Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Projects Architect/Engineer

JOB DESCRIPTION

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Projects Architect/Engineer Marketing Statement:

The Systemwide Accessibility team is seeking an innovative Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Projects Architect/Engineer to help shape the future of accessible transit across one of the nation's largest and most complex transportation systems.

This role provides leadership in accessibility design review, facility planning, infrastructure improvements, and customer-centered design strategies that improve the experience of all riders. Working collaboratively with architects, engineers, planners, operations staff, and customers with disabilities, the successful candidate will help integrate accessibility, usability, sustainability, and operational effectiveness into projects from concept through implementation.

The ideal candidate will bring expertise in architecture, engineering, accessibility, and possess a strong understanding of universal design principles, inclusive design practices, and customer experience.

This position supports the development of innovative accessibility solutions that improve long-term system performance, reduce the need for costly remediation, and create more equitable customer experiences.

Join a forward-thinking team that is reimagining the future of accessible mobility through human-centered design, innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to delivering inclusive transit experiences for all customers.

Job Description:

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Projects Architect/Engineer coordinates projects to ensure compliance of with the ADA, ADA Standards, Section 508 Compliance, Architectural Barriers Act, and any applicable codes regarding Accessibility for people with disabilities. Reviews the ADA compliance of assigned Capital Planning programs and projects from concept to final delivery. The incumbent works with teams comprised of Metro employees, contractors, and/or colleagues to drive outcomes to improve ADA Accessibility transit services and/or infrastructure. The ADA Project Architect/Engineer advocates for Metro's ADA accessibility needs in planning activities including coordination with other offices within the Authority and with federal, state, regional and local agency representatives and other stakeholders.

Principal Job Duties

• Supports the implementation of ADA compliance for key programs, projects and/or initiatives within the Office of ADA Policy and Planning in support of the Metro Access (ACCS) Priorities.
• ACCS Priorities: Grows ridership and increases service equity by planning and delivering safe, fast, reliable, and accessible all day service that is competitive.
• Serves as an ADA Facilities and equipment compliance project coordinator, performing site visits, working with teams consisting of employees, contractors, and colleagues from partner departments to develop solutions to achieve Authority's mission and resolve the region's accessibility challenges.
• Reviews and ensures the inclusion of recent technologies and facility improvement efforts.
• Performs planning activities to improve transit service and/or infrastructure by performing site visits; developing and preparing major inputs to the annual work plan; writing scopes of work; identifying program goals and outcomes; updates plans and programs to expand and improve transit service and infrastructure and Section 508 compliance.
• ACCS Priorities: Supports operational readiness of new stations.
• Creates and maintains a database that includes all aspects of ADAP's efforts which is used to inform ADA's involvement in Metro projects.
• Identifies opportunities for customers with disabilities to ride the fixed bus and rail, and for service enhancement through innovation and new initiatives.

Other Duties

• Maintains and promotes awareness and accountability with safety policies and procedures while performing job functions. Promotes a positive safety culture and encourages reporting of safety concerns consistent with our Agency Safety Plan, other regulatory requirements within the Safety Management System and just culture principles.

The functions listed are not intended to limit specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Nor is it intended to limit in any way the right of managers and supervisors to assign, direct and control the work of employees under their supervision.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Knowledge

• Knowledge of architectural, technical and engineering drawings
• Knowledge of the principals and practices in transportation planning, demographic, statistical, and other technical analysis
• Knowledge of project or program implementation and evaluation
• Knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques for effective staff management
• Knowledge of the US Americans with Disabilities Act and subsequent amendments

Skills

• Skills transportation planning, demographic, statistical, and other technical analysis and project or program implementation and evaluation
• Skills in the use of a PC, Microsoft spreadsheet, database, graphics tools applications, and other analytical software programs
• Skills in Adobe Pro, Email, Microsoft Teams or other video conferencing software
• Skills in making judgment calls and exercising initiative to resolve problems and making recommendations concerning various projects
• Skills in editing documents to make them 508 compliant
• Strong, effective verbal and written communications skills

Abilities

• Ability to advocate successfully and work cooperatively inside and outside Metro, across all levels of government, the business sector and community groups
• Ability to coordinate teams of consultants and collaborate with an interdisciplinary professional staff from across Metro
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships
• Ability to explore, comprehend and define complex problems, and develop imaginative, data-driven and workable solutions that deliver results that improve organizational effectiveness and efficiency in a challenging environment
• Demonstrated ability to design, coordinate numerous complex and concurrent projects or programs and ensure compliance with policies and procedures
• Ability to maintain current knowledge of the latest ADA developments and pending requirements
• Ability to read and mark up architectural and engineering drawings with corrections
• Ability to organize, structure, and frame ideas, issues, technical content, and strategies in a clear, focused, and persuasive manner across a range of communication forums
• Ability to read architectural and engineering construction and equipment drawings fluently

Machine, Tools, Equipment, Software, Hardware Required

• Personal Computer
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Adobe Professional

Supervisory Responsibility
Guides work of others who perform essentially the same work. May organize, set priorities, schedule and review work, but has no responsibility to hire, terminate, review performance or make pay decisions.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Education

• A Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Engineering, or a related field.

Minimum Experience

• Seven (7) years of extensive experience in ADA Compliance including ADA Standards for Accessibility, developing documents that are Section 508 compliant and marking up architectural and engineering drawings. Must include reading architectural and engineering construction and equipment drawings fluently.

Minimum Certification/Licensure

• None

Preferred Qualifications

• Education
  • A Master's degree in Architecture, Engineering, or a related field.

ABOUT US

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), known as Metro, is the region's leading public transportation provider. Serving a 2,054-square-mile jurisdiction, Metro operates six rail lines, 98 stations, 126 bus routes, and Metro Access, a shared-ride paratransit service. As one of the nation's busiest transit systems, Metro connects communities, supports economic growth, and provides safe, reliable transportation.


Evaluation Criteria


Consideration will be given to applicants whose resumes demonstrate the required education and experience. Applicants should include all relevant education and work experience.


Evaluation criteria may include one or more of the following:

• Skills and/or behavioral assessment
• Personal interview
• Verification of education and experience (including certifications and licenses)
• Criminal Background Check (a criminal conviction is not an automatic bar to employment)
• Medical examination including a drug and alcohol screening (for safety sensitive positions)
• Review of a current motor vehicle report

Closing


WMATA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by applicable federal law.


This posting is an announcement of a vacant position under recruitment. It is not intended to replace the official job description. Job descriptions are available upon confirmation of an interview.