Instructional Learning & Accessibility Specialist

Department: School of Professional Studies
Salary/Grade: EXS/8

Job Summary

The Instructional Learning & Accessibility Specialist will work with SPS faculty and staff to review and copyedit School of Professional Studies (SPS) online course sites for copyright and digital accessibility. This position will also work with SPS faculty and staff to provide support and guidance on copyright and digital accessibility best practices for online course materials which can include documents and media.

Specific Responsibilities:

Course Materials Quality Control:

• Interact with distance learning staff and SPS faculty to format, edit, and revise digital materials for online courses
• Create and maintain department style guides
• Perform editing of academic material which may include highly technical and complex subject matter
• Review all course sites and assets for compliance with accessibility standards (developed based on WCAG 2.1 AA)
• Proofread all course materials
• Adhere to various publication styles as well as internal style manuals
• Adhere to copyright laws and identify potential violations
• Ensure copyright compliance for third-party materials

Compliance Training:

• Train SPS faculty and staff on accessibility and copyright compliance and best practices.

Supervision:

• Supervise, train, and assign work to the Content Specialist.

Miscellaneous:

• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications: (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)

• A master's degree in Communication, English, Journalism, or a related field or the equivalent combination of education and comparable skills
• 2+ years of professional writing and editing
• Experience recruiting, scheduling and supervising a direct report

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Ability to prioritize and organize tasks related to projects
• Strong organizational, document management, and versioning skills
• Demonstrated ability to independently plan and carry out projects to achieve stated objectives
• Strong interpersonal skills, including communication (written and verbal),
• Demonstrates critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrates coachability, initiative, and efficiency,
• Ability to perform comfortably in a deadline-oriented work environment and to mange many complex tasks within in a short timeframe
• Strong analytical skills to process complex information and translate and incorporate the information into effective, engaging course formats
• Ability to explain standards and design approaches clearly and in plain language
• Attention to detail, especially in grammar, punctuation, and proofreading
• Competency with MS Office applications
• Effective oral communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong problem-solving abilities

Preferred Qualifications: (Education and experience)

• 4+ years of professional writing and editing
• Project management experience
• Experience in higher education environment
• Experience teaching/taking courses in an online environment

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Knowledge of HTML
• Knowledge of Canvas Learning Management System (LMS)
• knowledge of WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standards
• Knowledge of US and international copyright law as it applies to digital content and downloadable materials

Target hiring range for this position will be between $78,000 to $84,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.

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