Accessible Technology Specialist - Program Specialist 2 at Tacoma Community College
Tacoma, WA
About the Job
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Who We Are
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Located in the scenic Puget Sound area with nearby mountain ranges and Mount Rainier in the distance, Tacoma is surrounded by outdoor recreational opportunities such as hiking, boating and camping. Tacoma, Washington has been ranked as one of the most livable cities in the country, due to the increasing career opportunities, cultural diversity and community engagement, just to name a few.
Tacoma Community College (TCC) was built on the ancestral territory of Coast Salish peoples, specifically the Puyallup and Squaxin Island Tribes. The 1854 Medicine Creek Treaty forcibly removed them to Reservations to make way for colonizers; we recognize the privilege of utilizing this land has come at a great cost. We honor the resilience of the Puyallup and Squaxin Island people, who still live here, defend their rights, and contribute greatly to the well-being of our community. Our institution aims to increase partnerships and community ties with the local indigenous populations. Moreover, TCC stands in solidarity with Black Lives Matter and the Black community by further strengthening collaboration with the Black Student Union as well as community entities such as the Tacoma-Pierce County Black Collective, the Tacoma Urban League, and local black-owned businesses. In addition, we strongly support the Stop Asian Hate movement and have an active Asian Pacific Islander Student Club as well as an Asian and Pacific Islander Faculty and Staff Coalition. TCC is committed to developing more culturally responsive curricula by infusing and incorporating more educational content focused on the lives, experiences, and contributions of Native, Black, Asian, and other marginalized communities. We continually strive to become an anti-racist institution.
We are specifically focusing on improved support for traditionally marginalized populations, including Black/African- American, Indigenous, People of Color, Dreamers, justice-involved, immigrants and refugees, Veterans, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQ+ community. To this end, TCC seeks applicants who:- Value intellectual curiosity and innovative teaching
- Welcome difference and model respectful interaction with others
- Recognize and honor the important role that diversity brings to an educational community
- Are committed to educating a racially and socioeconomically diverse student population
- Are committed to teaching in a community college setting
- Care deeply about student success
- Intentionally support and promote efforts related to equity, diversity, and inclusion
- Honor TCC’s mission promoting equitable access to educational opportunities
- Reflect the diversity of our community
The Accessible Technology Specialist (ATS) is an essential member of the growing Learning Technology Support team at Tacoma Community College. In addition to providing general educational technology support in the TCC Information Commons, the ATS focuses on integrating accessibility principles across technology platforms, and advocating for accessibility in both digital and physical learning environments. Reporting to the Learning Technology Support Manager, the Accessible Technology Specialist will develop, implement, and maintain policies and procedures that advance accessibility in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), and the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL). This position will also support faculty and staff in the creation and remediation of accessible documents, multimedia, and other digital resources and provide training on best practices for accessibility. The ideal candidate for this role will be grounded in anti-racist, culturally-responsive, and trauma-informed service principles, and deeply committed to enhancing student belonging, retention, and success. -
Essential Functions
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Accessibile Technology Support
- Advocate for and facilitate a campus-wide culture of accessibility for technology-mediated learning environments.
- Collaborate with IT, Access Services, and other academic departments to procure, develop, and maintain accessible technology resources.
- Conduct rigorous accessibility audits of current and new technologies and provide actionable feedback reports for compliance with accessibility standards.
- Develop and deliver training materials and workshops on creating and maintaining accessible content for faculty and staff.
- Provide technical assistance and support to faculty and staff on accessibility issues and the use of assistive technologies.
- Stay current with accessibility legislation, guidelines, and best practices (eg.. ADA and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, WA Policy 188, WCAG, UDL, Quality Matters) to inform policy and practice within the College.
General Technology Administration & Information Commons Support- Provide timely technical support for the learning management system (currently Canvas LMS) and related institutionally-sponsored educational technology including the Microsoft 365 software suite, resolving issues related to software, hardware, and connectivity.
- Liaise with vendors to ensure the seamless integration and ongoing support of learning tools, managing their deployment and facilitating user adoption.
- Partner with the Learning Innovation team to design and conduct workshops on teaching and learning technologies, creating instructional materials and learning aids to improve digital literacy.
- Partner with faculty, staff, and instructional designers to effectively incorporate teaching and learning technologies into the curriculum in a way that supports, accessibility and ease of use for all students.
- Supervise and mentor a team of part-time and work-study Help Desk staff, driving high standards in technical support and fostering professional growth.
- Model and grow the capacity for culturally responsive, trauma informed, and antiracist customer support in the Information Commons and Learning Technology Support teams.
- Oversee the checkout and inventory of student-facing technology, ensuring resources are readily available and communicated to students.
Collaboration and Continuous Improvement- Maintain familiarity with common standards, frameworks, and pedagogical best practices for teaching and learning with technology (e.g.. Quality Matters, UDL, TiLT).
- Actively engage in professional development and continuous improvement around educational technology to bring innovative practices to TCC.
- Actively collaborate and engage with peer institutions via SBCTC’s eLearning Council and similar external workgroups and consortia.
- Other duties as assigned
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Qualifications
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Duties of the position require knowledge, skills and abilities:
- Expert knowledge of accessibility standards and regulations, including WCAG, ADA, Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, and Washington State’s Policy 188.
- Comprehensive understanding of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to support inclusive education.
- Competence in administering Learning Management Systems (LMS) such as Canvas, Blackboard, or Moodle.
- Experience managing an enterprise ticketing system for tracking support issues and resolutions efficiently.
- Capable of managing project workflows and meeting deadlines in a dynamic environment.
- Proficiency in utilizing and troubleshooting a range of assistive technologies and software used by individuals with disabilities.
- Skill in conducting accessibility audits and utilizing accessibility testing tools.
- Ability to work collaboratively across multiple departments, proactively engaging with campus partners to support and advance campus-wide accessibility initiatives
- Team-oriented mindset with a collaborative approach to problem solving.
- Commitment to staying current with emerging accessibility issues, technologies, and best practices.
- Enthusiasm for ongoing professional development and engagement with the wider accessibility community.
- Bachelors Degree from an accredited college or university. -OR- equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
- Professional experience applying accessibility standards in an educational or related setting.
- Hands-on experience with Learning Management Systems and assistive technologies.
- Proven track record of managing support ticketing systems and providing excellent customer service.
- Practical involvement with Universal Design for Learning principles.
- Word processing and spreadsheet software experience preferably MS Office.
- Supervisory or lead experience preferred.
- Successfully completion of a criminal history background check prior to employment.
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Application Process
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Application Materials
Complete application packages must include the following:
- Tacoma Community College online application form.
- Resume and cover letter - In your cover letter, describe how your background and experience align with the responsibilities for this position.
Terms of Employment
This is a full-time overtime eligible classified position scheduled to work Monday through Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm during the academic year. Summer schedule is Monday - Thursday 7am-5:30pm. Work location is the TCC main campus. The salary range for this position is $3,643- $4,865 monthly. Flexibility in scheduling is required to meet the needs of the division. Tacoma Community College offers a comprehensive health care benefits package for you and your dependents includes medical, dental and vision insurance. Life and long- term disability insurance plans; vacation, sick and personal leave; reduced tuition for the employee; and retirement benefits are also provided. For more information, please visit our employment page/employment benefits: https://www.tacomacc.edu/about/employment/ . A collective bargaining agreement exists and membership in the Washington Federation of State Employees or payment of a membership fee is available anytime upon employment. The layoff unit for this position is “All Other WFSE Classified”. Degrees must be from accredited colleges or universities recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and verified by National Student Clearinghouse. International degrees will be verified for U.S. equivalency.
Tacoma Community College values diversity and is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Educator. Tacoma Community College provides equal opportunity in education and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, creed, religion, or status as a veteran of war. Prohibited sex discrimination includes sexual harassment (unwelcome sexual conduct of various types). Provides reasonable accommodations for qualified students, employees, and applicants with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Federal Rehabilitation Act. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Stephen Smith, Title VII and Title IX, Building 14, 253-566-5055; Kathryn Held, Section 504 Officer, Building 7, 253-566-5328. This recruitment announcement does not reflect the entire job description and can be changed and or modified without notice.
Tacoma Community College
Human Resources
6501 S 19th St Bldg. 14, Tacoma WA 98466
www.tacomacc.edu/about/employment.png)
- The benefits information presented on this page is a summary of College provided benefits. This information is subject to change and is subject to the provisions of any legislative mandates and College policy changes. For more detailed information about Tacoma Community College (TCC) benefits, please do not hesitate to contact the College benefits coordinator at (253) 566-5024.
TCC offers a comprehensive benefits package which include medical, dental, life insurance, and long- term disability insurance through the Public Employee Benefits Board (PEBB), along with retirement benefits through TIAA and the Department of Retirement System
Eligibility
Full-time faculty, classified staff, administrators and professional staff are eligible for benefits. Hourly employees and part-time faculty may be eligible for benefits if, and when, they meet specific criteria and are notified by TCC Human Resources.
Effective Date of Coverage
Coverage begins the first day of the month following the date of hire, or date of achieving eligibility status. If the date of hire is the first working day of the month, coverage begins immediately.
Health Insurance
Medical Plans
Eligible employees have several medical plan options to select from (provided by PEBB). Employees pay a monthly premium through payroll deduction.
Premium Rates Effective January 1, 2024
Resources:
PEBB Website
Medical Plan information
PEBB Medical Plan ComparisonDental Plans
Employees choose from three dental plans. TCC covers the full dental premium for employees and enrolled dependents.
Resource:
Dental Plan Comparison
Vision
Covered under medical plan chosen.
Waiving Medical Coverage
If you have other employer-based medical insurance, Medicare or TRICARE, you have the option to waive PEBB medical coverage. Dental is mandatory for all eligible employees and cannot be waived, unless enrolled in dental coverage as a dependent under a SEBB (School District Employee Benefits Board) plan.
Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA) & Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP) & LimitedPurpose FSA
FSA & DCAP accounts allow employees to set aside pre-taxed dollars to cover out-of-pocket health care and/or childcare expenses.
Members of WFSE (HE CCC) and WPEA, will be eligible to receive a $250 FSA card if employed as of November 1, 2023 with an annual full-time equivalent salary of less than $60,000, and is enrolled in a non-CDHP medical plan as of January 1 of the plan year that FSA funds are made available. This card is
issued by PEBB in the following January and does not count against the annual FSA limit, if enrolled in an FSA with Navia.
The Limited Purpose FSA is eligible for employees who are enrolled in a consumer-directed health plan (CDHP) that has a Health Savings Account. The Limited Purpose FSA is only for dental and vision expenses.
Resource:
Navia Benefit Solutions
Life Insurance
Benefits eligible employees, lawful spouse or same-sex domestic partner, dependent children under 26 years of age are eligible to enroll in life insurance. Coverage is effective first of the month following the date of employment for basic coverage; for optional coverage, amounts become effective the first of the month following approval date.
Basic Coverage: $35,000 Basic Term Life & $5,000 Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) This is employer-provided at no cost to the employee.
Supplemental Life Insurance Coverage(s): Any supplemental term life insurance and AD&D coverage for employee, lawful spouse, qualified same-sex domestic partner, and family is available at additional cost to the employee.Resource:
MetLife Life Insurance
Long Term Disability(LTD)
Basic LTD: Provides 60% of the first $400 pre-disability earnings, reduced by any deductible income at no cost to the employee.
Supplemental LTD: Supplemental LTD coverage to replace at 60% or 50% of full pre-disability earnings is available at an additional cost to the employee.
Resource:
PEBB Long-Term Disability Insurance
PAID LEAVE
Classified staff, Administrators, and Professional staff are eligible for paid vacation, sick leave, and personal leave, along with paid federal holidays. Classified Monthly vacation entitlement amounts can vary from 11.33 to 16.67 hours per month depending on the length of state service. Administrator/Exempt Professional vacation leave is 16.00 hours per month. Monthly sick leave entitlement is 8.00 hours per month based on 100% FTE position and will be prorated accordingly if less than 100% FTE. Annual personal leave entitlement varies depending on employee type. Full-time classified, administrators, and professional staff are paid for all federal holidays.
Full-time faculty receive 84.00 hours of paid sick leave per academic year along with 28.00 hours of personal leave. Full-time faculty are paid on an annual contract and do not receive pay for federal holidays.
Part-time faculty receive sick leave each quarter using a formula based on the total FTE% from the cumulative teaching contracts issued to them that quarter. They would receive 7.00 hours of personal leave if they are issued a multi-quarter appointment at the start of the academic year. Part-time faculty do not receive pay for federal holidays.
Part-time hourly and student employees receive 1 hour of sick leave for every 40 hours worked in a month (and fractions, thereof). Up to 40 hours of sick leave can carry over from one calendar year to the next.
If a part-time hourly or student employee is hired into a full-time position, the sick leave hours earned in the part-time position do not carry over to the full-time position. Part-time hourly and student employees are not paid for federal holidays.
Monthly entitlements are given at the beginning of the following month.
All employees in salaried positions may take up to five days of paid bereavement time off for the death of a family member. This is separate from the sick leave or vacation leave.
RETIREMENT
Retirement participation is mandatory for retirement benefit eligible TCC employees. Employees are offered a choice between two retirement plans and that choice is generally irrevocable while employed at TCC.
Classified Employees and (retirement eligible) Part-Time hourly:Classified employees and eligible part-time hourly employees must choose between the Public Employees Retirement Systems (PERS) Plan 2 or Plan 3. More information about these plans can be found at this link: Department of Retirement Systems Plans
Faculty:
Faculty can choose to enroll in the State Board Retirement Plan (SBRP) with the plan administrator being TIAA or the Teachers Retirement System (TRS) Plan 2 or Plan 3 administered by the Department of Retirement System (DRS). Prior history in any of these plans may limit current plan choice. Click here to compare TRS Plan 2, TRS Plan 3, and SBRP.
SBRP -TIAA – This is a Defined Contribution Plan. The employee contributes a mandatory defined amount and the state matches the employee’s contributions. Contribution rates are based on age.
TRS Plan 2 – A 401(a) defined benefit plan. TCC and employee contribute a percentage of salary to fund the plan. Your monthly benefit at retirement will be based on your earned service credit and compensation.
TRS Plan 3 – A 401(a) hybrid plan with Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution components. The defined contribution portion of the plan is funded through mandatory employee contributions. The employee may choose between six contribution options. TCC contributes to Defined Benefit part.
Administrative/Exempt Employees
Administrators and Exempt employees may choose to participate in the State Board Retirement Plan (SBRP), administered by TIAA, or the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) Plan 2 or Plan 3, administered by the Department of Retirement Systems (DRS). Prior history in a Washington State Retirement Plan may limit plan choice. Click here to compare PERS Plan 2, PERS Plan 3, and SBRP.
SBRP/TIAA – This is a 401(a) Defined Contribution Plan. The employee contributes a mandatory defined amount and the state matches the employee’s contributions. Contribution rates are based on age.
PERS Plan 2 – A 401(a) defined benefit plan. TCC and employee contribute a percentage of salary to fund the plan. Your monthly benefit at retirement will be based on your earned service credit and compensation.
PERS Plan 3 – A 401(a) hybrid plan with Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution components. The defined contribution portion of the plan is funded through mandatory employee contributions. The employee may choose between six contribution options. TCC contributes to Defined Benefit part.
PERS Rates Effective September 1, 2023
TRS Rates Effective September 1, 2023.Deferred Compensation Program (DCP):
State Board Retirement Plan (SBRP) - Contributions Rates:
Contributions are based on your age:
Voluntary Retirement Savings:
State Board Voluntary Investment Program (SBVIP):
SBVIP is a voluntary, optional, unmatched retirement savings plan, operating under Section 403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC), administered by TIAA. SBVIP participants may contribute on a pre-tax and/or after-tax (Roth) basis, up to the annual IRS limit and can start and stop their contributions at any time during employment. Contact Human Resources to start/stop contributions.
Tax-deferred savings plan administered by the Department of Retirement Systems. New Full-timeemployees are automatically enrolled in DCP 3 months after hire at a contribution rate of 3%. Employees are sent a notification letter within approximately 30 days of hire. This notice includes information about auto-enrollment and the necessary steps to take if one chooses to opt-out or make changes to their DCP enrollment. Contributions can be changed at any time during employment. Following the initial auto- enrollment possibility, employees would contact DRS to setup contributions and can contribute on a pre- tax basis up to the annual IRS limit.
Tuition Waiver
Administrative, Classified, Full-time Faculty, and Part-Time faculty employed for more than 50% FTE are eligible to register for space-available classes, up to 10 credits per quarter, with the State Employee Tuition Waiver program. Class registration and any applicable class fee will still apply. Click here for the Tuition Waiver form(Download PDF reader).
Liberty Mutual
PEBB members may receive a discount of up to 12% off Liberty Mutual’s auto insurance rates and up to 5% off of Liberty Mutual’s home insurance rates.
Contact Liberty Mutual at 1-800-706-5525 and mention that you are a State of Washington PEBB Member (client #8246) or visit a local Liberty Mutual office and let them know you are State of Washington PEBB Member (client #8246) for a quote.
Collective Bargaining Agreements:
WFSE Higher Education Community College Coalition: WFSE (HE CCC) CBA(Download PDF reader)
WPEA Higher Education: WPEA CBA(Download PDF reader)
WFSE Represented Exempt Bargaining Unit: WFSE-Exempt CBA
TCC Faculty Negotiated Agreement: TCC Faculty Negotiated Agreement
- 01Which best describes your level of education?
- High School graduate or equivalent
- Some College
- Associates degree from an accredited college or university
- Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university
- Masters degree or higher from an accredited college or university
02How many years of professional experience do you possess in applying accessibility standards in an educational or related setting- Less than 1 year
- More than 1 year and less than 2 years
- More than 2 years and less than 4 years
- More than 4 years and less than 6 years
- More than 6 years and less than 8 years
- More than or equal to 8 years
03Please explain your experience with Learning Management Systems and assistive technologies.04Which of the following best describes your level of proficiency with word processing and spreadsheet software?- None
- Beginning
- Intermediate
- Advanced
05Please explain your experience with Universal Design for Learning principles06Do you possess supervisory or lead work experience?- Yes
- No
07Please explain your experience with managing support ticketing systems.Required Question
Salary
$43,716.00 - $58,380.00 Annually