Accessibility and Assistive Resources Coordinator

Title: Accessibility and Assistive Resources Coordinator
Reports to: Director of Education & the Frick Environmental Center  

Work Status: Full-time
FLSA Status: Exempt 

Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy (PPC) Mission Statement: 

The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy improves quality of life by enhancing and stewarding Pittsburgh’s parks in partnership with the community. 

Position Summary: 

The Accessibility and Assistive Resources Coordinator serves as part of the Education Department and works to provide reasonable accommodations and minimize barriers for park visitors of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds to the Frick Environmental Center (FEC) campus and Outdoor Discovery Space and Sensory Nature Trail. The position works with the education team and other PPC departments in developing new, accessible programs and leads the ongoing assessment of existing programs and services to identify opportunities for expanding accessibility. 

The position oversees the FEC’s Lending Library Program, providing free lendable assistive devices, exploration backpacks, and sensory kits to help people of all abilities connect with nature and enjoy the park. The coordinator trains and supports the FEC welcome desk associates in lending procedures and is responsible for all aspects of the lending program, including procurement, inventory, maintenance, demonstration, distribution, and collection. The position will serve as an integral member of the project team to pilot and launch a Track Chair Program making the majority of Frick Park accessible to those with mobility impairments. 

The ideal candidate has relevant work experience, strong interpersonal skills, and a commitment to serving others.  Essential soft skills for this position include patience, clear communication, flexibility, and problem-solving. The candidate is an adaptive leader who excels at working collaboratively and independently. 

Position Duties: 

Performs under the general supervision of the Director of Education and is responsible for, but not limited to the following duties: 

• Work collaboratively with members of the Education department and regularly interface with Visitor Experience & Operations and Advancement teams to integrate accessibility across programs and priority areas. 

• Interact with and be responsive to park visitors, volunteers and program participants to understand and support their accessibility needs. 

• Establish systems for receiving feedback and develop evaluative tools such to gather feedback and identify actionable accessibility goals. 

• Develop and maintain processes and procedures for the assistive technology lending library. 

• Document and track all accessibility efforts, both qualitatively and quantitatively and produce reports to demonstrate progress and impact. 

• Support the ongoing activation of the Outdoor Discovery Space and Sensory Nature Trail and work collaboratively to develop accessible nature-based experiences across the FEC campus.  

• Strengthen and maintain partnerships with organizations serving people with disabilities and other relevant stakeholders.  

• Participate in ongoing professional development by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining networks; and attending relevant webinars and conferences.
  
  Maintain CPR and First Aid certifications
   

Minimum Qualifications: 

• High school diploma or equivalent 

• Strong oral and written communication skills 

• Experience in a direct service setting working directly with diverse populations that include people with disabilities, caregivers, and children.
  
  Prior experience providing outreach, educational programming and developing
  resources for a variety of audiences
  

Desired Qualifications: 

• Bachelor's degree or some college in a related field such as Special Education, Rehabilitation, Disability Justice, Human Services or Assistive Technology is a plus but not required. 

• 1 (one) or more years of experience working in the accessibility field or serving people with disabilities. Personal experience with a disability is qualifying 

• Knowledge of the American Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 

• Use of Microsoft Office Suite and experience with database management.
  
  Ability to train, support and advise others including staff and volunteers.  

• Demonstrated ability to serve and work effectively with people of diverse races, ethnicities, nationalities, sexual orientations, gender identities, socio-economic backgrounds, religions, ages and physical abilities 
  
  

Requirements: 

A valid drivers license and ability to transport participants is preferred, however, all otherwise qualified candidates will be considered. This position is full-time and requires at least one weekend day (Saturday or Sunday) as part of the regular work week. Occasional evenings may also be required.  

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of
this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or
controls; reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to lift or push up to 30
lbs., stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.