Specialist, Accessibility

Job Summary

This is your opportunity to join a dynamic and exciting team that plays a critical role within the City in developing strategies and promoting policies, practices and programs to create a more accessible and inclusive environment for residents, visitors and employees. As the Accessibility Specialist, you will contribute meaningfully to the team’s priorities and to the City’s accessibility goals.

Reporting to the Manager, Standards, Training and Compliance, the Accessibility Specialistwill assist in implementing the City's Multi-Year Accessibility Plan and provide strategic and policy advice to Citydepartments to ensure compliance with provincially mandated accessibility standards and assist in efforts to identify, remove and prevent barriers to accessibility. You will assist indeveloping policies, procedures and guidelines to support implementation and compliance of the AODA; provide policy and legislation interpretation, advice and direction; coordinate and prepare plans and reports; monitor departmental compliance and make recommendations; and motivate and champion accessibility in the organization and the larger community.

This is a hybrid work arrangement (work from home and some work in the office.

Duties and Responsibilities

Reporting to the Supervisor, Accessibility, Accessibility Planning and Compliance, the Accessibility Specialist will be responsible for:

• Assisting in the development, implementation and evaluation of a multi-year accessibility plan and an annual update of the plan
  
• Supporting the coordination and implementation of corporate-wide accessibility initiatives to meet Council-directed and legislated requirements by providing accessibility expertise and legislative guidance
  
• Acting as a subject matter expert on the AODA, its standards and accessibility best practices
  
• Attending and participating in Accessibility Advisory Committee and subcommittee meetings
  
• Assisting in providing guidance to the Corporate Staff Accessibility Resource Team (StART) and sub-committees, including chairing team meetings, assigning tasks, establishing schedules and deliverables
  
• Developing linkages and partnerships with internal and external stakeholders
  
• Responding to public inquiries, requests and complaints regarding accessibility
  
• Maintaining Facility Accessibility Design Standards for the corporation
  
• Coordinating accessibility audits for City facilities, programs and services and making recommendations
  
• Developing and implementing staff and public accessibility awareness events and programs
  
• Reviewing, advising and developing proposals and applications for relevant awards and alternative funding sources and grants for specific programs and services related to improving accessibility
  

Skills and Qualifications

Among the strengths you bring to the role are the following key qualifications:

• Experience developing and promoting accessibility or equity issues and ensuring compliance with legislated requirements, paired with project management and policy development skills is considered a strong asset.
  
• Post-secondary education in a relevant professional discipline (public administration, community development, social services etc.) or an equivalent combination of education and/or relevant experience is required.
  
• Strong political acumen to foster and build internal and external stakeholder relationships is considered a strong asset.
  
• Strongly developed communication skills. These skills will be crucialin handling internal and external communications, preparing briefing notes, reports for senior management and City Council
  
• Highly developed critical thinking and problem-solving skills to facilitate effective solutions in an effort to advance the City's accessibility goals and AODA compliance
  
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced environment under tight timelines
  
• Solid working knowledge of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), the Ontario Human Rights Code and other related legislation is considered a strong asset.
  
• Knowledge of site plan review process, Ontario Building Code, universal design principles and best practices
  

Hourly Rate/Salary:$ 74,817.00 - $ 99,758.00
Hours of Work:35
Work Location:950 Burnhamthorpe Rd W
Organization Unit:CPS/Accessibility
Department/Division/Section:CPS/Corporate Services Dept,CPS/Facil & Property Mgmt Div,Facility Planning & Accessibility
Non-Union/Union: Non Union

A Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (Level 2) or Vulnerable Sector Check (Level 3) will be required of the successful candidate, at their own expense, to verify the absence of a criminal record for which a pardon has notbeen granted.

We thank all who apply, however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. You can alsocheck your application status in your candidate profile online.

All personal information is collected under the authority of the Municipal Act.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
The City of Mississauga is committed to creating a respectful and supportive workplace that fosters a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion which broadly reflects the communities and residents we serve. Throughout the employee life cycle, the City is working to include an EDI lens to attract, retain and support the growth of diverse talent.

Learn more about the City’s commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion .

Accommodations
The City of Mississauga is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to removing barriers in our selection process for people with visible and invisible disabilities. In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the Ontario Human Rights Code, the City of Mississauga will provide accommodations throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities.

If selected to participate in the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process, please inform Human Resources of the nature of anyaccommodation(s) that you may require in respect of any materials or processes used to ensure your equal participation.