Mid-Sr. UX Specialist

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Mid-Sr. UX Specialist

Company: Mediabarn

Location: Woodlawn, Maryland, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Operations

Date Posted: May 28, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (4-6+ years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on enhancing user experience and operational efficiency for a critical government platform.

• It requires a deep understanding of user-centered design principles and translating complex user needs into intuitive interfaces.

• The position involves close collaboration with stakeholders to define requirements and deliver actionable design artifacts.

• Success in this role hinges on the ability to conduct rigorous user research and usability testing to drive continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "UX Specialist," the context of improving a government platform, defining business processes, and focusing on user needs within a complex system strongly aligns with operational improvement goals. This role bridges design with functional outcomes, which is a key aspect of GTM and Revenue Operations where user adoption and process efficiency are paramount.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct thorough user research, stakeholder interviews, and discovery sessions to elicit detailed business goals and user needs.

• Analyze complex business processes and user workflows to identify areas for improvement and inform requirements definition.

• Develop comprehensive user-centered design artifacts including conceptual models, user personas, journey maps, and usage scenarios.

• Create and refine interactive prototypes using industry-standard tools to visualize user flows and test design concepts.

• Document user requirements, screen designs, and detailed design recommendations for development teams and stakeholders.

• Design, plan, and execute formative user research and usability testing in both formal and informal settings to validate design decisions.

• Prepare and present findings, design recommendations, and research outcomes to diverse groups, including technical teams and government stakeholders.

• Ensure designs adhere to Section 508 accessibility standards, promoting inclusivity and compliance.

• Collaborate effectively within an Agile or Scrum development environment, contributing to sprint planning and iterative design processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: These responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic UX thinking and tactical execution, directly impacting the operational effectiveness and user adoption of a critical government platform. The emphasis on process analysis, requirements definition, and user research aligns with the core functions of operations roles focused on optimizing user journeys and system interactions.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Design, Psychology, Computer Science, or a related field.

Experience:

• Minimum of 6 years of direct experience in interface design, applying user-centered methods and conducting user analysis.

• A minimum of 4 years of experience in preparing and presenting findings and recommendations to various audience sizes.

• At least 4 years of experience designing and conducting formative usability tests.

• Experience working within Agile or Scrum development methodologies is highly desirable.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated proficiency in user-centered design (UCD) principles and methodologies.

• Strong ability to derive business processes, analyze user needs, and contribute to requirements definition.

• Expertise in creating conceptual models, journey maps, personas, and usage scenarios.

• Proven experience in developing and refining screen prototypes.

• Skilled in documenting user requirements, screen designs, and design recommendations.

• Proficient in designing and conducting formative user research and usability testing.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with clients and stakeholders daily.

• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with prototyping tools such as Axure RP and Adobe XD.

• Familiarity with Pega and/or ServiceNow platforms.

• Understanding of responsive design principles.

• Solid understanding and application of Section 508 accessibility standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: The extensive experience requirements and the need for a portfolio underscore the importance of practical, demonstrable skills in operationalizing user insights. The mention of specific platforms like Pega and ServiceNow, commonly used in operational workflows, further links this UX role to broader operational contexts.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive digital portfolio demonstrating a strong track record in user-centered design, including case studies of complex projects.

• Portfolios should clearly articulate the problem statement, user research conducted, design process, prototyping efforts, and final outcomes.

• Evidence of translating user needs and business requirements into effective design solutions.

• Showcase of diverse design artifacts such as wireframes, interactive prototypes, user flows, personas, and journey maps.

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrated ability to document user requirements, screen designs, and design recommendations clearly and comprehensively.

• Experience in creating detailed process flows and user journey maps that align with system functionalities.

• Ability to articulate the design process, including research methodologies and testing protocols, in a structured manner.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role like this, a portfolio serves as a direct demonstration of an individual's ability to execute on operational improvements through design. It's a critical tool for assessing their understanding of process, user impact, and system integration, akin to how operations professionals present process optimization case studies.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $100,000 – $120,000 annually

Benefits:

• Health and Insurance:

  • Medical insurance with 100% employer-paid premium for employee-only coverage.
  • Dental insurance with 100% employer-paid premium for employee-only coverage.
  • Company-paid life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment coverage.
  • Pre-tax benefits through a Section 125 plan.
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) available immediately.

• Time Off and Work-Life Balance:

  • Three weeks of paid time off (PTO) annually.

  • 10 paid company holidays annually.

  • 3 floating holidays annually.

  • Paid parental leave.

  • Bereavement leave.

  • Jury duty and military leave in accordance with applicable law. Working Hours: Standard full-time, approximately 40 hours per week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a mid-senior UX specialist in the Maryland area, especially considering the government sector focus which often requires specialized clearances and experience. The comprehensive benefits package emphasizes work-life balance, which is a key consideration for operations professionals seeking roles with supportive organizational structures.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Digital Agency, Research Lab, Placement & Consulting (Technology & Digital Professionals). Mediabarn operates within a dynamic ecosystem, bridging creative digital services with talent acquisition and research. This multi-faceted approach suggests a culture that values both innovation and practical application.

Company Size: Not explicitly stated, but the description implies a well-established firm with over 20 years of experience, suggesting a stable and experienced organization.

Founded: Over 20 years ago, indicating a history of sustained growth and adaptation in the digital sector.

Team Structure:

• The UX Specialist will join a "high-performing team" working on a "critically important government platform." This suggests a dedicated, specialized team focused on a significant project.

• Collaboration is a key value, with emphasis on "strong teamwork, clear communication, creativity, and work-life balance."

Methodology:

• User-Centered Design (UCD): This is the foundational methodology for the role, ensuring all design decisions are driven by user needs and behaviors.

• Agile/Scrum: Preferred experience in these methodologies indicates a commitment to iterative development, continuous feedback, and adaptability in project execution.

• Research & Testing: Formal and informal user research and usability testing are integral to the design process, driving data-informed improvements.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Proactive engagement with stakeholders is crucial for defining goals, gathering requirements, and securing buy-in for design solutions.

Company Website: https://mediabarnstaffing.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Mediabarn's diverse service offerings indicate a company that understands the full lifecycle of digital products and services, from initial strategy and design to development and talent integration. This breadth of experience can translate into a rich learning environment for operations professionals interested in how UX impacts broader business functions.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Senior level specialist. It requires a solid foundation of experience (4-6+ years) and the ability to work independently on complex tasks while also contributing to team objectives. It's a role where one is expected to contribute expertise and mentor junior members implicitly through their work.

Reporting Structure: The UX Specialist will report to a team lead or manager within the UX/design department, working closely with project managers and development teams. The government platform context may also involve reporting lines or significant interaction with government client representatives.

Operations Impact: The core impact of this role is on improving the user experience and operational efficiency of a critical government platform. By making the platform more intuitive, accessible, and reliable, this role directly enhances user satisfaction, reduces support costs, and increases the effectiveness of government services for millions of people. This aligns with operational goals of driving user adoption, reducing friction, and ensuring process efficacy.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific UX areas such as user research, interaction design, accessibility, or prototyping tools.

• Leadership Potential: Progress to a Senior UX Specialist or UX Lead role, taking on more complex projects, mentoring junior designers, and contributing to strategic design initiatives.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain valuable experience working within Agile teams, understanding development lifecycles, and collaborating with diverse stakeholders, which can lead to roles in product management or broader operational strategy.

• Government Sector Expertise: Develop specialized knowledge and a strong network within the government contracting space, opening doors to future opportunities in this sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth trajectory emphasizes developing specialized technical skills within UX, but also highlights opportunities for leadership and cross-functional understanding, which are crucial for advancing in operations-focused career paths.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The position requires on-site work in Woodlawn, MD, five days per week. This indicates a traditional office environment where in-person collaboration and direct team interaction are prioritized.

Office Location(s): Woodlawn, Maryland. This location is known for its proximity to significant government facilities, which is highly relevant for a role supporting a government platform.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Mediabarn emphasizes a "fun, collaborative, and creative digital company" culture. The on-site requirement facilitates direct collaboration with team members, stakeholders, and potentially clients.

• Operations Tools & Technology: The team likely utilizes standard UX design and prototyping software (e.g., Axure RP, Adobe XD) and project management tools common in Agile environments. Access to research facilities for usability testing may also be available.

• Team Interaction: The on-site nature of the role fosters daily interaction with colleagues, allowing for spontaneous problem-solving, knowledge sharing, and mentorship opportunities within the UX and development teams.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, implying a standard work week (approximately 40 hours). The emphasis on work-life balance suggests a structured but flexible approach to working hours within the on-site framework.

📝 Enhancement Note: The mandatory on-site presence suggests a company culture that values face-to-face interaction, which can be beneficial for complex problem-solving and team cohesion. For operations roles, this can translate to more efficient communication and faster decision-making cycles.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review applications, focusing on resume, experience, and the mandatory digital portfolio.

2. Technical Interview: This stage will likely involve a deep dive into the candidate's UX process, methodologies, and problem-solving skills. Expect questions about past projects, user research techniques, and design rationale.

3. Portfolio Review & Presentation: Candidates will be asked to present their portfolio, walking through specific case studies that demonstrate their ability to handle complex challenges, conduct research, and deliver impactful designs. This is a critical step to assess practical application and communication skills.

4. Stakeholder/Team Interview: Interviews with potential team members and project stakeholders (possibly including government representatives) to assess cultural fit, collaboration style, and ability to navigate complex project requirements.

5. Final Interview: May involve senior leadership to discuss overall fit, career aspirations, and finalize the offer.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure for Impact: Organize your portfolio around 3-5 key projects that best showcase your skills relevant to this role (government platforms, complex systems, user research).

• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, your process (research, ideation, design, testing), the challenges faced, and the quantifiable results or impact achieved.

• Highlight Process: Emphasize your user research and testing methodologies. Show how you gathered insights and used them to inform your design decisions.

• Showcase Artifacts: Include wireframes, prototypes, user flows, personas, journey maps, and final UI designs. For this role, demonstrating an understanding of accessibility (Section 508) is crucial.

• Quantify Results: Wherever possible, include metrics or evidence of the positive impact your designs had on user behavior, efficiency, or satisfaction.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: Research government platforms and the challenges of designing for large-scale, critical services. Consider the importance of accessibility and security.

• Prepare for Process Questions: Be ready to discuss your approach to requirements gathering, stakeholder management, and user research within a potentially bureaucratic environment.

• Practice Presentation: Rehearse presenting your portfolio and design process concisely and engagingly. Be prepared to answer "why" behind your design choices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio and specific case studies highlights the practical, results-oriented nature of this role, aligning it with operations' focus on demonstrable impact and process improvement. The need for a Public Trust clearance is a significant operational requirement for this government-focused position.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Prototyping & Design: Axure RP, Adobe XD (preferred experience). Proficiency in other industry-standard tools like Figma, Sketch, or InVision is also valuable.

• User Research & Testing: Tools for conducting usability tests, surveys, and analyzing qualitative/quantitative user feedback. Experience with specific research platforms may be beneficial.

• Documentation: Tools for creating detailed documentation of user requirements, design specifications, and recommendations.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Familiarity with platforms like Pega and ServiceNow is desired, indicating a need to understand how UX designs integrate with broader enterprise operational systems and workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The mention of specific tools like Axure RP and Adobe XD, along with platforms like Pega and ServiceNow, points to a need for practical, hands-on operational skills. Experience with these tools is directly transferable to roles focused on optimizing business processes and system integrations.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of users, ensuring that design decisions are always grounded in user research and empathy.

• Collaboration: A strong emphasis on teamwork, clear communication, and cross-functional partnership to achieve shared goals.

• Creativity & Innovation: Encouraging novel solutions and approaches to solve complex design challenges.

• Work-Life Balance: Promoting a healthy integration of professional responsibilities and personal life, fostering a sustainable and supportive work environment.

• Mission-Driven Impact: A focus on the meaningful contribution the work makes, particularly in serving the public through government platforms.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Actively working with project managers, developers, researchers, and government stakeholders to ensure seamless project execution and design alignment.

• Iterative Feedback: Openness to feedback and iterative design cycles, using constructive criticism to refine solutions.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that encourages sharing best practices, insights, and learnings within the team and across departments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on collaboration, user-centricity, and mission-driven impact aligns well with the values often found in operations teams focused on delivering tangible results and improving organizational efficiency and effectiveness.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complex Government Environment: Navigating the intricacies of government platforms, regulations (like Section 508), and stakeholder communication can be challenging.

• Balancing User Needs with System Constraints: Designing effective solutions within the technical limitations and existing architecture of a large-scale government system.

• Obtaining and Maintaining Clearance: The requirement for a Public Trust clearance involves a rigorous background check and adherence to strict protocols.

• Translating Complex Needs: Eliciting and translating the needs of diverse user groups for a critical service into intuitive and accessible design solutions.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Training: Opportunities to deepen expertise in areas like accessibility compliance, advanced prototyping, or specific government sector UX best practices.

• Mentorship: Learning from experienced UX professionals and potentially senior government client representatives.

• Project Exposure: Working on a high-impact, mission-driven project offers significant professional growth and resume-building experience.

• Industry Certifications: Pursuing UX certifications can further enhance professional development and career advancement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for roles in government contracting and large-scale enterprise systems, requiring adaptability and strong problem-solving skills—hallmarks of successful operations professionals. The growth opportunities are geared towards specialization and advancing within the UX field, with potential for broader operational leadership.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Be prepared to discuss your approach to user research for a government platform. How would you identify and engage with diverse user groups?

• How do you balance user needs with technical constraints and business requirements, especially in a complex system?

• Describe a time you had to present design recommendations to stakeholders who were resistant to change. How did you handle it?

Company & Culture Questions:

• Why are you interested in working for Mediabarn and on this specific government project?

• How do you approach collaboration within a cross-functional team, particularly in an Agile environment?

• What are your thoughts on work-life balance, and how do you manage your workload to maintain it?

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Process, Not Just Pixels: Clearly articulate your thought process, research methods, and how you iterated based on feedback.

• Quantify Impact: If possible, present metrics demonstrating the success of your designs (e.g., improved task completion, reduced errors, increased user satisfaction).

• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize projects that demonstrate experience with complex systems, government clients (if applicable), and accessibility standards.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about specific design choices, challenges encountered, and alternative solutions you considered.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparing for these questions involves demonstrating not just design skills, but also strategic thinking, problem-solving capabilities, and an understanding of operational impact, all of which are critical for operations roles.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Specialist position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Zoho Recruit portal.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Ensure your digital portfolio prominently features projects that highlight your user research, prototyping, and problem-solving skills, especially any experience with complex systems or government projects. Tailor your portfolio walkthrough to emphasize your process and impact.

• Optimize Your Resume: Highlight keywords from the job description, such as "user-centered design," "usability testing," "requirements definition," "prototyping," "Section 508," and any relevant tools (Axure RP, Adobe XD). Quantify your achievements where possible.

• Prepare for the Clearance: Understand the process and requirements for obtaining a Public Trust clearance, as this is a mandatory component of the role.

• Research Mediabarn: Familiarize yourself with Mediabarn's services, company culture, and their work in the digital agency, research, and consulting spaces. Understand their values regarding teamwork, creativity, and work-life balance.

⚠️ 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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