People Strategy, Equity, and Culture

Instructional Media Specialist

  • Title: Instructional Media Specialist
  • Class: Classified
  • Exempt Status: Non-exempt
  • Grade: 19

Job Summary

Responsible for creating, modifying and converting printed, digital, video or multi-media material into a variety of alternate media formats for students with disabilities, ensuring those materials meet appropriate Web Accessibility Guidelines. Provides instructional design expertise for the development and support of traditional or online learning courses. Work may be performed in an environment in which technical supervision is not available and incumbent is the primary source for technical information. Incumbent is responsible for training and guiding student or casual help and/or reviewing their work.

Typical Duties and Responsibilities

  1. Converts printed, digital, video or multimedia material and specially encrypted publisher files into a variety of alternative media formats. Obtains copyright permission from publishers. Ensures students can access materials in a timely manner.
  2. Works directly with students, staff, faculty and vendors to provide alternative media in a mode that meets students’ individual needs. Troubleshoots media related issues for faculty and students and recommends solutions. Ensures that alternative format accommodations are effective in meeting student needs at all times.
  3. Develops, implements, evaluates, reviews, replaces and upgrades alternate media formats as necessary for ADA compliance. Monitors equipment/materials usage to ensure that accommodation demands are met.
  4. Collaborates with faculty and staff to design and develop accessible instructional materials including but not limited to graphics, visual elements, presentations, print/electronic guides, training materials and interactive multimedia.
  5. Conducts end user accessibility testing and ensures alternate media formats and instructional materials are in compliance with standards, laws, codes, rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
  6. Trains students, faculty and staff in the use of alternative media format systems. Designs and develops accessibility guides, instructional documentations, training materials and video tutorials for faculty, staff and students. Revises and updates current training materials according to system, design and technology changes.
  7. Serves as a primary point of contact for alternate media service vendors and media related issues for students, faculty and staff.
  8. Researches, evaluates and integrates new alternate format accessibility trends and emerging instructional design trends and technologies for improving learning within online courses and makes recommendations.
  9. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

Work is performed in the Central Office for Distance Education. Exposure to video display terminals occurs with high frequency. Prolonged sitting may be required. Learned physical skill required to perform keyboarding function. Regular lifting of equipment and materials used is required.

Minimum Qualifications

Associate’s degree or two years of college-level course work in Media Studies or related field. Relevant experience may substitute for the post high school education on a year-for-year basis. Two years of experience with alternative media format systems to include developing and testing alternative media is required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:
  • Current computer software packages and a variety of alternative media format systems that may include Kurzweil, ABBYY Fine Reader, Dolphin Producer, and DAISY;
  • Current systems such as MP3, web downloads, and WAV;
  • Current delivery media formats including, but not limited to VHS, DVD, Camtasia, Elluminate, Desire to Learn and HTML;
  • Techniques to train individuals who experience a variety of cognitive, sensory, physical, and psychiatric disabilities;
  • Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG);
  • Principles and practices of instructional design and adult learning theory;
  • Web design, graphic design and information architecture; common web development tools and programming;
  • Current web design standards, regulations, laws and trends;
  • Current ADA compliance;
  • Current laws regarding media accessibility and copyright;
  • Captioning programs and video file conversion programs;
  • Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, codes, and statues.
Skills in:
  • Organizing and keeping records;
  • Researching the availability of captioned materials;
  • Analyze and resolve problems with minimal supervision;
  • Evaluating accessibility using a variety of tools and manual testing;
Ability to:
  • Learn new computer/media systems and respond quickly to constantly changing technology;
  • Train individuals in the use of adaptive systems;
  • Remain current on adaptive technology trends;
  • Effectively communicate technical and complex information both in writing and verbally;
  • Be an active listener;
  • Be detail oriented;
  • Remain calm under high pressure situations;
  • Analyze and resolve problems with minimal supervision;
  • Meet college expectations regarding customer service;
  • Interact effectively with students, the public, and college staff members;
  • Work with multiple priorities in a fast-paced and changing environment.

New: 05/2019