Access Technology Specialist (ATS)

REPORTS TO : Director of Access Technology

STATUS : Full-Time, Exempt

JOB CLASSIFICATION : Specialist II

UNION ELIGIBLE : Yes

WORK ARRANGEMENT : Hybrid (3 days/week in office)

SALARY RANGE : $65,000-$80,000

Founded in San Francisco in 1902, the LightHouse’s purpose is to promote the independence, equality and self-reliance of people who are blind or visually impaired. The LightHouse is currently in a period of growth, increasing our capacity to serve more low-vision and blind clients.

*Blind/visually impaired strongly encouraged to apply.

*Please note the terms and conditions of this position may be subject to change, once a Union Collective Bargaining Agreement is in place.

OVERVIEW

The Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually impaired is seeking an Access Technology Specialist in our Access Technology department. The AT department trains more than 300 students each year in the use of screen readers, magnification software, specialized devices, mobile phones and smart home technology. The AT department also partners with dozens of companies to ensure apps, websites, and products are accessible to blind and visually impaired users.

The Access Technology Specialist is responsible for providing high quality technology assessments and training to blind and visually impaired students both one on one and in group workshops. Assessments and class sessions may be held virtually or in person. Specialists work with each student to define learning goals, present material in a clear and comprehensive manner, and document instruction in the Lighthouse database. Specialists stay current on the latest access technology, and the accessibility of mainstream apps, in order to serve as a technology resource for Lighthouse students and community members.

This position may be for you if:

• You keep pace with the latest in mainstream and access technology.
• You’re interested in the interactions between people and the technologies they use.
• You enjoy spending significant parts of your workday interacting with students
• You enjoy explaining technical concepts to others.
• You would like to be part of a team of Access Technology professionals that offer innovative solutions such as dynamic group classes, tech support and remote training.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in education, Rehabilitation Teaching, Computer Science, or comparable degree/experience
• In depth knowledge of at least 3 of the following operating systems: 
  • Windows
  • Mac OS.
  • IOS
  • Android
• Advanced user of at least 2 of the following major accessibility options for desktop and mobile operating systems:
  • Screen reading technologies: JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, TalkBack, ChromeVox… 
  • Magnification: software, devices and other accessibility options for low vision users: ZoomText/Fusion, CCTVs, high contrast, large text, color filters… 
  • Braille: devices, access and configuration: braille displays, embossers, screen input. 
• In depth knowledge of non-visual techniques for information access including: 
  • Efficiently navigating websites. 
  • Using OCR applications to access printed material. 
• In depth knowledge of at least 2 of the following areas: 
  • Using Augmented Reality, GPS and wayfinding apps for navigation. 
  • Artificial Intelligence for gathering information. 
  • Speech recognition as an alternative for text input. 
  • Handheld media players for audio recording, podcasting, and accessible reading. 
  • The use of wearables such as Smart Watches, glasses and other devices as complements of main Access Technology solutions. 
• In depth knowledge of at least 1 of the following productivity suites: 
  • Microsoft 365: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneDrive and Teams. 
  • Google Workspace: Docs, Sheets, Slides, Gmail, Calendar, Drive and Meet. 
• Basic understanding of smart speakers and smart home technology. 
• Demonstrated ability to create lesson plans. 
• Demonstrated ability to work with different meeting platforms. 
• Demonstrated ability to conduct comprehensive technology assessments. 
• High level of emotional intelligence to relate to students at all levels of adjustment to blindness. 
• Demonstrated ability to convey technical knowledge in a clear and approachable manner. 
• Ability to learn new technologies from documentation and tutorials.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Knowledge of web accessibility standards (WCAG). 
• Proficiency in the UEB Braille code. 
• Fluency in a second language in addition to English – Spanish, Cantonese, American Sign Language (ASL) or Russian preferred.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work with students defining individual service plans, which include schedules, goals and objectives for their technology training. 
• Deliver individual or group training to blind and visually impaired students on a variety of technologies. 
• Provide services at the Lighthouse headquarters, satellite offices, at students’ homes, at work sites or remotely. 
• Design class curriculum and group workshops on current technology topics. 
• Keep accurate and timely records of student progress in the Lighthouse database. 
• Willingness to perform other related duties as assigned. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to sit at a desk and perform computer-intensive work for extended periods daily 
• Ability to operate standard office equipment
• Ability to independently travel to all LightHouse physical locations and events, as well as throughout Northern California up to Eureka, to provide services as needed.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

LightHouse is an equal opportunity employer. LightHouse policy and the law prohibit discrimination and harassment based on an individual’s race, ancestry, religion or religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), color, age (40 and over), sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin (including language use restrictions), marital status, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), physical or mental disability (including HIV and AIDS), military or veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions, denial of Family and Medical Care leave, height and weight, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local laws, regulations, or ordinances. Our policy and the law prohibit co-workers, third parties, supervisors, and managers from engaging in such conduct.

LightHouse personnel are employed on an at-will basis. Employment at-will means that the employment relationship may be terminated, with or without cause and with or without advance notice at any time by the employee or the Agency.

We strive to maintain a scent-free environment and a drug-free workplace. Employees are expected to behave in accordance with these objectives.

All employees at LightHouse are hired for an indefinite and unspecified duration and consequently, no employee is guaranteed employment for a specified length of time. Employment is at the mutual consent of the employee and LightHouse. Accordingly, either the employee or LightHouse can terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause (“employment at will”).

HOW TO APPLY:

Please submit a cover letter and résumé as Word attachments (no. PDFs please), along with the completed employment application  (downloads in a Word document), to , including the job title in the subject line. To fill out the application, please enable editing in the document. We will not consider videos or hyperlinks to online profiles. Due to time constraints, we will only respond to complete submissions in which there is serious interest, thanks for your understanding.