POSITION: Access Technology Specialist - DeafBlind (ATS-DB)

REPORTS TO: Director of Access Technology

STATUS: Full-Time, Exempt

JOB CLASSIFICATION: Specialist II

UNION ELIGIBLE: Yes

WORK ARRANGEMENT: Hybrid (3 days/week in-person)

LOCATION: Berkeley, CA

SALARY RANGE: $65,000-$80,000

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Open Until Filled

Founded in San Francisco in 1902, the LightHouse's purpose is to promote the independence, equality and self-reliance of people who are blind or visually impaired. The LightHouse is currently in a period of growth, increasing our capacity to serve more low-vision and blind clients.

*Blind/visually impaired strongly encouraged to apply.

*Please note the terms and conditions of this position may be subject to change, once a Union Collective Bargaining Agreement is in place.

OVERVIEW

The Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually impaired is seeking an Access Technology Specialists for the Deaf-Blind Program, in the AT department for Northern California. This will be a hybrid position report to our location in Berkeley, CA.

The AT department trains more than 300 students each year on the use of screen readers, magnification software, braille devices, telecommunication equipment, mobile phones and smart home technology. The AT department also partners with dozens of companies to ensure apps, websites, and products are accessible to blind, low vision and deaf-blind users.

The Access Technology Specialist, Deaf-Blind Program (ATS-DB) is responsible for providing high quality technology assessments, technical support and individual training to deaf-blind users that are eligible for the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP) throughout northern and southern California. Assessments, tech support and class sessions may be held virtually or in person and with an interpreter as required. Per NDBEDP rules, participants must be deaf-blind, which includes persons who are hard of hearing and blind, or low vision and hard of hearing.

The ATS-DB is specifically responsible for assessing the skills of each participant to determine the best software and equipment that meets their telecommunication needs. The access technology equipment for a recipient can include but is not limited to: PC or MAC computing systems, SMART phones, refreshable braille displays, note takers, magnification software and screen readers. Additional supportive equipments may also include: noise canceling headphones, large print keyboards or other relevant hardware. ATS-DB should stay current on the latest access technology, and the accessibility of mainstream apps, in order to serve as a technology resource for Lighthouse students and community members. ATS-DB might work on Lighthouse consulting projects in the areas of accessible design, corporate training and user research.

This position may be for you if:

• You keep pace with the latest in mainstream and access technology.
• You're interested in the interactions between people and the technologies they use.
• You enjoy spending significant parts of your workday interacting with students
• You enjoy explaining technical concepts to others.
• You would like to be part of a team of Access Technology professionals that offer innovative solutions such as dynamic classes, tech support and remote training.
• You would like to help organizations reach their maximum potential, by collaborating on user research and accessible design.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in education, Rehabilitation Teaching, Computer Science, or comparable degree, or 3 years of experience working with persons who are deaf-blind, low vision, blind or deaf.
• In depth knowledge of at least 3 of the following operating systems:
  • Windows
  • Mac OS.
  • iOS
  • Android
• Advanced user of the following major accessibility options for desktop and mobile operating systems:
  • Screen reading technologies: JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, TalkBack
  • Magnification: software, devices and other accessibility options for low vision users: ZoomText/Fusion, CCTVs, high contrast, large text, color filters...
  • Braille: devices, access and configuration: braille displays, embossers, screen input.
• In depth knowledge of different areas of telecommunication access including:
  • Internet navigation.
  • Email.
  • Meeting Platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to create lesson plans.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct comprehensive technology assessments.
• High level of emotional intelligence to relate to students at all levels of adjustment to blindness.
• Have sensitivity and awareness of the unique communication needs of people who are deaf-blind
• Ability to work with various communication modes such as ASL, Signed English, visual and tactile, written, typing or assistive listening devices.
• Have comfort working with and arranging interpreters as needed.
• Demonstrated ability to convey technical knowledge in a clear and approachable manner.
• Ability to learn new technologies from documentation and tutorials.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Fluency in American Sign Language.
• Proficiency in Braille.
• Fluency in a second language in addition to English.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conduct comprehensive assistive technology assessments.
• Work with DeafBlind students defining individual service plans, which include schedules, goals and objectives for their technology training.
• Deliver individual training and tech support to deaf-blind participants on a variety of technologies.
• Provide services at the Lighthouse headquarters, satellite offices, at students' homes, at work sites or remotely.
• Keep accurate and timely reports of student progress in the KLAS database.
• Maintain an inventory of software, teaching and demonstration equipment.
• Provide accessibility design feedback, corporate training and user research, as part of Lighthouse access technology consulting initiatives.
• Other duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to sit at a desk and perform computer work for long periods
• Operate standard office equipment
• Lift up to 20lbs
• Ability to independently travel to all LightHouse campuses and throughout the community as needed.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

LightHouse is an equal opportunity employer. LightHouse policy and the law prohibit discrimination and harassment based on an individual's race, ancestry, religion or religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), color, age (40 and over), sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin (including language use restrictions), marital status, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), physical or mental disability (including HIV and AIDS), military or veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions, denial of Family and Medical Care leave, height and weight, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local laws, regulations, or ordinances. Our policy and the law prohibit co-workers, third parties, supervisors, and managers from engaging in such conduct.

LightHouse personnel are employed on an at-will basis. Employment at-will means that the employment relationship may be terminated, with or without cause and with or without advance notice at any time by the employee or the Agency.

We strive to maintain a scent-free environment and a drug-free workplace. Employees are expected to behave in accordance with these objectives.

All employees at LightHouse are hired for an indefinite and unspecified duration and consequently, no employee is guaranteed employment for a specified length of time. Employment is at the mutual consent of the employee and LightHouse. Accordingly, either the employee or LightHouse can terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause ("employment at will").

HOW TO APPLY:

Please submit a cover letter and resume as Word attachments (no. PDFs please), along with the completed employment application (downloads in a Word document), to HR@lighthouse-sf.org, including the job title in the subject line. To fill out the application, please enable editing in the document. We will not consider videos or hyperlinks to online profiles. Due to time constraints, we will only respond to complete submissions in which there is serious interest, thanks for your understanding.