[Hiring] Employment Specialist 5 @State of Washington

Role Description

This position is open to internal Employment Security Department employees only. This is a Project position that is expected to last through June of 2028.

The ideal candidate for the WorkSource Specialist 5 role on our Virtual Services Team is a collaborative leader who thrives in a fast-paced, customer-focused, virtual environment and is passionate about helping individuals achieve employment success. They bring a strong combination of workforce development expertise, operational leadership, and a commitment to equitable service delivery. This individual naturally builds trust with staff, partners, and customers, and is skilled at guiding teams through change while maintaining a supportive, high-performing culture centered on accountability, inclusion, and continuous improvement.

Successful candidates are experienced in coordinating complex service delivery operations, balancing multiple priorities, and ensuring consistent, high-quality outcomes across the virtual environment. They are confident coaching and mentoring staff, monitoring performance, identifying opportunities for growth, and fostering professional development.

With a strong understanding of workforce programs, policies, and compliance requirements, they use data, feedback, and sound judgment to improve processes, solve problems, and support excellent customer experiences. The ideal candidate also remains connected to frontline service and understands the challenges customers face when navigating employment and training systems.

They are adaptable, resourceful, and comfortable engaging with diverse populations, community partners, and employers. They combine analytical thinking with empathy, maintaining accurate records, supporting program performance goals, and helping ensure that services are delivered with consistency, integrity, and a focus on meaningful outcomes for both job seekers and businesses.

Qualifications

• 1 year as a WorkSource Specialist 4 or equivalent class within the Employment Security Department, or another state’s Employment Security agency
• OR 3 years of professional experience in workforce development, social or human resource services, public relations, or professional public contact work AND serving as a lead worker, team lead, or subject matter expert responsible for guiding staff, assigning work, and supporting daily operations
• OR A combination of education and/or relevant experience

• Required equity competencies:
• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

• Leadership and Team Management Expertise:
• Ability to set direction, build trust, motivate staff, and elevate team performance
• Service Coordination Skills:
• Proficiency in managing workforce support efforts
• Process Optimization Expertise:
• Ability to refine workforce service operations
• Customer-Centered Career Development Expertise:
• Ability to deliver personalized workforce services

Requirements

• Must be able to pass an Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Paid Family Medical and Leave (PFML) claim and fraud check.

Benefits

• Flexible work schedules and teleworking opportunities.

Company Description

Our agency's mission and values drive every decision that we make, determine how we interact with others, and are at the core of who we are. We value Access, Love, Belonging, Equity, and Stewardship.

• We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, ethnic, racial, religious, sexual orientation, and gender identity diversity.
• Women, racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, people over 40 years of age, people with religious beliefs, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.
• The Employment Security Department is an equal opportunity employer/program.
• Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.