Lead Accessibility Strategist

If you are committed to public service, enjoy collaborating with others, share our values and have a desire to learn and grow, join The City of Calgary. City employees deliver the services, run the programs and operate the facilities which make a difference in our community. We support work-life balance, promote physical and psychological safety, and offer competitive wages, pensions, and benefits. Together we make Calgary a great place to make a living, a great place to make a life.
The City is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive and equitable workplace which is representative of the community we serve. We welcome those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, inclusion, anti-racism and reconciliation. Applications are encouraged from members of groups that are historically disadvantaged and underrepresented. Accommodations are available during the hiring process, upon request.

As Lead Accessibility Strategist, you will provide strategic leadership for the advancement of accessibility in the built environment throughout the corporation. You will steward the Access Design Standards to ensure they remain relevant and meet the rapidly evolving best practices in accessibility. You will guide, motivate, and engage internal staff throughout the corporation to ensure built environment accessibility goals are actioned and progressed in all project work. Primary duties include:

- Determine pathways and strategies to action accessibility goals throughout the organization, working with all departments and various business processes involved in the built environment.
- Develop and maintain business processes to ensure accessibility items are clearly understood, identified early, and incorporated into Program and Project budgets.
- Steward the Access Design Standards by developing and keeping the standards current, in alignment with evolving codes and best practices and to meet the corporate goals for equitable services and access for people with disabilities.
- Mediate discussions and make decisions to resolve conflicting demands; determine technical accessibility needs and the final accessibility decisions with identified risks to the corporation.
- Build and maintain industry relationships with external agencies and interested parties on accessibility items and serve as a spokesperson on issues related to accessibility in the built environment.
- Lead and support the Accessibility Team, including performance management, coaching, and ensuring quality and service standards are met.

**Qualifications**
- A degree in a design-related field (Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, Interior Design, Engineering, Landscape Architecture, or Industrial Design), in Social Sciences (Occupational Therapy or Social Work), or in a related field and at least 5 years of experience in the field of accessibility and inclusive design principles.
- Equivalent combinations of experience and education may be considered.
- Working knowledge of relevant legislation, regulations, standards, barrier-free design documents, and best practices is essential.
- The ability to understand and interpret design and construction drawings and information is required.
- Experience as a direct supervisor to a team of staff will be considered an asset.
- Certification with the Rick Hansen Foundation or other accessibility or universal design certification is considered an asset.
- Experience with accessibility and universal design best practices and familiarity and use of accessibility standards beyond building code minimums is an asset.

**Pre-employment Requirements**
- Applicants may be tested for appropriate skills.
- Successful applicants must provide proof of qualifications.

**Workstyle**
- Union: Exempt
Business Unit: Public Spaces Delivery

Position Type: 1 Permanent
Location: 800 Macleod Trail SE

Compensation: Level P3 $102,900 - 128,600 per annum
Days of Work: This position works a 5 day
- work week earning 1 day off in a 3 week cycle.
- Hours of work: Standard 35 hour work week

Audience: Internal/External
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Job ID #: 312562