Language Access Program Manager

State of Washington•Thurston County – Olympia, WA

10d•Remote

About The Position

The Washington State Office of Equity is seeking a courageous, unapologetic champion of equity to join our team as the Language Access Program Manager. We desire a colleague who questions what is, to help find solutions for what can be. Imagine leading transformative language access work, being part of the nation’s first state-level Office of Equity, and having a lasting impact by removing barriers so every Washingtonian, regardless of preferred language, can fully participate in state services, employment, and programs. Join the Office of Equity and help build a Washington for ALL using your language access and program management expertise to develop enterprise-wide strategies, co-create solutions with the community, and drive real policy and systems change. This important role leads the Office of Equity’s language access, equity, and justice initiatives in partnership with state, local, and community partners to advance barrier-free, culturally and linguistically appropriate state programs, activities, and services for all Washingtonians. While your work is focused on language access, your influence is far reaching. You are a leader, innovator, and change maker in your field, improving the lives of all Washingtonians and creating a model of inclusion that moves the needle toward equity for all. All combinations of experience and higher education relevant to the position including lived, volunteer (paid or unpaid), or professional that demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work will be considered.

Requirements

Project management experience leading complex, cross-sector initiatives that drive policy and systems change with measurable outcomes and accountability.
Experience developing and managing language access programs, including policies, processes, systems, and resources aligned with organizational goals.
Experience providing consultation and technical assistance to government agencies and public sector partners.
Experience assessing language needs and developing and implementing language access plans that ensure equitable, culturally and linguistically appropriate services in compliance with federal and state laws and best practices (e.g., Title VI, ADA, Section 504, WLAD, CLAS).
Experience building and maintaining relationships with diverse non-English language preferred communities, including Deaf, DeafBlind, and hard of hearing communities.
Experience collaborating and communicating with diverse stakeholders, including community members, interpreters, translators, agencies, and community-based organizations.
Experience leading organizational change using a language access, equity, and justice framework.
Experience applying accessibility and language access strategies (e.g., plain language, translation, interpretation, tools, and technologies) to ensure accessible information and services.
Experience coordinating language access services and facilitating accessible meetings, events, and engagements.
Knowledge of historical and systemic inequities impacting marginalized communities, and ability to navigate complex, ambiguous situations while engaging in difficult conversations with clarity and respect and fostering a culture of belonging.
Take action to learn and grow and meet the needs of others
Educate others on the underlying context of systemic oppression (past and present) and respond to resistance in a clear and direct manner.
Lead change to remove barriers in policies, processes, and practices with unwavering principles and without regard for personal comfort.
Advocate for the lived experiences, perspectives, and needs of others to improve government services and their impact on people and communities.
Model cultural competence, humility, and responsiveness, and cultivate a culture of belonging where each person feels their authentic self is accepted, respected, and reflected.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with and serving tribes.
Experience working with and serving immigrants and refugees.
Experience working with unions.
Proficiency in a language other than English.
Advanced skills with Microsoft Office, Excel, and PowerPoint, Canva.

Responsibilities

Lead statewide systems change for language justice and equity by partnering with state agencies, Tribes, business resource groups, advocacy groups, language access providers, and impacted communities to co-create barrier-free, culturally and linguistically appropriate policies, programs, and services for all Washingtonians, including implementation of legislative mandates.
Own the project management of enterprise-wide language access initiatives by conducting landscape analyses, identifying gaps and barriers, developing accountability metrics, convening workgroups, and creating implementation and maintenance timelines that deliver measurable outcomes.
Serve as the Office of Equity’s language access coordinator to establish a model of excellence in language access by developing, implementing, and continuously improving the agency’s own language access plan, policies, resources, and standard operating procedures so other state agencies have a clear example to follow.
Act as the Office of Equity’s subject matter expert and primary contact for language access, providing expert consultation, technical assistance, and community-centered guidance while building authentic relationships that center the voices of those furthest from equity and embed language justice across all systems and services.