Accessibility Specialist

DWP. Digital With Purpose.

Do you have experience of developing accessible and inclusive Web Content?

Want to help us build services that work for every user?

DWP is the UK's largest government department. Right now, we're using the latest tech, tooling, and thinking to power a once-in-a-generation digital transformation, building products and services that work better for millions of citizens across the UK.

We're looking for an experienced Accessibility Specialist who will support the development and accessibility of our Web Content.

We are a small and diverse team, with a passion for improving accessibility, ensuring we are genuinely inclusive to all.

Working in a relatively new and rapidly evolving field of expertise within DWP Digital, we are committed to developing our skills and practices further, ensuring that everyone has equal opportunity to contribute and excel.

You and your role

You'll be part of our Accessibility Standards and Strategy Team. We enable our people to deliver products and services that are accessible and inclusive for DWP customers and colleagues.

You will be working with a team of passionate individuals who are all advocates of accessibility. In this role you will assess and improve the technical compliance and usability of digital services with a range of assistive technologies.

We identify risks, and opportunities for improvement by engaging with a broad spectrum of stakeholders. Offering technical expertise and recommendations, you will play an important part of ensuring we become genuinely accessible to all.

As an experienced accessibility professional, you can expect to train and mentor junior members of our team on best practice and approach. This will include creating and sharing guidance, assisting with end user training and digital inclusion topics, such as how to facilitate inclusive meetings.

This is a really varied role, with opportunity to work across the entire department on a multitude of projects all centred around embedding accessibility.

Plus, there's a lot of opportunity to engage with and contribute to the cross-government accessibility service, sharing on best practices and enhancing understanding.

What skills, knowledge and experience will you need?

• Experience assessing websites and documents against the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), investigating the cause of defects, and explaining the impact on end users.
• Good understanding of how to make web and document content accessible, using HTML, CSS, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Use of a range of assistive software (screen readers, screen magnifiers & voice recognition software) and automated tools for testing and demonstrating.
• Leading a team to deliver outcomes with clear objectives and time frames, praising achievement and promoting a positive working environment.
• Analysis of audit findings to help make difficult decisions and give advice about accessibility.

Details. Wages. Perks.

Location: You'll join us in one of our brilliant digital hubs in Blackpool, Leeds, Newcastle or Sheffield whichever is most convenient for you.

Hybrid Working: We work a hybrid model - you'll spend some time working at home and some time collaborating face to face in a hub.

Pay: We offer competitive pay of up to 42,614.

Pension: You'll get a brilliant civil service pension with employer contributions worth 28.97%, worth up to 12,345.

Holidays: A generous leave package starting at 26 days rising to 31 days over time.

You can also take up to 3 extra days off a month on flexi-time. You'll also get all the usual public holidays.

We have a broad benefits package built around your work-life balance which includes:

• An award-winning environment and culture: Employer of the Year 2023 (Women In IT Awards), Founders Award for Outstanding Digital Leadership 2023 (Digital 100)

• Flexible working including flexible hours and flex-friendly policies

• Time off volunteering and charitable giving

• Bring your authentic self to work with 'I Can Be Me in DWP'

• Discounts and savings on shopping, fun days out and more

• Interest-free loans to buy a bike or a season ticket, so it's even easier for you to get to work and start making a difference

• Sports and social activities

• Professional development, coaching, mentoring and career progression opportunities.

Process:

We know your time is valuable so our application and selection process is just two stages:

1. Apply: complete your application on Civil Service Jobs. There'll be full instructions when you click through.

1. Interview: a single stage interview online.

CLICK APPLY for more information and to start your application.