Program Specialist 3 Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $58,584.00 - $78,912.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Tumwater, WA
Job Type: Agency Internal - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2026-04799
Department: Dept. of Labor & Industries
Division: Insurance Services - Return to Work Partnerships
Opening Date: 06/17/2026
Closing Date: 6/28/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step
Description
Our Mission: Keep Washington Safe and Working!Our Values: 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 opportunity and is open to current Labor & Industries employees only.
Job Highlights
The Insurance Services' Return to Work Partnerships Program is seeking a Program Specialist 3 to provide high level data management on behalf of the Vocational Service Specialist team.
In this position you will prepare reports that assess the performance and outcomes of statewide services impacting job readiness and return to work outcomes of injured workers. You will prepare comprehensive analyses, summaries, recommendations, and reports that supervisors and leadership will use to set strategic direction and service delivery strategies. This work will require you to navigate between multiple programs and various systems, analyze data, identify trends, monitor work items, think critically and draw sound conclusions based on data.
Why Work for us:
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.
What we are looking for:

• An individual who is detail-oriented, able to effectively prioritize, and track data across multiple systems to produce work products that are accurate, thorough and on time.
• Demonstrated critical thinking and analytical skills.

• Ability to review, independently interpret, analyze, and apply specialized program policies and procedures to draw sound conclusions and make recommendations based on data.
• Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in written format, and present complex information in a way that is easy to understand.
• Ability to collaborate and build positive, respectful working relationships and partnerships with others.
• Proficiency utilizing Microsoft Office applications with specific expertise in Excel and SharePoint.

Duties
Some of what you will do:

• Support program effectiveness through data integrity, analysis, reporting and process improvement.
• Serve as a program liaison to represent vocational services with internal and external vocational rehabilitation stakeholders.
• Manage performance and workload data integrity on behalf of the Vocational Services Specialist team, including multiple data tools, libraries, reports, and analyses.
• Manage all Skill Enhancement Training (SET) entries in the Occupational Health Management System (OHMS), ensuring alignment between OHMS data management system and workflow processes in and SharePoint and LINIS.
• Support customer service strategy by providing consultation to internal and external entities regarding the program.
• Support communication efforts by drafting/posting messages.
• Manage calls or written communications to private sector Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors as needed.
• Manage Claims Vocational Service Specialist (VSS) SharePoint page.
• And much more!

Qualifications
Required:

• Excellent communication skills; verbal, written, and presentation.
• Ability to multi-task.
• Ability to interpret information.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Experience with Microsoft 365.

Required equity competencies:

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

AND
Six (6) years of experience in a related field including planning, policy analysis, coordination and consultation with a variety of public and private agencies, organizations, and/or levels of government.
OR
Bachelor's degree AND Two (2) years of experience in a related field including planning, policy analysis, coordination and consultation with a variety of public and private agencies, organizations, and/or levels of government.
Desired:

• Knowledge of, and ability to, interpret Washington worker compensation statues, rules and policies and apply to complex situations.
• Knowledge of vocational rehabilitation theory and practice.
• Ability to:
  • Build and maintain working relationships and partnerships. Able to build cooperation through credibility, expertise and persuasion.
  • Work in a high-pressure environment.
  • Use word processing software, such as Microsoft Word, or WordPerfect, to create, format, edit, preview, print, and save documents.
  • Knowledge of SharePoint, LINIIS, ORION, and MIPS.
  • Use Microsoft Excel to establish queries and create reports.
  • Demonstrated research and problem-solving skills.

Supplemental Information
Things You Need To Know
At L&I, your voice matters. L&I is a diverse state agency dedicated to the safety, health and security of Washington's 3.3 million workers. Watch this and learn more about why L&I is an employer of choice.
L&I provides a modern work environment and excellent benefits including paid leave, tuition reimbursement, Infants at Work Program and a generous retirement package for qualified employees at the end of their career. Click on the "Benefits" tab to learn more.
We value our employees and their work-life balance. We support a hybrid work model and offer flexible custom work schedules. This position is eligible for a flexible schedule (4/10's, 9/80's, 5/8's, etc.) upon approval by management.
For this position, teleworking may be up to full time with the expectation of attending in person meetings and training occasionally or upon business needs. The assigned duty station for this position is Tumwater, WA.
To receive more information on opportunities at L&I sign up for 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 describing specific qualifications.
2. A current 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 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.
To learn more about our hiring process timeline at L&I please visit our L&I recruiting page at If you would like to read our website in a language other than English, scroll up to the top of the page to select your language of choice from the banner.
Background Check Notice
Prior to placement in this position, a background check, including criminal history records 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 bytheWashington 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.
• Applicants selected to move forward in the hiring process may be contacted to complete a skills assessment as part of the hiring process

Did You Know?
Washington is 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.
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
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 contributes to the success of the agency mission. Having a diverse workforce is this agency's greatest source 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 an 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
More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.
Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.
Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.
Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.
To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
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