Digital Accessibility Officer for Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS)

26-Sep-2024

Digital Accessibility Officer for Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS)

Harvard University Information Technology

66999BR

Position Description

This is a fully benefited, full-time Harvard University position that has been funded through 6/30/2027. There is the possibility of renewal, contingent on funding, university priorities and satisfactory job performance.

Harvard University Information Technology (HUIT) is a community of Information Technology professionals committed to delivering service and technological solutions in support of teaching, learning, research and administration. We are recruiting an IT workforce that has both breadth in their ability to collaborate and innovate across disciplines – and depth in specific areas of expertise. HUIT offers opportunities for IT professionals to learn and work in a unique technology landscape and service-focused environment. If you are a technically proficient, nimble, user-focused and accountable IT professional who also connects with the importance of collaborating well in a team environment, we are looking for you!

Harvard University Information Technology’s (HUIT) Office of Digital Accessibility Services (DAS) is a dynamic team that inspires, leads, and educates our colleagues about the importance of, and their role in, making Harvard’s content and technology inclusive and accessible to everyone.

The Digital Accessibility Officer for Harvard’s Faculty of Arts & Sciences (FAS) supports HUIT and FAS leadership to enhance the successful program in support of the University’s Digital Accessibility Policy. This role influences change by building key partnerships and becoming a trusted advisor across teams and units with faculty and staff at all levels. The role requires broad digital accessibility experience, technical understanding of accessibility requirements, strong business acumen, good judgment, and diplomacy.

The individual supports design, creation, and remediation of content and platforms, and implements accessibility practices across FAS. They manage projects and deliver quality consultation, operations support, data reporting, and customer service. This role reports to the DAS Director, collaborates with an expert team and coordinates efforts of Digital Accessibility Liaisons.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Liaise between DAS and FAS, maintain relationships
• Facilitate communication on accessibility at the enterprise and locally
• Serve as a local contact on digital accessibility requirements, assessments, and prioritization, and recommend strategic solutions
• Lead and coordinate with FAS to ensure local systems comply with University Digital Accessibility Policy
• Recommend remediation plans that reduce the impact of barriers, produce data to demonstrate progress, and report to stakeholders
• Act as initial point of contact for identified accessibility barriers and be familiar with DAS’ response playbooks and expectations
• Ensure accessibility is considered and documented in technology purchases by coordinating with vendors, business owners, and DAS/procurement office(s)
• Support academic leaders, faculty, and teaching teams to remediate content and plan for accessible course material adoption by design.
• Partner with FAS resources focused on disability accessibility to ensure effective communication, service coordination and priorities are met.
• Represent FAS across Harvard and externally as appropriate

Basic Qualifications

• Minimum of seven years’ post-secondary education or relevant work experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills

The following Additional Qualifications are strongly preferred. If you meet some, but not all, you are still encouraged to apply; we value employees with a willingness to learn.

• Knowledge of accessibility technical standards including WCAG 2.1, WAI-ARIA, §508 etc. as applicable to websites, and documents
• Experience with
  • accessibility legal requirements (e.g., ADA, §504, etc.) as applicable to postsecondary institutions and associated risks
  • working in a higher education environment especially related to accessibility of teaching and learning materials
• Understanding of the techniques used to make websites, electronic documents, and media content accessible
• Basic fluency with assistive technologies such as JAWS, NVDA, ZoomText, Dragon Naturally Speaking – and understanding of the experience for those using AT – or other accessibility features.
• Ability to
  • find opportunity and drive results at all levels of the organization
  • work collaboratively and productively with colleagues and stakeholders at all levels in a large, complex organization.
• Demonstrated project prioritization, management, and execution.
• working in a higher education environment especially related to accessibility of teaching and learning materials
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal and communication skills
• Effective meeting facilitation and presentation skills

Certificates and Licenses

• Completion of Harvard IT Academy Foundations course (or external equivalent) preferred
• CPACC, WAS, ADS (IAAP) or other relevant certifications preferred

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in an office setting

Additional Information

Please provide a cover letter with your application.

Please note:

• Harvard University requires pre-employment reference and background screening. 
• We are unable to provide work authorization and/or visa sponsorship. 
• This position has a 180-day orientation and review period. 

The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up-to-date on CDC-recommended vaccines.

Accessibility:
Harvard University welcomes individuals with disabilities to apply for positions and participate in its programs and activities. If you would like to request an accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact our University Disability Resources Department.

Work Format Details

HUIT actively supports hybrid work where business needs allow. This position has been designated as a Partially on-site position (2 days per month). While this position is partially on-site, additional travel to campus may be necessary based on business needs and the nature of work. Examples include bi-annual or quarterly Town Halls, critical business meetings or other work events. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. All remote work must be performed within one of the Harvard Registered Payroll States, which currently includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington, and California (CA for exempt positions only). Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

About Us

More about HUIT:
Harvard University Information Technology (HUIT) is responsible for the strategy, planning, and delivery of information technology across the University.  Our mission is to assure Harvard’s leadership in IT. We strive to make it easier for faculty, students, and staff to teach, research, learn and work through the effective use of information technology.  HUIT’s core values are User Focused, Collaborative, Innovative and Open.

HUIT’s core values are: 

• User-focused 
• Collaborative 
• Innovative 
• Open 

IT Academy (designed for IT Staff):
HUIT’s IT Academy aims to enable each IT staff person to grow professionally and become a trusted partner to her or his team. The IT Academy is built on the belief that every IT staff member across the University (including technology employees at each school and campus) can grow in her or his area of expertise as well as building strong people and project management skills. Learn more here: https://itacademy.harvard.edu/ 

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.

Job Function

Information Technology

Department Office Location

USA - MA - Cambridge

Job Code

I0759P Applications Professional V

Work Format

Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)

Sub-Unit

------------

Salary Grade

059

Department

Information Security and Data Privacy

Union

00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Time Status

Full-time

Appointment End Date

30-Jun-2027

Pre-Employment Screening

Identity

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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