Adaptive Technology Specialist (IT Business Analyst - Journey)

Full Job Description

**Contact Information: Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388. For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact Rachel Vaughan via email rachel.vaughan@des.wa.gov or jobs@des.wa.gov.

Note: Standard business hours are Monday – Friday, from 8 AM to 5:00 PM, and may occasionally require flexibility to meet the agency's needs. We promote a healthy work/life balance. Telework and a flexible schedule may be available upon supervisory approval. Extensive daily travel is required, as well as occasional overnights, and a state vehicle is available for travel usage. The hiring team may make a hiring decision at any time. It is within your best interest to apply for this position at your earliest convenience.

DSB Relocation Allotment: DSB offers, upon approval, a relocation bonus and allotment for those staff relocating and needing to make the move to, or across the beautiful state of Washington to join our team.

Who We Are:
Washington State Department of Services for the Blind is “working together with individuals who are Blind, Deaf-Blind or Low Vision so they can flourish in their homes, communities, and workplaces.” DSB's Vocational Rehabilitation program assists individuals with visual disabilities achieve gainful employment and economic vitality through integration into the nation’s workforce, while assisting businesses with accessibility training, consultation, recruitment, and retention of qualified employees. Together, these services lead to the greater employment of qualified Blind, Deaf Blind and Low Vision individuals and more accessible and diverse businesses.
DSB is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness - qualifying employer.

About the Opportunity
In this role, you will analyze and assess the informational technology and rehabilitation engineering requirements of businesses, participants with blindness, Deaf-Blindness and low vision for their employment accommodations. As the subject matter expert, you will apply emerging and evolving technologies to current and future business and participants needs. This includes recommending, designing, and implementing accessible technology solutions for employment and educational environments. The Adaptive Technology Specialist is responsible for providing recommendations to businesses and participants employers to meet or exceed Section 508 and other accessibility standards through business IT analysis, software, and website compatibility testing. Other duties include evaluating the need for technical support, recruit, evaluate and manage vendors, provide advanced technology resolutions, make accessible software and web design recommendations, provide skill development/refreshment and evaluation of technical innovations, provide Adaptive Technology education to businesses, participants, community partners, and employers.

Requirements

Some of What You will Enjoy Doing:

• Analyzes individual participant's technical needs for their desired employment setting by conducting Adaptive Technology assessments in a specialized technology lab and/or at a jobsite.
• Recommendations are made to the employer and team members for purchase of accessible solutions necessary for participants to gain or maintain competitive employment, and/or participate in education.

Devise Accessible Solutions for Employment and Education

• Provides software compatibility testing for businesses and employment opportunities.

Establish and Manage vendors

• Recruit, evaluate and manage vendors who provide specialized application and device training to visually impaired participants.
• Assess visually impaired participant computer skills & use of adaptive technologies to identify their technology training needs for their desired future employment.

Advanced Technology Resolution

• Troubleshoot complex multi-product, multi-platform problems.
• Resolve conflicts created by changes in business IT environment.
• Provide feedback to software engineers regarding identified design flaws.
• Develop alternative solutions for software/device compatibility issues.
• Consult with other AT professionals to resolve unique problems.
• Delegate basic troubleshooting tasks and system setup to support technician as appropriate.

Accessible Software and Web Design Recommendations

• Based on testing, makes accessible software and web design recommendations to employers, community partners, government agencies and related entities.

Skill Development/Refreshment and Evaluation of Technical Innovations

• Evaluate new and updated technologies to determine accessibility and compatibility with current hardware and software platforms.
• Participate in beta and field testing of software/hardware to offer design and functionality recommendations to AT developers.
• Identify new resources, tools, and devices to assist participants with their accommodation needs.
• Keep current with new Adaptive Technology concepts, navigation, and functionality to provide the most cutting edge and innovative solutions for businesses and participants.

Documentation and Communication

• Prepare and maintain AT documentation in the electronic case management system.
• Communicate and coordinate participant AT needs with the VR Team and employer.
  Maintain an accurate account of service hours.

Participant/Stakeholder Outreach and Education of Adaptive Technology

• Educate participant to an array of adaptive tools and techniques that allow for optimal access to print media, computers, essential job tasks and/or accessibility needs as a student or employee.
• Provides consultation, presentations/trainings, and technical assistance-statewide and nationwide-to community resource and service providers for the application and use of AT products and services.

Other Duties as Assigned

Qualifications

Required Education, Experience or Certifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science or related degree
  AND
• Three (3) years of experience providing adaptive and/or assistive technology support. This includes conducting assessments and implementing adaptive technology solutions. Must have knowledge of a variety of adaptive technologies, including software, hardware, and assistive devices.

AND
In addition to the above educational and work experience, applicants must have the required competencies that includes:

• Advanced Technical Problem-Solving: Ability to analyze complex hardware, software, adaptive technology systems to identify barriers, design solutions, and troubleshoot multi-platform technology problems effectively and independently.
• Assistive Technology Expertise: Proficiency with a wide range of assistive technologies for blindness and low visions, including screen readers, Braille devices, video magnifiers, and related software and the ability to apply this knowledge to support customer employment and educational goals.
• Instruction and Training Skills: Ability to educate and train customers, vendors, employers, and staff on adaptive technology use, ensuring that learners achieve independence and competence with the tools required for success.
• Communication and Collaboration: Strong interpersonal skills to clearly explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences, coordinate with team members, customers, employers, and vendors, and advocate effectively for accessibility solutions.
• Continuous Learning and Innovation: Ability to stay current with emerging assistive technologies, evaluate new tools and methods, and integrate innovations into workplace and educational settings while sharing expertise with peers and stakeholders.
• Willingness to Learn: Must have a desire to learn about the specialized needs of and/or resources available to individuals who are blind, deaf blind, or low vision and who also may have other disabilities.
• Professional Growth and Service Mindset: The ability to take action to learn and grow. The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
• Confidentiality and Professionalism: The ability to maintain the highest level of confidentiality when handling sensitive information; demonstrates professionalism in all interactions.

Additional Information

Special Requirements / Conditions of Employment

• Must successfully pass a criminal background check.