Front-End Developer/ 508 Compliance Specialist

Shield Consulting Solutions, Inc.; Maryland; Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days PTO

11 paid holidays

100% employer-paid healthcare for you/

8% 401(k) employer match

Job summary

Shield Consulting Solutions, Inc. is seeking a Front-End Developer focused on Section 508 accessibility to ensure the RAD system interfaces are usable by people with disabilities.

You will join a cross-functional Agile team to build accessible, compliant, and high-quality user interfaces. The role requires hands-on accessibility testing with JAWS, WCAG 2.1/2.2 AA, ARIA and semantic HTML, plus collaboration with UX, developers and product owners to bake accessibility in by design.

Qualifications

• Front-End development with modern JavaScript frameworks (Vue preferred).
• Hands-on accessibility testing with JAWS and assistive technologies.
• Strong knowledge of Section 508, WCAG 2.1/2.2 AA, and ARIA.
• Experience with semantic HTML, accessible form design, keyboard navigation, and focus management.
• Proficiency with accessibility testing/auditing tools (axe DevTools, WAVE, Pa11y, Lighthouse).
• Experience with Git and Agile tools such as Jira and Confluence.

Responsibilities

• Accessible Front-End Development: Design, develop, and maintain front-end components and user interfaces that conform to Section 508 and WCAG 2.1/2.2 AA standards.
• 508 Testing & Remediation: Perform comprehensive accessibility testing using JAWS and other screen readers, identifying and remediating issues related to keyboard navigation, focus management, ARIA implementation, color contrast, and semantic HTML structure.
• Audit & Documentation: Conduct manual and automated accessibility audits, document findings, and produce test reports as needed to support agency compliance requirements.
• Collaboration: Partner with UX/UI designers, developers, and product owners early in the design process to bake accessibility in by design rather than retrofit it, and provide guidance on accessible design patterns.
• Integration & Delivery: Work with QA and DevOps to integrate automated accessibility testing tools (e.g., axe-core, Pa11y, Lighthouse) into the CI/CD pipeline for continuous compliance monitoring.
• Collaboration & Ceremonies: Participate actively in Agile ceremonies (sprint planning, demos) and communicate accessibility requirements and tradeoffs to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Skills

Vue (preferred)

JAWS screen reader

Section 508 compliance

WCAG 2.1/2.2 AA

ARIA practices

Semantic HTML

Keyboard navigation

Accessibility testing tools

Git

Jira

Confluence

Tools

axe DevTools

WAVE

Pa11y

Lighthouse

CI/CD automation

Job description

• Active TS/SCI w/Polygraph REQUIRED** Please do not apply if you do not currently possess this level of clearance.

• Active TS/SCI w/Polygraph REQUIRED** Please do not apply if you do not currently possess this level of clearance.

Telework: Up to 3 days/week

Job Description

• Front-End Developer with a strong concentration in Section 508 accessibility compliance to ensure the RAD system's interfaces are fully usable by individuals with disabilities.
• The ideal candidate combines solid front-end engineering skills with deep, hands-on expertise in accessibility testing and remediation, including proficiency with screen reader technology.
• This role involves close collaboration with a cross-functional Agile team of software developers, system engineers, and product owners to build and validate accessible, compliant, and high-quality user interfaces.

Responsibilities

• Accessible Front-End Development: Design, develop, and maintain front-end components and user interfaces that conform to Section 508 and WCAG 2.1/2.2 AA standards.
• 508 Testing & Remediation: Perform comprehensive accessibility testing using JAWS and other screen readers, identifying and remediating issues related to keyboard navigation, focus management, ARIA implementation, color contrast, and semantic HTML structure.
• Audit & Documentation: Conduct manual and automated accessibility audits, document findings, and produce test reports as needed to support agency compliance requirements.
• Collaboration: Partner with UX/UI designers, developers, and product owners early in the design process to bake accessibility in by design rather than retrofit it, and provide guidance on accessible design patterns.
• Integration & Delivery: Work with QA and DevOps to integrate automated accessibility testing tools (e.g., axe-core, Pa11y, Lighthouse) into the CI/CD pipeline for continuous compliance monitoring.
• Collaboration & Ceremonies: Participate actively in Agile ceremonies (sprint planning, demos) and communicate accessibility requirements and tradeoffs to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Required Experience

• Proven experience developing front-end applications using modern JavaScript frameworks (Vue preferred).
• Hands-on expertise testing with JAWS screen reader, with working familiarity of other assistive technologies.
• Strong knowledge of Section 508 standards, WCAG 2.1/2.2 (Levels A/AA), and ARIA authoring practices.
• Experience with semantic HTML, accessible form design, keyboard navigation patterns, and focus management.
• Proficiency with accessibility testing/auditing tools (e.g., axe DevTools, WAVE, Pa11y, Lighthouse).
• Experience with version control systems (Git) and Agile collaboration tools such as Jira and Confluence.

Desired Experience

• Experience producing VPATs/Accessibility Conformance Reports for federal agency review.
• Familiarity with integrating automated accessibility checks into CI/CD pipelines (e.g., GitLab CI/CD).
• Experience with Cypress or similar tools for automated UI/accessibility test scripting.
• Familiarity with Cloud-based architecture and deployment (Amazon Web Services).
• Familiarity with domain knowledge surrounding government agency reporting and dissemination policies.

Excellent benefits package including 25 days PTO, 11 paid holidays, 100% employer-paid healthcare for employees and dependents – available day 1, 8% 401(k) employer match – immediate vesting.

Disclaimer: The salary range provided is an estimate based on current market conditions and may be adjusted based on factors such as experience, skills, and qualifications. The final salary offer will be determined after a thorough review of the candidate's background and alignment with the role. Please note that this range is subject to change and should be considered as a guideline rather than a definitive figure.

Shield Consulting Solutions is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

This is a full time position