The Department of Natural Resources, DNR IT Custom Application Development Section, seeks to hire a UI UX Designer II. This position will plan for, identify and document standards, processes and guidance for custom applications user interfaces, specifically addressing accessibility and mobile friendly techniques. The position translates functional needs into user-friendly designs, conducts accessibility testing, and ensures applications provide consistent, responsive experience across devices and assistive technologies. This position would also review applications for meeting accessibility WCAG 2.1 AA compliance and collaborate with others to determine processes for monitoring and ensuring future changes continue to meet standards once defined. The position will provide input to mitigate/resolve issues. The position would assist with testing guidance to developers and documentation of test scenarios related to accessibility and mobile friendliness. The position would develop and assist with developing any templates needed. The position needs to provide reliable, responsive support. This work requires 40 hrs./week) work for a candidate with advanced skillsets and experience in UI UX design, development and testing.
This position is responsible for creating intuitive, efficient, and accessible designs that meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards and align usability, mobile and security requirements, while maintaining the overall structure and integrity familiar to users as related to the specific application. The candidate must have proven work experience with UI UX design and testing of custom apps as well as experience implementing related mobile-friendly and accessibility requirements within a large organization. The person hired for this position must work closely with Application Development Supervisors, DNR Application Architect Lead and Web Services section to define Accessibility and Mobile Friendly standards, processes and guidance. This will include working with DNR approved testing tools. An important part of the position will be to understand the types of user interactions required for the DNR Custom Applications which may include internal users, external partners and public users. Many of our users work in the field on mobile devices, therefore, mobility is extremely important when determining standards to meet DNR needs.
The candidate should be motivated to stay on top of technological advancements to ensure that new techniques, tools so design and testing methods can continuously be improved, supported, and aligned with industry and agency standards as well as emerging business requirements. The candidate must be a self-starter to plan out and complete deliverables. The candidate for this position will need to rely on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals and be able to perform a variety of tasks. To be successful, the candidate will need to take initiative and own tasks or products along with being self-motivating including excellent communications (presentation, verbal and written), time management, listening, collaboration, problem solving and adaptability skillsets.
Skillsets:
· Advanced level experience designing web-based application user interfaces that are accessible and mobile friendly to users, adhering to relevant accessibility guidelines meeting or exceeding WCAG 2.1 AA or higher requirements and compliance with related regulations, such as, the American Disabilities Act (ADA) Section 508 for custom applications. (4+ years)
· Advanced level experience with front-end web development technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, jQuery and modern JavaScript frameworks (e.g., Angular). (4+ years)
· Advanced level experience identifying, documenting and implementing accessibility, mobile and usability standards, processes and guidance into an organization. (2+ years)
· Experience using Accessibility tools and techniques to ensure compliance with requirements, such as, Lighthouse, Axe dev, NVDA, Aria, jaws, ANDI) (4+ years)
· Experience designing user interfaces by using tools, such as, Adobe XD, Figma for prototyping, user flows and wireframes.
· Advanced level experience designing and testing user interfaces for web applications across platforms, browsers and devices for usability.
· Advanced level experience working with teams developing custom applications.
· Knowledge and experience working in a Microsoft .Net environment.
· Knowledge of universal design principles.
· Experience with testing tasks such as identifying test scenarios, test data setup, execution, and documenting test results.
· Experience working with users to meet accessibility needs.
· Experience utilizing the Systems Development Lifecycle (SDLC) and following IT Best Practices
· Experience troubleshooting UX issues through testing, debugging, research, investigation and identifying solutions.
· Experience following Iterative/Agile/Scrum Methodologies for completing projects from Initiation through Implementation and Maintenance.
· Experience understanding defined requirements by identifying and implementing achievable solutions.
· Excellent presentation, written and verbal communication skills including describing technical items to non-technical staff.
· Experience writing standards and guidelines documentation.
· Experience creating technical documentation for processes and applications.
· Collaborates and shares information with others and is a team player to ensure project success and business needs are met.
· Ability to meet project timelines.
· Ability to provide input into task estimates.
· Excellent time management, organizational and planning skills.
· Experience conducting research and persona development.
· Experience working independently to complete tasks.
· Experience with data analysis and use of metrics.
· Adaptability and willingness to learn new technology and tools
· Excellent customer service including demonstrating empathy for users
· Critical thinking and creative problem solving
· Good interpersonal skills.
Additional skillsets that will also be helpful:
· Experience working at DNR or in another Government agency.
· Experience working with Microsoft Tools including SharePoint, Teams, Word, Visio, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.
· UX certifications or training in UX design and accessibility standards.
DNR Technical Environment:
DNR has a large number of .Net custom applications and very high usage of GIS applications interfacing with other state agencies, other states, partners and the federal government. This includes Web Applications, API’s, Batch, GIS custom applications and reporting technologies:
ASP.Net, .Net Framework 4.8, MVC, Angular, C#, Power BI, GIS (ArcGIS, AGOL, VertiGIS, etc.), Oracle, JavaScript, Bootstrap, SharePoint, SFTP, Tableau, Visual Studio, Azure DevOps in the cloud, Batch and Web Applications.
Job duties:
This position will work at the direction of the DNR IT Custom Applications Section Supervisor and DNR Application Architect Lead while collaborating with other IT Sections utilizing DNR IT standards, software, and tools. Tasks of this position include, but are not limited to:
1. Orienting oneself to current custom applications and pain points related to user interfaces.
2. Research, identify and document standards, processes and guidance for custom applications user interfaces for .Net environment, specifically addressing WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility requirements and mobile friendly techniques. This includes development of any templates that would be needed.
3. Review and test existing or new applications to identify compliance levels of WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility requirements and document and report out findings with recommendations for improvements.
4. Assist with maintaining an inventory of application findings and resolutions.
5. In collaboration with others, develop and document a process to ensure ongoing changes to custom applications or any new development meets or exceeds accessibility standards.
6. Provides recommendations to mitigate or resolve issues related to user interfaces, specifically those to ensure compliance with accessibility and to ensure applications are mobile friendly.
7. Identify, document and provide testing strategy and scenarios specifically to test for accessibility and mobile-friendly design across devices/platforms.
8. Complete testing of applications while utilizing approved DNR testing tools for accessibility compliance.
9. Provide web accessibility consultation to help DNR IT and DNR programs reach and maintain compliance.
10. Develop wireframes and mockups using approved tools to communicate design concepts and interaction flows effectively.
11. As time allows, working with development teams, create intuitive, efficient, and accessible designs that meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards and align usability, mobile and security requirements, while maintaining the overall structure and integrity familiar to users as related to the specific application.
12. Manage any code through Azure DevOps, following release processes.
13. Complete priority tasks and maintain task progress in Azure DevOps to support deliverables and timelines.
14. Participate and contribute input in all meetings related to Agile Methodologies following DNR IT PMO guidance.
15. Analyze tasks and provide input into estimates and timelines.
16. Keep documentation and processes updated.
17. Ensure all deliverables comply with DNR branding standards.
18. Prepare for and conduct presentations to DNR teams as standards are defined to communicate changes including why these are being implemented.
19. Analyze the impact of legislative and/or policy and procedural changes on the business requirements related to web accessibility for IT systems.
20. Participate in periodic audits and/or gathering of metrics related to accessibility compliance.
Specific deliverables:
· UI UX Design Standards, Processes and Guidance: Guidelines for custom application design and development. This includes any templates that may need to be created to streamline processes and for consistency.
· Testing Scenarios: Minimal test scenarios for accessibility and mobility across devices and platforms to ensure compliance. (To be included in new development, enhancement or maintenance projects of custom applications)
· Compliance Process and Metrics: documented process to ensure compliance ongoing, monitor and report out on metrics.
Design and develop application deliverables leveraging DNR standards, best practices and modernized design for performance, maintainability, scalability, usability, accessibility and secure development practices while ensuring business needs are met. This includes meeting federal and state requirements.
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