L&I Assistant Small Business Liaison (Program Specialist 4)

 
Job Highlights
 
Are you someone who loves to learn new things and provide communications, outreach, and training?  Are you naturally curious and do you enjoy identifying and improving practices?  Are you able to break down complex information in a clear and concise way that is easy to understand? If you answered yes to any of these, this may be the perfect opportunity for you to bring your skills and talents to L&I’s Small Business Office.
 
The Assistant Small Business Liaison (Program Specialist 4) is a part of the Small Business Office located within the Government Affairs and Policy Division.  In this position, you will manage and provide multi-faceted communications, outreach, training, and customized support to L&I’s thousands of diverse small business customers.   This position has a high-profile in Washington’s small business community.  You will be a key resource for this community, serving as liaison between customers and L&I program staff as well as providing important information and access to resources.
 
You will help small business customers understand and comply with the laws and rules administered by L&I, address issues, and work to identify and improve internal practices and communications to better meet the needs of these small business customers.   This is an essential service affecting one of L&I’s largest customer groups.  This position aligns strongly with L&I’s goals, reflects our agency values, and supports our agency mission To Keep Washington Safe and Working.
 
Who you are:
 
You have highly developed interpersonal and communication skills, and the ability to explain complex processes in ways that makes them easy to understand.  You enjoy research, are a quick learner, and exercise independent, sound judgement in making data-driven decisions. 
 
You have great people skills and enjoy creating and presenting targeted trainings to multiple audiences.  You are a strong writer and editor and enjoy creating presentations and publications.  You play a crucial role as the liaison for small businesses to make it easy for them to do business with L&I.
 
We are looking for someone to be a part of a strong, customer focused team who is self-motivated and works well independently.  Your ability to listen, empathize, and authentically connect to ensure quality outcomes, all while remaining curious and flexible, will be assets in this position.
 
Why Work for us:
 
L&I is a great agency committed to a values-based culture.  We offer flexible work schedules and numerous opportunities to support, develop and retain our diverse employee workforce.
 
The Small Business Office is a strong, unique team who helps a wide variety of people across L&I and other state agencies while remaining focused on positive customer experiences.  There is always something new and different to learn.  We lead policy efforts, manage projects and help small businesses resolve problems. In this role, you will be a key resource for the small business community.
 


Some of what you’ll do:
 

• Provide direct assistance, guidance, and consultation to small businesses by working with all agency programs, and through independently researching appropriate statutes, rules, policies, and case-by-case staff decisions in response to client inquiries.
• Provide resources to customers that relate to the functions of L&l, other state agencies, and local governments.
• Independently research and resolve small business/customer issues.
• Explain agency rules, laws, and technical concepts in an easily understood way for customers.
• Write and edit clear, concise letters and messages, providing employer specific information, recommendations, and/or instructions to address interests and concerns.
• Identify and make recommendations to the Small Business Liaison action plans for agency operational or policy improvement needs discovered while working with small business customers.
• Respond to and document contacts from external stakeholders, customers, legislative staff, and staff from other state agencies.
• Engage with small businesses and business and industry organizations.
• Lead the “L&I Essentials for Business” training program.   This includes:
  • Creating and delivering targeted training.
  • Updating presentation materials.
  • Creating promotional materials.
  • Updating the training registration website.
  • Tracking quantitative and qualitative metrics and using data for program improvement.
• Collaborate with other state agencies to create and deliver multi-agency small business workshops, both live and via webinar.
• Create and deliver specialized training to L&I’s Small Business Outreach Contractors.
• Participate in tradeshows and other small business oriented events.
• Oversee L&I’s small business web pages.
• Create and publish the quarterly small business e-newsletter.
• Actively participate on the WA Small Business Liaison team, contributing expertise, promotional efforts, and time to initiatives that support the goal of making it easier to do business in Washington.
• And much more!

Required:
 
This position requires a total of six yearsof experience and/or education.  Skills and abilities to be successful in this position include:

• Knowledge of small business requirements, ideally related to L&I.
• Strong written and oral communication skills and experience to both an internal and external audience.
• Ability to provide creative and innovative solutions to customer and workplace challenges.
• Demonstrated organizational and project management skills.   Ability to manage and prioritize a diversity or work duties, handle interruptions, and return to uncompleted tasks.
• Demonstrated problem solving and negotiation skills.  Ability to work with others to find workable solutions to issues and disputes while being resourceful and innovative.
• Originating correspondence.  Creating and delivering presentations to various types and sizes of groups and through a variety of media, including oral presentations, written media, and public contact.

 

• Two or more years of applicable experience, including customer service, problem solving, originating correspondence, creating presentations, planning, project management, program coordination, and other related activities.
   
   AND
    
• A Bachelor’s degree in business, communications, education, psychology, or other related field.  Equivalent work experience may substitute for education on a year by year basis.

 
Desired: 

• Experience serving small business customers in one or more of L&I’s programs.
    
• Direct small business experience.

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. Click on the “Benefits” tab to learn more.
 
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.
 
To help you maintain a proper work-life balance, L&I also offers flexible custom work schedules.  For this position, telework is permitted full time with the requirement to report to the office quarterly for meetings.  In addition, this position will require travel to a variety of events to provide presentations and training upon business need.  The assigned duty station for this position may be in any of our service locations within Western Washington.
 
To receive more information on opportunities at L&I sign up for GovDelivery and select L&I job alerts.
 
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.
 
Please include the following documents with your application:

1. A cover letter describing specific qualifications.
2. A current resume detailing applicable experience and education.
3. A list of at least three professional references with current telephone numbers.

Please do not attach or place any medical information (vaccination status included) within the application, resume, or cover letter. If you do, we will have to reject your application to safeguard others from receiving your confidential information. You will have to remove the confidential information before you can apply again.
 
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.

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 Jobs@lni.wa.gov.
 
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 Angela Laramie at lari235@lni.wa.gov or Hannah Stoelb at stha235@lni.wa.gov.

Salary : $59,616 - $80,112