Accessibility Team Lead / Agency Accessibility Coordinator

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Company: Health and Human Services Commission of Texas

Location: Austin, TX 78745

Description:

WHY WORK FOR DFPS?

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) is responsible for protecting the unprotected - children, elderly, and people with disabilities - from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. DFPS accomplishes this responsibility by employing over 12,000 workers who live up to the agency's Mission, Vision, & Values in service to the citizens of Texas. DFPS is not only a qualifying organization for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program but also offers excellent health benefits, special discounts on many products and services through the Discount Purchase Program, longevity pay, generous paid leave, access to the Wellness program, lifetime retirement annuity, Texa$aver 401(k) and 457 Programs under the Employees Retirement System of Texas.

Functional Title: Accessibility Team Lead / Agency Accessibility Coordinator
Job Title: Accessibility Specialist III
Agency: Dept of Family & Protectve Svc

Department: Quality Management Services-Op

Posting Number: 3257
Closing Date: 09/01/2025
Posting Audience: Internal and External
Occupational Category: Computer and Mathematical
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-25
Salary Range: $5,797.66 - $9,508.25
Shift: Day

Additional Shift: Days (First)

Telework:

Travel:

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Full Time/Part Time: Full time

FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt

Facility Location:

Job Location City: AUSTIN

Job Location Address: ((custOfficeAdd))

Other Locations:

MOS Codes:

No Direct MOS Code

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

This position serves as Agency Accessibility Coordinator and Accessibility Specialist Team Lead and reports to director of Quality Management Services within the DFPS Information Technology Services division (ITS).

This position will be responsible for leading other accessibility specialists in the continued improvement and strengthening of the DFPS Accessibility Program.

The Accessibility Specialist III performs complex (senior-level) accessibility work involving creating digital content and other forms of Electronic Information Resources (EIR); and testing and evaluating web pages, mobile applications, and software interfaces, to ensure they meet accessibility standards. The Accessibility Specialist III acts as the Agency Accessibility Coordinator. Employees at this level may fully oversee challenging accessibility projects and may also perform accessibility reviews and report on findings. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for initiative and independent judgment.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (EJFS)

Analyzes web content for accessibility, recommends changes to make content accessible, and remediates accessibility issues.
  • Leverages expertise to identify and analyze web content and other EIR that is not compliant with accessibility standards, including assessing, improving, and remediating accessibility content.
  • Guides accessibility specialists and agency content owners to facilitate remediation work of EIR and to ensure accessibility compliance.

Tests and remediates various information communication technology formats, including PDFs, Microsoft Office documents, websites, desktop applications, and mobile applications, to meet accessibility standards.
  • Performs highly complex accessibility testing and validation to confirm that agency communication formats are fully accessible and meet accessibility standards for all users.
  • Guides and facilitates the evaluation, development, implementation, and maintenance of various communication formats to achieve program and compliance goals.

Ensures implementation of industry best practices for accessibility services for digital content and Electronic Information Resources, such as brochures, flyers, webpages, documents, forms, and training materials.
  • Acts as Agency Accessibility Coordinator and collaborates with accessibility specialists and agency content owners to facilitate the development of digital content formats, ensuring all formats meet statutory requirements for EIR accessibility standards.
  • Leads and participates on regular and ad hoc Accessibility workgroups and provides subject matter expertise during related audits.

Creates reports that describe accessibility obstacles as well as provide technical guidance and

recommendations to overcome obstacles.

  • Prepares and guides the preparation of reports for review by agency leadership and agency content owners based on analysis and evaluation of new and existing EIR to identify problems and barriers to achieving accessibility compliance.
  • Plans and leads the documentation of processes, procedures, resources, and schedules to validate EIR for compliance with accessibility policies.

Delivers testing results to internal customers and participates in follow-up discussions to

develop a road map in effort to improve the accessibility and usability of agency resources.
  • Develops, plans, and guides the testing of websites, applications, and software to address accessibility challenges and develops a prioritized roadmap of accessibility initiatives and projects.
  • Provides consultation, guidance and specific feedback to agency users to achieve the goal of delivering accessible information.

Provides coaching and mentoring to team members and internal customers to improve accessibility knowledge throughout the agency.
  • Provides guidance and training on accessibility principles and standards, and identifies business process improvements to address gaps and recommend improvements.
  • Facilitates and creates agency communications, job aids, and presentations on accessibility guidelines and best practices to promote a culture of accessibility within the agency.

Participates in the development and delivery of instructional materials, aids, and manuals to

meet training needs.
  • Consults with stakeholders to analyze learning gaps, identify training needs and provide accessibility training to agency staff.
  • Plans, guides, prepares, and delivers instructional materials, job aids and training materials to help ensure that learners acquire and retain accessibility knowledge and skills.

Ensures compliance with Federal, State, and agency procedures, policies, rules, and laws.
  • Maintains knowledge of and changes to Texas Administrative Code, Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) EIR Accessibility Policy, and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level AA related to federal and state accessibility requirements and ensures agency leadership are aware of impact.
  • Performs regular compliance checks to ensure the agency adheres to all applicable law and guidelines set forth by the federal and state government, effectively reducing and preventing violations and non-compliance issues.

Ability to oversee and/or supervise the work of others.
  • Oversees, schedules, and guides the daily work of others, ensuring that goals and objectives are met, and provides coaching, mentoring, and feedback to management related to employee performance.
  • Maintains effective interpersonal and communication skills, articulates goals and expectations, and creates a cooperative and collaborative work environment.

Performs related work as assigned.

REGISTRATIONS, LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS OR CERTIFICATIONS:

Certification as a Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC) is preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws relating to accessibility; web, application, and

accessibility technologies; basic research methods and tools, and data visualization

tools; and visual analysis and color sampling.

Knowledge of Department of Family and Protective Services programs and operations.

Knowledge of information gathering techniques with demonstrated experience for developing findings and recommendations from data collection.

Skill in researching industry practices and preparing reports, exploratory documents, and white papers for review by agency staff.

Skill in organizing, prioritizing, managing, and completing assignments within deadlines.

Skill in the use of a computer and applicable software, including Microsoft Office Suite, MS Project, PowerPoint, SharePoint, and Visio.

Skill in meeting facilitation and preparing and delivering presentations for meetings involving cross-functional teams and stakeholders.

Skill in electronic and print communication, especially communicating complex concepts with simplicity in various formats.

Skill using project planning software is preferred.

Ability to develop effective data collection tools such as surveys, questionnaires, and interviews.

Ability to use various accessibility applications (Sort Site, Adobe Suite, JAWS, Zoom Text, WAVE, etc.).

Ability to analyze and solve complex and difficult problems related to accessibility requirements.

Ability to coordinate accessibility discussions with stakeholders, including diagnosing and communicating accessibility issues, or similar functions.

Ability to analyze and interpret program and technical information including regulations, policies, and business rules to aid in agency/program goal and priority setting.

Ability to effectively work independently and in a collaborative environment.

Ability to communicate verbally and in writing with team members and stakeholders; and interpret and relay technical information to stakeholders at all levels of understanding.

Ability to apply system-based critical thinking and problem-solving skills to complex issues within a fast-paced information technology environment.

Initial Selection Criteria:
Graduation from an accredited four-year university or college with major coursework in quality management, public administration, information technology, business, computer information systems, management information systems, or a related field; equivalent experience in information technology, quality management, or public education and education may be substituted for one another on a year-for-year basis;

Minimum of 5 years managing Digital Accessibility initiatives for medium to large size organizations.
Experience in leading cross functional work groups. 5 years' experience providing presentations to large groups.

Minimum of 5 years of technical experience in Digital Accessibility initiatives.

Additional Information:
Note: There may be no military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position. All active duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information see the Texas State Auditor's Military Crosswalk at http://www.hr.sao.state.tx.us/Compensation/JobDescriptions.aspx.

As a state agency, DFPS is required Texas Administrative Code (TAC 206 and 213) to ensure all Electronic Information Resources (EIR) follow accessibility standards. The staff must be familiar with the WCAG 2.1 AA and Section 508 to create accessible content including but not limited to; Microsoft Office documents, Adobe PDFs, webpages, software, training guides, video, and audio files.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

NOTE: INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. REFERENCES TO RESUMES WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. PLEASE INCLUDE ALL RELEVANT INFORMATION IN YOUR APPLICATION.

Review our Tips for Success when applying for jobs at DFPS, DSHS and HHSC.

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor's Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions. You may also contact the DFPS Military Liaison at dfpsmilvets@dfps.texas.gov with additional questions.

Applicants selected for hire must pass a background check and if applicable a driver's record check.

As a state agency, DFPS is required by Texas Administrative Code (TAC 206 and 213) to ensure all Electronic Information Resources (EIR) follow accessibility standards. The staff must be familiar with the WCAG 2.1 AA and Section 508 to create accessible content including but not limited to; Microsoft Office documents, Adobe PDFs, webpages, software, training guides, video, and audio files.

DFPS uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Employees must provide documentation to DFPS to show their identity and authorization to work in the US. Please review the following link for authorized documents: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents .

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS/DFPS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS/DFPS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

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