Senior UX Specialist (SWY-PACS)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Specialist (SWY-PACS)

Company: Govcio LLC

Location: Kearneysville, West Virginia, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Operations

Date Posted: September 21, 2026

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

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead user experience (UX) and customer experience (CX) initiatives within a government contracting environment, focusing on software modernization for the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG).

• Drive human-centered design (HCD) principles through comprehensive user research, journey mapping, and usability testing to enhance enterprise applications.

• Develop and standardize UX research processes, ensuring robust documentation and repeatable methodologies for agile software development teams.

• Champion Section 508 compliance and universal accessibility in all digital product designs, aligning with federal mandates.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including product owners, engineers, and stakeholders, to translate user needs into intuitive and functional software solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within a government contracting firm (Govcio LLC) supporting a critical federal agency (USCG). The focus on "Software Yard" and "mission-critical software modernization" indicates a strong need for operational efficiency, process standardization, and a deep understanding of government-specific requirements and compliance. The "Senior" title implies a need for leadership in process definition and mentorship.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and implement standardized User Experience (UX) research plans to support enterprise application design using human-centered design (HCD) principles.

• Conduct in-depth user research, stakeholder interviews, and analysis to create comprehensive user personas that guide agile development teams.

• Design, map, and document end-to-end user journey maps to identify operational pain points and translate them into actionable software requirements.

• Plan and execute rigorous usability testing on live or prototype systems, analyzing feedback to refine interface layouts and workflow mechanics.

• Formalize, standardize, and document processes for UX research, journey mapping, and requirements definition to scale design rigor across the organization.

• Optimize digital products for universal accessibility, strictly adhering to Section 508 compliance and federal accessibility mandates.

• Actively collaborate with cross-functional software delivery teams, product owners, and engineers to ensure accurate execution of user-centric designs.

• Advocate for end-users by translating complex mission workflows into intuitive and functional digital interfaces.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic UX leadership and tactical execution. The emphasis on "standardizing processes" and "documenting formal processes" is crucial for a role supporting government programs, where consistency and auditability are paramount. This suggests the need for strong process documentation and workflow design skills, akin to those found in operations roles focused on efficiency and governance.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: High School Diploma required (or equivalent experience).

Experience: 6-9 years of dedicated UX design, user research, and digital strategy experience.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in UX design, user research, and digital strategy, preferably within a federal contract or enterprise software environment.

• Demonstrated ability to build user personas, conduct user interviews/surveys, and map complex user journeys.

• Expertise in planning and executing usability testing protocols on live software or high-fidelity prototypes.

• Deep understanding of human-centered design (HCD) principles and experience integrating UX workflows within Agile/Scrum methodologies.

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with a proven track record of documenting standardized design frameworks and presenting UX recommendations to leadership. Preferred Skills:

• Direct experience supporting U.S. Coast Guard missions, particularly within the C5I Software Yard or similar technical directorates.

• Strong working knowledge of Section 508 compliance guidelines, WCAG accessibility standards, and federal digital strategy playbooks.

• Proficiency with modern UX/UI prototyping tools such as Figma, Adobe XD, or Axure.

• Experience collaborating closely with backend engineers, system architects, and capability developers to balance technical feasibility with user needs.

• Familiarity with federal software pathways, military operational environments, or disconnected/low-bandwidth user interfaces.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement (6-9 years) with a High School Diploma suggests the role values practical, hands-on experience and demonstrated expertise over formal academic qualifications for this specific position. The emphasis on federal contracting, Section 508, and USCG support indicates a need for candidates familiar with government operational environments and compliance frameworks, which often involve rigorous process adherence.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 distinct projects demonstrating end-to-end UX design lifecycle, from research and discovery to implementation and iteration.

• Include case studies that clearly articulate the problem statement, user research methodologies employed, design process, key decisions, and measurable outcomes.

• Highlight examples of user journey maps, user personas, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and usability testing reports.

• Demonstrate experience in documenting and standardizing design processes, workflows, or best practices, particularly those adapted for agile or government environments.

• Showcase work that explicitly addresses accessibility standards (e.g., Section 508, WCAG) and how these were integrated into the design process. Process Documentation:

• Examples of documented UX research plans, including methodology, participant recruitment, and data analysis strategies.

• Samples of user journey maps and workflow diagrams that identify pain points and propose solutions.

• Documentation of usability testing protocols, including test scripts, participant feedback summaries, and recommendations for improvement.

• Examples of user personas and their application in guiding software development decisions.

• Evidence of contributions to formalizing or standardizing UX processes within a team or organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a "Senior" role focused on standardizing processes, the portfolio must go beyond showcasing final designs. It needs to demonstrate the candidate's ability to define, document, and implement operational processes for UX. This includes showing how they've created repeatable frameworks for research, mapping, and testing, especially within complex, regulated environments like government contracting.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $100,000 - $125,000 USD per year.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.

• Retirement savings plan (e.g., 401k) with company match.

• Paid Time Off (PTO), including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

• Professional development opportunities, including training and certifications.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses.

• Support for obtaining and maintaining a USCG Public Trust clearance.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week (standard full-time). The hybrid work arrangement allows for flexibility, with specific in-office days to be coordinated with the team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is competitive for a Senior UX Specialist role, especially in a hybrid capacity within the specified region. The inclusion of "support for obtaining and maintaining a USCG Public Trust clearance" is a significant benefit for candidates looking to work within government contracting, as it removes a potential barrier and indicates the company's commitment to facilitating necessary security clearances.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology / Government Contracting / Software Development. GovCIO is a significant player in modernizing government IT systems, focusing on cloud adoption, cybersecurity, and digital transformation for federal agencies. This industry context implies a culture that values compliance, security, efficiency, and mission accomplishment.

Company Size: GovCIO is a substantial organization, likely falling into the "Large Enterprise" category (1,000+ employees), which offers stability and a wide array of resources, but also means navigating established processes and larger team structures.

Founded: GovCIO was founded in 2009. This relatively recent founding within the government contracting space suggests an organization that has grown rapidly and likely embraces modern approaches to technology and service delivery, while still operating within a traditional government framework.

Team Structure:

• The UX Specialist will likely be part of the Product Delivery division within the C5I / Software Yard. This team is responsible for developing and modernizing software for the USCG.

• The team structure is expected to be cross-functional, integrating UX/UI designers, product owners, developers, QA testers, and potentially business analysts or project managers.

• Reporting will likely be to a UX Lead, Product Manager, or a Director within the Product Delivery division. Methodology:

• Agile/Scrum methodologies are explicitly mentioned, indicating a fast-paced, iterative development process.

• Human-Centered Design (HCD) and User Experience (UX) are core to the team's approach, emphasizing user needs and usability.

• A focus on process standardization and documentation suggests a methodical approach to quality assurance and knowledge management.

Company Website: https://careers.govcio.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on government modernization and the "Software Yard" context suggests a work environment where robust processes, clear documentation, and adherence to regulations are as critical as innovative design. This is a key differentiator from purely commercial UX roles.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is designated as "Senior," indicating a level beyond entry-level or mid-level individual contributor. It requires a significant degree of autonomy, the ability to lead initiatives, and a capacity to mentor less experienced team members. The emphasis on standardizing processes suggests this role has a strategic operational component, contributing to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the UX function within the organization.

Reporting Structure: The Senior UX Specialist will report to a lead or manager within the Product Delivery division, likely working closely with Product Owners and development teams. This structure facilitates direct impact on product development cycles.

Operations Impact: The Senior UX Specialist's work directly impacts the usability, efficiency, and accessibility of critical software used by the U.S. Coast Guard. Successful UX design leads to improved operational effectiveness, reduced training costs, enhanced user satisfaction, and better mission outcomes for the agency. By standardizing processes, the role also contributes to scaling the UX capability and improving overall development efficiency.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Opportunity to lead UX initiatives, mentor junior designers, and contribute to defining UX strategy and best practices within GovCIO.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in government UX, accessibility compliance (Section 508), and specific technologies relevant to federal agencies.

• Process Improvement: Play a key role in refining and evolving the organization's UX operational processes, potentially leading to roles in UX management or operations strategy.

• Career Advancement: Potential to move into Lead UX Designer, UX Manager, or Product Management roles, leveraging the acquired experience in government software modernization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" designation, coupled with process standardization responsibilities, positions this role as a potential stepping stone into UX leadership or operations management within the government contracting space. Candidates should highlight their ability to influence process and mentor others.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The position is described as "hybrid," meaning it will involve a combination of remote work and in-office presence. This model aims to balance flexibility with the need for in-person collaboration.

Office Location(s): The primary office location is 408 Coast Guard Dr, Kearneysville, WV 25430. This location is specified for the in-office component of the hybrid work arrangement.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model necessitates effective communication and collaboration tools to bridge the gap between remote and in-office team members. Expect regular team meetings, stand-ups, and design reviews.

• Tools & Technology: Access to modern UX/UI prototyping tools (Figma, Adobe XD, Axure), research platforms, and standard office productivity software will be provided. The environment likely supports agile development workflows.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for direct interaction with product owners, engineers, and fellow UX professionals during designated in-office days and virtual meetings.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is 40 hours per week. While hybrid, specific in-office days will be determined by the team's operational needs and collaboration requirements, allowing for some flexibility in structuring the work week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role in Kearneysville, WV, suggests a need for candidates who are self-disciplined and adept at remote collaboration, while also being able to effectively engage in in-person sessions when required. This balance is critical for maintaining team cohesion and driving operational efficiency.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or HR representative will likely conduct an initial screening to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Technical Interview(s): Expect one or more interviews with hiring managers and/or senior members of the UX team. These will focus on UX methodologies, HCD principles, problem-solving abilities, and experience with specific tools and processes.

• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session to present and discuss your portfolio. Be prepared to walk through 2-3 key projects, explaining your process, design decisions, challenges, and outcomes.

• Case Study/Challenge: You may be given a design challenge or asked to analyze a hypothetical problem related to USCG software to assess your strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.

• Final Interview: Potentially a final interview with a higher-level manager or stakeholder to discuss overall fit and alignment with company goals.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure for Operations: Organize your portfolio to clearly demonstrate your process. For each project, outline: The Problem, Your Role, The Process (Research, Design, Testing, Iteration), The Solution, and The Impact/Outcome.

• Highlight Process Standardization: Explicitly showcase examples where you documented or standardized UX processes, research methodologies, or workflow improvements. Quantify the benefits if possible (e.g., "reduced research setup time by X%").

• Emphasize Government/Compliance Experience: If applicable, highlight projects involving Section 508, WCAG, or other government mandates. Explain how you integrated these requirements into your design workflow.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the value of your work. This could include improvements in task completion rates, reduction in user errors, increased user satisfaction scores, or efficiency gains.

• Storytelling: Craft a narrative for each project that shows your thought process and problem-solving skills. Be prepared to discuss challenges encountered and how you overcame them.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: Research the U.S. Coast Guard's mission and typical operational challenges to better understand the user base and context for the software.

• Focus on HCD & Process: For any challenge, emphasize your HCD approach and how you would establish or follow a defined process to arrive at a solution, rather than just presenting a final design.

• Accessibility First: Consider accessibility implications from the outset, as this is a critical requirement for federal projects.

• Communication: Practice articulating your thought process clearly and concisely, as if presenting to stakeholders who may not have a deep UX background.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's emphasis on process standardization, interviewers will likely probe deeply into how you approach defining and documenting workflows, not just the final design output. Your portfolio should explicitly highlight these operational aspects.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UX/UI Design & Prototyping: Figma, Adobe XD, Axure (Proficiency in at least one is expected; familiarity with others is a plus).

• User Research & Usability Testing: Tools for participant recruitment, session recording, and analysis (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, or internal tools).

• Journey Mapping & Diagramming: Miro, Lucidchart, Visio, or similar tools for creating visual representations of user flows and journeys.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Familiarity with tools like Google Analytics or Adobe Analytics (though less direct for UX, understanding how users interact with live systems is beneficial).

• Data Analysis: Proficiency in tools for analyzing user feedback and research data.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly CRM-focused, understanding how user feedback and requirements feed into development backlogs (e.g., Jira, Asana) is important.

📝 Enhancement Note: The specific mention of Figma, Adobe XD, and Axure indicates a need for hands-on proficiency. The emphasis on "documenting formal processes" suggests that candidates who can demonstrate experience with tools for workflow management or process mapping (like Miro, Lucidchart) will be highly valued.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A core value, ensuring that all design decisions are driven by the needs and experiences of the end-user, particularly within the USCG operational context.

• Process Rigor: Emphasis on defining, documenting, and adhering to standardized UX processes to ensure consistency, quality, and compliance across projects.

• Collaboration & Communication: Valuing teamwork, open communication, and effective cross-functional partnerships to achieve mission objectives.

• Accessibility & Inclusivity: A commitment to creating digital products that are accessible to all users, adhering to federal mandates like Section 508.

• Continuous Improvement: An ongoing drive to refine processes, improve user experiences, and adapt to evolving technological landscapes and user needs.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Expect close collaboration with Product Owners, Agile teams, engineers, and stakeholders. The role requires bridging the gap between user needs and technical implementation.

• Data-Driven Feedback: Discussions and decisions will be informed by user research, usability testing data, and analytics.

• Iterative Design: A culture that embraces iterative development, where feedback is actively sought and incorporated throughout the design and development lifecycle.

• Mentorship: As a senior role, there's an expectation to share knowledge and guide less experienced team members in UX best practices and operational processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The combination of "User-Centricity" and "Process Rigor" is key for this government contracting role. It means users are paramount, but their needs must be met through well-defined, compliant, and efficient operational processes.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Government Processes: Adapting UX methodologies to the specific constraints, timelines, and approval processes common in government contracting.

• Balancing User Needs with Technical Constraints: Finding optimal solutions that meet user requirements while remaining feasible within existing technical architectures and development budgets.

• Ensuring Universal Accessibility: Consistently applying Section 508 and WCAG standards across diverse digital products and ensuring thorough testing.

• Standardizing Diverse Workflows: Developing and implementing consistent UX processes across potentially varied projects or teams within the Software Yard.

• Bridging Remote & In-Office Collaboration: Maintaining effective teamwork and communication in a hybrid work environment.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Government Sector Expertise: Deepen understanding of federal IT acquisition processes, security clearances, and agency-specific operational environments.

• Advanced Accessibility Training: Opportunities to become a subject matter expert in Section 508 compliance and inclusive design.

• Process Optimization Leadership: Potential to lead initiatives focused on improving UX operational efficiency and effectiveness.

• Mentorship Programs: Formal or informal opportunities to mentor junior UX specialists and develop leadership skills.

• Exposure to Enterprise-Scale Projects: Gaining experience on mission-critical systems that impact a large user base.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenges revolve around the unique operational environment of government contracting. Growth opportunities lie in developing specialized expertise within this niche and taking on leadership roles related to process improvement and team development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for developing and standardizing UX research methodologies for a new project or team. What documentation would you create?" (Focus on process, documentation, and scalability).

• "How do you ensure Section 508 compliance is integrated throughout the UX design lifecycle, not just as a final check?" (Highlight proactive compliance and testing).

• "Walk us through a user journey map you've created. What were the key pain points identified, and how did you translate them into actionable requirements for development?" (Demonstrate problem-solving and requirement translation).

• "Describe your experience with usability testing. What is your approach to designing test plans, recruiting participants, and analyzing results?" (Showcase methodological rigor). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about GovCIO and our work with the U.S. Coast Guard?" (Research the company's mission and recent projects).

• "How do you approach collaboration in a hybrid work environment, especially when working with remote and in-office team members?" (Emphasize communication tools and strategies).

• "What are your thoughts on human-centered design in the context of government software development?" (Discuss balancing user needs with mission criticality and compliance).

• "How do you advocate for the end-user when faced with competing priorities or technical limitations?" (Showcase user advocacy and negotiation skills). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: For each project, clearly delineate the problem, your role, the process (research, design, testing, iteration), the solution, and the impact.

• Process Emphasis: Dedicate specific slides or talking points to how you documented or standardized any part of the UX workflow for that project.

• Accessibility Focus: For relevant projects, explicitly call out how accessibility was addressed and tested.

• Quantify Impact: Use metrics whenever possible to demonstrate the value your UX work brought to the project or organization.

• Prepare for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your design decisions, challenges, and how you would apply your experience to the USCG context.

📝 Enhancement Note: Questions will likely probe your ability to operationalize UX practices within a government context. Be ready to discuss not just what you did, but how you did it, and how you would standardize that "how" for others.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the Govcio careers portal.

• Tailor your Resume: Highlight keywords from the job description, focusing on "User Experience," "UX Research," "Journey Mapping," "Human-Centered Design," "Agile," "Section 508," and any federal contracting experience. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select projects that best showcase your end-to-end UX process, your ability to document and standardize workflows, and your experience with accessibility. Ensure it's easily navigable and professionally presented.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Be ready to articulate your experience with specific examples during interviews, focusing on your problem-solving approach, process adherence, and collaborative skills.

• Research GovCIO & USCG: Understand the company's mission and the U.S. Coast Guard's operational context to demonstrate genuine interest and alignment.

⚠️ 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.

---