Research User Specialist

Job Description:

The R&D Division of Educational Testing Service seeks an Accessibility Specialist to join the industry leading Accessibility Standards & Inclusive Technology (ASIT) group. ASIT supports accessibility research and operational needs across all divisions of ETS and is responsible for driving the accessibility of ETS products and services. The group conducts user focused accessibility reviews and usability testing, develops prototypes of innovative approaches to addressing accessibility challenges, collaborates with assistive technology vendors, and participates in accessibility standards work in W3C. The successful candidate will (a) conduct accessibility reviews of ETS products, from initial design through implementation and delivery, (b) collaborate with the teams accessibility engineers, specialists, and researchers, as well as staff from other ETS divisions to support national and international testing programs (e.g., NAEP, TOEFL, PISA), and (c) contribute to technologies for supporting access to assessment and learning by students with disabilities.

‍Responsibilities:

• Translate ideas from clients (e.g., researchers, external partners) into engaging, accessible, and highly usable designs through audience and needs analyses.
• Participate in design and review of new or redesigned assessment tasks that enable test takers with disabilities to easily understand what the task is and how to use any interface tools required to complete the task.
• Conduct usability studies or evaluations as needed to meet accessibility, usability and / or information design standards. Prepare evaluation reports and present them to internal or external clients.
• On a consulting basis, assist other ETS groups by providing accessibility review and design guidance.
• Working with other members of the ASIT team, develop and conduct accessibility training for diverse internal audiences.
• Analyze existing applications and web content, and develop specifications (e.g., prototypes, storyboards, or text) for how to redesign them to improve accessibility and usability for diverse audiences and operational effectiveness.
• Keep abreast of the trends and latest research in accessibility and related fields. Remain current with usability and / or accessibility guidelines that change with evolving technologies.
• Collaborate with technical staff and designers, and outside consultants as needed, to ensure that the finished product adheres to the design goals and conforms to ETS and industry technical, accessibility, and architectural standards.
  

Required Experience:

‍Education, Certifications, or Special Licenses:

• A Masters degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, Cognitive Science, a graphic/information or web design field, or a related field, is necessary.
  

Relevant Years of Experience:

• Three (3) or more years of professional experience in the design and / or evaluation of accessible technology-based user experiences (e.g., technical accessibility requirements, usability, and assistive technology support) is required.
  

Other Requirements:

• Working knowledge of current WCAG standards is required.
• Working knowledge and experience working with a variety of assistive technologies is required.
• Working knowledge and experience using accessibility inspection tools is required.
• Experience working with technical staff is required.
• Experience in assisting in client requirements-gathering sessions, accessibility reviews, usability testing, and design presentations is required.
• Knowledge of requirements for users with cognitive, learning, and/or hearing impairments is a plus.
• Accessibility certifications such as IAAP CPAAC or WAS are preferred.
• Experience with Agile development environments and activities is a plus.
  

COVID-19 Requirements
ETS requires all new hires to either certify that they have been fully vaccinated or request and obtain an exemption due to medical or religious reasons by their start date.
EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer of Women and Minorities.
EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer of protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities.
EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE is a Drug-free workplace.
Keyword: test development, assessments, education, teaching, assistive technologies