ADA and Disability Equity Specialist

King County; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A metropolitan county in Washington is seeking an ADA and Disability Equity Specialist to support compliance with ADA Title II and advance disability equity initiatives. The role involves facilitating community practices and working collaboratively to address the needs of individuals with disabilities. Ideal candidates will have a strong knowledge of disability rights laws and excellent communication skills, with opportunities for hybrid working arrangements.

Qualifications

• Knowledge and application of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• Experience working within a disability rights framework.
• Ability to work in a hybrid environment and adapt to various software platforms.

Responsibilities

• Support OERSJ in achieving ADA Title II compliance.
• Facilitate monthly ADA and Disability Equity Community of Practice.
• Work with community members to address the needs of the disability community.
• Assist in creating meaningful policies aligned with King County's Equity Plan.

Skills

Knowledge of Title II Americans with Disabilities Act

Experience working with persons with disabilities

Skills to prepare accessible documents

Project management skills

Excellent written and oral communication

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Overview

ADA and Disability Equity Specialist will support King County Departments, the Executive, and the Office of Equity and Racial and Social Justice (OERSJ) in achieving and maintaining ADA Title II compliance. The ideal specialist would also work to expand beyond compliance and into supporting the implementation of disability equity. This position is one of three that serves as countywide ADA coordinators. The position will report to the OERSJ Director.

About King County

With 2.2 million residents in 39 cities and unincorporated areas, King County is the nation\'s 12th-largest county. It also has one of the most diverse populations in the United States. As the only county in the United States named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation\'s history, King County is a vibrant community with residents who represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that values the artistic and social traditions of many cultures.

The County continues to build on an enduring legacy of shared values of equity and social justice, employee engagement, innovative thinking, and continuous improvement. If you share King County Executive Shannon Braddock’s mission to cultivate and maintain collaborative working relationships with our labor partners, employing innovative and creative solutions to challenges, to achieving just and sustainable results for all this job is for you.

Responsibilities

• Support OERSJ and other County departments in achieving and maintaining compliance with the ADA Title II in accordance with the Biennial Budget.
• Support departments in moving beyond compliance and into disability equity.
• Facilitating a monthly ADA and Disability Equity Community of Practice.
• Help individuals connect with the appropriate staff to request and receive accommodations.
• Centralize County disability resources, training, and other ADA and disability equity work.
• Host Disability Pride Day to celebrate the anniversary of the ADA and Disability Pride Month.
• Assist the King County Executive in identifying challenges and adapting systems to be inclusive and responsive to the needs of the disability community.
• Work with community members, advocates, staff, and other partners to be responsive to the needs of the disability community.
• Support creation of meaningful policies and procedures informed by stakeholders and aligned with King County’s Equity and Racial and Social Justice Strategic Plan.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Knowledge and application of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and other local and federal civil rights laws.
• Knowledge of and experience working within a disability rights, disability equity, and disability justice framework and the differences between these approaches.
• Experience working with persons with disabilities, BIPOC, low-income communities and those with access and functional needs is a must.
• Skills to prepare visual and written documents in an accessible format.
• Skills to facilitate meetings for cross disability conversations and strategic planning.

The most competitive candidates will also demonstrate the following:

• Skill in working and understanding complex application of intersectional approaches and strategies, in terms of disability and race, ethnicity, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, economic status, class, and other identities.
• Project management and meeting facilitation.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work in a hybrid office environment, adapting to a variety of software platforms.
• Adept in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to develop and maintain collaborative networks.
• Ability to work with creativity and flexibility, both independently and as a team member; to work under deadlines and on several tasks simultaneously; and, to organize and prioritize quickly in response to changing needs

Our staff works a minimum of three days a week in office, located in Downtown Seattle.

Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply for this position.

Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State\'s best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we\'re changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? We invite you to join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation\'s best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles—we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

Employees of the Office of Equity, Racial and Social Justice work a minimum of three (3) workdays at the King County\'s Chinook Building located in downtown Seattle.

WHO MAY APPLY

This appointed position is open to all qualified internal and external applicants.

FORMS AND MATERIALS REQUIRED

Candidates are asked to fully complete an online job application and submit a resume and letter of interest to ensure consideration. Letters of interest should demonstrate how a candidate\'s experience, skills, and abilities fit the needs of the position. Please do not leave sections of the online application blank or use the shorthand “see resume”.

If you have any questions about this recruitment, please contact Seth Daniel Watson, HR Manager, at [e-mail].