Employment Specialist 4 (WSS4) - WorkSource Rainier

Employment Specialist 4 (WSS4) - WorkSource Rainier

Salary

$55,596.00 - $74,748.00 Annually

Location

King County - Seattle - Rainier Valley, WA

Job Type

Full Time - Permanent

Remote Employment

Flexible/Hybrid

Job Number

2026-05516

Department

Employment Security Department

Division

Workforce Services

Opening Date

07/02/2026

Closing Date

7/16/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary Information

The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

Note: The salary listed above includes the scheduled 2% general salary increase that goes into effect on July 1, 2026.

Located in Seattle, Washington, this position becomes eligible for one day of hybrid remote work per week after the successful completion of training and achievement of performance standards. The remaining workdays are performed onsite at the WorkSource Rainier office to ensure strong customer engagement and service delivery.

The ideal candidate for the Employment Specialist 4 position is a dynamic, mission-driven workforce professional who thrives in a customer-centered environment and is deeply committed to helping individuals overcome barriers to employment. They bring a strong blend of analytical skill, cultural competence, and compassionate service, enabling them to deliver individualized employment and training services that make a meaningful impact in the community.

This candidate excels at conducting insightful assessments, managing complex caseloads, and providing above-basic-level services that support job seekers on their path to sustainable employment. They are equally comfortable working one-on-one with customers, facilitating group workshops, or representing WorkSource in community outreach settings.

About the Workforce Services Division:

Workforce Services Division (WSD) is made up of three Lines of Business: WorkSource, Central Operations System Support, and Washington Service Corps (WSC). WSD administers the Labor Exchange (LEX), Migrant Seasonal Farmworker (MSFW), Veterans Services, Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA), and WorkFirst and RESEA programs for job seekers and employers in Washington and provides job seekers with referrals to partners providing Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA) adult, youth, and dislocated worker training and support services.

Duties

Your primary job duties will involve delivering high-quality employment and training services to WorkSource customers both inside the WorkSource Rainier office and out in the community. You will conduct individualized interviews, assess customer needs, determine program eligibility, and provide case management services that support customers in overcoming barriers to employment. You will also administer assessments, develop employment and training plans, and ensure accurate and timely documentation in accordance with state and federal requirements.

What a typical day looks like:

• Conduct individual interviews to explain program services, identify customer needs, and recommend next steps for continued engagement.
• Manage a diverse caseload by providing case management, coordinating support services, making referrals, and helping customers obtain required documentation.
• Identify and evaluate employment barriers and work with customers to explore solutions that support progress toward employment and training goals.
• Determine program eligibility, enroll customers, explain participation requirements, and develop employment and training contracts in alignment with regulations and assessment results.
• Administer assessments using formal and informal career tools; review results with customers and incorporate findings into individualized employment plans using relevant labor market information.
• Prepare and present information to customers to support informed decision-making about training, employment pathways, and available services.
• Monitor program performance using agency reporting systems; create and share reports as needed by supervisors and managers.
• Maintain accurate case documentation including case notes, service plans, expenditures, and exit outcomes in accordance with state and federal protocols.
• Enter and update data across multiple data management systems to ensure compliance and support program reporting.
• Coordinate with other programs to ensure customers receive integrated services and seamless support across WorkSource lines of business.

To request a detailed position description, click here.

Qualifications

Qualifying candidates will meet one of the following criteria options:

Option 1:

• One year (1) as a WorkSource Specialist 3 within the Employment Security Department, or in an equivalent class with another state's Employment Security agency.

Option 2:

• Two years (2) years of professional experience in workforce development, social or human resource services, public relations, or professional public contact work.

Option 3:

• A combination of education and/or relevant experience equals two (2) or more years.

The required experience includes:

• Client-Centered Service Delivery: Needs assessment to evaluate client situations, goal setting to establish realistic objectives, case management to develop and oversee service plans, problem-solving to address barriers, and communication skills to guide and support clients effectively.
• Eligibility Assessment Expertise: Ability to evaluate and determine client qualifications.
• Employability Plan Development Expertise: Ability to structure personalized career growth strategies.
• Career Coaching and Follow-Up Expertise: Ability to provide ongoing workforce guidance.

Required equity competencies:

• The ability to take action to learn and grow.

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

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

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

Please submit only the required documents as noted below and ensure all Personal Identifying Information (PII) such as Social Security numbers etc. are edited out of your materials for privacy. Additionally, we ask that you not include photographs or external links within your documents. Any documents uploaded through this platform will be securely transmitted electronically to support application review.

Please submit your Cover Letter and Resume with your Online Application through the "Add Attachments" field. A resume will not substitute for the "work experience" section of the application or vice versa. Applications with blank fields, or supplemental question responses with comments such as "see attachments" may be considered incomplete.

Supplemental Information

Why work with us?

Our agencys 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 understand that a work environment that respects your work/life balance is key; thats why many of our positions are eligible for flexible work schedules and teleworking opportunities. Through support, value, and trust, our employees are empowered to grow and develop into their best self.

Opportunity for All

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.

If you are a person needing assistance in the application process, if you need this job announcement in an alternate format, or if you have general questions about this opportunity, please contact Lydia White or at 360-819-6996 or the Talent Acquisition Team, prior to the position closing. If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please contact careershelp@des.wa.gov or (360) 664-1960 or toll free (877) 664-1960, Washington Relay 711.

This recruitment may be used to fill additional agency-wide positions in accordance with Article 4 of the WFSE Collective Bargaining Agreement.

This Organization Participates in E-Verify

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. Thats 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.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation

State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security

All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays

Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave

Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)

Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave

Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave

Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave

Leave Sharing

Parental Leave

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026

01

Have you attached your cover letter and resume to your application? Please ensure both documents are included as they are crucial for the evaluation process.

• Yes
• No

02

Are you a current or former Washington State government employee?

• Yes
• No

03

If you selected "yes" to the question above, please indicate which state agency. If this does not apply, type N/A.

04

Please select the option that best describes how you meet the minimum qualifications for the Employment Specialist 4 (WSS4) position. Select all that apply:

• One year (1) as a WorkSource Specialist 3 within the Employment Security Department, or in an equivalent class with another state's Employment Security agency.
• Two years (2) years of professional experience in workforce development, social or human resource services, public relations, or professional public contact work.
• A combination of education and/or relevant experience equals two (2) or more years.
• I do not have this experience

05

For each required competency listed below, provide a brief explanation of how you have demonstrated that competency in your previous roles. You must address each competency in a numbered list (1-4). If you do not possess a competency, state that clearly. Your application will be evaluated based on your responses to all competencies. The required Competencies are: 1. Client-Centered Service Delivery: Needs assessment to evaluate client situations, goal setting to establish realistic objectives, case management to develop and oversee service plans, problem-solving to address barriers, and communication skills to guide and support clients effectively. 2. Eligibility Assessment Expertise: Ability to evaluate and determine client qualifications. 3. Employability Plan Development Expertise: Ability to structure personalized career growth strategies. 4. Career Coaching and Follow-Up Expertise: Ability to provide ongoing workforce guidance.

06

Describe a time when you were responsible for a high or complex caseload. How did you prioritize client needs, manage competing deadlines, and ensure no client fell through the cracks? Please walk us through your decision-making process, tools or systems you used, and the outcome.

07

ESD How did you hear about this job opportunity?

• WWW.Careers.Wa.Gov
• WorkSource Center or Website (WorkSourceWA.com)
• Washington State Employee Referral
• ESD Employee Referral
• Employment Security Departments job web page: WWW.Esd.Wa.Gov
• Monster
• College/university career fair or website
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• VERG
• Craigslist
• CareerBuilder
• Diversity Jobs
• Handshake
• Other

Required Question

Employer State of Washington

Address View Job Posting for Agency Information

View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504

Website http://www.careers.wa.gov