UI Developer / Accessibility Expert

Job Title: UI Developer / Accessibility Expert
Location: Des Moines, IA
Duration: 10 Months
Interview Type: Webcam or In-person

Job Description:
The Client is seeking a highly skilled, communication-focused UI Developer / Accessibility Expert to join our digital modernization team. We are looking for a dedicated front-end specialist who will focus entirely on user interfaces and accessibility, rather than a backend or full-stack developer role.

In this position, you will closely collaborate with our lead UX Architect and accessibility expert to scale high-quality digital standards across the enterprise. You will be responsible for building clean, semantic, and highly maintainable user interfaces across multiple high-visibility state agency projects. This role requires an immediate start to support active initiatives for Iowa Workforce Development (IWD), the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Department of Education (DOE), and Health and Human Services (HHS).

Core Responsibilities:

• Frontend Engineering: Author clean, well-structured, and highly maintainable HTML and CSS/SASS that complies with modern web standards.
• Framework Integration: Seamlessly integrate frontend user interfaces into Angular or MVC .NET frameworks.
• Accessibility Architecture: Implement digital accessibility from the ground up, utilizing WCAG standards, ARIA labels, and proper color contrast to ensure all digital services are universally accessible to all Iowans.
• Collaborative Development: Partner with our lead UX Architect to follow strategic architectural guidance, scaling technical accessibility standards across enterprise-level initiatives, including chatbot interfaces and global state footers.
• Clear Communication: Collaborate effectively with cross-functional agency teams, clearly articulating technical frontend requirements, standards, and best practices.

Required Technical Skills & Qualifications

• Semantic Markup Expert: Deep expertise in writing clean, semantic HTML5 and modern, responsive CSS/SASS.
• Accessibility Mastery: Proven experience implementing WCAG standards, managing ARIA landmarks/attributes, and resolving colour contrast or screen-reader compatibility issues.
• Framework Experience: Demonstrated ability to integrate front-end assets into Angular or MVC .NET environments.
• Strong Communicator: Ability to clearly explain frontend engineering concepts, WCAG requirements, and technical standards to both technical team members and agency stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications (A Plus)

• Experience working with established design systems or wrapper components.
• Direct experience utilizing or extending the U.S. Web Design System (USWDS).
• Foundational understanding of user experience (UX) principles and design workflows.

Required Skill Sets

• Semantic HTML5, CSS, SASS
• WCAG 2.2 Level AA, ARIA, color contrast compliance
• Keyboard navigation and focus management
• Screen reader testing (NVDA, JAWS, VoiceOver)
• Accessibility auditing tools (axe DevTools, WAVE)
• Angular
• MVC .NET frameworks
• Web standards and best practices
• Technical communication
• Experience working with established design systems or wrapper components.
• Direct experience utilizing or extending the U.S. Web Design System (USWDS).
• Foundational understanding of user experience (UX) principles and design workflows.