Andrew Nielson Email & Phone Number

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

Washington, D.C

Falls Church, Va

- Managed team of consultants providing advisory and technical support to the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Office of Accessible Systems and Technology (OAST), including: accessibility testing and remediation; usability design; strategy, policy, and governance; technical assistance; helpdesk support; training development and delivery; and system development.- Principal co-author of the current versions of the Trusted Tester test process and the interagency Harmonized Testing Process for Section 508 Compliance (Baseline); analyzed the revised Section 508 standards (aligning with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0) and applied advanced accessibility and usability design principles to devise the Trusted Tester test process specification. The Trusted Tester test process is required for use across all DHS components in validating conformance to the Section 508 accessibility requirements. The Trusted Tester process has also been adopted by many other agencies across the federal government.- Facilitated working group efforts to devise a strategic vision for government-wide and industry-wide governance and use of the ICT Baseline process.- Facilitated and managed creation of the revised Trusted Tester training curriculum and certification exam to align with the revised Trusted Tester process.- On behalf of OAST, led and facilitated participation in the Interagency Trusted Tester Program (ITTP), including guidance on program maturity assessment for prospective ITTP member agencies, adoption and incorporation of the Trusted Tester process for new member organizations, and ongoing participation of government-wide ITTP members in governance and oversight of the Trusted Tester process and program.

- Analyzed overall program maturity and compliance with IT accessibility (Section 508) laws and standards at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). Recommended and facilitated efforts to improve program maturity for FDIC’s and USCG’s Section 508 Programs. Implemented organization-wide policy and process changes related to Section 508 compliance and improved program maturity ratings reported to parent organizations and to the White House’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB).- Managed business analysis projects in support of FDIC’s Division of Information Technology (DIT), including functional requirements gathering and business process improvement.- Managed portfolio of projects at USCG, including support for policy and directive review, technical writing, training, and IT accessibility. - Provided project management support for a large IT development program at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), including budgeting, acquisition support, OMB 300 submission, integrated master schedule management, performance reporting, and general program management support.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

- Managed projects in strategic planning, performance improvement, and program management.- Conducted facilitated strategic planning sessions to devise strategies and performance measures for a high-profile program in the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) largest law enforcement agency. Drafted the program’s Strategic Plan and Performance Measurement Plan.- Provided analysis and recommendations to clients to improve process efficiency and resource effectiveness while identifying strategies to mitigate risks to success. - Assessed the grant-making process for a multi-billion dollar capital grants program within the Department of Transportation. Provided a report with recommended improvements still cited to Congress 3 years later.

- Led teams in performance management and strategic planning support.- Developed multidimensional reports to analyze financial and operational data for a financial management office within DHS.- Conducted IT inventory and cost estimation to support budget justification for the Office of the Chief Information Officer at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).- Analyzed data-gathering techniques and provided recommendations to standardize and consolidate data collection forms for USCIS.

- Managed a Local Environmental Action Program in Mariupol, Ukraine. Developed strategies for experience exchange throughout the region.- Developed a Capacity Building Program for Ukraine’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources. Worked closely with U.S. representatives and Ukrainian government officials to identify leading practices applicable in Ukraine.

Mpa, Public Administration

Ba, Political Science