Document Accessibility Specialist - Extra Help - ODA

UIS Observer; Springfield (IL); On-site; USD 31,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Illinois Springfield is seeking a Document Accessibility Specialist to remediate complex documents to meet WCAG 2.2 AA and PDF/UA-1 standards. This role focuses on evaluating, correcting, and testing PDFs and other digital materials, and providing guidance to faculty and staff.

You will support the Digital Accessibility Remediation Team with training, resources, and best practices, while staying current on accessibility trends and tooling. Some travel to campus is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Two years’ experience with document accessibility.
• IAAP certifications preferred (ADS/CPACC).
• Strong knowledge of WCAG, PDF/UA-1, and Section 508.

Responsibilities

• Remediate complex documents (PDFs) to meet WCAG 2.2 AA and PDF/UA-1 standards.
• Perform QA testing using screen readers and keyboard navigation.
• Provide technical support and demonstrations to the team using Teams.
• Offer consultations and best-practice guidance to faculty and staff.
• Develop and maintain accessible document resources and training materials.
• Stay updated on accessibility standards and tools to improve workflows.
• Perform other duties to support campus digital accessibility initiatives.

Skills

Document remediation

Assistive technology experience

WCAG/Accessibility standards

MS Office / Acrobat Pro

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree

IAAP certifications (ADS/CPACC)

Tools

Adobe Acrobat Pro

Equidox

NVDA

JAWS

VoiceOver

MS Teams

Zoom

Canvas

Google Suite

Job description

Posting Category:

About UIS: Located in the state capital, the University of Illinois Springfield is one of three members of the University of Illinois system. The University serves more than 4,000 students in 44 graduate and 56 undergraduate programs. You are encouraged to visit the university web page at http://www.uis.edu .

Minimum Starting Salary: $27.00 per hour

Summary: The Document Accessibility Specialist supports the University of Illinois Springfield's commitment to digital accessibility by remediating complex electronic documents to meet accessibility standards. This role focuses on evaluating, correcting, and testing PDFs and other digital materials to ensure compliance with WCAG 2.2AA requirements. The specialist also provides technical guidance, training, and one-on-one support to faculty, staff, and members of the Digital Accessibility Remediation Team. In addition, this position contributes to campus-wide accessibility efforts by developing resources and sharing best practices.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Evaluate and remediate electronic documents—primarily complex PDFs and similar file types—using specialized accessibility software and tools (e.g., Adobe Acrobat Pro, Equidox) to meet WCAG 2.2 AA and PDF/UA-1 standards.
• Perform quality assurance testing of remediated documents using assistive technologies (such as screen readers and keyboard navigation) to verify accessibility compliance and assess the effectiveness of remediation efforts.
• Provide individualized technical support and virtual demonstrations of advanced document remediation techniques to members of the Digital Accessibility Remediation Team using tools such as Microsoft Teams.
• Offer one-on-one consultations, presentations, and practical guidance to faculty and staff on best practices for creating accessible digital documents and instructional materials.
• Develop and maintain digital resources, documentation, and reference materials to support shared knowledge banks and ongoing accessibility training efforts.
• Stay informed of emerging trends, tools, and updates to digital accessibility standards and guidelines; apply this knowledge to continually improve document remediation workflows and practices.
• Perform other related duties as assigned in support of institutional digital accessibility initiatives.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree.

A total of two (2) years’ experience working with document accessibility and/or employing universal design pedagogies/strategies.

Preferred Qualifications:

4 years’ additional experience working with document accessibility and/or employing universal design pedagogies/strategies.

Strong and current experience collaborating with or providing support to faculty within a higher education context.

One or more IAAP certifications (e.g., ADS, CPACC, etc.).

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Ability to remediate advanced-level issues in documents (e.g., PDFs) and multimedia content.

Advanced-level proficiency with Microsoft Office products, Adobe Acrobat, MS Teams, Zoom, and presentation software.

Knowledge of Canvas, Google Suite, web-based accessibility checking tools, screen readers, captioning tools, keyboard navigation, and database management software.

Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Strong understanding of WCAG, Section 508, and PDF/UA-1 standards.

Proficient with accessibility testing tools such as Adobe Acrobat Pro and Equinox, and assistive technologies such as NVDA, JAWS, and VoiceOver.

Strong knowledge of document software, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Adobe Acrobat Pro.

Physical Demands:

• Sitting : Constantly

Travel Requirements:

• 10% Travel to and from campus for training.

Employment Policies and other information:

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer dedicated to building a community of excellence, equity, and diversity. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment and we welcome applications from qualified individuals of all backgrounds and identities. The University of Illinois System does not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on their real or perceived race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, order of protection status, genetic information, marital status, disability, sexual orientation including gender identity, unfavorable discharge from the military or status as a protected veteran and will comply with all federal and state nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action laws, orders and regulations. Visit University of Illinois Non-Discrimination Statement

The University of Illinois System conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer of employment. Convictions are not a bar to employment. Background checks will be performed in compliance with state and federal law.

The University of Illinois System requires candidates selected for hire to disclose any documented finding of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment and to authorize inquiries to current and former employers regarding findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. For more information, visit Policy on Consideration of Sexual Misconduct in Prior Employment .

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

UIS employment in this role is not covered by Social Security, and instead, is covered by the State Universities Retirement System

• You do not pay Social Security taxes and your earnings will not be on your Social Security record. (Your record will, however, show your Medicare wages.)
• Your pension from the State Universities Retirement System may affect the amount of your:

***Please Note: All postings close at 5:00pm CST on the posting close date.***

University of Illinois at Springfield Annual Security and Fire Safety Report The University of Illinois Springfield Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available. This report includes statistics from the previous three years concerning reported crime that occurred on campus, in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University of Illinois Springfield campus and statistics for fires in on-campus student housing. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security and other safety information along with fire safety policies and procedures. To access the report online: http://www.uis.edu/about/overview/safety/

To obtain a hard copy: University Police Department, University of Illinois Springfield, One University Plaza, MS PDB1, Springfield, IL 62703-5407

University of Illinois at Springfield . One University Plaza . MS HRB30 . Springfield, Illinois 62703 . 217-206-6652. www.uis.edu/humanresources