Accessibility Specialist - Washington, DC (not Web Accessibility)
The Accessibility Consulting Team at Steven Winter Associates, Inc. (SWA) is looking for an Accessibility Consultant to join our team committed to driving social justice by helping clients remove physical barriers to access that have historically marginalized people with disabilities. The team is recognized for improving the way people live by helping clients create accessible and more inclusive built environments. We strive to provide consistently exceptional and reliable solutions-driven accessibility and inclusive design consulting with the goal of exceeding the expectations of our business partners and transforming their approach to development and acquisitions.
This position requires site visits and potentially up to 50% travel depending on project and team needs.
This position reports to the Senior Accessibility Consultant.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The Accessibility Specialist under the direction of the Senior Accessibility Consultant will:
1. Participate in all phases of the firm’s accessibility-related business sector, including the review of design plans, specifications and product submittals; field inspections and existing building audits; technical assistance and consulting during project development, design and construction; remediation plans and cost estimates; litigation consulting; and training.
2. Become proficient in highly specialized regulations, codes, standards, and other relevant criteria:
- accessibility regulations, including the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Fair Housing Amendments Act, and other state and local regulations;
- accessibility requirements of the building code, including the International Building Code and other state and local codes;
- accessibility standards and guidelines, including the 2010 Standards for Accessible Design, the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards, ANSI A117.1, and others.
3. Investigate, analyze, and respond to technical inquiries concerning accessibility issues.
4. Research and maintain database of current products, codes, and standards related to accessibility.
5. Participate in meetings with project teams.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Below is a list of the minimum requirements for the position.
Required industry knowledge and skills
- Bachelor of Architecture, BS in Architecture, BS in Architectural Technology, or
BS in an unrelated field and a minimum of two years of work experience in the field of Code review or Accessibility Consulting with demonstrated experience in conducting plan reviews and field inspections.
- Demonstrated command of navigating plan documents from schematic design and design development through construction documents .
- Ability to communicate highly specialized and technical information to a variety of audiences, in writing and verbally.
- A writing sample will be required to be submitted as part of the application process.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Programs (in order of importance Excel, Word, and PowerPoint).
Preferred knowledge and skills
- CAD experience.
- Adobe InDesign experience.
Required personal qualities
- Interest in highly specialized and technical work
- Organized and super detail oriented
- Ability to work in a fast-paced collaborative environment
- Ability to multitask and manage time efficiently, and work independently when required
- Excellent written and verbal communication
- Well-developed interpersonal skills, maturity, credibility, confidence, and integrity
- Collaborative with strong focus on teamwork
Other duties:
Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without prior notice.
Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, use hands to type, reach with hands and arms, talk, and hear. The employee frequently is required to climb stairs, use elevators and exterior construction hoists, and be exposed to cold and hot interior and exterior temperatures for an extended period of time (while inspecting).
Travel Required:
Local day and/or overnight travel is required. A valid and clean drivers license is required. Expected travel can be anywhere from an estimated 20% to 50% or more at times, depending on project needs.
Working Environment:
This is an office-based position. Most work is performed in an office environment. Regular field work which will involve trips to projects sites is required.
Performance Standards:
Performance will be evaluated against this job description, competencies for this level, and mutually agreed upon objectives, where necessary.
About Steven Winter Associates, Inc.
Steven Winter Associates, Inc. (SWA) provides research, consulting, and advisory services to improve commercial, residential, and multifamily built environments for private and public-sector clients. We specialize in energy, sustainability, and accessibility consulting as well as certification, research & development and compliance services. Our team of professionals has led the way since 1972 in the development of best practices to achieve high performance buildings.
SWA is an Equal Opportunity Employer – all qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, or marital status.
We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package.
Applications submitted without a cover letter will not be reviewed.