Human-Centered Design Consultant

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Human-Centered Design Consultant

Company: Genesis Consulting Partners, LLC

Location: Tallahassee, Florida, United States

Job Type: Part-time

Category: Consulting / Government & Public Sector / Art & Design / Healthcare / Social Services

Date Posted: 2026-06-25

Experience Level: Mid-Senior (5-10 years)

Remote Status: Remote Solely

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the redesign of critical client communications (eligibility and benefits notices) for a large state Health and Human Services (HHS) agency, focusing on human-centered design principles.

• Develop and implement enterprise-wide notice design standards, content frameworks, and reusable templates to enhance client understanding and engagement.

• Apply plain language, accessibility (including Section 508 compliance), and language access principles to ensure effective communication across diverse populations.

• Collaborate closely with policy, legal, operational, and technical teams to integrate design solutions with regulatory and system requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically tailored for a Human-Centered Design Consultant, emphasizing the strategic application of design thinking to improve public service delivery within a government health and human services context. The focus on "notices" suggests a deep dive into informational design and user comprehension for critical client interactions.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive human-centered design (HCD) assessments of existing eligibility and benefits notices to identify usability, readability, accessibility, and overall client experience challenges.

• Facilitate and lead stakeholder workshops, design sprints, and user-centered review sessions to gather insights into client needs and communication barriers.

• Develop and document enterprise-level notice design standards, including content frameworks, reusable templates, and communication guidelines, to ensure consistency and effectiveness.

• Establish and enforce plain-language standards, accessibility requirements (e.g., WCAG, Section 508), and client-centered communication best practices across all notice redesign efforts.

• Redesign notice structures, layouts, content hierarchy, and messaging to significantly improve client comprehension and encourage desired actions.

• Partner with policy, legal, operations, and IT teams to ensure redesigned notices meet all regulatory requirements, operational constraints, and technical specifications.

• Create modular, reusable content components and reason-language frameworks that promote consistency and efficiency in client communications across various public assistance programs.

• Integrate accessibility best practices, multilingual communication strategies, and inclusive design principles into all aspects of notice design.

• Provide support for developing detailed notice-level design specifications and implementation guidance for development teams.

• Contribute to the sequencing of implementation plans, participation in governance reviews, and the creation of final design handoff documentation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities outline a full lifecycle of design consulting, from initial assessment and stakeholder engagement to the development of standards, redesign, and implementation support. The emphasis on "reusable components" and "frameworks" indicates a need for scalable and sustainable design solutions.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human-Centered Design, User Experience Design, Service Design, Human Factors, Psychology, Communications, Public Health, Public Administration, Design, or a closely related field.

• Advanced training or certifications in Human-Centered Design, UX, Accessibility, or Service Design are strongly preferred. Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in Human-Centered Design (HCD), User Experience (UX), Service Design, Content Design, or Customer Experience (CX) design.

• Demonstrated experience applying plain-language principles and accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG, Section 508) to complex informational materials.

• Proven track record of developing reusable design systems, templates, communication standards, or service design frameworks.

• Expertise in translating intricate policy and operational requirements into intuitive, user-friendly communications and experiences. Required Skills:

• Human-Centered Design (HCD) / User Experience (UX) / Service Design: Deep understanding and practical application of HCD methodologies, user research, journey mapping, and usability testing.

• Plain Language & Content Design: Skill in developing clear, concise, and actionable content tailored for diverse user comprehension levels.

• Accessibility Standards: Proficiency in applying Section 508 compliance and other accessibility guidelines (e.g., WCAG) to digital and print communications.

• Stakeholder Facilitation & Workshop Leadership: Ability to effectively lead workshops, gather requirements, and manage diverse stakeholder groups.

• Design Systems & Framework Development: Experience creating and implementing scalable design components, templates, and reusable frameworks.

• Client Communication Strategy: Ability to design communication strategies that improve client understanding, engagement, and compliance with public assistance programs.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience supporting government agencies, particularly in healthcare, Medicaid, public assistance, or social services sectors.

• Familiarity with language access requirements and inclusive design practices for diverse populations.

• Direct experience redesigning eligibility notices, public-facing government communications, forms, or client correspondence.

• Knowledge of government IT systems and the complexities of public sector program administration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize a blend of core design expertise with specific domain knowledge in government and social services. The requirement for "5+ years" combined with a Bachelor's degree positions this as a mid-to-senior level consulting role where practical application and strategic thinking are key.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies: Showcase at least 2-3 detailed case studies demonstrating your experience in applying HCD, plain language, and accessibility to complex communication challenges.

• Process Documentation: Illustrate your design process, including user research methodologies, ideation techniques, prototyping, and user testing phases used in past projects.

• Deliverable Examples: Provide examples of developed design standards, content frameworks, reusable templates, or style guides.

• Impact Metrics: Where possible, present quantifiable results demonstrating the positive impact of your design solutions on user comprehension, engagement, or compliance (e.g., reduced call volume, improved form completion rates).

• Accessibility & Plain Language Focus: Specifically highlight projects where plain language and accessibility were critical components and showcase how you addressed these requirements.

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate a structured approach to HCD, outlining steps from problem definition and user research to solution design and validation.

• Detail methodologies for stakeholder engagement, including workshop design, facilitation techniques, and synthesis of feedback.

• Showcase experience in creating and documenting design systems, content style guides, and communication frameworks that can be adopted organization-wide.

• Explain how you measure the effectiveness of communication design, including user testing protocols and the interpretation of results.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this role, a portfolio is crucial. It should not just display final designs but critically, the process behind them. Candidates should be prepared to walk through their HCD methodology, specifically how they tackled plain language and accessibility for government-facing materials.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Based on industry benchmarks for part-time, remote Human-Centered Design Consultants with 5-10 years of experience in the Tallahassee, Florida area, the estimated salary range is $40 - $60 per hour, or approximately $31,200 - $46,800 annually (assuming a 20-hour work week). This estimate considers the specialized nature of government consulting, the focus on HCD and accessibility, and the part-time engagement.

Benefits:

As a part-time, consulting role, benefits may be limited. However, typical offerings for such positions at consulting firms often include:

• Flexible Work Schedule: Ability to manage workload around personal commitments, aligning with the part-time nature of the role.

• Professional Development Opportunities: Potential access to training, workshops, or resources related to HCD, UX, and accessibility.

• Retirement Savings Plan: Access to a 401(k) or similar plan, potentially with a company match.

• Paid Time Off: Accrual of vacation, sick leave, or personal days based on hours worked.

• Health Insurance: While less common for part-time roles, some firms may offer a stipend or limited health coverage options.

Working Hours:

This is a part-time position, expected to require approximately 20 hours per week. The exact schedule can be negotiated to accommodate the consultant's availability and project needs, allowing for flexibility in managing work hours and personal commitments.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimates are based on typical consulting rates for specialized roles in a medium-cost-of-living area like Tallahassee, FL. Benefits are generalized for part-time consulting roles and should be verified with Genesis Consulting Partners, LLC.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Consulting (Government & Public Sector, Healthcare, Social Services). Genesis Consulting Partners, LLC operates at the intersection of technology, strategy, and public service, aiming to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of government organizations.

Company Size: The company size is not explicitly stated but is likely a medium-sized consulting firm given the Zoho Recruit platform usage and the nature of government contracts. This implies a structure that balances established processes with a degree of agility.

Founded: Genesis Consulting Partners, LLC was founded in 2007. This history suggests a company with established experience and a track record in the consulting space, particularly within government and public sector domains.

Team Structure:

• Project-Based Teams: Consultants typically work within project-specific teams, often a mix of internal Genesis staff and client personnel.

• Specialized Expertise: The team will likely include individuals with expertise in policy, operations, IT, and various design disciplines, fostering cross-functional collaboration.

• Client Integration: Consultants will be deeply integrated with the client's Health and Human Services agency teams, working alongside their policy, legal, and operational staff.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Genesis Consulting Partners emphasizes leveraging data and analytics to inform strategic recommendations and design solutions.

• Agile and Iterative Design: The project will likely employ agile and iterative design principles, with continuous feedback loops from stakeholders and end-users.

• Client-Centric Approach: The firm's methodology is client-focused, aiming to deliver tailored solutions that address specific organizational challenges and achieve measurable outcomes.

Company Website: www.genesisconsulting.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's founding date and specialization in government consulting suggest a culture that values deep understanding of public sector operations and a commitment to long-term client relationships. The consultant will be expected to navigate complex organizational structures and stakeholder landscapes.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-to-senior level consultant. It requires significant experience and the ability to lead design initiatives independently, rather than entry-level execution. The "consultant" title implies a responsibility for strategic advice, problem-solving, and client management.

Reporting Structure: The Human-Centered Design Consultant will likely report to a Project Manager or a Senior Director within Genesis Consulting Partners, LLC. They will also work closely with client-side leads within the Health and Human Services agency.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct impact on the operational effectiveness of a major state HHS agency by improving client understanding and compliance with essential public assistance programs. Enhancing communication can lead to reduced errors, increased program participation, improved client satisfaction, and more efficient administrative processes.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in government HCD, accessibility, plain language, and specific HHS program areas.

• Project Leadership: Transition to leading larger design initiatives or managing teams of designers on complex government projects.

• Client Relationship Management: Develop skills in managing client relationships and expanding Genesis Consulting's footprint within the HHS sector.

• Methodology Development: Contribute to the refinement and expansion of Genesis Consulting's HCD and service design methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: As a part-time role, the direct path to traditional full-time leadership might be less defined. However, success in this role can lead to opportunities for more extensive consulting engagements or specialized project leadership within the government sector.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a fully remote position, offering the flexibility to work from any location within the United States.

Office Location(s): While the job is posted for Tallahassee, Florida, the "Remote" designation means candidates are not required to be physically present in Tallahassee. However, for state government contracts, there may be preferences or requirements for consultants to be US-based.

Workspace Context:

• Home Office Setup: Consultants are expected to maintain a professional and productive home office environment with reliable internet access.

• Virtual Collaboration Tools: The work will heavily rely on virtual collaboration platforms (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Slack) for meetings, workshops, and communication.

• Independent Work: A significant portion of the work will involve independent research, design, and documentation, requiring strong self-discipline and time management skills.

Work Schedule: The role is part-time (approx. 20 hours/week) with flexibility. While core hours for team meetings and client interactions may be established, the consultant will have autonomy in structuring their remaining work time, provided deliverables are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The fully remote nature is a significant draw. Candidates should ensure they have a stable, professional remote work setup and are comfortable with extensive virtual collaboration.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and application to assess foundational qualifications and experience.

• Portfolio Presentation: A dedicated session where you will present selected case studies from your portfolio, demonstrating your HCD process, problem-solving approach, and impact. Be prepared to discuss your design rationale, stakeholder management, and how you applied plain language and accessibility.

• Skills Assessment/Case Study: You may be asked to complete a design exercise or a short case study to evaluate your practical application of HCD principles to a specific problem relevant to the role.

• Client Interview: A discussion with key stakeholders from the state HHS agency to assess your understanding of their challenges, your ability to collaborate, and your cultural fit.

• Final Interview: A discussion with a senior member of Genesis Consulting Partners to finalize terms and confirm suitability.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 projects that best showcase your expertise in HCD, plain language, and accessibility for complex communications, ideally within a government or regulated industry context.

• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the HCD process you followed, the solutions you designed, and the measurable outcomes achieved. Use visuals to support your narrative.

• Highlight Process Over Polish: Emphasize your methodology, how you navigated challenges, and how you incorporated user feedback and stakeholder input.

• Address Specific Requirements: Explicitly demonstrate how you applied plain language, Section 508 compliance, and inclusive design principles in your chosen examples.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your design decisions, research methods, and how you handle conflicting stakeholder feedback.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Client Context: Research Florida's Department of Health and Human Services (or equivalent) and the types of public assistance programs they manage.

• Review HCD Principles: Refresh your knowledge of core HCD, UX, and service design frameworks.

• Practice Plain Language & Accessibility: Be ready to offer examples of how to simplify complex terms or explain accessibility considerations for government notices.

• Develop a Mini Case Study: Prepare a brief example of how you would approach redesigning a hypothetical government notice, touching on research, content, and design considerations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio presentation is a critical gate. Candidates must be able to articulate their design process and demonstrate tangible results, particularly concerning clarity and inclusivity in communication.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, Axure RP (for wireframing and prototyping).

• User Research & Testing: UserTesting.com, Optimal Workshop, Maze, Lookback (for remote user testing and feedback collection).

• Collaboration & Communication: Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Slack, Google Workspace (for virtual meetings, team communication, and document sharing).

• Documentation: Confluence, Notion, SharePoint (for documenting design standards, research findings, and project plans).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics (if applicable): Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics (for understanding user behavior on related digital platforms).

• Survey Tools: SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics (for gathering user feedback and conducting surveys).

• Data Visualization: Tableau, Power BI (for presenting research findings and impact metrics).

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM role, understanding how information systems (like those managing client eligibility and benefits) function is beneficial. Familiarity with government IT systems or case management platforms is a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with industry-standard design and collaboration tools is expected. While direct experience with government-specific systems is preferred, the ability to quickly learn and adapt to new platforms is key.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Human-Centeredness: A core commitment to understanding and serving the needs of the end-user (clients) in all design decisions.

• Clarity & Accessibility: A dedication to making information understandable and accessible to all users, regardless of their background, ability, or language.

• Collaboration & Partnership: A belief in the power of working together with clients and diverse teams to achieve shared goals.

• Impact & Effectiveness: A drive to deliver solutions that have a measurable positive impact on client outcomes and operational efficiency.

• Continuous Improvement: An ethos of learning, adapting, and refining processes and designs based on feedback and results.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Expected to work seamlessly with policy experts, legal counsel, IT developers, and program administrators, bridging communication gaps through design.

• Workshop-Driven: A collaborative approach that heavily relies on interactive workshops and design sessions to foster shared understanding and co-create solutions.

• Feedback-Oriented: An open and receptive attitude towards feedback from clients, users, and team members, using it to iterate and improve designs.

• Knowledge Sharing: A willingness to share insights, best practices, and documentation to build capacity within the client organization and Genesis Consulting.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "human-centeredness" and "clarity & accessibility" directly reflects the role's core mission. Candidates should demonstrate how they embody these values in their collaborative approach and design thinking.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Bureaucracy: Working within a large state government agency can involve complex approval processes, multiple layers of decision-making, and established legacy systems.

• Balancing Needs: Synthesizing diverse and sometimes conflicting requirements from policy, legal, operations, IT, and client perspectives into a cohesive design.

• User Diversity: Designing for a wide range of users with varying levels of literacy, technical proficiency, and language needs.

• Translating Technical/Policy Jargon: Converting complex program rules and technical requirements into simple, actionable language for clients.

• Demonstrating ROI: Quantifying the impact of design improvements, especially in government settings where direct revenue metrics are not always applicable.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Government Program Deep Dive: Gain in-depth knowledge of public assistance programs (Medicaid, nutrition assistance, economic support) and their operational intricacies.

• Accessibility & Inclusive Design Expertise: Become a subject matter expert in Section 508 compliance, WCAG standards, and advanced inclusive design practices.

• Service Design for Public Sector: Develop advanced skills in applying service design principles to government and social services.

• Client Relationship Management: Hone skills in managing complex client relationships and influencing decision-making within large organizations.

• Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: Gain experience working effectively with legal, policy, and IT professionals in a government context.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a unique opportunity to apply design expertise to socially impactful work. The challenges are typical of large-scale government projects, providing significant learning experiences in navigating complex organizational dynamics and diverse user needs.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you successfully applied human-centered design principles to simplify complex information for a diverse audience. What was your process, and what were the results?" (Focus on HCD methodology, user research, and outcome metrics.)

• "How would you approach developing enterprise-wide notice design standards that need to be adopted across multiple departments with varying needs and legacy systems?" (Focus on stakeholder buy-in, framework design, and scalability.)

• "Walk me through your process for ensuring a design meets both plain language requirements and Section 508 accessibility standards simultaneously." (Focus on practical application of standards and problem-solving.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Genesis Consulting Partners and our work in the public sector?" (Research the company website and recent projects.)

• "How do you approach collaborating with legal and policy teams who may have different priorities than a design-focused approach?" (Emphasize partnership, understanding constraints, and finding common ground.)

• "Describe a challenging stakeholder or client situation you've encountered and how you managed it to achieve a positive outcome." (Highlight communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly define the problem statement, your role and responsibilities, the HCD methodology used, key insights gained, design solutions, and measurable outcomes.

• Visual Aids are Key: Use mockups, wireframes, user flows, and final designs to illustrate your points. Highlight specific examples of plain language and accessibility implementations.

• Quantify Impact: If possible, present data demonstrating the success of your designs (e.g., improved comprehension scores, reduced error rates, increased form completion).

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your design decisions, your research methods, how you handled user feedback, and how you ensured inclusivity.

• Connect to the Role: Explicitly draw parallels between your portfolio examples and the requirements of this Human-Centered Design Consultant role for the state HHS agency.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be looking for a strong understanding of HCD principles, practical experience with plain language and accessibility, and the ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments. Your portfolio is your primary tool to demonstrate this.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Human-Centered Design Consultant position:

• Submit Your Application: Complete the application form through the provided Zoho Recruit link.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your experience in Human-Centered Design, UX, Service Design, Plain Language, Accessibility (Section 508), and any relevant government or healthcare sector work. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate 2-3 strong case studies showcasing your design process, problem-solving skills, and impact, with a specific focus on communication design, plain language, and accessibility. Ensure your portfolio is easily accessible (e.g., a personal website, PDF, or dedicated platform).

• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse your portfolio walkthrough, focusing on clear articulation of your process and outcomes. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with the needs of a state Health and Human Services agency.

• Research Genesis Consulting Partners: Familiarize yourself with their mission, client base, and any public sector projects they have highlighted on their website.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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