Are you passionate about working at an institution focused on student success? Do you want to work with colleagues who are leading the national conversations on increasing retention and completion? Can you envision yourself in a position that challenges you to find innovative ways to address differences in educational opportunities and outcomes for first-generation, low-income, and students of color? If these questions resonate with you, then we invite you to consider joining Yakima Valley College (YVC), an innovative and equity-focused designated Hispanic Serving Institution dedicated to supporting all students in the achievement of their academic and professional goals.

The Universal Design and Accessibility Coordinator is an umbrella role for embedding universal design across campus services and will demonstrate dedication to excellence in leadership and a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusiveness. The Accessibility position collaborates across the major divisions, departments, and groups to provide accessible technology leadership across faculty, staff, and student groups. This will include building awareness of the critical need for accessibility to support equitable student success. The Universal Design and Accessibility Coordinator will develop a campus culture of accessibility through sharing detailed information on current technology and analyzing future technology options through an accessible lens and providing up-to-date processes, procedures and methods for alternative formatting of materials to support all students. The Universal Design and Accessibility Coordinator is a direct resource for faculty and staff throughout the college through providing professional development training, technical assistance, and guidance on how to proactively ensure equitable access for all students. The position provides information and outreach to students, faculty and staff and provides resources and awareness for the campuses. The Universal Design and Accessibility Coordinator will demonstrate exceptional public relations and customer service skills and is responsible for required documentation, reporting, tracking, and maintaining applicable data.

This is a full time, represented exempt professional position.

Reporting to the Director of Community Relations, this position is responsible for the following:

• Collaborate with YVC stakeholders to champion equitable educational opportunities.
• Assist faculty, instructional designers, and other personnel in evaluating the accessibility of instructional systems, courseware, digital textbooks, and electronic course materials.
• Recommend accessible instructional technologies and provide training on how to select and create accessible materials, collaborating closely with instructional designers on implementing Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles in course design.
• Provide accessibility training and online resources in a variety of formats for faculty and content creators.
• Work with Teaching & Learning Center (TLC), eLearning team members, students with disabilities and other campus partners to promote college-wide training and resources and to raise awareness of the need for fully accessible electronic materials.
• Provide support, consultation, and training as needed for students to create a culture of universal design regarding accessible technology related to disability, needs, preferences, and goals.
• Collaborate with Disability Support Services to maintain current information to share with program participants and to plan retention procedures.
• Contribute to statewide efforts to develop and publicize systemwide training, resources, guidelines, and procedures.
• Serve as lead consultant to college faculty and staff regarding accessibility, including products, software, web pages, and other online content and tools.
• Develop and manage college processes for the creation of college materials that are accessible, including locally staffed and vendor-supported solutions.
• Develop training for faculty, staff, and students regarding access issues and universal design for learning.
• Evaluate and assess new releases of assistive software and report findings.
• Utilize assistive technology and other tools to review and update all materials distributed electronically (e.g., PDFs, Word documents, HTML content created in Canvas) to ensure compliance with accessibility regulations and Universal Design standards.
• Collaborate with campus partners to ensure assistive technology policies and procedures are current and compliant with relevant federal, state, and local mandates and established standards.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Ability to:

• Collaborate effectively with departments across campus; vendors, and the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (WSBCTC).
• Collaborate effectively with diverse academic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds of college students, faculty and staff.
• Design and present faculty and staff development programs.
• Communicate effectively both written and verbal.
• Work independently with minimal supervision.
• Independently learn and determine applicability of new software, hardware and other systems to train in accessibility.

Knowledge of:

• Assistive technologies, including computer and mobile tools;
• Disability practices and procedures;
• Applicable federal and state laws, policies, regulations and standards;
• Principles, concepts, methods, and techniques of universal design;
• Standards, requirements, and regulations regarding confidentiality of information;
• Principles and practices of medical, psychological, and technical evaluations of disabilities;
• Community resources for people with disabilities.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university or equivalent work experience;
• Two years of experience in accessibility compliance testing, assistive technology support, or similar;
• Knowledge and application of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards;
• Knowledge and application of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles and accessibility issues related to web technologies, multimedia and learning environments;
• Two years of experience in higher education working with faculty or staff in a professional capacity is preferred.

Application Instructions:

To apply for this position you MUST submit a complete YVC Online Employment Application, and include the following REQUIRED attachments:

• A cover letter describing how you meet the qualifications of this position (a generic cover letter will not be accepted). The search committee should be able to easily “check off” each qualification asked for in the job description.
• A current resume (a resume will not substitute for the "work experience" section of the online application).
• Three (3) professional references (personal references do not count as professional)
• Unofficial transcripts for confirmation of degree and required for the fulfillment of the minimum qualifications (when applicable). The successful candidate will be required to submit official transcripts at the time of hire.
• Copy of Credentials or license as required for the fulfillment of the minimum qualifications
• Supplemental Questions - Your responses should provide examples and timelines in your education/experiences which give evidence of each claim you make (should also be reflected in your application materials).

Please note: Failure to follow the above application instructions will lead to disqualification. Please do not include any attachments other than the ones requested above. E-mailed documents will not be accepted after the closing of the recruitment or in lieu of attaching your documents to the online application.

Employment Information: Those applicants invited to interview may be required to complete a skills test.

Due to an emergency proclamation by the Governor, all employees will be required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment. Employees may request a medical or religious accommodation by contacting the Human Resources Department at 509-574-4670.

Candidates will be subject to a Criminal History Background Check as a condition for consideration of employment.

"In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire."

Yakima Valley College does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, sex, genetic information, or age in admission, treatment, or participation in its programs, services and activities, or in employment. All inquiries regarding compliance should be directed to the Director of Human Resource Services, YVC, South 16th Ave. & Nob Hill Blvd., Yakima, WA 98902; or call 509.574.4670. Click here for the full nondiscrimination statement.

Yakima Valley College's Annual Safety and Fire Report is available online by visiting the Campus Safety Security website, containing mandated information about current campus policies concerning safety and security issues, required statistics, and other related information for the past three calendar years. To obtain a paper copy of the report, please call 509.574.4610.

Applicants with disabilities who require assistance with the recruitment process will be accommodated to the extent reasonably possible.

All positions are subject to funding.

Yakima Valley College offers a selection of health and retirement plans allowing you to take advantage of the plans that work for you. We also offer paid leave, development and career opportunities, and other compensation benefits. Benefit packages are a key component of our Total Compensation Model.

Insurance Benefits

Yakima Valley College offers medical (including vision), and dental. There are several medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state. Employees are also covered by basic life and long term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts. To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation

State Employees can elect to become members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site. Employees can elect to participate in the Washington State Board Retirement Plan instead, check out www.tiaa-cref.org for more information.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP), a supplemental retirement savings program that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Please refer to the Washington State Board for more detailed information.

Paid Leave and Other Incentives

In addition to the benefits above, full time adiministrative employees accrue up to 24 days of vacation, 12 sick days, and 2 personal days each year. Full time employees are also able to take advantage of waived tuition, scholarships and other professional development opportunities.

Contact our Human Resources team with any additional questions you may.