Accessible Documents Specialist

Reporting to the Senior Director of Universal Design and Accessible Technologies within Technology-enhanced Learning and Online Strategies (TLOS), the Accessible Documents Specialist provides employee-facing services related to the remediation and/or creation of accessible educational materials including word processing files, presentations, spreadsheets, and PDFs.

The Accessible Documents Specialist has the following primary responsibilities:

- Document Remediation and Support: Help university employees remediate inaccessible materials to ensure compliance with university policy and promote an inclusive user experience for all content consumers.
- Guidance and Best Practices: Provide expert guidance on creating accessible documents, including tips, templates, and techniques to streamline proactive accessibility practices.
- Consultations and Collaboration: Serve as a consultant for instructors, instructional designers, and other university stakeholders to assess digital accessibility needs and provide solutions for specific course materials.
- Professional Development: Develop and deliver professional development workshops, webinars, and on-demand training sessions focused on document accessibility and Universal Design for Learning principles.
- Resource Development: Create and maintain documentation, user guides, and tutorials outlining tips and best practices for accessible content creation.
- Technology Utilization: Utilize tools like Adobe Acrobat Pro, PREP PDF Remediation Platform, Microsoft Office Accessibility Checkers, screen readers, and text-to-speech applications to assess and improve document accessibility.
- Compliance Monitoring: Partner with university offices to track compliance and offer recommendations for removing barriers to effective communication within digital content. Conduct spot checks on remediated documents to ensure accuracy and alignment with accessibility standards. Evaluate document accessibility using assistive technologies utilized by employees and students.

In addition, the Accessible Documents Specialist will pursue the following opportunities:
- Gather feedback from Virginia Tech instructors to better understand how TLOS-supported tools are being used to create accessible content and/or remediate inaccessible content.
- Actively participate in various communities of practice, such as the Accessibility Network at VT, the TLOS Accessibility Professionals Certification Grant Program, and other professional networks to support document accessibility-related tasks.
- Explore new commercial and open-source technologies to support the creation of accessible documents, staying current with trends in the field and seeking out ways to implement or adapt emerging technologies for use at Virginia Tech.

- Bachelor’s degree.
- Demonstrated experience authoring accessible documents and remediating Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel files.
- Demonstrated experience using Adobe Acrobat Pro or other PDF remediation tools and/or checkers to produce PDF documents that comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
- Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple and competing priorities in a dynamic environment.
- Ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse educational, cultural, and professional backgrounds to establish and maintain strong partnerships to foster inclusive environments in higher education.

- Advanced degree, preferably in a field related to information technology or education.
- Broad knowledge of technology-enhanced learning environments, tools, services, and inclusive pedagogies used in higher education, ideally including experience with accessibility features of learning management systems such as Canvas.
- Experience working in higher education to develop accessible educational materials.
- Demonstrated ability to design and deliver effective workshops, consultation sessions, and other professional development resources for instructors.
- Accessible Documents Specialist (ADS) Certification from the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP).
- Knowledge of Universal Design for Learning principles, disability laws, and regulations related to digital accessibility.

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Regular

$65,000 - $75,000

40

May 31, 2025

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

The department is unable to sponsor work visas.

This is a hybrid position with a minimum of three days a week in the office.

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance.  These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.