Associate Director, Digital Accessibility Procurement

Associate Director, Digital Accessibility Procurement

The Office of the ADA/504 Coordinator is responsible for ensuring regulatory compliance and oversight of all matters related to access and accommodation for individuals with disabilities, in collaboration with schools, divisions, governmental agencies and advocacy groups supporting students, faculty, staff and visitors. This includes developing and implementing policies and procedures for ensuring campus facilities are open to the entire Trojan Family, including students, faculty, staff, and guests. In addition, the Office oversees Disability Services and Programs (DSP), the campus unit responsible for ensuring equal access for students with disabilities by providing accommodations, auxiliary aids, and services, in compliance with state and federal law. USC is committed to the full accessibility of our campus, programs, and activities to individuals with disabilities and will make a good faith effort to provide reasonable accommodation for qualified visitors, prospective students, enrolled students, employment applicants, and employees with a disability.

The Position

The Office of the ADA/504 Coordinator is seeking an experienced Associate Director, Digital Accessibility Procurement. Reporting to the Director of Digital Accessibility, the Associate Director, Digital Accessibility Procurement will supervise consultants and serve as the key advocate and subject matter expert to ensure the university's development and procurement of technology, digital services, computer software, mobile applications, and digital systems permit all persons with disabilities to acquire the same information, engage in the same interactions, and enjoy the same services with substantially equivalent ease of use as those without disabilities to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Act, Section 504/508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG2.1), and other federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to persons with disabilities.

Job Accountabilities

• Leads proactive compliance efforts and provides expert guidance to ensure all third-party digital products at the university meet accessibility standards and legal requirements, including Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Electronic and Information Technology accessibility, and USC's Digital Accessibility Standard.

• Oversees campus digital accessibility by managing EIT resources, coordinating with stakeholders to assess and guide digital assets and vendors, supporting compliant purchasing decisions, enforcing accessibility standards, and guiding the Equally Effective Alternative Access Plan (EEAAP) process.

• Oversees consultants who support the integration of accessibility requirements into procurement processes, vendor contracts, and product testing, while ensuring thorough documentation review and stakeholder engagement.

• Develops and supports standards, best practices, and resources for procuring accessible technology and digital materials, while collaborating with the university community to integrate accessibility into procurement and Request for Proposal (RFP) processes for digital assets and services.

• Under the Director of Digital Accessibility, this role addresses digital accessibility complaints, coordinates with university stakeholders to resolve issues, and supervises staff to ensure effective task management and compliance.

• Leads outreach initiatives and data-driven reporting to promote accessible technology efforts and support informed decision-making within the university.

• Acts as the subject matter expert on WCAG 2.1 AA and Section 504/508 compliance, staying current on accessibility laws and technologies while promoting USC Code of Ethics.

Performs other related duties as assigned or requested. The university reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

In addition, the successful candidate must also demonstrate, through ideas, words and actions, a strong commitment toUSC's Unifying Values.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree

• Certified Professional in Web Accessibility (CPWA) by the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP)

• Department of Homeland Security Section 508 Trusted Tester

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's degree

Minimum Experience:

5 years

Minimum Field of Expertise:

Demonstrated expertise and knowledge in WCAG 2.1 standards and requirements, the Americans with Disability Act (ADA), and other pertinent laws and regulations in a complex higher education environment. Ability to provide guidance on technology accessibility, based on the laws and regulations, that directly impact the services provided and delivered. Knowledge of principles guiding the application of reasonable modifications under the ADA.

Salary and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $166,641 - $175,000. When determining an offer, the University of Southern California considers factors such as the scope and responsibilities of the role, the candidate's experience, education, training, key skills, internal peer alignment, applicable laws, contractual requirements, grant funding, and market conditions.

USC has excellent benefits, including health benefits for staff & their family with access to the renowned university medical network; eligibility for retirement plans with employer contributions once you meet the Program's eligibility; tuition benefits for staff & their family; free professional development online courses; central Los Angeles location with easy access to commuter trains, buses & free tram pick up services; discounts to football, basketball & other campus events.

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree Computer Science Or Education Or Business Administration Or in related field(s)
Addtional Education Requirements Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education
Minimum Experience: 5 years
Additional Experience Requirements Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum work experience
Minimum Skills: At least five (5) years of operations or project management experience in a relevant field or equivalent combination of education and experience. Demonstrated expertise and knowledge in WCAG 2.1 standards and requirements, the Americans with Disability Act (ADA), and other pertinent laws and regulations in a complex higher education environment. Ability to provide guidance on technology accessibility based on applicable laws and regulations that directly impact the services provided and delivered. Knowledge of principles guiding the application of reasonable modifications under the ADA.
Ability to provide technical expertise and guidance to technical implementations teams regarding accessibility. Demonstrated ability to set and meet targets. Ability to clearly explain processes and policies to business partners at all levels. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Preferred Education: Master's degree
Preferred Certifications: Certified Professional in Web Accessibility (CPWA) by the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP) Department of Homeland Security Section 508 Trusted Tester