the State Director of Accessibility, attending state-level & departmental meetings, compiling resources, and providing direct technical support to state agency IT staff.

The incumbent for this position needs to have excellent teamwork skills and strong written and verbal communications skills.

***This is a contractual position with limited benefits***
POSITION DUTIES

Performs accessibility issue analysis and testing to provide appropriate and timely guidance on remediation actions to the agency to prevent or resolve accessibility errors within a website, web app or mobile app.

Reviews accessibility errors from automated testing applications to determine the appropriate course of action for correction.

Assists technical programmer analysts in the design, development and testing of application system corrections or enhancements by analyzing modifications recommended, determining system impact and estimating effort and resources required to perform modification to ensure accessibility.

Develops, reviews and updates Office of Accessibility documentation and training material to ensure that information is accurate, relevant, current, and user friendly.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience: Six years of experience providing problem analysis and ongoing user support, coordinating system development and implementation, and training users on the functionality of applications for agency or statewide systems housed on computers or large client server platforms.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Information Technology or other related field with specific coursework in the structure and use of automated information systems and four years of experience providing problem analysis and ongoing user support, coordinating system development and implementation, and training users on the functionality of applications for agency or statewide systems housed on computers or large client server platforms for the required experience.

2. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience in the Cyber and Information Systems classifications or Cyber and Information specialty codes in the Information Technology field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.
DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preference will be given to candidates who have one or more of the following:

A Bachelor's Degree in Human Centered Computing, UX Design, Computer Science, Information Technology, Accessibility, or a related field

Knowledge of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 (part 794 in particular) and 508, Universal design principles, WCAG 2.1

Experience conducting manual accessibility testing.

Experience working with the disability community.

Experience leading workshops and/or staff trainings.
Completion of accessibility training courses focused on procurement and purchasing utilizing 508 guidelines, available through GSA Section508.gov or through Federal Acquisition Institute, or Department of Homeland Security Trusted Tester program.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Applicants for this classification may handle sensitive data. This will require a full scope background investigation prior to appointment. A criminal conviction may be grounds for rejection of the applicant.

Employees may occasionally be required to travel to field locations and must have access to an automobile in the event a state vehicle cannot be provided. Standard mileage allowance will be paid for use of a privately owned vehicle.

SELECTION PROCESS

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year.
EXAMINATION PROCESS

The assessment may consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of the position. It is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all experience and education that is related to this position.
BENEFITS

Benefits

Contractual employees who work for an agency and have a current employment contract of 30 or more hours a week (or on average 130 hours per month) will be eligible for subsidized health benefits coverage for themselves and their dependents. View rates on the Department of Budget & Management website, State Employees, Health Benefits, Contractual/Variable rates.

Leave

Paid leave will accrue at a rate of one hour for every 30 hours worked.
FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

Online applications are highly recommended. However, if you are unable to apply online, the paper application and supplemental questionnaire may be submitted to: Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division, 301 W. Preston St., Baltimore, MD 21201. Paper application materials must be received in our office by the closing date for the recruitment. No postmarks will be accepted.

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact the DBM Recruitment and Examination Division at Application.Help@maryland.gov or 410-767-4850, MD TTY Relay Service 1-800-735-2258.

We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.

People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruitment, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State's diversity.

For education obtained outside the U.S., a copy of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service must be provided prior to hire.