User Experience (UX) Researcher

Unemployment Insurance Information Technology Support Center

(UI ITSC)

UX Researcher Position Overview

CANDIDATES who submit a cover letter along with their resume to hr@naswa.org will be given first consideration.

We're searching for a passionate UX Researcher to join our team at NASWA's UI ITSC. You'll play a crucial role in shaping the Open UI Initiative. Alongside a cross-functional team, you will help establish inclusive and accessible standards for future UI technology development.

In this role, you'll be a champion for user-centered design, leading research efforts to ensure the Open UI framework meets the needs of state organizations, citizens, and service providers. You'll conduct a mix of generative and evaluative research to generate insights that you’ll translate into actionable recommendations. These will guide product strategies, stakeholder engagement, and framework design decisions.

Roles and Responsibilities

Lead research initiatives: Define research goals, methodologies, and participant criteria. Recruit and interview stakeholders, moderate research sessions, and analyze results.
Drive user-centered design: Develop user personas, journey maps, and other artifacts to guide design decisions. Foster a user-centric approach across the project.
Advocate for accessibility: Ensure research methods and design solutions prioritize inclusivity and accessibility for all users.
Communicate effectively: Summarize findings and recommendations for stakeholders. Present research insights in a clear and compelling way.
Collaborate with a team: Work closely with UI experts, technologists, and senior leadership to deliver impactful research.

Competencies and experience required

3-5+ years of experience in UX research, with a proven track record of delivering impactful results.
Expertise in generative and evaluative qualitative research methodologies.
Experience leading research initiatives and framing problem spaces.
A strong understanding of user-centered design principles and accessibility best practices.
Excellent communication, collaboration, and influencing skills.
A passion for making a positive impact on people's lives.

Relevant Experience Preferred

Conducting research for developer platforms or API design.
Conducting research for government or non-profit organizations.
Use of Agile approach to working
Knowledge of web technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) and accessibility standards (WCAG).

Skills and personal attributes:

Navigates ambiguity with an adaptive, collaborative, and positive mindset
Highly resourceful, reliable, and detail-oriented
Takes initiative and juggles task prioritization with a strategic mindset

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human-Centered Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Informatics, Cognitive Science, Psychology, or related professional experience.

Background on NASWA

The National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA) is the national organization representing all 50 state workforce agencies, D.C. and U.S. territories. These agencies deliver training, employment, career, and business services, in addition to administering the unemployment insurance (UI), veteran reemployment, and labor market information programs. NASWA provides policy expertise, shares promising state practices, and promotes state innovation and leadership in workforce development.

Background on UI ITSC

NASWA’s UI Information Technology Support Center (UI ITSC) is an innovative collaboration of all State Workforce Agencies, the U.S. Department of Labor and private sector partners to support the IT needs of the Unemployment Insurance program.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

NASWA is an equal opportunity employer. NASWA does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, military status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, genetic information, disability, matriculation, political affiliation or any other characteristic protected by federal or District of Columbia law. Our non- discrimination policy applies to all facets of employment, including recruiting, hiring, employment, promotion, demotion, dismissal, compensation, and training opportunities.

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User Experience Researcher