[Nfbc-info] Job Opening - Director of Access Technologies

Wed Dec 7 22:14:51 UTC 2016

LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED

POSITION:  Director of Access Technologies

REPORTS TO:  Senior Director, Programs

STATUS:   Exempt

JOB PURPOSE:

The LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired is seeking an experienced and self-motivated individual to oversee our newly formed access technology department. The AT director will manage all LightHouse programs and initiatives whose chief focus is access technology. The ideal candidate will also be the face and voice of LightHouse as we work with tech-focused companies, designers, government agencies and community partners to ensure accessibility and inclusive design are priorities for all. The LightHouse is positioning itself to be a prominent player at the intersection of blindness, big tech, and human-centered design.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education or equivalent:  B.A. degree in Computer Science, Rehabilitation Engineering or a related field preferred, or work experience in accessibility, access technology, or related fields may be substituted.

Experience: A minimum of five years in access technology, accessibility, or a related field is strongly preferred. The model candidate will have deep, firsthand knowledge of current trends in access technology and accessibility. This position will be well served by someone with exceptional people skills, a strong writing background, and an affinity for working with a large team. Supervisory experience desired.

Other:

Working knowledge of WCAG 2.0 desired.
Familiarity with 508 compliance standards preferred.
Knowledge of UEB Braille code a plus.
Understanding of Supervisory and team management methodology and methods of implementation preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Able to carry or transport 20 lbs; sit at a desk and perform computer-intensive work for long periods of time; operate standard office equipment; travel independently.

JOB ACCOUNTABILITIES:

-Develop and implement teaching program curricula for various individual and small-group AT classes.
-Craft AT assessment instruments to determine the needs of all students, including blind and visually impaired participants with secondary/tertiary disabilities.
-In collaboration with the Employment Immersion Department, customize tech assessments to meet the needs of students on a vocational track with state rehabilitation agencies.
-Supervise and collaborate with tech specialist team to create and implement structured curricula.
-Initiate new programming and novel projects based upon the changing needs of the blind and visually impaired community.
-Guide team to develop future blind tech distance education models.
-Supervise a team of Access Technology Specialists and others, to deliver the best and most appropriate tech training.
-Liaise with all LightHouse departments to ensure students are receiving complete access technology support across all LightHouse programs.
-Identify and procure access technology hardware, software and apps to ensure an effective and complete environment for assessment and training for LightHouse students.
-Foster warm, professional, and productive relationships with tech vendors, community partners, and big-tech companies to position LightHouse as a leader on all matters related to access technology and accessibility for the blind and visually impaired.
-Manage all user experience testing and user research projects. Guide companies to include the LightHouse in design and pre-design efforts in addition to end user testing.
-Develop protocols, procedures and outreach to promote the LightHouse as the leading blindness-focused agency for user experience and accessibility testing.
-Develop internal practices to ensure all LightHouse electronic and hardcopy collateral, content, and channels are accessible.
-Cultivate and raise the influence of LightHouse Labs for all stakeholders.
-Solicit, identify and vet prospective presenters for monthly Lighthouse Labs meetings.
-Establish a web presence for LightHouse Labs, with special emphasis on a searchable database of all Labs presenters and their associated projects.
-Collaborate with LightHouse staff, key individuals, and other blindness-oriented agencies to build an online, multimedia knowledge exchange portal.
-In collaboration with the Development Department, research and recommend external funding and grant opportunities.
-Maintain current, relevant knowledge regarding disability access as applied up to the latest court decisions impacting public information, technology and physical/facilities/web design regulations.
-Possess and maintain familiarity with assistive technology federal expectations and parameters of installment, use and maintenance.
-Manage financial resources, including creation and maintenance of a departmental budget.
-Other Duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

This position oversees all other positions within the Access Technology Department.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired is an equal opportunity employer to all.  We strive to maintain a scent-free environment and a drug-free workplace. We also operate under a mutual "employment at will" policy.

TO APPLY:

Please submit a cover letter and résumé as Word attachments (no PDFs please), to hr at lighthouse-sf.org, including the job title in the subject line. We will not consider videos or hyperlinks to online profiles. Due to time constraints, we will only respond to complete submissions in which there is serious interest. Thanks for your understanding.
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