Accessible Learning Technologist

Job Summary:

Are you a versatile IT professional interested in working with a great team in a very applied and student-facing setting? Do you have an interest in disability, accessibility, and accommodations?

The McBurney Disability Resource Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is recruiting for a versatile, innovative, and curious technologist to join our collaborative team in a unique, new position supporting a variety of technology areas related to student accommodations and accessibility. This position will report to and work in conjunction with the Associate Director of Accommodations and Technology. This position’s area of responsibility will be to select, set up, document, train, and troubleshoot technology/systems to maintain an accessible, efficient, scalable, usable, and secure technology environment. The primary areas of work will leverage a blend of expertise in information technology, assistive technology, instructional technology, accessible web development, customer service, and data analysis.

Well-qualified candidates will demonstrate an in-depth technical understanding of a variety of technology (hardware, software, operating systems, and management tools), be skilled at figuring out new systems and unfamiliar technology (including reading technical documentation), and be able to apply knowledge related to accessibility, security, and scalability to implement effective systems. Candidates should have a flexible, solutions-focused approach and skills to cover a variety of standard duties that will evolve with time, while also assisting the team where needed.

Responsibilities:

Plans logistics for and converts instructional materials into alternative formats to provide access for individuals with disabilities. May assist with supervision and training of staff and end users to use converted materials.

• 5% Converts materials (print, electronic documents, video, and/or audio) into alternative formats by utilizing technological mediums and various strategies
• 40% Selects and implements technology solutions, and develop and updates processes
• 5% Monitors deadlines and work flow processes to ensure delivery of services
• 30% Tests, troubleshoots, and resolves issues post-implementation
• 15% Develops and edits accessible: web pages in WordPress, documents, and trainings
• 5% Queries databases for Center stats, records retention, and service evaluation

Tasks:

• Managing deployment and updating of equipment loaned to students (e.g. configuring MDM for iPads used for student notetaking accommodations); developing and maintaining accurate inventory of technology loaned to students, staff, and instructors
• Managing technical & data aspects of the Center’s student accommodations database vendor solution (AIM) and providing related support to students, McBurney Center staff, and instructors
• Setting up and maintaining technology used by students for exam accommodations
• Working with students, instructors, and staff to research, test, and implement technology solutions for unique accommodations
• Using assistive technology to test and document accessibility barriers with websites, apps, and documents; assisting with new ADA Title II rule for accessibility of web content and mobile apps
• Working with vendors and campus IT to identify technical specifications and integration for new assistive and accessibility technologies
• Developing and writing documentation for McBurney Center technology processes
• Developing and editing accessible web pages in WordPress, accessible documents, and trainings used by students, staff, instructors, visitors, and program participants
• Providing a local level of desktop support and coordinating support with central IT; on/off boarding staff from IT systems; maintaining replacement cycle and inventory of staff and program computers; creating and maintaining accounts & access
• Hiring and supervising student workers; coordinating with and providing backup for colleagues

Institutional Statement on Diversity:

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background – people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: Diversity and Inclusion

Education:

Required

Bachelor’s Degree

(required by the start of the position) in a technology related field and/or with related technical experience

Qualifications:

Required:

• Strong interest in applying technical skills in the field of disability, accessibility, and accommodations to help ensure that students have full access to the University
• Versatile technical experience working with a range of hardware, software, and operating systems
• Strong software and hardware troubleshooting skills, particularly with Windows, MacOS, and/or iOS/iPadOS
• Strong communication and customer service skills
• Self-motivated and able to work well both as part of a team and independently
• Ability to connect one’s knowledge of disability and/or accessibility to the work
  

Preferred:

• Experience with a range of assistive technology hardware and software
• Experience working in higher education
• Experience working with people with disabilities and/or applying knowledge of the disability barriers experienced in an educational environment to determine appropriate accommodations
• Experience with accessible web development
• Knowledge and experience with digital accessibility
• Endpoint device management experience
• Database experience
• Experience with customer service and writing documentation
• Solutions-focused approach
• Attention to quality and detail
• Strong proofreading and editing skills

Work Type:

Full Time: 100%

This position may require some work to be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location. Some work may be performed remotely at an offsite, non-campus work location upon supervisor and department/Student Affairs division approval.

Appointment Type, Duration:

Ongoing/Renewable

Salary:

Minimum $62,000 ANNUAL (12 months)

Depending on Qualifications

The expected minimum starting salary for this position is $62,000.00 annually. Actual pay will depend on experience and qualifications. This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off, competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance, tax-advantaged savings accounts, and participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund. For a summary of benefits, please see https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/fasl.pdf 

Additional Information:

The McBurney Disability Resource Center is the office for students with disabilities and classroom accommodations on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. As part of the student accommodation process, we work collaboratively with students and instructors to provide and support effective student accommodations. We strive to create an inclusive campus environment that allows students to engage, explore, and participate in the Wisconsin Idea. We work with over 5,400 students annually, have a strong collaborative team, and partner with students, instructors, staff, student organizations, and others throughout the campus.

McBurney Disability Resource Center is part of Student Affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, led by the vice chancellor for student affairs. Our staff is dedicated to serving students and to helping them succeed in and out of the classroom in areas including health and well-being, identity and inclusion, leadership and engagement, and student advocacy. Student Affairs includes departments led by the dean of students; departments that provide identity-based spaces and leadership resources; the Wisconsin Union; University Health Services; and University Recreation and Wellbeing.

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.

How to Apply:

Please click on the “Apply Now” button to start the application process. As part of the application process, you will be required to upload a current resume, a cover letter addressing your experience and qualifications related to this position, and a list with the contact information of at least three professional references. The application must be completed and submitted by the deadline to be considered for this position.

Your application materials (cover letter and resume) should specifically provide information related to the responsibilities of this particular position and the required/preferred qualifications of this position, including, but not limited to:

• Information about your interest in applying your technical skills in the area of disability, accessibility, and accommodations
• Your knowledge/experience related to disability and/or accessibility
• Transferrable technical skills that you have relative to this work
  

Note that experience can include work, volunteer, educational, and lived experience.

Contact:

Angel Cartagena

angel.cartagena@wisc.edu

608-890-2570

Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See relay_service for further information.

Official Title:

Assistive Technology Coord(EI005)

Department(s):

A04-STUDENT AFFAIRS/MCB/ADMINISTRATION

Employment Class:

Academic Staff-Renewable

Job Number:

308563-AS

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, click here

If you need to request an accommodation because of a disability, you can find information about how to make a request at the following website: https://employeedisabilities.wisc.edu/disability-accommodation-information-for-applicants/

Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require you and your references to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment.

The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.