Senior Digital Accessibility Testing Consultant

Harvard University Information Technology’s (HUIT) Office of Digital Accessibility Services (DAS) is a dynamic team that inspires, leads, and educates our colleagues about the importance of, and their role in, making Harvard’s content and technology inclusive and accessible to everyone. We value passion and dedication to our mission, empathy and collaboration, and a respectful working environment., DAS seeks a Senior Digital Accessibility Testing Consultant with experience and interest in testing and evaluating the accessibility of web sites, applications, and documents. This is one of several roles in the team to support the University’s efforts, including the implementation of a university-wide digital accessibility policy and promotion of digital inclusion across the institution. The team works with designated digital accessibility liaisons to implement campus-wide training, communications, and provide resources to support this initiative. The Senior Digital Accessibility Testing Consultant, reporting to the Manager of Digital Accessibility Development, will work alongside team members to perform accessibility testing and assessments, provide consultation and guidance, and deliver customer service of the highest caliber. The incumbent will play a key role in assessing and improving campus technology accessibility across a variety of settings as part of a large, multiyear effort facilitated by the DAS team.

This is a term limited position that will end 6/30/2027.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Testing and Assessment

• Test websites, applications, and documents for accessibility barriers with a combination of manual testing processes and automated testing tools.
• Reliably and consistently identify, document and report on accessibility issues found.
• Provide guidance and documentation on methods and efforts required to address accessibility issues identified.
• Collaborate with the team to test and provide efficient, effective, and accurate guidance.

Project Management & Process

• Works across a portfolio of websites and applications to provide established deliverables.
• Contributes to planning and documentation of tools and processes.
• Works as a conduit between DAS, campus liaisons, and partners in schools and departments.

Basic Qualifications are the minimum threshold a candidate must meet in order to be considered for this role.

• Minimum of 5 years’ post-secondary education or relevant work experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

The following qualifications are strongly preferred. If you meet some, but not all, you are still encouraged to apply; we value employees with a willingness to learn.

• Understanding of Web Content Accessibility Guideline (WCAG), Accessible Rich Internet Guidelines (ARIA) Web Standards (HTML, CSS, and JavaScript) and related technologies.
• Ability to quickly trouble shoot and identify accessibility barriers.
• Fluency with assistive technologies such as JAWS, NVDA, ZoomText, Dragon Naturally Speaking - and understanding of the experience for those using assistive technologies - or other accessibility features.
• Knowledge of compatibility issues affecting assistive technology use with common enterprise and/or Harvard’s systems.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal and communication skills.
• Shows enthusiasm, interest, and flexibility in acquiring new or emerging technology skills.
• Drupal, WordPress or PHP experience a plus.
• CPACC, WAS, ADS (IAAP) or other relevant certifications.
• Familiarity with higher education technology landscape and Harvard experience preferred.

Certificates and Licenses:

• Completion of Harvard IT Academy specified foundational courses (or external equivalent) preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Familiarity with WCAG 2.1 AA standards for web accessibility.

This position is salary grade level 058. Please visit Harvard’s Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information., Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard’s world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join Harvard University Central Administration?

Harvard University’s Central Administration (CADM) is a 5,000+ employee organization that supports the university’s overall excellence by understanding and serving the needs of its schools, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and surrounding communities. Through dynamic and collaborative partnerships, CADM provides high-quality and efficient services to the schools to help them achieve their goals.

Harvard University Information Technology (HUIT) is a community of Information Technology professionals committed to understanding our users and devoted to making it easier for faculty, students, and staff to teach, research, learn, and work through the effective use of information technology. We are recruiting an IT workforce that has both breadth in their ability to collaborate and innovate across disciplines - and depth in specific areas of expertise. HUIT offers opportunities for IT professionals to learn and work in a unique technology landscape and service-focused environment. If you are a technically proficient, nimble, user-focused and accountable IT professional who also connects with the importance of collaborating well in a team environment we are looking for you!

More About HUIT:

Our Mission: huit.harvard.edu/about

We empower the Harvard community with essential and transformative technologies to advance education, knowledge, and discovery.

HUIT’s core values are:

• Human-centered
• University-focused
• Innovation-driven
• Team-oriented

IT Academy (designed for IT Staff):

HUIT’s IT Academy aims to enable each IT staff person to grow professionally and become a trusted partner to her or his team. The IT Academy is built on the belief that every IT staff member across the University (including technology employees at each school and campus) can grow in her or his area of expertise as well as building strong people and project management skills. Learn more here: https://itacademy.harvard.edu/., Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard’s academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university’s non-discrimination policy. Harvard’s equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.

Harvard Medical School strives to cultivate an environment that promotes inclusiveness and collaboration among students, faculty and staff and to create new avenues for discussion that will advance our shared mission to improve the health of people throughout the world.