IT Accessibility Analyst

STATE OF COLORADO RESIDENCY REQUIRED

Colorado Governor Jared Polis is committed to building a Colorado For All, a place where everyone has an opportunity to succeed and live the Colorado way of life. Governor Polis is focused on lowering health care costs for hardworking Coloradans, transitioning the state to renewable energy sources, ensuring every Colorado child gets a quality education, and building an economy that works for everyone.

The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness. The State is resolute in non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities.

We offer a generous benefits package including:

Business Operations, Innovation, Technology, & Security (BITS) has 4 crucial teams responsible for the entire agency technology portfolio. The 4 teams manage CDEC's information technology, infrastructure, operations, projects, & enterprise applications. BITS coordinates daily with all of CDEC, the Governor's Office of Information Technology (OIT), and technology service providers in support of the CDEC Mission. Our vision is to be the most tech-forward, user-centric agency in the State of Colorado by identifying, implementing, and managing solutions that are sustainable, interoperable, & secure.

The Business Operations (BizOps) team is focused on providing the technology resources, processes, and systems necessary for CDEC to function effectively. This is primarily achieved through the procurement, provisioning, and management of all technology infrastructure [software & hardware] across the CDEC portfolio for our customers.

BizOps supports the CDEC mission through identifying, implementing, and managing technology solutions that are sustainable, interoperable, & secure. This team is primarily focused on Keeping Services Operating (KSO); however, they are at the forefront of CDEC-wide modernization and ensuring that all technology resources are aligned with the overall strategy & mission. These solutions will be established in support of the standards and vision established by the Governor’s Office of Information Technology whenever possible.

Class Code & Class Description:
H1C4XX Analyst IV

This position resides within the Business Operations team and serves as the agency's primary operational lead for IT Accessibility. This role’s critical purpose is to champion a user-centric approach to digital equality by ensuring all technology assets are fully accessible. The position accomplishes this through the creation and maintenance of enterprise-wide accessibility governance, policy, and operational frameworks. Additionally, this role oversees vendor and platform procurement for compliance, conducts rigorous accessibility monitoring, and leads enterprise-wide training and education efforts to ensure CDEC's digital portfolio is sustainable, scalable, and legally compliant with all ADA and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

• Conduct continuous compliance monitoring, tracking, & reporting on the overall health of the digital portfolio to ensure accessibility is achieved & maintained.
• Define and execute accessibility audits (automated and manual) across websites, CRM platforms (e.g. Salesforce), Learning Management Systems (e.g. Cornerstone), and other platforms and/or applications.
• Establish operational objectives that include quantitative and qualitative data to monitor the technology application's success in meeting accessibility goals.
• Create, document, and maintain comprehensive IT accessibility governance, standards, and policies for the entire CDEC digital portfolio.
• Create and maintain an operational framework to ensure enterprise-wide accessibility is sustainable, scalable, and legally compliant.
• Drive the agency's digital portfolio into compliance with all ADA WCAG 2.1 A/AA (or current) requirements by integrating accessibility into the core Business Operations technology infrastructure.
• Serve as the primary authority of website and application accessibility. If/when WCAG standards are updated, be proactive to ensure full understanding of the impacts and steps needed to maintain full compliance.
• In partnership with the agency’s Policy & Legislation team, monitor, track, and operationalize updates to accessibility requirements, standards, and/or policies. Position will be responsible for translating technical requirements into business requirements for different audiences across the agency.
• Analyze the current state of CDEC’s digital portfolio through the lens of accessibility & make recommendations on the future state of portfolio based on their analysis, BITS goals, OIT requirements, Product vision, and CDEC strategy.
• Promote the adoption of modern, accessible technology standards & practices through teaching, coaching, and knowledge sharing across CDEC.
• Develop documentation, user guides, and self-help resources for internal staff and product users.
• Ensure that training & education methods minimize the burdens of time, technology, administration, & cognitive overhead for our users.
• Create, implement, & iterate a training and education experience (training materials, technology environment, hardware, and/or software) that achieves the targeted outcomes.
• This position will collaborate and work closely with the EDIA team.
• Create, foster, & champion an Agile environment at all times across the entire portfolio
• Ensure 3rd party applications meet CDEC's accessibility and ADA/WCAG standards prior to acquisition, implementation, and deployment.
• Collaborative, harmonious accessibility oversight of the software development life cycles (SDLC) through intentional planning, design, & strategy
• Position will drive Agile procurement decisions towards adaptable technology solutions that are accessible, simple, lightweight, out-of-the-box, and sustainable.
• Target Agile, iterative solutions that provide achievable, sustainable, & rational outcomes between the Current State and the planned Future State.
• Consistently and continuously drive technology decisions towards long-term accessibility, technological sustainability, & financial sustainability and away from inaccessible, customized, legacy-based, quick-fix, complex solutions
• Conduct systemic analyses of existing infrastructure and identify enhancement opportunities that prioritize simplifying, rationalizing, optimizing, and streamlining.
• Manage business partner expectations regarding opportunities and limitations of vendors and providers concerning accessible design. This will require the ability to translate in both directions - from business to technical and technical to business. This role will require the ability to translate various, non-technical input into technical requirements as well as the ability to translate clearly and understandably any technical concerns or issues raised to non-technical stakeholders.
• Perform other duties as assigned
• Special requests and projects involving CDEC technology applications
• Review and recommend new or revised internal operating processes and procedures.
• Participate on various committees, training events, special projects, and focus groups, including activities to maintain current knowledge of developments in the relevant profession.  Represent CDEC on various standing or ad hoc committees.

Seven (7) years digital technology experience that must include:

• 1+ years of demonstrated experience in comprehending, implementing, managing, and updating American Disability Act (ADA) and Website Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 or 2.2 A/AA, and the United States Web Design System (USWDS)
• 2+ years of experience in accessibility roles such as Analyst, Remediation Specialist, Accessibility Lead, including direct experience with a diverse population of end users
• 3+ years of experience in enterprise-level Software as a Service (SaaS), Learning Management Systems (LMS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and web tool management

Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Software, or Technology AND three (3) years of relevant experience that must include:

• 1+ years of demonstrated experience in comprehending, implementing, managing, and updating American Disability Act (ADA) and Website Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 or 2.2 A/AA, and the United States Web Design System (USWDS)

• 1+ years of experience in accessibility roles such as Analyst, Remediation Specialist, Accessibility Lead, including direct experience with a diverse population of end users
• 1+ years of experience in enterprise-level Software as a Service (SaaS), Learning Management Systems (LMS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and web tool management

• Additional appropriate experience will substitute for the degree requirement on a year-for-year basis.
• Additional appropriate education will substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.

• Direct experience working with Technology Operations, Technology Service, Technology Development, and Product teams
• Demonstrated career background & experience in supporting cloud platforms, SaaS, HCM, LMS, Web Site Front End Design
• Demonstrated experience implementing mobile-forward, green digital design principles
• Demonstrated experience in modernizing a digital portfolio to achieve artificial intelligence (AI) optimization
• Demonstrated experience in document remediation along with remediation prioritization and planning
• Secondary Degree in Computer Science, Computer Science, Information Technology, Information Systems, or a related field
• Experience communicating and participating in an Agile software development life cycle (SDLC) with a significant emphasis on the user interface (UI) and user experience (UI)
• Demonstrated ability to create, monitor, and respond to UI/UX metrics and user behavior
• Experience communicating and participating in an Agile software development life cycle (SDLC) with a significant emphasis on the user interface (UI) and user experience (UI)
• Agile, iterative, product-forward, user-centric mindset. Demonstrated ability to prioritize efficiency, rationality, sustainability, & interoperability of applications, platforms, and/or systems.
• Proven ability to interact & communicate with multiple stakeholders, including non-technical colleagues, in a digital environment as well as through voice, text, & email
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively between technology-based teams and non-technology-based teams. Direct experience of implementing business requirements from product owners, product managers, & customers; and technical needs of administrators, developers, & engineers.

Highly Desired:

• 3+ years of experience with Accessibility remediation platforms or tools including; Commonlook, Adobe Pro, Grackle
• Experience in direct remediation of large-scale deployments of PDF files as well as web-based sites and platforms.
• Demonstrated ability serving as a digital portfolio/web-based product owner including establishing, maintaining, and resolution of backlog[s]

• Applicants must pass a thorough background check prior to employment.  

• Employees who have been disciplinary terminated, resigned in lieu of disciplinary termination, or negotiated their termination from the State of Colorado must disclose this information on the application.

APPEAL RIGHTS:

If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director.

An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative. This form must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email ([email protected]), postmarked in US Mail or hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203), or faxed (303.866.5038) within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the department’s action.

For more information about the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it to the State Personnel Board; go to spb.colorado.gov; contact the State Personnel Board for assistance at (303) 866-3300; or refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov under Rules.

How to Apply (PLEASE READ CAREFULLY)

Please note that ONLY your State of Colorado job application will be reviewed during the initial screening; if you submit a resume and cover letter, they will be reviewed in later stages of the selection process. Therefore, it is paramount that you clearly describe all your relevant experience on the application itself. Applications left blank or marked "SEE RESUME" will not be considered. 

 Complete Applications must include the following documents:

1. A complete CDEC Application for Announced Vacancy (please submit online using the green 'APPLY' button at the top of this announcement)
2. A complete Supplemental Questionnaire (The questionnaire is part of the online application. You will be prompted to answer them as you are completing your online application.)
3. If you are using education to qualify, a copy of your official or unofficial transcript showing that your degree has been conferred and the name of your school, or your NACES accreditation. Please submit this as an attachment to your online application.
4. If you are a veteran, a copy of your DD214. Please submit this as an attachment to your online application.

Your application will be reviewed against the minimum qualifications for the position. If your application demonstrates that you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be invited to the comparative analysis process, which is described below. 

 Comparative Analysis Process

The comparative analysis process will consist primarily of a review of applications against the minimum and preferred qualifications of this position. Applications will be reviewed in comparison to all others in the applicant pool in order to identify a top group of candidates who may be invited for a final interview. Depending on the size of the applicant pool, additional selection processes may be utilized to identify a top group of candidates. Applicants will be notified of their status via email. 

Failure to submit properly completed documents by the closing date will result in your application being rejected.