Assistive Technology Engineer (Senior)

Empower AI is AI for government. Empower AI gives federal agency leaders the tools to elevate the potential of their workforce with a direct path for meaningful transformation. Headquartered in Reston, Va., Empower AI leverages three decades of experience solving complex challenges in Health, Defense, and Civilian missions. Our proven Empower AI Platform® provides a practical, sustainable path for clients to achieve transformation that is true to who they are, what they do, how they work, with the resources they have. The result is a government workforce that is exponentially more creative and productive. For more information, visit www.Empower.ai.

Empower AI is proud to be recognized as a 2024 Military Friendly Employer by Viqtory, the publisher of G.I. Jobs. This designation reflects the company’s commitment to hiring and supporting active-duty and veteran employees.

In fulfillment of the primary duty described above, and in performance of PWS Section 6.11 task requirements, the candidate is responsible for: 

• →Providing senior subject matter expertise in AT, evaluating, recommending, integrating, customizing, deploying, and supporting AT software into DoD-secured Windows 10 or higher client/server and VDI systems for Employees with Disabilities. 

• →Supporting and troubleshooting the full current AT software suite: JAWS 2020 (with FSReader, OCR, Synthesize Eloquence, Talkinginstaller, and Video Intercept), ZoomText, OpenBook, Kurzweil 3000, WordQ, Magic, Dragon Naturally Speaking, and Read and Write Gold. 

• →Evaluating prospective AT software and hardware; researching emerging AT technology; documenting specific technical solutions for J6 AT customers in support of configuration management and standardization of AT software versions on the Supported Products List. 

• →Providing informal Section 508 guidance across the J6 Enterprise on accessible document formatting, SharePoint and web application accessibility, accessible training aids, script creation and troubleshooting, and WCAG 2.0 best practices. 

• →Developing all quarterly Section 508/AT training materials including documents, training aids, and supporting materials; delivering quarterly training to Agency personnel in lunch-and-learn or workshop format (1–4 hours each quarter) via MS Teams or Skype. 

• →Submitting the monthly AT Status Report (tickets received, resolved, time to resolve, aging tickets) and weekly AT Metrics Report to Government. 

• →Assisting J6 with configuration of AT software; performing automated and manual testing of applications and systems for Section 508 compliance and AT compatibility; communicating technical issues to AT software vendors and opening vendor trouble tickets. 

• →Programming and scripting AT software products to work seamlessly with J6 applications; documenting scripts in ServiceNow KM Articles; coordinating scripting with application owners to optimize hot keys and AT performance. 

• →Providing end-user support for AT users via phone, remotely, and via deskside support; providing home visits to daily teleworking AT users when remote troubleshooting is not possible. 

• →Communicating and coordinating AT issues with J6 entities including networking, cybersecurity, desktop support, desktop imaging, configuration management, routing/firewall, and telephony. 

• →Performing license management assistance and coordinating licensing issues with the J6 Software Asset Manager; gathering performance and usability metrics for J6 systems and AT solutions. 

• →Documenting all engineering support activities in ServiceNow; maintaining KM articles for recurring AT troubleshooting scenarios. 

• Serves as the senior subject matter expert in AT; independently evaluates, recommends, integrates, customizes, deploys, and supports AT software into DoD-secured Windows 10 or higher client/server and VDI systems for Employees with Disabilities; applies highly specialized knowledge of AT engineering to make independent technical determinations on configuration and deployment strategies. 

• Independently installs, configures, and maintains the full current AT software suite — JAWS 2020 (with FSReader, OCR, Synthesize Eloquence, Talkinginstaller, and Video Intercept), ZoomText, OpenBook, Kurzweil 3000, WordQ, Magic, Dragon Naturally Speaking, and Read and Write Gold — within the J6 Enterprise network and J6 desktop image; applies specialized expertise to resolve compatibility issues and ensure all AT products perform optimally within the DoD-secured environment. 

• Independently programs and scripts AT software products to work seamlessly with J6 applications; exercises significant professional judgment in designing scripting solutions; documents scripts in ServiceNow KM Articles; coordinates scripting with application owners to optimize hot keys and AT performance across the enterprise. 

• Independently assists J6 with configuration of AT software; performs automated and manual testing of applications and systems for Section 508 compliance and compatibility with AT solutions; independently communicates technical issues to AT software vendors and opens vendor trouble tickets; gathers performance and usability metrics for J6 systems and AT solutions. 

• Independently provides informal Section 508 guidance across the J6 Enterprise on accessible document formatting, SharePoint and web application accessibility, accessible training aids, script creation and troubleshooting, and WCAG 2.0 best practices; exercises significant discretion in determining guidance content and approach for each enterprise stakeholder. 

• Develops and delivers quarterly Section 508 or AT training to Agency personnel in lunch-and-learn or workshop format (1–4 hours each quarter) via MS Teams or Skype; independently develops all training materials including documents, training aids, and supporting materials IAW WCAG 2.0. 

• Provides end-user support for AT users via phone, remotely, and via deskside support; independently diagnoses hardware and software problems; identifies, assesses, and documents appropriate AT solutions; provides home visits to daily teleworking AT users when remote troubleshooting is not possible. 

• Independently communicates and coordinates AT issues with J6 entities including networking, cybersecurity, desktop support, desktop imaging, configuration management, routing/firewall, and telephony; performs license management and coordinates licensing issues with the J6 Software Asset Manager; submits the monthly AT Status Report and weekly AT Metrics Report to Government. 

• Active Secret security clearance at time of award. 

• Demonstrated ability to independently apply advanced systems analysis techniques and highly specialized technical knowledge in AT engineering, including scripting, Section 508 compliance testing, and VDI integration, without continuous direct supervision. 

• Proven capacity to serve as the senior AT technical authority; ability to independently evaluate emerging AT technology, provide enterprise-wide Section 508 guidance, and develop all training materials. 

• Highly specialized knowledge of the J6 AT software suite including JAWS 2020 (with FSReader, OCR, Synthesize Eloquence, Talkinginstaller, and Video Intercept), ZoomText, OpenBook, Kurzweil 3000, WordQ, Magic, Dragon Naturally Speaking, and Read and Write Gold; expertise in integrating these products into DoD-secured Windows and VDI environments. 

• Strong knowledge of Section 508 compliance requirements, WCAG 2.0 standards, and assistive technology accessibility testing methodologies. 

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with demonstrated experience resolving complex AT compatibility and configuration issues. 

• Strong customer service orientation with demonstrated sensitivity and professionalism in supporting Employees with Disabilities. 

• Ability to effectively prioritize and execute tasks across multiple concurrent AT support requirements in a high-pressure environment. 

• Good written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills; ability to present ideas in business-friendly and user-friendly language. 

• Ability to conduct research into AT software, hardware, and emerging accessibility technologies as required. 

• Highly self-motivated and directed; capable of operating with minimal supervision. 

• Strong attention to detail and rigorous documentation standards consistent with DoD compliance requirements. 

• Team-oriented and skilled in working within a collaborative environment. 

The essential physical functions below are incidental to the primary analytical and engineering duties of this position and are performed in furtherance of the AT technical responsibilities described herein: 

• Ability to sit and stand for extended periods in a professional office environment. 

• Ability to ambulate throughout office buildings and travel to AT user locations for home visits when remote troubleshooting is not possible. 

• Ability to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl as required to access equipment in confined spaces. 

• Ability to repeatedly lift and carry equipment up to 50 pounds. 

• Required Education: Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related technical discipline; or equivalent combination of advanced vendor certification (including vendor certification in the technology being applied) and directly relevant professional experience accepted in lieu of degree. 

• Required Experience: 9 or more years of progressively responsible professional experience in assistive technology engineering, Section 508 compliance testing, or enterprise endpoint computing, including demonstrated experience serving as a senior AT technical resource. 

• Prior experience supporting a DoD or J6 customer environment is strongly preferred. 

• Required Certifications: ITIL v4 Foundations, CompTIA Security+, Section 508 Trusted Tester certification or equivalent. 

• Preferred Certifications: CompTIA A+, CPACC (Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies). 

All hiring and promotion decisions at Empower AI are based on merit to bring the best talent available to contribute to our firm’s overall success. It is the policy of Empower AI not to discriminate against any applicant for employment, or employee because of age, color, sex, disability, national origin, race, religion, or veteran status. Empower AI is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.