Accessible Document Specialist

The Accessible Document Specialist works under direct supervision to create and update documents (e.g., PDF, Google docs, Google slides) ensuring all content is high quality, accessible, up-to-date, and consistent with brand and style guidelines. This role identifies accessibility issues in documents and provides recommendations to best address them so that they meet or exceed ADA requirements and can be easily maintained long term.

This is a one-year, temporary 100% time Civil Service position.

Academic Support Resources supports hybrid and flexible working arrangements. Work arrangements are determined in coordination with supervisors depending on the nature of the unit and position. The arrangement for this position will be determined upon hire between employee and supervisor.

Essential Job Functions

Create accessible documents: 40%

• Develop accessible documents that meet or exceed ADA digital accessibility guidelines
• Ensure UMN usability and design standards are met
• Sample projects include
  • Recreating PDF forms related to academic policy and financial aid
  • Creating presentations used for outreach

Remediate existing documents: 30%

• Use accessibility checkers and professional knowledge to identify accessibility issues in existing documents
• Resolve accessibility issues in existing documents using ADA guidelines and accessibility best practices
• Ensure UMN usability and design standards are met
• Sample projects include:
  • Google Doc and Google Slide job aids for students, faculty, and staff
  • Forms and surveys in Google Forms and Qualtrics

Create accessible templates: 10%

• Develop standards including color, type, and style.
• Ensure UMN, accessibility, and usability design standards are met.
• Sample projects include:
  • PDF forms
  • Google Docs
  • Google Slides
  • Google Forms

Client consultation: 10%

• Consult with clients on graphics and design layouts to identify business and communication goals
• Identify graphic design tactics to achieve goals while meeting ADA digital accessibility guidelines and present recommendations to client.

Perform Other Duties as Assigned: 10%

*The employer reserves the right to change or add duties to this position as long as the changes and/or additions are consistent with the job classification.

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS degree or a combination of related education and work experience to equal at least four years.
• Demonstrated knowledge of ADA requirements for digital accessibility.
• Demonstrated graphic design experience; this can be grain through an internship or student employment (candidates will be asked to provide a portfolio of completed work)
• Direct professional experience creating documents as (e.g., PDF, Google Doc, Google Slides, MS Work, PowerPoint) that meet or exceed ADA accessibility standards as demonstrated through portfolio work
• Direct professional experience with Adobe InDesign and Acrobat Pro as demonstrated through portfolio work
• Experience creating and proposing design solutions to internal clients
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Strong attention to detail

Preferred Qualifications (Core Competencies)

• Experience remediating existing documents to meet or exceed ADA accessibility standards
• Experience with creating fillable PDF forms
• Experience with electronic forms and workflows such as Qualtrics and Google forms
• Experience designing for higher education audiences
• Familiarity with University of Minnesota graphics standards
• Experience using the Google suite

The mission of Academic Support Resources (ASR) is to make a positive difference in students' lives. ASR is committed to cultivating and sustaining an environment that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. We are better equipped to serve and represent our University community by ensuring our culture values differences and individuality.

The knowledge, skills, and abilities of all ASR employees include job knowledge, communication, problem solving/analysis, development, leadership, teamwork, and customer service.

The mission of Academic Support Resources (ASR) is to make a positive difference in students' lives. ASR is committed to cultivating and sustaining an environment that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. We are better able to serve and represent our University community by ensuring we value differences and individuality.

The knowledge, skills, and abilities of all ASR employees include job knowledge, communication, problem solving/analysis, development, leadership, teamwork, and customer service.

Strategic Operations & Initiatives, a unit within ASR, provides student records communication, compliance, degree audit, policy, and training services for the University. These services support the student experience by providing students with quality information about our processes and degree requirements, maintaining academic policies, and protecting private student data. Through our services, faculty and staff have the tools and information they need to support students during their academic careers.

Pay Range: $54,500 - $56,900; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment (12 month / Temporary)

Position Type: Civil-Service

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

Please include a resume for a complete application.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).