Accessibility Compliance and Risk Analyst

Accessibility Compliance and Risk Analyst (Project Manager - Advanced)

The University of South Carolina is looking for an Accessibility Compliance and Risk Analyst.

Interview Process: 1 round, virtual

Duration of the Contract: 3 months

Possibility for Extension: Yes

Work Location: Role is hybrid (2 days onsite per week). Will consider remote options if local candidate is not available.

Candidate location: Candidate MUST be a SC resident or willing to relocate to SC prior to starting the role at their own expense. Will consider nationwide candidate for remote work if local candidate is not available.

Additional details: Local candidates who can work onsite 2 days per week will be highly preferred.

Position Title: Accessibility Compliance and Risk Analyst

Appointment Type: Contract/Temporary

Reports To: Senior Director of Administration & Resource Management, Division of IT

Position Summary

The accessibility compliance and Risk Analyst provides specialized, hands-on support for the review of Accessibility Conformance Reports (ACRSs) and Voluntary Product Accessibility Templates (VPATs). This role supports institutional digital accessibility compliance efforts by evaluating vendor-supplied documentation, identifying compliance gaps, and documenting accessibility risk levels for use in procurement and governance decisions.

The position operates as a senior practitioner and subject-matter contributor. Final risk acceptance, policy interpretation, and institutional decisions remain the responsibility of the Director.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• VPAT and ACR Review
  • Review Accessibility Conformance Reports (ACRs) and VPAT documentation submitted by vendors as part of the procurement, Technical Review Board (TRB), or governance processes.
  • Evaluate conformance claims against applicable accessibility standards, including Section 508 and WCAG 2.1/2.1.
  • Identify incomplete, unclear, or potentially inaccurate VPAT responses and request clarification when appropriate.
  • Assess accessibility limitations in the context of anticipated use, user populations, and institutional exposure.
• Accessibility Risk Assessment and Documentation
  • Apply established review criteria and guidance to support accessibility risk classifications (e.g., low, moderate, high).
  • Document findings in a clear, standardized format suitable for non-technical stakeholders.
  • Provide written summaries of accessibility risks, constraints, and notable exceptions for Director review and decision making.
  • Maintain consistency and defensibility in documentation to support audit readiness and compliance inquiries.
• Technical Review Board (TBR) Support
  • Support the Technical Review Board by supplying accessibility review findings for technologies under consideration.
  • Participate in review discussions as a subject matter resource when requested.
  • Clearly differentiate factual accessibility findings from risk interpretation or policy judgment reserved to leadership.
• Stakeholder Collaboration
  • Work collaboratively with IT, procurement, compliance, legal, and functional stakeholders to support accessibility review workflows.
  • Communicate accessibility concepts in practical, accessible language tailored to varied audiences.
  • Support remediation planning discussions by identifying areas of non-conformance and potential impacts.

Required Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience with digital accessibility and VPAT analysis
• 3+ years of experience with accessibility risk documentation and technical writing
• 3+ years of experience with accessibility standards interpretation & applied compliance support

Preferred Qualifications

• Formal training or certificates related to digital accessibility, WCAG, or Section 508
• Experience working in higher education, government, or other regulated environments
• Experience with procurement or institutional governance processes
• Bachelor’s degree in one of the following fields: Information Technology, Computer Science, Information Systems, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), User Experience (UX), Digital Media, Web Development, Software Engineering, Public Administration, Information Management, or Compliance

Role Boundaries and Authority

• This position does not set institutional accessibility policy or accept compliance risk on behalf of the organization.
• All final determinations regarding accessibility risk acceptance, exceptions, or procurement approval are made by the Director or designated leadership.
• The role functions as a senior practitioner, analyst, and document specialist.