Senior UX Designer/Researcher (Accessibility Specialist)

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Senior UX Designer/Researcher with strong Accessibility expertise to support the Iowa Department of Management's Division of Information Technology.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience designing and researching accessible, user-centered digital products and services, with a strong understanding of accessibility standards and government/public-sector environments.

Required Skills & Experience

• 8+ years of experience as a UX Designer, UX Researcher, Product Designer, or Accessibility Specialist.
• Strong hands-on experience in UX research, user interviews, usability testing, and user-centered design.
• Deep understanding of digital accessibility standards, including WCAG 2.1/2.2, Section 508, and ADA compliance.
• Experience conducting accessibility audits and testing for websites and applications.
• Experience using accessibility testing tools and assistive technologies such as:
• Axe
• WAVE
• NVDA
• JAWS
• VoiceOver
• Strong experience creating:
• User journeys
• Personas
• Wireframes
• Prototypes
• User flows
• Design specifications
• Proficiency with UX/UI design and prototyping tools such as Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch, or similar tools.
• Ability to collaborate closely with business stakeholders, developers, QA teams, and product teams.
• Experience translating accessibility requirements and research findings into practical design recommendations.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.

Preferred Experience

• Recent experience working with a State Government client is mandatory and must be from the candidate's most recent project.
• Experience supporting government, public-sector, or enterprise digital transformation initiatives.
• Accessibility certifications such as CPACC, WAS, CPWA, or IAAP certifications are a plus.

Important Submission Requirement

Please submit only candidates with RECENT State Government client experience in their current or most recent project.