Web Designer & UIUX Specialist 3

AGRICULTURE - A Cornerstone of Washingtons Economy

The Washington State Department of Agriculture has been serving the state for more than 100 years. Through service regulation and advocacy we keep agriculture viable and vital in Washington State while protecting consumers public health and the environment. We work extensively with farmers and ranchers but our responsibilities from ensuring food safety to environmental protection touch the lives of millions of people locally nationally and abroad.

The agency includes 780 employees approximately and grows close to 1000 employees at the peak of seasonal work. To learn more and view additional openings please visit our Employment Page.

Important Notes:

WSDA is recruiting for a full-time permanent Web Designer & UI/UX Specialist 3 position within the Director Office. This position is located in Olympia Washington and is not represented.

The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the preferred candidates job-related knowledge skills and experience. The typical starting salary range for this position is:Range 62 Step A $73284 - Step L $96144 annually.

Include but are not limited to:

Website Management and Content Strategy

• Oversee WSDAs public website ensuring accurate timely and accessible information is available to the public stakeholders and media.
• Create and implement website governance standards content structure and publishing workflows to ensure consistency across all program areas.
• Coordinate with WaTech and vendors to maintain site functionality monitor analytics and support technical updates or migrations.
• Recommend content improvements based on user analytics accessibility audits and evolving best practices.
• Design deliver and lead website training for new and existing users to ensure consistent content quality accessibility compliance and adherence to WSDAs web governance standards.
• Create written guides tutorials and reference materials for website contributors to promote best practices in accessibility plain language and user-centered design.
• Establish and maintain a comprehensive website inventory system that tracks all agency web pages including page ownership update history and core content elements that require updates (email addresses dates names etc.).

• Work with the M365 Administrator and program staff on organization and maintenance of WSDAs SharePoint-based intranet ensuring the platform supports internal communication collaboration and employee engagement.
• Work with divisions and programs to create pages and resources that help employees easily access tools policies and agency updates.
• Establish intranet content governance standards and trains contributors on content creation posting and maintenance.
• Ensure intranet content complies with accessibility and plain language standards.
• Recommend improvements to enhance navigation usability and search functionality.
• Collaborate with IT and Communications staff to troubleshoot and resolve technical issues.

• Provide backup graphic design and digital production support for publications social media presentations and web content.
• Make digital graphics banners infographics and other visual materials consistent with WSDAs brand standards.
• Ensure that all visual and digital resources produced are fully accessible and compliant with Section 508 and WCAG accessibility requirements including use of alt text color contrast readable typography and appropriate file formats.
• Advise staff on layout image selection and accessibility considerations for visual content.
• Coordinate with the Communications team to ensure visual consistency and accessibility across the intranet and website as well as some publications.

• Support WSDAs Language Access and Accessibility initiatives by ensuring web and intranet content meet Section 508 and state accessibility requirements.
• Review content to determine when translation alternative formats or interpretation may be needed.
• Work with program staff to prioritize vital documents for translation and ensure consistency in multilingual content across intranet website publications and social media content.
• Promote digital equity by ensuring that all online materials are clear inclusive and easy to navigate for diverse audiences.

• Collaborate across programs to identify digital communication needs and recommend improvements that enhance internal and external engagement.
• Participate in agency workgroups digital governance teams or enterprise-level digital initiatives.
• Share best practices trends and tools in web and intranet management to continuously improve WSDAs digital communications.
• Assist the Communications Office with special projects events or campaigns.
• Provide support for photography. video production and social media as needed.
• Represent WSDA in interagency or statewide digital communications working groups.
  

Who should apply

Professionals with:

• Five (5) years of professional experience in complex web design including leading teams in user experience design/testing; compliance with state OCIO and federal section 508 accessibility requirements; User Centered Design methodology usability testing project and product management customer relationship management social media mobile compatibility and Agile methodologies.

• Portfolio demonstrating professional experience in complex web design including examples that reference or demonstrate leading teams in user experience design/testing; compliance with state OCIO and federal section 508 accessibility requirements; User Centered Design methodology usability testing project and product management customer relationship management social media mobile compatibility and Agile methodologies.

• Three (3) years of experience leading and managing teams for complex web projects and products.

• A masters degree in communications web design information science digital media public administration or a closely related field.
• Five (5) or more years of experience in a government or public-sector organization managing complex intranets websites or communication systems.
• Bilingual or multilingual proficiency particularly in Spanish American Sign Language (ASL).
• Formal training or certification in accessibility compliance (e.g. Section 508 WCAG 2.1 or CPACC ce1tification).
• Experience implementing or managing a content governance framework including establishing publishing standards workflows and version control systems.
• Proficiency with analytics and usability tools such as Google Analytics Siteimprove or Power BI to inform digital strategy and content optimization.
• Experience writing or coordinating multilingual web content and collaborating with translators or language access teams to reach limited-English-proficient audiences.
• Advanced design or UX experience including creating visual prototypes designing layouts for web and mobile interfaces or conducting usability testing.
• Experience training mentoring or supervising staff in content management digital publishing or accessibility best practices.
• Familiarity with agriculture environmental policy or food system communication topics.
• Possess or obtain a valid drivers license and be available for occasional in-state travel on agency business.
  
  

Employee Benefits

• A healthy work/life balance which mayinclude flexible work schedules and teleworking.
• WSDA provides an excellent benefits package beyond traditional benefits. State employment offers Dependent Care Assistance Flexible Spending Accounts Public Service Loan Forgiveness Tuition Waiver Deferred Compensation Employee Recognition Leave;click herefor more information.
• 12 paidHolidays & Vacation and Leave Accruals.
• All Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required will be provided by the agency.

How to apply:

You must complete your profile and answer the supplemental addition to completing the online application and supplemental questions applicants must attach the following documents to their profile to be considered for this position:

Current resume detailing experience and education

A cover letter describing how you meet the specific qualifications for this position.

Three professional references

Digital portfolio or PDF that demonstrates your experience in web design UX accessibility content strategy or intranet management.

By submitting these materials you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed.

Applications with comments see attachments will be considered incomplete.

If you are having technical difficulties creating accessing or completing your application please call NEOGOV toll-free at or email.

The initial screening will be solely based on the contents and completeness of your application and the materials submitted. All information may be verified and documentation may be required. Applications received via e-mail will not be accepted in lieu of applying through the states on-line recruitment system.

Equity at WSDA

The Department of Agriculture recognizes appreciates supports embraces and respects all cultural identities and backgrounds while we collaborate in authentic ways. We hire amazing people that share in the commitment to our Pro-Equity Anti-Racist (PEAR) strategic plan our Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act implementation plan and our unique needs and desires for belonging respect and inclusion. We value the growth and development of our team members by providing equitable access to resources and opportunities for continuous learning improvement and advancement.

We strive to hire cultivate and retain a productive and dedicated workforce that reflects the communities we serve while we are committed to a workplace that celebrates our differences and supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race creed color national origin citizenship or immigration status marital status families with children (including pregnancy childbirth or related medical conditions) sex sexual orientation gender identity diversity age status as a protected veteran honorably discharged veteran or military status status as an individual with the presence of any sensory mental or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with disabilities or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with applicable federal state and local laws.

Contact Us

Should you have any questions regarding this position or the online application contact the Human Resource Office atov.
Prior to a new appointment into the Department of Agriculture a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicants suitability and competence to perform in the position.

The Human Resources Division may use referrals from this recruitment to help fill future similar vacancies for up to six months.

Veterans Preference:Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veterans Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214 or other verification of military service. Please blackout any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers. For additional information on Veterans Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligibleclick here.

Persons with a disability who need assistance with their application or need this announcement in an alternative format may call 664-1960 or toll free . TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.

For more information about the Washington State Department of Agriculture visit us at.