Assistive Technology Coordinator

Student Disability Services within the Division of Student Life invites applications for the position of Assistive Technology Coordinator. This is an exempt, 12-month, full-time, non-tenure track staff position.

The mission of Student Disability Services (SDS) is to partner with the campus community in creating equitable access to eligible students while promoting disability-inclusive diversity. Staff is comprised of 23 professional and administrative employees.

The Position: Reporting to the Director of Student Disability Services, the Assistive Technology Coordinator assesses, recommends, and provides assistive technology solutions for students with disabilities. The position is also responsible for securing and producing instructional materials in an accessible format, managing departmental technology, overseeing the software licenses and equipment distribution, and serving as a resource to other departments.

Qualifications:

Responsibilities:

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY:

• Engage students with disabilities to assess their needs and determine the most appropriate and effective assistive technology to fully participate in the university's programs.

• Provide individualized training to ensure effective use of assistive or adaptive technology as needed.

• Document interactions with and assessments of students in departmental database.

• Install and maintain assistive technologies for the department and collaborate with designated campus partners.

• Assess assistive technology needs and make projections for budget allocations.

• Research and recommend emerging technologies to ensure equitable access and enhanced learning experiences for students with disabilities.

ACCESSIBLE MEDIA

• Manage and coordinate the entire accessible media request and delivery process.

• Engage students in an interactive process to determine the most appropriate and effective accessible media format.

• Collaborate with publishers, third-party vendors, and campus partners to fulfill requests for instructional materials in an accessible format.

• Obtain and convert appropriate instructional material into accessible format, ensuring timely delivery of requested media.

• Caption or transcribe audio-visual materials.

• Research and evaluate new technologies to maintain the highest level of production and accessibility for students.

• Provide individualized training to students to ensure effective use of accessible media compatible with available technologies.

CONSULTATION & TRAINING:

• Serve as subject expert in assistive technology and accessible media for Student Disability Services.

• Provide instruction to faculty, staff, and students through training sessions or workshops, online modules, video demonstrations, and more.

• Collaborate with other departments to promote an inclusive and accessible educational environment for all.

• Participate in the development and revision of policies, procedures, and strategic planning initiatives.

TECHNICAL SUPPORT:

• Serve as the primary point of contact for all technology-related issues within the department.

• Conduct initial assessment and troubleshooting for all department technology, including desktop and laptop computers, software, network printers, scanners, digital signage systems, and other specialized equipment.

• Collaborate with OIT and the Division of Student Life IT to address complex or unresolved issues.

• Develop and maintain a detailed inventory management for all department technology assets, including hardware, software, and other accessories.

ADMINISTRATIVE:

• Recruit, hire, train, and manage student and temporary staff, ensuring high-quality, efficient, and standardized service delivery.

• Collect statistics to report semester and annual data for the department.

• Conduct a purposeful and intentional assessment of assistive technology and accessible media services and propose an implementation plan for improved and enhanced service delivery.

This position might require occasional weekend and evening work, as well as occasional overnight travel.

The University and Region: UTK is the state's flagship, land-grant university. We are a Research 1 university, housing 14 colleges and 900+ programs of study. With an enrollment of more than 36,000 students, our undergraduate and graduate programs are repeatedly ranked among top national programs. The city of Knoxville is a hidden gem with a beautiful and walkable downtown, a diverse music scene, active neighborhoods, unique restaurants, and a robust offering of outdoor and cultural activities. UTK is located within easy driving distance to Asheville, Nashville, Atlanta, and the Great Smoky Mountains; and a day's drive to Memphis, Chicago, and Washington D.C. Knoxville and the surrounding counties have a statistical area population of over 850,000 people. The Knoxville region houses many leading corporations, including Bush Brothers & Company, Discovery Inc., Tennessee Valley Authority, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

What We Require

Education: This position requires a bachelor's degree. A combination of an associate's degree and four years of experience may substitute for a bachelor's degree.

Experience: Two (2) years of relevant professional experience (master's degree may substitute for years of experience)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of document conversion software and strong computer skill

• Ability to manage people and priorities effectively and efficiently

• Ability to develop and present training materials about technology and accessible media

• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with constituent

• Ability to maintain and present accurate records, reports, and statistical data

• Ability to research, propose, and implement new technologies and procedure

• Ability to accurately caption audio-visual material

• Ability to maintain confidentiality in compliance with FERPA. Basic understanding of civil rights laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act, Sections 504 & 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, and other applicable law

What We Prefer:

Education: Master's degree

Experience: Three (3) years of experience working with students with disabilities in a higher education setting. Assistive technology certification.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated working knowledge of assistive technologies including, CCTV, Adaptive Devices, Braille Equipment, JAWS, Kurzweil, ZoomText, Abbyy FineReader, etc. Knowledge of and,

• ability to apply WCAG 2.2 standards. Demonstrated and advanced computer skills.

Salary: This position is classified as Market Range 08. The salary is commensurate with experience and other qualifications and is accompanied by a standard university benefits package.

Application Process: A review of all applications will begin immediately and will continue until October 23, 2024. For full consideration, applicants must electronically submit a letter of interest, resume, and three references' names, addresses, and phone numbers. All materials for the position should be submitted through the University of Tennessee Human Resources application system. Questions regarding the search may be directed to the search committee chair Heather Webb, at hdwebb@utk.edu.