L&I Vocational Services Specialist 2 - Spokane

State of Washington•Spokane County - Multiple Locations, WA

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

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: The Salary listed above includes the 2% pay increase that goes into effect on July 1, 2026. PLEASE NOTE: Application review begins immediately. It is your advantage to apply today. Job Highlights Bring your skills and talents to L&I, the employer of choice. Join our team and work in a positive, goal-oriented atmosphere. Your reward at the end of each day is satisfaction of a job well done and knowing you have provided an invaluable service to our fellow citizens of Washington. Our Vocational Services Specialist 2 supports the agency goal of helping workers heal and return-to-work by assisting injured workers and all job seekers of Washington State to return to gainful employment. You will help support vocational recovery and prevent work disability and facilitate return to work (RTW) when an on-the-job injury or exposure occurs. You will utilize professional vocational experience and knowledge to educate and assist employers in setting up return to work programs and navigate the return-to-work process. This role supports vocational recovery under direction of the Regional Early Return to Work (ERTW) Supervisor and with the support and guidance of the Employer Outreach and ERTW Program Manager. 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 also help ensure workers are paid what they are owed, that children's 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 Employer Services program within the Insurance Services Division is responsible for establishing and maintaining industrial insurance accounts for over 180,000+ employers and 2.5 million employees doing business throughout the state of Washington. The program provides a wide array of services to employers in the State Fund from helping new businesses get workers’ compensation coverage to specialized underwriting.

Requirements

A Master's Degree AND CRC, CDMS or ABVE certification AND ONE year of full-time industrial insurance, disability management, or related field experience.
OR A Bachelor's Degree AND a CRC or CDMS certification AND TWO years of full-time industrial insurance, disability management, or related experience.
Must possess a valid, unrestricted Washington State Driver’s License and show proof of personal liability insurance.
The ability to take action to learn and grow.
The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

Nice To Haves

Current experience as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor or Vocational Services Specialist (VSS) in industrial insurance with the Department of Labor and Industries, and/or experience providing return-to-work or vocational services under other jurisdictions.

Responsibilities

Researches and identifies employers that could benefit from outreach services.
Assists workers with understanding the RTW process.
Assists employers in identifying and developing light duty jobs, job descriptions, and job offer letters.
Educates employers on RTW processes, best practices and assists them to implement an effective return to work program.
Informs and educates employers on the Early Return to Work, WA Stay at Work and Preferred Worker Programs.
Develops job analyses, following WAC 296-19A-137 and WAC 296-19A-170.
Conducts ergonomic evaluations.
Provides on-site evaluations of worksites to complete job descriptions, job analysis, ergonomic evaluations, and modification of jobs.
Refers employer to internal partners, such as Risk Management and Safety.
Presents on-site educational workshops for employers, employees, and other professionals in the field of worker’s compensation on topics concerning return to work.