L&I Communications Consultant 2 (Bilingual Preferred)

Washington State Department of Labor & Industries; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Bilingual pay increase

Job summary

Washington State Department of Labor & Industries seeks a Communications Consultant 2 to lead language access initiatives and strengthen outreach to LEP communities. The role focuses on coordinating translations, media contracts, and multilingual outreach across print, radio, and TV, guiding internal content to reflect diversity and inclusion.

Based in Tumwater with telework up to two days weekly, the position supports the Community Relations & Language Access Program within the Financial

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in English, communications, journalism, humanities, public relations, or related field and one year of writing/editing experience; or equivalent education/experience equaling 4 years.

Responsibilities

• Assist in language access initiatives and projects.
• Oversee contracts with non-English media outlets (newspapers, radio).
• Coordinate ongoing radio interviews featuring L&I programs.
• Develop radio advertisements and public service announcements with Public Affairs.
• Coordinate translation of program content into Spanish for external distribution.
• Review translations to align with glossaries and DEI values.
• Maintain translated material for the Spanish website in the Community Relations Program.

Skills

Communication skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Bilingual proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Job description

Description

Our Mission: Keep Washington Safe and Working!

Our Values: Customer Focus, One L&I, Respect, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Learning and Growth, Reliability

If hired as bilingual, our top applicant will be required to pass an assessment of your ability to write and speak fluently in a secondary language. We do not use translating software. Employees with bilingual responsibilities receive a 5% increase in pay.

This is a non-permanent position expected to last through 6/30/2027.

Job Highlights

Are you a professional with a passion for bridging communication among diverse language communities and agencies? If so, check out our new exciting opportunity at the Department of Labor & Industries as a Communications Consultant 2! This position aims to lead, strategize and create a rich connection of communication between our limited English proficient customers and the agency!

This position is within the Community Relations & Language Access Program of the Financial Management division. The Community Relations & Language Access Program is the department’s primary point of contact with the state’s limited English proficiency (LEP) community regarding pertinent updates in L&I policies, laws, and rules.

This position focuses on improving communication with communities who have limited English proficiency. It involves coordinating various communication methods like print, radio, and TV ads and interviews and other multimedia formats. It also oversees advertising and communications in other languages based on demographic data, like Spanish, Korean, Russian, Chinese, and other languages.

Additionally, the position is responsible for coordinating translation of materials for their programs such as website content, publications and other documents from English to Spanish and vice versa. It also involves reviewing translations to ensure alignment with L&I's glossaries and values of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The duty station for this position is Tumwater, Washington. This position is eligible to telework 2 days per week dependent on business needs and supervisor approval.

Duties

Some Of What You’ll Do

• Assist in completion of L&I Language Access initiatives and projects.
• Oversee contracts with non-English media outlets (e.g., newspapers, radio).
• Coordinate ongoing radio interviews featuring L&I programs throughout the year.
• Work with program areas and Public Affairs to create radio advertisements, and public service announcements.
• Address inquiries from non-English media by directing questions to appropriate channels for resolution.
• Work with Communication Services to develop outreach materials in languages other than English.
• Coordinate translation of program content into Spanish for external distribution.
• Provide guidance to agency divisions and programs on materials to translate into different languages.
• Work with supervisor to develop and translate published materials.
• Maintain updated translated material for the Spanish website for the Community Relations Program.
• Process translations requests and answer telephonic interpretation inquiries.
• And much more!

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in English, communications, journalism, humanities, public relations, or related field and one year of writing/editing experience;
• or equivalent education/experience equaling 4 years

Position-specific Skills, Abilities And Competencies

• Accountability and flexibility
• Attention to detail
• Verbal and written communication
• Ethics and Integrity
• Time Management
• Coordinating and Organizing
• Team orientation
• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

Desired

• Bilingual Skills in English and secondary language. The ability to read, write, translate and converse with fluency in English and a secondary language.
• Translator certification.
• Project management and change management skills.
• Resourcefulness, experience or training in problem resolution

Supplemental Information

Things You Need To Know

State employees who meet the qualifications will become eligible for a generous retirement package at the end of the employee’s career.

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.

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 required and desirable qualifications described in the announcement.

To learn more about our hiring process timeline at L&I please visit our L&I recruiting page at Hiring Process at L&I. If you would like to read our website in a language other than English, scroll up to the top of the page to select your language of choice from the banner.

Background Check Notice

Prior to a placement in this position, a background check, including criminal history record will be conducted. Information from your background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining your eligibility to perform the requirements of the position.

Other Information

• 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 [e-mail].

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).