Digital Accessibility Manager

Company Description The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) is a state agency that supports workers, employers, and communities across Colorado. CDLE connects job seekers with employment opportunities and provides reliable economic data to inform public and private decision-making. The department assists workers injured on the job, ensures fair labor practices, and administers unemployment benefits to individuals who have lost their jobs. CDLE also protects workplaces and communities through consumer protection and safety programs. Team members contribute to a mission-driven organization focused on equity, safety, and economic stability for all Colorado residents. Role Description The Digital Accessibility Manager is a full-time position. Working within the Innovation and Operational Excellence (IOE) team at CDLE, the Digital Accessibility Manager collaborates with the Divisions/Offices of the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment creating alignment between technology solutions and business missions. We provide foundational insight, data, and technical experience enabling a sustainable technology strategy to achieve optimal business value. We oversee the portfolio of IT assets and projects, develop and implement governance around IT assets and projects and ensure usability, scalability, sustainability, accessibility, and security for all IT assets for CDLE. We are CDLE liaisons for both vendors and the Governor's Office of Information Technology (OIT). Acting as the authority, this role possesses a unique level of technical expertise in digital accessibility that is critical to CDLE's mission. Agency management routinely relies on this position's essential consultation before deciding broad program and policy direction. The manager designs mission-critical strategies, systems, processes, and guidelines that ensure an ongoing commitment to equity and inclusion. Operating as a pacesetter, this role issues expert opinions that direct the actions of internal technology teams, product managers, and external vendors, and directly influences management decisions and policy direction both internally and externally with peers across state government (such as OIT). This role will be a subject matter expert for the agency and will be expected to: * Have a strong commitment to equity, disability, and inclusion, including accessibility including a strong understanding of assistive technologies. Involve different perspectives, including internal and external stakeholders, in the prioritization process. Review the situation regularly to benefit from arising opportunities. * Develop accessibility standards/policy and best practices for CDLE and act as consultant for the agency for current WCAG standards and assist with problem solving accessibility issues. * Create and update plan for compliance with Web Conformance Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) for digital content across CDLE’s portfolio of digital content including regular audits and coordination of testing/mitigation efforts. * Conduct regular audits of CDLE’s digital content utilizing scanning tools and manual testing using assistive technology (JAWS). Implement necessary changes to allow for improved accessibility. * Design workflows for creating accessibility content by collaborating with stakeholders to build accessibility throughout the agency. * Lead an accessibility-focused committee across the department to generate feedback, empower users to solve accessibility challenges, and assist in creation of policies, procedures, training, etc. * Provide training and coaching for CDLE staff in various roles on how-to’s of accessibility and why it is important Minimum Qualifications: Experience Only: Seven (7) years of relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position in implementing digital accessibility to include: * Proficient in multiple accessibility and assistive technology testing tools; * Effective management of one or more projects of large, strategic, and complex initiatives; * Programming experience in application development, website development, or UI/UX; In addition to the above experience your application must also clearly demonstrate the following experience, this experience may not be substituted in order to qualify: Knowledge and experience using Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) to audit and mitigate digital content and websites or applications Or Education and Experience: A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned equal to seven (7) years, related fields include: Technology, Business Systems, Program Management, Communications, Public Engagement, Public Administration, Social Work, Business Administration, Education, or other field closely related to the work assignment. Preferred Qualifications: * International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP) Certification(s) or other Accessibility certifications / accreditations. * Demonstrated project management experience in a large organization. * Experience training and relaying information to employees and stakeholders in an easy to understand manner. * Proficient in process improvement and change management. * Experience using JAWS or JAWS inspect, NVDA, and/other assistive technology tools. * Previous experience performing similar duties as a State of Colorado classified employee. Conditions of Employment: * Must be a Colorado resident at time of application. * You must pass a thorough background check prior to employment which will include the E-Verify process.