User Experience (UX) and Accessibility Specialist

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: User Experience (UX) and Accessibility Specialist

Company: Chicago Public Schools

Location: Chicago, Illinois, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Digital Learning & Educational Technology Operations

Date Posted: April 03, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is critical in enhancing the user experience and accessibility of Chicago Public Schools' (CPS) digital learning environment, directly impacting educational resource delivery and student/teacher engagement.

• The position focuses on bridging the gap between user needs and technological solutions within the K-12 educational technology ecosystem, ensuring equitable access to digital curriculum.

• It involves a blend of user-centered design principles, accessibility standards (WCAG), and deep understanding of the unique requirements within an educational setting.

• The specialist will act as a key advocate for user experience and accessibility, driving improvements within the Skyline digital learning platform and related instructional materials.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "User Experience (UX) and Accessibility Specialist," the context of Chicago Public Schools and the mention of "educational technology or digital media" strongly suggests this role falls under the broader umbrella of Digital Learning Operations or EdTech Operations, focusing on the operational delivery and user adoption of digital educational tools and platforms.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• User Engagement & Research:

  • Conduct in-depth user experience interviews, data collection, and usability testing with teachers, students, community members, and other end-users to thoroughly understand their unique needs and inform continuous improvement of role-specific workflows.
  • Act as the primary "UX champion" for users, advocating for their needs and ensuring their perspectives are central to design and development decisions.
  • Develop comprehensive use cases and user personas through direct engagement with district stakeholders to represent diverse user groups and their interaction patterns.

• Design & Interface Development:

  • Design intuitive and effective user interfaces for both desktop and mobile platforms, ensuring seamless interaction with the district's digital learning environment.
  • Translate user research findings and requirements into wireframes, mockups, and prototypes that clearly illustrate proposed solutions and user flows.

• Accessibility & Compliance:

  • Ensure WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) compliance across all Skyline teacher-facing and student-facing digital learning materials and platforms.
  • Maintain a deep, up-to-date knowledge of accessibility best practices for digital learning materials and collaborate with internal teams and external vendors to support and achieve compliance.

• Feedback & Prioritization:

  • Actively review Service Now (SNOW) tickets, stakeholder outreach emails, other user feedback channels, and support requests to identify UX pain points and inform the prioritization of UX initiatives.
  • Analyze user feedback and operational data to recommend enhancements that align with strategic educational objectives.

• Reporting & Collaboration:

  • Provide regular, formal updates, reports, and data regarding UX programs, projects, and initiatives, utilizing normalized project platforms as required.

  • Collaborate effectively with internal teams (e.g., IT, Curriculum, Instruction) and external stakeholders/vendors to integrate UX best practices and accessibility standards into the digital learning ecosystem.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a focus on operationalizing user experience and accessibility within an educational technology context. This involves not just design but also continuous feedback loops, compliance management, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure the seamless and equitable delivery of digital learning resources.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university.

• A valid Professional Educator License issued by the Illinois State Board of Education is required.

Experience:

• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in educational technology or digital media.

Required Skills:

• UX Design Expertise: Proven ability to apply UX design principles to create user-centered digital products and experiences.

• Accessibility Standards: Deep knowledge of and commitment to WCAG compliance for digital learning materials.

• User Research Methodologies: Proficiency in conducting user interviews, data collection, usability testing, and developing use cases/personas.

• Interface Design: Experience designing intuitive interfaces for desktop and mobile applications.

• Educational Technology Context: Understanding of the K-12 educational landscape and the unique needs of teachers and students.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders, including educators, students, and administrators.

• Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication, active listening, and the ability to build rapport with various user groups.

• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical skills to identify user pain points and develop effective solutions.

• Collaboration: Proven success in collaborating with culturally and educationally diverse teams.

Preferred Skills:

• Service Now (SNOW) Proficiency: Experience using ticketing systems like ServiceNow for tracking user feedback and support requests.

• Digital Media Expertise: Broader experience within digital media beyond core UX.

• Instructional Design Principles: Familiarity with how UX and accessibility intersect with instructional design.

• Data Analysis: Ability to interpret user data and feedback to drive prioritization and strategic decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a Professional Educator License is a significant differentiator, indicating a need for someone who not only understands UX but also has a foundational understanding of the educational system and its regulatory environment. This suggests a role that requires a blend of technical UX skills and educational domain knowledge.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• User Research Case Studies: Showcase examples of how you've conducted user research (interviews, testing, data collection) to understand user needs in an educational context.

• UX Design Process: Demonstrate your end-to-end UX design process, from initial research and persona development to wireframing, prototyping, and final interface design for digital products.

• Accessibility Integration: Provide examples of how you have incorporated accessibility best practices (WCAG) into design workflows and ensured compliance in digital materials.

• Impact Demonstration: Include projects where you can quantify the impact of your UX improvements on user engagement, efficiency, or satisfaction, particularly within an educational technology setting.

Process Documentation:

• User Journey Mapping: Ability to create and utilize user journey maps to visualize the end-to-end experience of teachers and students interacting with digital learning platforms.

• Workflow Optimization: Document processes for gathering, analyzing, and prioritizing user feedback from sources like Service Now tickets and stakeholder outreach.

• Accessibility Auditing & Remediation: Processes for conducting accessibility audits and collaborating on remediation efforts for digital learning content.

• Design System Contributions: Experience contributing to or utilizing design systems to ensure consistency and efficiency in interface design.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role in a large educational institution like CPS, a portfolio should highlight not just design outputs but also the candidate's ability to manage processes, collaborate cross-functionally, and demonstrate tangible improvements in user experience and accessibility within a complex, regulated environment.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Health & Wellness:

  • Comprehensive Medical Plan Options
  • Pharmacy Coverage
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Behavioral Health & Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Employee Wellness Program

• Financial Security:

  • Basic Life Insurance
  • Life and Disability Insurance
  • Pension Plans (Illinois state pension system)
  • Supplemental Retirement Plans (403(b) and 457(b))
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
  • Spot Pet Insurance

• Work-Life Balance:

  • Paid Leave
  • Sick Leave
  • Vacation Days
  • Parental Leaves
  • Short-Term Disability

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours, likely 40 hours per week. While this is an on-site role, the nature of UX work may allow for some flexibility in daily scheduling, subject to team needs and operational requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on general market data for similar roles in Chicago and public sector compensation trends. The specific salary will be determined by the district's pay scales, the candidate's qualifications, and the required Professional Educator License status. The benefits package is extensive and typical for a large public school district, emphasizing long-term financial security and work-life balance.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Education (Public School District)

Company Size: Over 45,000 employees, serving over 325,000 students in 500+ schools. This scale implies a highly structured environment with established processes and a significant impact on the community.

Founded: Chicago Public Schools has a long history, founded in 1837, indicating a stable, established institution with deep roots in the city.

Team Structure:

• Department: The role resides within the Office of Teaching and Learning (T&L), specifically the Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Digital Learning (CIDL). This places the role at the intersection of educational strategy and digital resource management.

• Reporting: Reports to the Manager, Digital Learning Design and Instructional Gen AI. This suggests a focus on innovative learning technologies and AI integration within digital learning.

• Collaboration: Expect close collaboration with instructional designers, curriculum specialists, IT professionals, and potentially external EdTech vendors. The role also requires direct engagement with end-users (teachers, students).

Methodology:

• User-Centered: The core methodology revolves around understanding and advocating for user needs in the design and improvement of digital learning tools.

• Data-Driven: Decisions will be informed by user feedback (e.g., Service Now tickets), usage data, and usability testing results.

• Process-Oriented: Emphasizes structured approaches to research, design, testing, and compliance, with a focus on continuous improvement.

• Equity-Focused: A strong emphasis on ensuring equitable access to world-class learning experiences for all students, which directly links to UX and accessibility efforts.

Company Website: https://www.cps.edu/

📝 Enhancement Note: Working for a large public school district like CPS means operating within a mission-driven organization focused on public service. The culture values equity, continuous learning, and community partnership. The scale of operations means processes are often formalized, and decisions may involve multiple layers of approval, but the impact on a vast student population is significant.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is mid-to-senior level, requiring significant specialized experience (5+ years in EdTech, 3+ years in UX). It's a specialist position, not entry-level, focusing on deep expertise in UX and accessibility within a unique sector.

Reporting Structure: The role reports to a Manager within the Digital Learning Design and Instructional Gen AI team, indicating a clear hierarchy and a pathway for mentorship and guidance within the T&L office.

Operations Impact: The UX and Accessibility Specialist directly impacts the effectiveness and equity of digital learning resources used by hundreds of thousands of students and tens of thousands of educators. By improving usability and accessibility, this role enhances educational outcomes, reduces frustration for users, and ensures compliance with legal and ethical standards.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in educational UX, K-12 specific design challenges, or advanced accessibility techniques.

• Leadership: Potential to move into a Senior UX Specialist role, lead UX initiatives, or manage a small team as the department grows.

• Cross-Functional Development: Gain broader exposure to curriculum development, instructional design, and educational technology strategy within CPS.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for continued learning through workshops, conferences (e.g., relevant EdTech or UX/Accessibility events), and potentially further certifications.

• Impactful Projects: Contribute to major district-wide digital initiatives, such as platform upgrades or new digital curriculum rollouts, offering significant resume-building experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a unique opportunity to apply high-demand UX and accessibility skills within the impactful public sector. Growth is likely tied to demonstrating success in improving the digital learning ecosystem and potentially taking on more strategic responsibilities within the CIDL department.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site position, likely based at the CPS headquarters or a designated district office. The description mentions "Central, 42 W. Madison (Marketing)" as a location, suggesting a central hub for administrative and departmental functions.

Office Location(s): The primary identified location is in downtown Chicago, a major urban center with extensive public transportation options.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative: The role necessitates close collaboration with various teams, so the workspace is likely designed to facilitate teamwork, potentially including shared office spaces, meeting rooms, and project areas.

• Technology-Rich: As part of the digital learning team, expect access to modern technology, software, and digital tools essential for UX design and research.

• User-Focused Environment: The team's mission is centered on educators and students, fostering an environment that values user feedback and practical application of design principles.

Work Schedule:

• Expected to be a standard 40-hour work week. While the role is on-site, the nature of UX work might sometimes allow for flexible scheduling within operational needs, but this should be confirmed with the hiring manager. The emphasis is on delivering results and supporting ongoing educational operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: Being on-site in a large urban school district implies a dynamic and potentially fast-paced work environment. Candidates should be comfortable with a structured office setting and the collaborative demands of working within a large public organization.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely involves a review of your resume and application, with a strong emphasis on verifying the required Bachelor's degree and Professional Educator License.

• Skills Assessment/Portfolio Review: Candidates will likely be asked to present a portfolio showcasing their UX design and accessibility work, focusing on K-12 or educational technology projects if possible. This stage will assess your practical skills, design thinking, and understanding of user needs.

• Behavioral & Situational Interviews: Expect questions designed to assess your communication, problem-solving, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills. Questions may focus on how you've handled specific challenges in past roles, particularly those involving diverse user groups or complex project requirements.

• Technical/Domain-Specific Interview: An interview focusing on your knowledge of UX methodologies, accessibility standards (WCAG), and your experience within educational technology. You might be asked to discuss your approach to specific UX problems relevant to the CPS digital learning environment.

• Final Interview: May involve meeting with higher-level management or a panel to assess cultural fit and overall suitability for the role and the district's mission.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Tailor to Education: If you have experience in EdTech or K-12, highlight it prominently. If not, clearly articulate how your general UX experience translates to the unique challenges and user groups within a school district.

• Showcase Process: Don't just show final designs; detail your thought process, research methods, design iterations, and how you incorporated user feedback and accessibility requirements.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your projects (e.g., improved task completion rates, increased user satisfaction scores, reduced error rates, successful accessibility audits).

• Accessibility Focus: Dedicate a section or specific case studies to your accessibility work, detailing your understanding of WCAG and how you applied it.

• Prepare for Presentation: Be ready to walk interviewers through your portfolio, explaining your role, the challenges, your solutions, and the outcomes.

Challenge Preparation:

• UX Case Study: You might be given a hypothetical problem related to the Skyline platform or educational content and asked to outline your approach to solving it from a UX perspective, including research, design, and accessibility considerations.

• Accessibility Audit Scenario: Be prepared to discuss how you would approach auditing a piece of digital content for accessibility or how you would advise a team on making their materials WCAG compliant.

• Stakeholder Management: Practice articulating your UX recommendations and defending them to stakeholders who may have differing priorities or levels of technical understanding.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the requirement for an Educator's License, the interview process may also touch upon your understanding of educational pedagogy and how UX/accessibility contributes to student learning outcomes.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UX Design Software: Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, InVision (for prototyping and collaboration).

• User Research Tools: SurveyMonkey, Typeform, UserTesting.com, Lookback, or similar platforms for surveys, interviews, and remote testing.

• Wireframing & Prototyping Tools: Balsamiq, Axure RP, or integrated features within design suites.

• Accessibility Testing Tools: WAVE Evaluation Tool, Lighthouse, axe DevTools, screen readers (e.g., NVDA, JAWS, VoiceOver).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Google Analytics or similar platforms to understand user behavior on digital platforms.

• Data Visualization Tools: Tableau, Power BI, or built-in reporting features within other platforms to present findings.

• ServiceNow (SNOW): Explicitly mentioned for ticket review and user feedback management.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM role, familiarity with how user data is managed within broader systems might be beneficial. Understanding how feedback loops are automated or integrated into workflows is key.

• Project Management Tools: Jira, Asana, Trello, or similar for managing projects and tracking progress.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in standard UX design and accessibility testing tools is essential. Experience with ServiceNow is a direct requirement for managing user feedback. Familiarity with educational platforms like Skyline itself, or similar Learning Management Systems (LMS), would be a strong asset.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Student-Centered: All efforts are ultimately aimed at improving the learning experience and outcomes for students.

• Equity: A core value driving the commitment to accessible and usable digital resources for all students, regardless of background or ability.

• Continuous Learning: Embracing new technologies and methodologies in digital learning and UX design to stay current and improve services.

• Collaboration & Partnership: Working effectively across departments and with external stakeholders to achieve district-wide goals.

• Accountability & Results: A focus on delivering tangible improvements and demonstrating the value of UX and accessibility initiatives.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role requires working closely with curriculum developers, instructional designers, IT, and potentially vendors, necessitating strong communication and a collaborative approach to problem-solving.

• User Feedback Loop: A culture that actively seeks, values, and acts upon user feedback to drive iterative improvements.

• Shared Knowledge: Encouraging the sharing of best practices in UX and accessibility across teams to elevate the overall digital experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "equity," "student-centered," and "continuous learning" reflects the core mission of a public education institution. Candidates should demonstrate how their UX and accessibility work aligns with these values.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Scale and Complexity: Managing UX and accessibility across a vast district with diverse user needs and legacy systems can be challenging.

• Balancing Needs: Effectively balancing the needs of students, teachers, administrators, and technical constraints.

• Ensuring Adoption: Driving the adoption of best practices and new designs across a large, dispersed user base.

• Resource Constraints: Navigating budget limitations and resource allocation common in public sector organizations.

• Keeping Pace with Technology: Staying current with rapid advancements in UX, accessibility, and educational technology, including AI.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Training: Access to professional development in advanced UX methodologies, accessibility standards (e.g., CPACC, WAS certifications), and educational technology trends.

• Industry Conferences: Opportunities to attend relevant UX, accessibility, and EdTech conferences.

• Mentorship: Learning from experienced colleagues within CIDL and T&L.

• Leadership Development: Potential to take on project lead roles, mentor junior staff, or contribute to strategic planning for digital learning initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges in this role are significant due to the scale and mission of CPS, but they also present substantial opportunities for professional growth and making a meaningful impact.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to advocate for a user's needs that conflicted with established priorities or technical limitations. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Assesses advocacy, negotiation, and problem-solving skills).

• "How would you approach understanding the unique UX needs of K-12 students across different age groups and learning abilities?" (Tests understanding of user segmentation and empathy).

• "Walk us through your process for ensuring a digital learning resource meets WCAG 2.1 AA compliance, from design to implementation." (Assesses technical knowledge of accessibility).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "CPS is committed to equity. How does your UX and accessibility work contribute to achieving educational equity?" (Assesses alignment with core values).

• "How do you approach collaborating with stakeholders who may not be familiar with UX principles?" (Measures communication and influence skills).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your presentation logically, perhaps by project type or by showcasing your end-to-end process.

• Narrative: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the research and design process, the accessibility considerations, the solution, and the impact (quantified if possible).

• Demonstrate Tools: Briefly show examples of wireframes, prototypes, or accessibility audit reports.

• Focus on Education: If possible, highlight projects relevant to education or consider how you would apply your skills to CPS's context.

• Q&A Readiness: Be prepared for detailed questions about your design decisions, your understanding of user needs, and your accessibility expertise.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely be thorough, evaluating not only your technical UX and accessibility skills but also your understanding of the educational context and your alignment with CPS's mission and values. Be ready to discuss your experience with educational technology and your commitment to serving diverse student populations.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this User Experience (UX) and Accessibility Specialist position:

• Submit your application through the Chicago Public Schools' Taleo career portal via the provided URL.

• Resume Tailoring: Ensure your resume clearly highlights your 5+ years of experience in educational technology/digital media and your 3+ years of dedicated UX design experience. Emphasize any experience with K-12 users or educational platforms.

• Portfolio Preparation: Curate a portfolio that showcases your UX design process, user research, interface design, and, critically, your accessibility expertise (WCAG compliance). Include case studies demonstrating impact, ideally related to educational technology.

• License Verification: Confirm you possess or are eligible for a valid Professional Educator License issued by the Illinois State Board of Education. Be prepared to provide documentation.

• Interview Practice: Prepare to discuss your experience using the STAR method for behavioral questions, and practice presenting your portfolio with a focus on your process, problem-solving, and the impact of your work, particularly concerning accessibility and user experience in an educational context.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions. Chicago Public Schools requires a Professional Educator License, which is a critical qualification.