Senior UX Designer / Researcher / Accessibility Specialist

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Designer / Researcher / Accessibility Specialist

Company: ePATHUSA Inc

Location: Remote (United States)

Job Type: Contract

Category: User Experience (UX) Design & Research

Date Posted: 2026-09-03

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: Remote Solely

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead user experience research initiatives to ensure intuitive and efficient digital applications for educators and state employees.

• Drive UI optimization through hands-on user testing and usability lab execution.

• Integrate digital accessibility standards (WCAG 2.2 Level AA) from the initial design phase through implementation.

• Collaborate with cross-functional agency teams and stakeholders to translate complex data and workflows into clear, user-centered designs.

• Contribute to the modernization of enterprise-level digital standards and support high-priority state projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is highly specialized, focusing on the intersection of user experience, in-depth research, and critical accessibility compliance within a government sector context. The emphasis on WCAG 2.2, USWDS, and translating complex workflows suggests a need for deep expertise in public sector digital design and development practices.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design, plan, and execute formal user experience research to evaluate complex workflows, ensuring applications are intuitive and efficient for educators and state employees.

• Moderate hands-on user testing sessions and run usability labs to actively identify and resolve workflow friction.

• Audit early layouts and interfaces against usability best practices and established design standards.

• Translate complex district data reporting and environmental workflows into clear, intuitive user journeys and behavioral personas.

• Structure massive, data-heavy reporting categories logically using techniques like card sorting and information architecture best practices.

• Integrate digital accessibility from the ground up, aligning design systems and user research with WCAG 2.2 standards to ensure digital services are universally accessible.

• Partner with the Lead UX/Accessibility Architect to scale technical user experience and research practices across multi-agency initiatives, chatbot interfaces, and global state projects.

• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional agency teams, product owners, and technical stakeholders to clearly articulate design findings and research data.

• Take ownership of user testing and UI optimization efforts to continuously improve digital product usability.

• Support a high-priority modernization pipeline for the Iowa Department of Education (DOE) and provide cross-agency support for the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and other state projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a senior-level engagement, requiring not just execution but also strategic leadership in research, accessibility, and scaling best practices across multiple state agencies. The mention of specific agencies (Iowa DOE, DNR) indicates a need for understanding public sector project lifecycles and stakeholder management within government environments.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), UX Design, Psychology, Computer Science, or a related field is typically expected for a senior-level role of this nature.

Experience: A minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in UX design, user research, and accessibility is required, with a strong emphasis on practical application and demonstrable impact. The role also requires 8 years of experience in front-end engineering and integrating designs into specific frameworks.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated mastery in moderating user testing sessions, executing usability labs, performing heuristic evaluations, mapping user journeys, and managing information architecture.

• Practical knowledge of implementing WCAG 2.2 Level AA requirements, including focus management, keyboard navigation mechanics, and color contrast principles within visual layouts.

• Ability to clearly explain user research insights, interface design choices, and usability standards to technical team members, developers, and agency stakeholders.

• Front-end engineering experience writing semantic HTML5 and modern, responsive CSS/SASS.

• Experience integrating interface designs into Angular or MVC .NET framework environments.

• Experience utilizing or extending the U.S. Web Design System (USWDS).

• Proficiency in User Experience Research, Usability testing, Usability labs, Heuristic evaluation, User journey mapping, and Persona development.

• Strong understanding of Information architecture, Card sorting, Wireframing, Interactive prototyping, and UX design principles.

• Knowledge of Accessibility auditing, technical communication, and the relationship between design systems and their usage.

• Experience in implementing modern data architectures at an organization.

• Experience in a highly regulated industry performing statistical analysis and reporting. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with specific state government digital transformation initiatives.

• Familiarity with Agile/Scrum methodologies in a government project context.

• Advanced knowledge of user-centered design principles within public sector services.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement of 8 years for both UX/Accessibility and front-end engineering is significant and suggests a need for a candidate who can bridge design and development, with a deep understanding of how accessibility impacts implementation. The specific mention of USWDS and WCAG 2.2 indicates a focus on federal/state government design standards.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 comprehensive case studies demonstrating your end-to-end UX design and research process.

• Each case study should clearly articulate the problem, your role, the research methodologies employed (e.g., user interviews, usability testing, card sorting), design solutions (wireframes, prototypes), and accessibility considerations.

• Quantify the impact of your design decisions with specific metrics, such as improvements in task completion rates, reduction in user errors, or increased user satisfaction scores.

• Highlight examples of how you've integrated WCAG 2.2 Level AA compliance throughout the design and development lifecycle.

• Include examples of your work with design systems, particularly if you have experience with USWDS or similar frameworks. Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate your ability to document complex workflows and user journeys clearly and concisely.

• Provide examples of how you've translated user research findings into actionable design recommendations and process improvements.

• Showcase your approach to information architecture, including examples of card sorting exercises and logical structuring of large datasets.

• Illustrate your methods for auditing and ensuring accessibility compliance in design outputs.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the senior level and focus on accessibility and complex workflows, the portfolio is critical. It should not only display design output but also the rigorous research, testing, and accessibility validation processes behind it. Demonstrating experience with government-specific design systems and compliance standards will be a key differentiator.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As this is a contract position, compensation will likely be structured as an hourly rate or a fixed project fee. Based on industry standards for a Senior UX Designer/Researcher/Accessibility Specialist with 8+ years of experience, especially in the US government sector and requiring specialized skills like WCAG 2.2 and front-end integration, the estimated hourly rate could range from $60 to $100+ per hour, depending on the specific skills, experience, and negotiation. This estimate is based on current market data for similar roles in the United States, considering the contract nature and the specialized skill set.

Benefits:

• Paid Sick Time

• Medical Insurance (Available)

• Dental Insurance (Available)

• Vision Insurance (Available)

• Life Insurance (Available)

• 401(k) including Employer Match

• Health Savings Account (HSA) (Available)

• Short-term Disability (Available)

• Long-term Disability (Available)

Working Hours: The role is designed for a standard 40-hour work week. While remote, adherence to core business hours for collaboration with various state agencies and teams may be expected. Flexibility in scheduling can be discussed, but consistent availability for critical project milestones and team meetings is important.

📝 Enhancement Note: The compensation estimate reflects the high demand for specialized UX and accessibility skills, particularly within government contracts where compliance and user-centricity are paramount. The benefits package, while common, is noteworthy for a contract role, suggesting ePATHUSA Inc. aims to attract and retain talent by offering comprehensive support.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology Consulting / IT Services, with a specific focus on government and public sector modernization. ePATHUSA Inc. likely operates within the broader technology solutions and digital transformation space, specializing in helping organizations, particularly government agencies, improve their digital infrastructure and user experiences.

Company Size: The exact size isn't specified, but the mention of supporting multiple state agencies and large-scale projects suggests a moderately sized firm with established capabilities and a significant client base.

Founded: Information on the founding date is not provided, but the company's engagement in modernization projects indicates a forward-looking approach and a commitment to evolving digital standards.

Team Structure:

• The role reports to a Lead UX/Accessibility Architect, indicating a structured design and research team with clear leadership.

• Collaboration will be extensive with cross-functional agency teams, product owners, and technical stakeholders across various state departments (Iowa DOE, DNR, etc.).

• The team likely comprises a mix of UX designers, researchers, accessibility specialists, developers, and project managers, all working towards digital transformation goals. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Emphasis on user research, data analysis, and usability testing to inform design decisions.

• Agile & Iterative Development: Likely follows agile principles to manage tight milestones and adapt to evolving project requirements.

• Accessibility-First Approach: Integrating WCAG standards from the outset, not as an afterthought.

• Scalable Standards: Focus on developing and implementing robust design systems and best practices that can be applied across multiple initiatives.

Company Website: www.epathusa.net

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to be client-focused, particularly on government entities, with a strong emphasis on technical expertise, accessibility, and project execution within regulated environments. This implies a need for candidates who are adaptable, detail-oriented, and understand the nuances of public sector projects.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior-level individual contributor role. The "Senior" designation implies leadership in specialized areas (UX, research, accessibility), ownership of complex projects, and the ability to mentor or guide less experienced team members. The focus on scaling standards and cross-agency support suggests a strategic contributor role rather than purely execution.

Reporting Structure: The role reports to a Lead UX/Accessibility Architect, placing it within a dedicated UX/Design function. This structure allows for specialized guidance and career development within the UX discipline, while also necessitating strong collaboration with broader project teams.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is directly tied to improving the usability, efficiency, and accessibility of critical government digital services. This translates to better user experiences for state employees and citizens, increased operational efficiency for agencies, and ensuring compliance with accessibility mandates, thereby fostering inclusivity and equitable access to public resources.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization Deepening: Opportunities to become a subject matter expert in advanced accessibility standards, specific government design systems (like USWDS), or complex data visualization for reporting.

• Cross-Agency Project Leadership: Potential to lead UX efforts on larger, more complex multi-agency initiatives, gaining exposure to diverse government functions.

• Mentorship & Skill Transfer: Opportunity to mentor junior designers and researchers, and to contribute to the development of internal UX/Accessibility best practices and training programs.

• Transition to Lead Roles: Potential career progression towards Lead UX/Accessibility Architect or similar leadership positions within ePATHUSA Inc. or client organizations, based on performance and demonstrated leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path emphasizes deep specialization and leadership within the UX/Accessibility domain, particularly within the public sector. Success in this senior role can lead to greater strategic influence and management opportunities within the firm.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a fully remote position.

Office Location(s): While the position is remote, the company operates within the United States, and specific client engagements may be tied to particular states or federal agencies. The primary clients mentioned are Iowa DOE and DNR, suggesting a strong presence or focus on Iowa-based projects, though the role is open to US-based candidates.

Workspace Context:

• Independent Work Environment: Candidates will need a dedicated, quiet workspace conducive to focused design work, research, and virtual collaboration.

• Technology & Tools: Access to reliable high-speed internet, a capable computer, and the necessary software for UX/UI design, prototyping, and communication will be essential. The company will likely provide access to specific project management and collaboration tools.

• Collaborative Culture: Despite being remote, the environment emphasizes strong collaboration through virtual meetings, shared documentation platforms, and proactive communication with distributed teams and agency stakeholders.

Work Schedule: Standard 40-hour work week. While remote, candidates should be prepared for potential variations based on project needs and client availability, particularly when working with government agencies that may have specific operational hours or require engagement during business days.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote nature of the role requires a high degree of self-discipline and proactive communication. Candidates should be comfortable navigating virtual collaboration tools and managing their work independently while remaining connected to team objectives.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications, experience, and alignment with the role's requirements.

• Technical Interview: Likely involves a deep dive into your UX research methodologies, accessibility expertise (WCAG 2.2, inclusive design principles), and front-end development understanding. Expect questions on how you've applied these skills in previous projects.

• Portfolio Presentation: A dedicated session where you will present selected case studies from your portfolio. Be prepared to walk through your process, explain your design rationale, highlight accessibility considerations, and discuss the impact of your work.

• Behavioral/Situational Interview: Questions designed to assess your problem-solving skills, collaboration style, ability to communicate complex ideas to diverse stakeholders, and experience working within government or regulated environments.

• Final Interview: May involve meeting with the hiring manager or a senior leader to discuss overall fit and long-term potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 case studies that best showcase your senior-level UX, research, and accessibility expertise, particularly those relevant to government or complex data-driven applications.

• Structure for Clarity: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your specific role and contributions, the research methods used, key design decisions (with rationale), accessibility features implemented, and quantifiable outcomes.

• Emphasize Accessibility: Dedicate a specific section or clear call-outs within your case studies to detail how you integrated WCAG 2.2 Level AA compliance, managed focus states, ensured keyboard navigation, and addressed color contrast.

• Showcase Process, Not Just Polish: Be prepared to discuss the "why" behind your design choices, the challenges you faced, and how you iterated based on user feedback and research findings.

• Demonstrate Technical Understanding: Highlight any front-end development experience (HTML5, CSS/SASS) and how you collaborated with developers to ensure accurate implementation of designs and accessibility features.

Challenge Preparation:

• Accessibility Scenario: Be ready to discuss how you would approach an accessibility audit for a complex government portal or data dashboard.

• Workflow Optimization: Prepare to outline a process for researching and improving a complex user workflow, such as a district data reporting system.

• Stakeholder Communication: Practice explaining technical UX and accessibility concepts to non-technical stakeholders (e.g., agency directors, policy makers).

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes a rigorous evaluation of both technical skills (UX, research, accessibility, front-end) and the ability to communicate and apply them within a government context. A strong, well-documented portfolio is paramount for demonstrating these capabilities.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UX/UI Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, InVision (or similar industry-standard tools).

• User Research Platforms: UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, Optimal Workshop (for card sorting, tree testing), Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey.

• Accessibility Testing Tools: WAVE, axe, Lighthouse, screen readers (JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver), color contrast analyzers.

• Wireframing & Information Architecture: Balsamiq, Axure RP, Miro, Lucidchart.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics (for understanding user behavior on existing digital products).

• Data Visualization: Tableau, Power BI (potentially used by agencies, understanding their output is key).

• Reporting Tools: Excel, Google Sheets, specialized statistical software (for analyzing research data and project metrics).

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM/Sales Ops role, understanding how user data is managed and how digital products integrate with backend systems (e.g., through APIs or data feeds) is beneficial. Experience with project management tools like Jira, Asana, or Trello is also highly probable for managing tasks and workflows.

• Front-End Technologies: HTML5, CSS, SASS, JavaScript frameworks (Angular, MVC .NET).

• Design Systems: U.S. Web Design System (USWDS) (specifically mentioned and required).

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in a range of UX/UI design and research tools is essential. A deep understanding of accessibility testing tools and methodologies, alongside experience with USWDS, is a critical requirement for this role. Familiarity with government-specific technology stacks or integration points will be advantageous.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A fundamental commitment to understanding and serving the needs of end-users, whether they are educators or state employees.

• Accessibility & Inclusivity: A core value that ensures digital products are usable by everyone, regardless of ability. This is not an add-on but a foundational principle.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Relying on research, testing, and analytics to guide design choices and measure success.

• Collaboration & Communication: Fostering an environment where clear, consistent, and effective communication is paramount, especially across distributed teams and diverse stakeholders.

• Continuous Improvement: A mindset of always looking for ways to optimize processes, enhance user experiences, and stay current with best practices and evolving technologies.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Partnership: Working closely with architects, developers, product owners, and agency representatives to ensure alignment between design, technical feasibility, and business objectives.

• Transparent Feedback Loops: Encouraging open and constructive feedback during design reviews and user testing sessions.

• Knowledge Sharing: Actively participating in sharing insights, best practices, and lessons learned within the UX team and with client agencies.

• Proactive Problem Solving: Addressing challenges and potential roadblocks collaboratively and efficiently.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture values deep technical expertise in UX and accessibility, coupled with strong collaborative and communication skills, particularly in navigating the complexities of government projects. A proactive and user-focused approach is key.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complex Workflows & Data: Translating highly complex, data-intensive government workflows (e.g., district data reporting, environmental regulations) into intuitive and user-friendly interfaces.

• Multi-Agency Coordination: Navigating the diverse needs, priorities, and technical landscapes of multiple state agencies, each with its own set of stakeholders and legacy systems.

• Scaling Standards: Effectively implementing and scaling design and accessibility standards across various projects and agencies, ensuring consistency and quality.

• Balancing Innovation with Compliance: Integrating modern UX practices and technologies while strictly adhering to established government standards, accessibility mandates (WCAG 2.2), and security protocols.

• Remote Collaboration: Maintaining strong team cohesion and effective communication in a fully remote environment, especially when working with distributed client teams.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Mastering Government Design Systems: Deepening expertise in USWDS and other federal/state design guidelines, potentially leading to becoming a subject matter expert.

• Advanced Accessibility: Exploring advanced accessibility topics, such as inclusive design principles for emerging technologies or specific assistive technologies.

• Cross-Disciplinary Exposure: Gaining exposure to various government functions and the specific UX challenges within those domains (e.g., education, environmental management).

• Strategic UX Leadership: Developing skills in leading UX strategy for large-scale digital transformation initiatives within the public sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are rooted in the complexity and scale of government projects, requiring a blend of technical prowess, strategic thinking, and strong interpersonal skills. Growth opportunities lie in becoming a recognized expert in public sector UX and accessibility.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to translate a highly complex, data-intensive workflow into a simple and intuitive user interface. What was your process, and what were the outcomes?" (Focus on card sorting, IA, user journeys, and quantifiable results.)

• "How do you approach integrating WCAG 2.2 Level AA compliance from the initial design phase, rather than as an afterthought? Provide an example of a specific accessibility challenge you overcame." (Emphasize proactive design, testing tools, and collaboration with developers.)

• "Imagine you need to present user research findings and UX recommendations to a group of state agency directors who are not familiar with UX terminology. How would you tailor your communication to ensure buy-in and understanding?" (Focus on stakeholder management, clear articulation of benefits, and data-driven justification.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you specifically about working with government agencies and on modernization projects like those at Iowa DOE or DNR?" (Show your understanding of the public sector's mission and challenges.)

• "How do you ensure effective collaboration and communication in a remote work environment, especially when working with diverse, cross-functional teams?" (Highlight your proactive communication strategies and experience with remote tools.)

• "Based on your understanding of ePATHUSA Inc. and this role, what do you see as the biggest opportunity for UX/Accessibility to impact public services in the US?" (Demonstrate strategic thinking and alignment with the company's mission.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: For each case study, frame it as a narrative: the challenge, your journey to the solution, and the impact.

• Highlight Your Role: Clearly define your specific contributions, especially in research, design, and accessibility.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (wireframes, prototypes, research artifacts) to illustrate your points.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, present metrics that demonstrate the success of your design solutions (e.g., improved task completion, reduced error rates, increased satisfaction).

• Emphasize Accessibility: Dedicate specific slides or points to detail your accessibility efforts, including WCAG compliance, testing, and any challenges overcome.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your methodology, tool choices, and rationale behind specific design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize your practical application of UX principles, your deep understanding of accessibility standards, and your ability to translate complex requirements into user-friendly, compliant solutions, all within the context of public sector projects.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Designer / Researcher / Accessibility Specialist position:

• Submit your application through the provided Zoho Recruit link.

• Customize your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight the specific skills and years of experience requested, particularly in UX research, WCAG 2.2 accessibility, front-end development (HTML5, CSS/SASS), and experience with government design systems like USWDS. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date and features 2-3 strong case studies that showcase your end-to-end process, with a clear emphasis on your contributions to user research, UI optimization, and accessibility compliance. Be ready to articulate the impact of your work with metrics.

• Research ePATHUSA Inc.: Understand the company's focus on government modernization and their commitment to accessibility. Familiarize yourself with their website and any public projects they have been involved in.

• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse your portfolio presentation, focusing on clear storytelling, the "why" behind your design decisions, and how you've successfully implemented accessibility standards. Practice explaining complex concepts to non-technical audiences.

⚠️ 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.