| Job Title: Alternate Media/Assistive Technology Specialist (Information Technology Consultant - Career Level) Job ID: 103216 Location: Sonoma State University Full/Part Time: Full-Time Regular/Temporary: Regular Department Name: Disability Services for Students (DSS) Application Deadline: First review of applications will be July 26, 2010. Applications received after the first review date may not be considered. Responsibilities: Under the general supervision of the Associate Director of Disability Services for Students (DSS), the Alternate Media/Assistive Technology Specialist is responsible for providing technical expertise and support in furtherance of DSS's mission to provide equal access to higher education for students with disabilities. Working independently, oversees the production of alternate media (E-text, Kurzweil, large print, Braille, audio files, etc.) enabling students with a print-related disability access to instructional materials. Scans text material using Optical Character Recognition software and converts it into alternative forms of output; arranges for other alternate media services (e.g. Braille conversion) in a timely manner. Ensures the completion of all requests for alternate media by prioritizing, organizing and monitoring the status of each order. Prepare and submit requests to publishers and authors for permission to adapt materials. Catalog materials and information and maintain database of inventory, including the use of the CSU CAM database, AccessText, and Bookshare; maintain inventory records of all source materials borrowed and ensure timely return. Serve as the primary contact person on campus as it relates to alternate media for students with disabilities. Provides alternate media orientation and training to students; learns, develops, and implements new and emerging alternate media strategies, production techniques, and technologies. Makes recommendations for hire, recruits, trains, and provides work direction to student assistants. Provides work direction to temporary staff and staff employees. Assists in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, and priorities in providing access to alternate media for students with disabilities. Maintains a current working knowledge of applicable state and federal laws related to the alternate media field. Advises staff and faculty about and assists in the development and implementation of accessible university documents, websites, and other materials. Working independently, oversees the operation of assistive technology hardware and software in the AsTech Lab and other accessible workstation locations, ensures that all workstations are available and operational; takes lead responsibility to see that all workstations are kept current including but not limited to patches, updates, and current versions of software; trains and serves as lead consultant to IT Service Center staff and other university staff regarding accessible and universal design strategies for technology projects, including technical advice in support of the CSU Assistive Technology Initiative; works cooperatively with Lab Managers in IT computing labs to meet student needs, and with faculty and other campus departments to insure that students with disabilities have access to technology; In collaboration with IT professional staff, installs and maintains assistive technology hardware and software in the AsTech Lab and other accessible workstations and general use instructional computing labs to meet student needs; maintain consultation hours in the AsTech Lab or IT based office. Supports the campus-wide integration of assistive technology; assures the delivery of technical services and resources needed to fulfill reasonable accommodations identified for students with disabilities; trains and educates members of the campus community on assistive technology, including lead responsibility for training IT staff; maintains, refreshes, and develops as needed all assistive technology software and hardware including taking primary responsibility for the AsTech Lab and other accessible workstations; tests new technologies and services; participates actively as a member of the DSS team for the smooth planning and operation of support services for students with disabilities; and performs other technical duties as needed and assigned by the DSS Director and Associate Director. The incumbent serves as the campus point of contact in the area of assistive technology and accessibility of general technology, has responsibility for supporting existing assistive technology resources and participates in the development and expansion of electronic access for students with disabilities. The incumbent provides essential consultation for the campus to ensure compliance with Federal and State regulations mandating equal access. In collaboration with DSS professional staff, assesses group and individual student needs and provides necessary accommodations; assists in tracking student alternate media and assistive technology needs, solutions, and outcomes; orients, instructs and assists students and faculty in the usage of alternate media and assistive technology hardware and software, including direct instruction and assistance on various pieces of equipment and software packages, as well as workshops and classroom presentations as time permits; develops usage standards, procedures and scheduling practices to assure efficient and fair access to computing equipment; diagnoses equipment and software failures, and either repairs them or coordinates their repair with the appropriate service representatives; supports and promotes the development and implementation of universal design and universal design for learning in campus-wide technological resources; remains abreast of emerging technologies; participates as a technical consultant and collaborator for grants and programs related to universal design for learning (e.g., EnAct grant). Ensures the continued development, usage and success of the EnACT-developed Coll@borATe program. Evaluates, purchases, upgrades, and maintains alternate media and assistive technology resources; participates in needs assessments and evaluates potential purchases for compatibility with existing systems and software; maintains current knowledge of operating systems and adaptive hardware and software; inventories and performs periodic maintenance checks on equipment available for loan to students; assures equipment is in proper working order before it is loaned and after it is returned. Provides consultation and support to other technical staff on the accessibility of campus websites and documents, including testing, evaluating and recommending alternatives; consults and works cooperatively with the library, academic departments and other campus departments to insure students with disabilities have access to technology; creates and maintains information on alternate media and assistive technology resources on the DSS, SAEM, and IT websites. Consult and collaborate with other appropriate groups and individuals on- and off-campus to assure best practices related to providing alternate media and assistive technology. Serves on related on-campus committees, including the Accessible Technology Initiative steering committee and the Web Advisory Committee. Develop new programs as appropriate; locate funding sources, and write proposals. Work with DSS and IT professional staff to design cost-effective and sustainable solutions to access challenges. Mediate disputes between students, faculty, and service providers regarding technology issues. Coordinate and implement the technological requirements necessary for providing remote and in-class real time captioning, including training students on equipment set-up and use in the classroom, when captioning is an approved accommodation. Work directly with real time captioning providers and research emerging real time captioning technologies and techniques. Qualifications: Requires the equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university or an equivalent combination of education and experience; and a minimum of four years experience in computer related services required, including demonstrated ability to assist users in MacIntosh and Windows environments. Requires a minimum of one year of proven experience producing alternate media, including the use of Optical Character Recognition software to scan text material and convert it into alternate forms of output such as Kurzweil, Daisy, and Tactile Graphics. Experience working with assistive technology and alternate media hardware and software is required. Working knowledge and experience working with Kurzweil, JAWS, Dragon Naturally Speaking, Inspiration, Zoomtext or similar programs is required. Working knowledge of the ADA is required. Experience working with late adolescents and adults with disabilities is preferred. Requires a foundation of knowledge and skills in technical information systems and application program packages; knowledge of standard computing applications, including productivity applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation packages; multi-media applications; graphics applications and network applications such as WWW tools, including WebContent Accessibility Guidelines of the World Wide Web Consortium's Web Accessibility Initiative, or be able to rapidly assimilate this knowledge. Must possess outstanding communications skills--both verbal and written, public speaking skills, training and facilitation experience, and human relation skills. Requires the ability to regularly sit/stand for extended periods of time, while using the computer, scanner, or other equipment etc. Requires the ability to coordinate the movement of electronic equipment, e.g., desktop computers, monitors, scanners, CCTV's, desks, etc., weighing up to 25 lbs. Ability to assemble hardware, adaptive equipment including accommodation tables is preferred. Must be able to adapt to change in the work environment, accept feedback, effectively handle and prioritize multiple tasks and competing demands, work cooperatively in group situations and work actively to resolve conflicts. Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment. Must work well with others in a team approach to fulfilling tasks and mission. Must be able to comply with all safety laws and all of the University's safety policies and rules. Salary and Benefits: The salary range for this position is $4,314 to $8,831 per month. Starting salary will not exceed $4,314 per month. A comprehensive benefits summary for this position is available online by clicking the View Benefits Summary link below or by request from SSU Employee Services. Conditions of Employment: This is a full time, exempt position, which will lead toward permanent status following the successful completion of a probationary period. Application Process: Click the "Apply Now" to apply to this position. A resume may be submitted in addition to the application. If you would like to include a cover letter, please include it as the first page of your resume. Materials submitted with your application will not be returned. Employee Services must receive applications for staff positions by midnight on the filing deadline date, unless otherwise specified. The ADA Coordinator is available to assist individuals with disabilities in need of accommodation in the hiring process. Equal Employment Opportunity: The university is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against persons on the basis of age, disability, disabled veteran or Vietnam-era veteran status, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, or sexual orientation. |
