Synergy Business Innovation & Solutions is a premier implementer of cutting-edge software solutions. Synergy brings the experience and expertise necessary to deliver capability that provides tangible ROI to our customers. Synergy's core areas of expertise are in the fields of Digital Transformation, Cloud Solutions, SaaS and Low-Code/No-Code solutions, Emerging Technologies, Data analytics and Visualization, Information Assurance, and Business Process Re-Engineering.

Synergy offers its employees a generous portfolio of core and voluntary benefits including group medical, dental, and vision insurance, HSA, FSA, 401(k) with immediately vested company match, PTO/Sick Leave, 11 paid federal holidays, company paid life, short-term and long-term disability insurance, tuition and training reimbursement, fitness/wellness reimbursement, a referral bonus program, and life management programs.

At Synergy, you'll be challenged and given the opportunity to grow in your career path. In fact, growth is such a big deal to us that you will have dedicated career coaches available for every employee, company-funded certification opportunities, education reimbursement, and a general open-door policy so that you have support when you need it. Our team is eager to learn, fast-paced, and quality-driven-if that sounds like you, Synergy has a position for you!

This position is designated as work-from-home.

Description:

The experience needed for this role combines certified Trusted Tester

(https://www.dhs.gov/trusted-tester) experience with reviewing, and testing web applications and a technical document specialist or author that can develop, test and remediation MS Word, PowerPoint and Adobe PDF documents. For the purposes of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, all criteria must meet the standard at the AA level at a minimum. We believe in accessibility for all. If you are a technical writer that appreciates creating accessible technical documentation, and is a certified Trusted Tester, or if you're a certified Trusted Tester that has as affinity for authoring accessible technical documentation, this is the job for you!

Essential Functions & Duties:

• Evaluation methods performed by reviewers include but are not limited to the following:
  • Quality assurance testing with assistive technologies
  • Published testing methods external to the Department of Agriculture
  • Comparison between the current product and a previously tested product in the same classification
  • Automated testing methods (Note: automated testing cannot be the sole evaluation method)
  • Manual evaluation where automation cannot determine accessibility.
• Testing and remediating documents including but not limited to the MS Suite, and Adobe PDFs.
• Validate 508 compliance using government accessibility standards, for web or file-based content:
  • Must follow, understand and implement WCAG 2.0 guidance, testing techniques and common failures, techniques for authors, and diagram and describe how technical documents are related and linked.
  • Using software tools including but not limited to JAWS, ANDI, Colour Contrast Analyser
  • Example documents include user manuals, frequently asked questions, knowledge-based articles, or user guides.
• Consult with multiple functional roles, or client stakeholders, on accessibility testing results and remediation possibilities.
• Identify accessibility testing requirements and estimate level of effort.
• Identify errors and use best practices for document structure, headings, reading order, images, charts and tables, and hyperlinks.
• Develop 508-compliant templates that can be leveraged to create program documentation (MS Word, MS PowerPoint, or Adobe PDF).
• Stay current on USDA Section 508 policy, accessibility checklists, and additional federal accessibility guidelines.
• Evaluate accessibility testing tools, or new accessibility testing software, for use in meeting federal accessibility guidelines.
• Manage tasks, and meet deadlines, in multiple projects, in series or parallel.

Skills, Qualifications and Certifications of Best Candidates:

• 3+ years testing web applications and documents preferred.
• Trusted Tester Certified (Version 5 or later) with at least 1 year experience testing web applications and documents, after certification.
• Organized and efficient in managing administrative tasks.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and customer service skills
• Strong grammar, spelling, and writing skills
• Ability to function effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Excellent attention to detail
• Ability to quickly learn and integrate new tools and technologies to meet customer needs
• At minimum, intermediate level experience with MS Office Suite and Adobe Acrobat

Citizenship or Work Authorization Required: US Citizen.

Preferred Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree
• 3+ years of relevant experience, meeting federal government accessibility standards.
• Experience with using automated accessibility correction tools, such as Commonlook for Adobe.
• Demonstrated competence in producing high-quality documents and presentations in a fast-paced work environment.
• Appreciation and skills in knowledge sharing and developing methods of knowledge transfer

Compensation for roles at Synergy varies depending on a wide variety of factors including but not limited to the requirements of the role; education and certifications; knowledge, training, skills and abilities; level of experience; geographic location; and alignment with market data, law, and other business and organizational needs. As required by local law, the posted pay range represents the lowest to the highest pay that Synergy believes in good faith it might pay for this particular job, depending on the circumstances. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.

A reasonable estimate of the current pay range is: $68,412 - $97,732.

Essential Job Function Physical Requirements: The physical requirements of this position are critical in evaluating the qualifications and abilities of an applicant or employee. The physical efforts needed to perform the essential duties of this job 90% of the time are repetitive motions, grasping, holding, and finger dexterity of the hands, reading, writing, eye-hand coordination, color distinction, and full visual abilities, hearing, talking, sitting, and use of IT equipment, phones, and office machines.

To a reduced degree, <30% of the time, candidates may have to stand, walk, lift 0-30 pounds, push or pull objects, climb stairs, bend, squat, reach, drive a car, or work overtime.

Synergy is an equal opportunity employer, and does not discriminate against applicants for employment or its employees on the basis of age, race, creed, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military status, sex, medical condition, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, personal appearance, predisposing genetic characteristics, family responsibilities, familial status, marital status, status as a victim of domestic violence, political affiliation, arrest records and criminal convictions, or any other characteristic protected by law. Discrimination or harassment based upon these protected categories is expressly prohibited.