User Experience (UX) Specialist

We are seeking a user experience specialist that will assist our client with planning and conducting targeted evaluative research, validates user needs, identifies usability barriers, and creates key page mockups using Maryland Web Design System components., * Develop focused UX research plans tied to Phase 2 decisions.

• Conduct targeted evaluative research such as usability testing, card sorting, tree testing, heuristic evaluation, stakeholder validation, and task-based walkthroughs.
• Validate assumptions related to user needs, findability, navigation, content grouping, service pathways, page hierarchy, and task completion.
• Identify usability barriers and provide actionable recommendations for IA, sitemap, content prioritization, and design direction.
• Create wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups for key page types, including homepage, landing pages, program pages, service pages, topic pages, content/detail pages, and other priority templates.
• Use Maryland Web Design System components and Maryland Drupal Theme constraints when creating mockups.
• Collaborate with Content Strategist / IA to align page layouts, navigation labels, content hierarchy, taxonomy, and top user tasks.
• Collaborate with Lead Technical BA to translate UX decisions into user stories, acceptance criteria, and backlog inputs.
• Collaborate with Drupal Solution Architect to confirm design feasibility, component reuse, Drupal implementation constraints, and accessibility considerations.
• Document research findings, usability issues, design rationale, accessibility considerations, and mockup decisions.
• Support the strategic brief by summarizing audience needs, UX findings, usability barriers, design recommendations, and Phase 3 implementation considerations., Certified Usability Analyst (CUA) , NN/g UX Certification, Human Factors International (HFI) CXA/CUA, IAAP Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC)/ IAAP, or Human-Centered Design certification

Do you have experience in Wireframing?, * 8+ years of UX research, UX design, product design, service design, or interaction design experience.

• 5+ years designing or validating large-scale public-facing websites.
• 3+ years conducting usability testing, tree testing, card sorting, heuristic reviews, or other evaluative UX research.
• Prior experience with MDH, DoIT, State of Maryland, public health, healthcare, health/human services, or comparable public-sector agencies strongly preferred.
• Strong Figma experience required.
• Experience designing with component-based design systems; MDWDS or similar government design system experience strongly preferred.
• Experience with WCAG 2.1/2.2, Section 508, inclusive design, and accessibility-aware UX patterns.
• Experience working in fast-paced agile or hybrid delivery environments.

Preferred Qualification

• Certified Usability Analyst (CUA) , NN/g UX Certification, Human Factors International (HFI) CXA/CUA, IAAP Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC)/ IAAP, Human-Centered Design certification, or equivalent experience preferred.

From $38.50 an hour - Contract