L&I Vocational Services Specialist

Our Mission:

Keep Washington Safe and Working!

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

Please Note: L&I has been very diligent in working to remain competitive with other wages and the increased cost of living. The salary posted will receive a 2% general wage increase effective 7/1/2026.

Please Note: This recruitment is being used to fill multiple permanent positions.

Do you want to be a part of an integral Vocational Services Specialist team that supports claims units in fulfilling L&I’s mission of preventing long-term disability by returning injured workers back to employment as quickly and safely as possible? Do you long for a set salary, generous vacation, sick and holiday leave package along with a flexible work schedule that promotes work/life balance?

L&I’s Insurance Services’ Return to Work Partnerships program is seeking to hire a Vocational Service Specialist (VSS2) to provide professional and technical expertise to department staff, private vocational counselors, employers and their representatives, health care professionals and injured workers by effectively interpreting and implementing the statutes, administrative codes, department policies and procedures associated with vocational rehabilitation services.

The Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) is a diverse state agency dedicated to the safety, health, and security of Washington's workers. We help employers meet safety and health standards and inspect workplaces when alerted to hazards. As administrators of the state's workers' compensation system, we are similar to a large insurance company providing medical and limited wage-replacement coverage to workers who suffer job-related injuries and illness.

Our rules and enforcement programs help ensure workers are paid what they are owed, that children and teens' work hours are limited, and that consumers are protected from unsound business practices.

Insurance Services is the largest division within the agency and administers one of the premier workers’ compensation organizations in the nation serving over 3.8 million employees working for 260,000 employers.

The Insurance Services Return to Work Partnerships program collaborates with a wide range of internal and external partners to define, enhance, and promote a culture of healing and returning to work for injured workers.

• Your ability to present complex information so others can understand it.
• Your proven knowledge or ability to conduct research, analyze policies, rules, or regulations.
• An individual who is detail-oriented, and able to effectively prioritize, and maintain a highly organized work environment.
• Your ability to maintain the highest levels of confidentiality and professionalism.
• Knowledge and experience with workers’ compensation systems. Experience with WA State’s system is a plus.

• Provide professional and technical consultation regarding vocational services to department staff, private vocational providers, employers and their representatives, health care professionals, and injured workers and their representatives.
• Effectively interpret and implement the statutes, administrative codes, department policies and procedures associated with vocational rehabilitation services.
• Authorize vocational services and benefits in keeping with the department’s statutes, administrative codes, and policies.
• Staff and review Vocational Recovery Closing reports recommending further assessment and refer claims when appropriate.
• Research and respond to inquiries from external customers, claims staff and providers regarding vocational services.
• Address and resolve reported issues by interfacing with appropriate staff including Private Sector Rehabilitation Services (PSRS), Vocational Dispute Resolution Office (VDRO) and other staff.
• Document responses to private vocational providers recommendation reviews and requests for appropriate tracking.
• Research and resolve vocational billing issues as requested by medical treatment adjudicators.
• Participate in claim unit meetings as requested.
• And much more!

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