July 21, 2023 L&I Program Specialist 4 (Spanish Bilingual)

Bring your bilingual skills, knowledge and experiences of the different LEP communities and serve as a liaison between workers and programs at L&I. As a Program Specialist 4 you will be a key resource for the community, serving as liaison between LEP customers and L&I program staff and providing important information and access to resources in the customer's preferred language. You will have the unique opportunity to go out into the community and gather information on potential service gaps, misunderstandings about processes and services offered, and promote L&I and its work to the community. The Program Specialist 4 is a needed bridge in meeting the agency's commitment to providing appropriate service and resources to customers regardless of their proficiency with the English language.

Some of what you’ll do:

• Assists LEP workers seeking services from L&I to ensure they receive the appropriate benefits under the law.
• Using bilingual skills and cultural knowledge, educates and informs LEP workers using clear and easy-to-understand language about workers' compensation coverage issues, rights and responsibilities, safety and wage laws, and agency processes and services.
• Identifies and conducts research to help the agency effectively meet the needs of LEP customers.

Required:

• A Bachelor's degree involving major study in public administration, political science, public policy, writing, English, or other related field.
• Three years of progressively responsible experience in research, data collection and analysis, report writing, and designing and conducting complex projects.
• Three or more years of experience working in a multilingual and multicultural customer service environment, including a strong ability to demonstrate cultural competency when engaging with internal and external customers.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in both English and Spanish.

Formal education will substitute year for year for experience. Equivalent experience will substitute for a Bachelor's degree in any of the disciplines listed so long as the total experience is at least 4 years.

Desired: 

• Knowledge of Latino communities and ability to establish and maintain close relationships with Latino communities.
• Advanced-level skills using SharePoint for site creation and design and managing workflow processes to streamline project tasks for an array of participants.
• Advanced level skills using Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Experience leading complex, multi-issue projects.

Things You Need To Know  

To help you maintain a proper work-life balance, teleworking is one of the work schedule options for this position. L&I also offers flexible custom work schedules.

State employees who meet the qualifications will become eligible for a generous retirement package at the end of the employee’s career. Click on the “Benefits” tab to learn more.

At L&I, your voice matters. In addition, L&I is a diverse state agency dedicated to the safety and health and security of Washington's 3.3 million workers. Take a look at this brief video and learn more about why L&I is an employer of choice.

For this position, telework is permitted, but you must reside within the assigned outreach area. The assigned duty station for this position is Yakima, Washington.

For positions where in-office work is necessary, the frequency of telework will be discussed with the supervisor of the position at the time of offer.

Application process

We will contact the top candidates directly to interview for this position. Because we base the selection on information provided by you, it is in your best interest to identify the knowledge, skills, and abilities that address the mandatory and desirable qualifications described in the announcement.

Please include the following documents with your application:

1. A cover letter describing specific qualifications.
2. A current resume detailing applicable experience and education.
3. A list of at least three professional references with current telephone numbers.

Please do not attach or place any information about your vaccination status, including disclosure of leaving employment due to a vaccination requirement for COVID -19, within the application, resume, or cover letter. If you do, we will have to reject your application to safeguard others from receiving your confidential information. You will have to remove the confidential information before you can apply again.

Other information

• A job offer is contingent upon completion of a background check that includes a criminal record review.
• For positions requiring travel, you must have a valid unrestricted driver's license and have insurance if driving a privately owned vehicle on state business.
• This position is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).
• Candidates who are offered a job with L&I must possess work authorization that does not require sponsorship by the employer for a visa now or in the future.
• The Department of Labor & Industries complies with the employment eligibility verification requirements of the federal employment eligibility verification form, I-9. The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States consistent with the requirements of that form on the first day of employment.
• Please note: L&I may use this announcement to fill multiple permanent and/or non-permanent positions.
• Applicants selected to move forward in the hiring process will be contacted by email to schedule a skills assessment. Assessments are proctored remotely via Zoom or Microsoft Teams.

Did You Know?

Washington is America's Top State to live, play, and work, according to U.S. News (2021). Join the L&I team and enjoy all the Evergreen State has to offer.

In addition to offering a positive balance between life and work, L&I provides one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation. We also believe your voice matters. We value our employees and their work-life balance by encouraging flexible schedules. L&I is a diverse state agency dedicated to the safety and health and security of Washington's 3 million workers.

Veterans Preference

 Applicants wishing to claim Veterans Preference should attach to their application a copy of their DD-214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or signed verification of service letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Please blackout any personally identifiable data such as Social Security numbers. For further information, contact L&I’s Jobs@lni.wa.gov.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

L&I employees come from all walks of life. We strive to hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

We believe in the importance of recognizing the value each of us contribute to the success of the agency mission. Having a diverse workforce is this agency’s greatest resource of strength and knowledge. It is through the combination of talents and abilities that we can pursue finding effective measures to provide the best customer service. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace for everyone and we strongly mean everyone.

The State of Washington is an equal opportunity employer. Persons with a disability who need accommodation in the application process or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call 360-902-5700. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.

You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our award-winning diverse and inclusive organization.

For more Information

If you have any questions regarding this job posting, program, or the agency, please contact Haleigh Missildine (she/her/hers) at miso235@Lni.wa.gov.