26-117 Accessibility Specialist (MAN 170) – Teaching and Learning Center

26-117 Accessibility Specialist (MAN 170) – Teaching and Learning Center

Position Summary
Join a vibrant campus community whose excellence is reflected in its diversity and student success. West Chester University of Pennsylvania’s Teaching and Learning Center invites applications for the position of Accessibility Specialist. This is a temporary two-year appointment with benefits and a possibility of renewal.

West Chester University, a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, is a public, comprehensive institution committed to offering high-quality undergraduate education, selected post-baccalaureate and graduate programs, and a variety of educational and cultural resources for its students, alumni, and citizens of southeastern Pennsylvania. We are a community of educators dedicated to developing graduates who succeed personally and professionally and contribute to the common good.

WCU proudly offers a positive and purposeful work environment; comprehensive employee benefits including health, vision, and dental insurance, generous retirement plans, along with many wellness programs; a commitment to work-life balance including generous paid vacation, paid sick time, military leave and paid time off for most major holidays; and a University mission to support employee personal and professional growth including a tuition waiver for self and family members, training and development, and advancement opportunities.

The Teaching and Learning Center (TLC) supports, inspires, and celebrates teaching excellence and innovation. As a partner and resource for WCU's community of educators, the TLC works to advance the university's priorities of improving learning experiences for all students and reducing equity gaps in student success. To ensure that all campus partners can access and experience our digital systems and resources, WCU is committed to the standards that guide digital accessibility for public institutions and higher education.

In collaboration with TLCs Inclusive Excellence and Accessibility team, the Accessibility Specialist serves as the digital accessibility technology SME leading WCU accessibility initiatives and as a compliance advocate coordinating support and remediation in collaboration with campus partners. This position oversees programs and projects; systematic auditing; remediation coordination; training and technical assistance; and supervises graduate assistants and student workers.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate expertise in digital accessibility standards and assistive technologies used in higher education; experience conducting accessibility audits and coordinating remediation; the ability to convey technical information to non-technical audiences; an understanding of confidentiality guidelines and intellectual property considerations as they apply to accessible content and materials; and a commitment to student success. 

Responsibilities include:

• Provide institutional leadership for digital accessibility strategy, compliance alignment, and continuous improvement
• Lead systematic accessibility audits, benchmarking, and reporting, including the use and oversight of institutionally adopted accessibility compliance tools, to inform priorities
• Coordinate university-wide remediation efforts, including project management, task force coordination, and engagement with academic and administrative units and vendors
• Serve as the primary expert resource for complex accessibility cases, nonstandard tools, and advanced consultation
• Develop and deliver training, documentation, and guidance, including support for effective use of accessibility compliance and remediation tools
• Evaluate technologies and support the selection and implementation of accessible and assistive technologies
• Oversee graduate assistant and student worker operations
• Establish efficient workflows that sustain accessibility capacity
• Ensure confidentiality and intellectual property guidelines are followed in the management of sensitive student, employee, and institutional information in accordance with university policy
• Other duties as assigned

• Bachelor's degree 
• Two years of professional experience in accessibility, universal design, or a related area
• Experience with assistive technologies including screen readers (NVDA, JAWS, VoiceOver), magnification software, and alternative input devices 
• Experience developing and delivering accessibility training programs
• Experience using the accessibility features of learning management systems such as Brightspace D2L
• Supervisory experience 

• Master's degree in disability studies, education, rehabilitation counseling, instructional design, educational technology
• Experience applying WCAG 2.1/2.2 accessibility guidelines in a professional setting
• Experience conducting accessibility audits of course materials, websites, or digital tools
• Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC) and Accessible Document Specialist credentials from the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP)

Special Instructions

This is not a remote position. Hybrid work options may be available per WCU policy and operational needs.

Relocation or travel expenses are not offered.

Candidates should apply online at https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/wcupa/jobs/5290669/26-117-accessibility-specialist-man-170-teaching-and-learning-center?page=1&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs.  A cover letter, resume, and three professional references with contact information are required. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

In accordance with applicable collective agreement, this posting may be closed without notice upon receipt of a sufficient pool of qualified candidates.

Applicants must successfully complete the interview process to be considered as a finalist. All offers of employment are subject to and contingent upon satisfactory completion of all pre-employment background checks.

Developing and sustaining a diverse faculty and staff advances West Chester University’s educational mission. West Chester University is an Affirmative Action - Equal Opportunity Employer.