[Hiring] Software Systems Specialist III @University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB)

Role Description

To provide the technical skills and expertise required in developing and maintaining computer operating system software of the most complex nature.

• Serves as UTMB's designated Digital Accessibility Officer under Texas law, responsible for developing, implementing, and sustaining the institution's digital accessibility program.
• Establishes policy, standards, and governance to ensure compliance with state accessibility law and WCAG 2.1/2.2 Level AA.
• Analyzes existing and projected operating and application system procedures.
• Coordinates implementation of software systems and evaluates existing components.
• Participates in studies of projected enhancements in hardware and software.
• Advises lower-grade software system specialists on work problems.
• Plans, coordinates, and supervises other programmers and software system specialists.
• Makes work assignments and reviews completed work.
• Adheres to internal controls established for the department.
• Performs related duties as required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a related field and three (3) years of related experience.
• (2) or more years of experience in digital accessibility.
• Professional accessibility certification, such as IAAP CPACC, WAS, or CPWA.
• Experience in higher education, an academic medical center, healthcare, or a public sector organization subject to state or federal accessibility requirements.
• Demonstrated experience building or operating a digital accessibility program, including policy development, auditing, remediation planning, and training.
• Experience developing institutional accessibility policy and a formal compliance plan.
• Experience completing or contributing to state compliance reporting, such as the Information Resources Deployment Review (IRDR).
• Experience applying WCAG 2.1 and 2.2 Level AA success criteria across web, mobile, and document content.
• Experience with automated and manual accessibility testing tools, such as axe, WAVE, ANDI, Lighthouse, and Accessibility Insights.
• Experience with assistive technology, including screen readers such as JAWS, NVDA, and VoiceOver.
• Experience reviewing vendor VPAT/ACR documentation and integrating accessibility requirements into procurement processes.
• Familiarity with Texas HB 5195, 1 TAC 206, 1 TAC 213, Texas Government Code 2054, ADA Titles II and III, and Section 504 and 508.
• Experience creating accessible documents in Word, PowerPoint, and PDF, including remediation of existing content.
• Experience working within a content management system, such as Sitefinity, and with modern web application frameworks.
• Experience delivering training and presenting to both technical and non-technical audiences, including executive leadership.

Requirements

• Working knowledge of WCAG 2.1 and 2.2 Level AA and the ability to apply it to web, mobile, application, and document content.
• Ability to conduct accessibility audits using automated tooling and manual techniques, including keyboard-only and screen reader testing.
• Strong understanding of semantic HTML, ARIA, keyboard navigation, focus management, color contrast, and accessible design patterns.
• Ability to write actionable remediation plans and track defects to resolution with development and content teams.
• Ability to review vendor accessibility conformance documentation (VPAT/ACR) and advise on procurement risk.
• Working knowledge of Texas HB 5195, 1 TAC 206, 1 TAC 213, ADA Title II, and Sections 504 and 508.
• Ability to assess compliance risk and document exceptions for executive approval.
• Ability to design alternate methods of access for individuals with disabilities when an exception is approved.
• Ability to complete state-mandated compliance reporting, including the biennial Information Resources Deployment Review.
• Ability to develop policy and standards and gain adoption across a large organization.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate technical requirements into plain guidance for non-technical audiences.
• Ability to operate as a change agent, driving adoption of new practices across developers, designers, content authors, and business owners.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage a large asset inventory and competing remediation priorities.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across IT, Procurement, General Counsel, and clinical and academic units.
• Commitment to inclusive design and to improving the experience of users with disabilities, including patients, students, faculty, staff, and the public.

Benefits

• Actual salary commensurate with experience.
• Remote position. 8 am to 5 pm, and as needed on occasion.

Equal Employment Opportunity

UTMB Health strives to provide equal opportunity employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state or local laws unless such distinction is required by law. As a Federal Contractor, UTMB Health takes affirmative action to hire and advance protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.