Adaptive Technology Specialist; IT Business Analyst - Journey

Overview

Adaptive Technology Specialist (IT Business Analyst - Journey). This recruitment will be used to fill 1 position in Tacoma, WA.

Who We Are:

Washington State Department of Services for the Blind (DSB) works with individuals who are Blind, Deaf-Blind or Low Vision to flourish in homes, communities, and workplaces. DSB’s Vocational Rehabilitation program assists individuals with visual disabilities to achieve gainful employment and economic vitality, and supports businesses with accessibility training, consultation, recruitment, and retention of qualified employees.

DSB is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness - qualifying employer.

In this role, you will analyze and assess the informational technology and rehabilitation engineering requirements of businesses and participants with blindness, Deaf-Blindness and low vision for their employment accommodations. You will apply emerging and evolving technologies to current and future business and participant needs, recommending, designing, and implementing accessible technology solutions for employment and educational environments. You will provide recommendations to businesses and participants’ employers to meet or exceed Section 508 and other accessibility standards through business IT analysis, software, and website compatibility testing.

Other duties include evaluating the need for technical support, recruiting, evaluating and managing vendors, providing advanced technology resolutions, making accessible software and web design recommendations, providing skill development/refreshment and evaluation of technical innovations, and delivering Adaptive Technology education to businesses, participants, community partners, and employers.

• Assistive technology assessments and recommendations:
  Analyzes individual participant's technical needs for their desired employment setting by conducting Adaptive Technology assessments in a specialized technology lab and/or at a jobsite. Recommendations are made to the employer and team members for purchase of accessible solutions necessary for participants to gain or maintain competitive employment, and/or participate in education.

• Devise Accessible Solutions for Employment and
  
  Education:
  
  Provides software compatibility testing for businesses and employment opportunities.

• Establish and Manage Vendors:
  Recruit, evaluate and manage vendors who provide specialized application and device training to visually impaired participants; assess participants' computer skills and use of adaptive technologies to identify training needs for future employment.

• Advanced Technology Resolution:
  Troubleshoot complex multi-product, multi-platform problems; resolve conflicts created by changes in the business IT environment; provide feedback to software engineers regarding design flaws; develop alternative solutions for software/device compatibility issues; consult with other AT professionals to resolve unique problems; delegate basic troubleshooting tasks and system setup to support technicians as appropriate.

• Accessible Software and Web Design Recommendations:
  Based on testing, makes accessible software and web design recommendations to employers, community partners, government agencies and related entities.

• Skill Development/Refreshment and Evaluation of Technical Innovations:
  Evaluate new and updated technologies for accessibility and compatibility; participate in beta/field testing; identify new resources, tools, and devices; stay current with Adaptive Technology concepts to provide cutting-edge solutions.

• Documentation and Communication:
  Prepare and maintain AT documentation in the electronic case management system; communicate and coordinate participant AT needs with the VR Team and employer; maintain an accurate account of service hours.

• Participant/Stakeholder Outreach and Education of Adaptive Technology:
  Educate participants on adaptive tools and techniques for access to print media, computers, essential job tasks, and accessibility needs as a student or employee; provide consultations, presentations/trainings, and technical assistance statewide and nationwide to community resource providers.

• Other Duties as Assigned.

Required Education, Experience or Certifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science or related field AND
• Three (3) years of experience providing adaptive and/or assistive technology support, including assessments and implementing adaptive technology solutions; knowledge of a variety of adaptive technologies, including software, hardware, and assistive devices.

AND

• In addition to the above educational and work experience, applicants must have the required competencies, including:
• Advanced Technical Problem-Solving:
  Ability to analyze complex hardware, software, adaptive technology systems, identify barriers, design solutions, and troubleshoot multi-platform technology problems independently.
• Assistive Technology Expertise:
  Proficiency with a wide range of…