Section 508 Specialist (Consultant)

Description

The Manhattan Strategy Group LLC (MSG) in Bethesda, MD, is seeking a Section 508 Specialist with an accomplished portfolio and extensive experience converting inaccessible digital documents—primarily PDFs, Word files, PowerPoint presentations, and Excel spreadsheets—into conformant formats that meet Section 508 (WCAG 2.0 Level AA baseline, effective January 18, 2018) and, where required, WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards. The work involves auditing tag trees, correcting reading order, applying semantic structure (headings, lists, tables, figures), writing meaningful alternative text, and verifying output against assistive technology including screen readers such as JAWS and NVDA. Specialists use tools like Adobe Acrobat Pro, CommonLook, and axesPDF to perform and validate remediation. The individual will work with a team of stakeholders, copywriters, creative strategists, media experts, designers, consultants, communications experts, and web developers to ensure projects run smoothly. 

Job Responsibilities/Duties:

• Evaluate and remediate digital documents, websites, web applications, and multimedia content for Section 508 and WCAG compliance. 

• Remediate Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF, and InDesign files to meet accessibility standards. 

• Audit and correct document structure, including headings, lists, tables, figures, tag trees, reading order, and alternative text. 

• Conduct manual and automated accessibility testing using industry-standard tools. 

• Validate accessibility using screen readers, keyboard navigation, color contrast testing, and other assistive technologies. 

• Identify accessibility barriers and recommend effective remediation solutions. 

• Prepare accessibility reports, testing documentation, VPATs/Accessibility Conformance Reports (ACRs), and remediation tracking logs. 

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate accessibility throughout the content and development lifecycle. 

• Stay current on accessibility regulations, standards, emerging technologies, and best practices. 

Qualifications: 

• U.S. citizen or authorized to work in the United States. 

• Minimum 3 years of experience performing Section 508 document remediation, IAAP Accessible Document Specialist, preferred. 

• Active Trusted Tester Certification, preferred. 

• Strong knowledge of Section 508, WCAG 2.1/2.2 AA, the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and IDEA. 

• Demonstrated experience remediating Microsoft Office documents and Adobe PDFs. 

• Advanced proficiency with Adobe Acrobat Pro and intermediate-to-advanced proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. 

• Experience conducting accessibility testing using manual and automated methodologies. 

• Hands-on experience with screen readers and assistive technologies, including JAWS and NVDA. 

• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and project management skills. 

• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work independently in a remote environment. 

• Experience collaborating effectively across teams and time zones.