Job Description
Job Summary
The University of Michigan Library is seeking a talented accessibility specialist to develop strategic frameworks for the library to engage with accessibility. Duties include exploring current trends, benchmarking best practices, fostering internal and external partnerships, identifying key accessibility issues when adopting technologies, developing evaluation criteria specific to library decision-making, articulating risk factors, outlining strategic options, training, and articulating needed capabilities in a digital era. Expected outcomes include collaborations, white papers, and presentations informing the library as we continue to make an investment in accessibility.
The library is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and encourages all employees to fully incorporate their diverse backgrounds, skills, and life experiences into their work and towards the fulfillment of the library's mission.
Responsibilities*
- Collaborate and lead the development of the library's strategy for accessibility in the fields of digital media and research, teaching, and learning.
- Collaborate with campus partners to further build community, best practices, and strategies for engagement with accessibility.
- Expand awareness on campus through programming and collaborative projects; advocate for integrated accessibility as the university develops new learning technologies and selects technologies from vendors and partners.
- Serve as a subject matter expert to the library and to faculty, providing guidance and leadership on accessibility issues with electronic library resources and technologies for learning and teaching; cultivate a deep knowledge of current accessibility laws and regulations.
- Develop and implement a curriculum for library staff on accessibility in the provision of electronic information resources and technologies for learning and teaching.
- Evaluate and make recommendations regarding the efficacy of library-initiated accessibility activities and resources through such tools as surveys, focus groups, and analytics.
Additional Info & Requirements
Excellent benefits, for details, see benefits.umich.edu/
Position receives 24 days of vacation a year, and 15 days of sick leave a year with provisions for extended benefits, as well as opportunities for professional development and travel. TIAA-CREF and Fidelity Investments retirement options available.
Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. This job may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.
Applications will be reviewed as received throughout the posting period and continue until the position is filled.
U-M EEO/AA Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
Required Qualifications*
- Bachelor's degree in related field (e.g., education, information technology, engineering, business) and demonstrated experience with accessibility research and/or practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Demonstrated knowledge of current accessibility laws (e.g., Section 504 and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act) and standards (e.g., W3C WCAG 2.0).
- Experience with assistive technology such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and Window Eyes, as well as accessibility features in Windows and Mac; familiarity with commercial web accessibility evaluation and reporting tool.
- Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills, including demonstrated ability to develop and build relationships with a wide variety of constituencies and to work cooperatively in a diverse, dynamic, team setting.
- Demonstrated experience in developing strategic directions.
- Understands and values diversity and the importance of inclusion as demonstrated through a commitment to apply and incorporate the differences, complexities, and opportunities that diversity brings to an organization.
Desired Qualifications*
- Advanced degree strongly preferred.
The Community
The University of Michigan Library is one of the world's largest academic research libraries and serves a vibrant university community that is home to 19 schools and colleges, 100 top ten graduate programs, and annual research expenditures approaching $1.5 billion a year. To enable the university's world-changing work and to serve the public good, the library collects, preserves, and shares the scholarly and cultural record in all existing and emerging forms, and leads the reinvention of the academic research library in the digital age.
HR Info
A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position, include your salary requirements, and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.