L&I Program Specialist 4 – Russian​/Ukrainian Outreach Specialist

Bilingual (Russian or Ukrainian/English) Outreach Leader

Our Mission:
Keep Washington Safe and Working! Our Values:
Customer Focus, One L&I, Respect, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Learning and Growth, Reliability

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

WFSE CBA 42.21 King County Premium Pay - Employees assigned to a permanent duty station in King County will receive 5% Premium Pay calculated from their base salary. When an employee is no longer permanently assigned to a King County duty station they will not be eligible for this premium pay.

Help Us Keep Washington Safe and Working — For Everyone. Are you passionate about equity and access? Do you thrive on building relationships in multilingual communities and driving real change? We're looking for a bilingual (Russian or Ukrainian/English) outreach leader to join our dedicated Community Relations Team and help ensure that all Washington workers—regardless of language—can access the workplace rights, benefits, and services they deserve.

At the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), we're not just enforcing regulations—we're empowering lives.

Some of what you'll do:

• Serve as a trusted resource and advocate for Limited English Proficient (LEP) workers—helping them navigate L&I programs like workers' compensation, workplace rights, and safety.
• Educate communities about their rights and responsibilities using culturally competent communication.
• Build strategic partnerships with community-based organizations, labor groups, employers, and medical providers.
• Organize and lead community forums and outreach events throughout the state.
• Provide bilingual interpretation and translation in English and Russian or Ukrainian.
• Collect and analyze data to identify service gaps, improve outreach strategies, and inform policy.
• And much more!

This is not a behind-the-desk job. You'll be out in the field, making real connections, listening to voices often unheard, and influencing change that matters.

Why Join Us?

• Make an impact:
  Reach underserved communities, advocate for workers' rights, and shape equitable access to critical services.
• Be empowered:
  We give you the tools, trust, and support to lead your outreach strategy with autonomy.
• Work with purpose:
  Every day, you'll be breaking down barriers and making Washington a safer, fairer place to live and work.
• Collaborate statewide with a passionate team of outreach professionals and agency leaders committed to language access equity.

Required:

• Fluency in English and Russian or Ukrainian (verbal and written) – You must pass a language proficiency test.
• A Bachelor's degree in public administration, policy, communications or a related field AND at least 2 years of relevant experience which could include planning, policy analysis, coordination and consultation with a variety of public and private agencies, organizations, and/or levels of government and supervisory experience.

OR

• 6 years of qualifying experience that includes three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in research, data collection and analysis, report writing, and designing and conducting complex projects. Formal education will substitute year for year for experience.

• 3+ years of experience serving multicultural and multilingual communities.
• Valid unrestricted driver license and may not have convictions for driving under the influence or driving offense that endangered or harmed others within the past 7 years.
• Ability to lift 30–50 lbs and walk on uneven surfaces (e.g., agricultural or construction sites).

AND

• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

Desired:

• Knowledge and working experience of the limited English-speaking communities in Washington state and ability to establish and maintain close relationships with those communities.
• Advanced level skills using Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Experience leading complex, multi-issue projects.

You're the right fit if you have:

• A…