Plain Language Specialist (Language Services Specialist)

Job Description:

Plain Language Specialist (Language Services Specialist)

Description

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Position available with the Office of the City Manager - Office of Language Access
Location: 414 E. 12th St.
Salary: $5,910 per month

Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; occasional evenings and weekends as needed
Application Deadline: July 17, 2026

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What you'll do

• Serve as the City's subject matter expert on plain language communication and lead efforts to ensure public-facing information is clear, concise, well organized, and usable by residents.
• Review, edit, and revise City forms, applications, notices, policies, reports, outreach materials, website content, and digital communications to improve readability, usability, and public access to information.
• Develop and maintain plain language standards, templates, tools, and the Plain Language Style Guide to support consistent communication practices across departments.
• Conduct audits of webpages, forms, and publications; analyze feedback from residents and stakeholders and recommend improvements to increase understanding and reduce confusion.
• Provide training, workshops, coaching, and consultation to City staff on writing for the public and communicating complex information in a clear, user-centered manner.
• Collaborate with departments, Communications staff, leadership, and community partners to support outreach efforts, monitor performance measures, and improve communication effectiveness across the organization.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

What success looks like

• Public information is clear, accessible, and easy to understand
• Departments consistently apply plain language standards
• Website and document usability improves across platforms
• Staff gain confidence and skills in writing for the public
• Resident feedback shows reduced confusion and improved engagement

What you get

• Opportunity to shape communication practices across departments
• Professional growth in communications, training, and public engagement
• Exposure to cross-department initiatives and leadership collaboration
• Work that directly improves resident experience and transparency

Why this role matters
Clear communication builds trust. This role ensures residents can easily find, understand, and use City information, improving access to services and supporting transparency and public engagement.
What you'll bring

• Strong editing and writing skills with a focus on clarity
• Ability to simplify complex information for public audiences
• Experience or interest in training, communications, or content design
• Analytical skills to assess feedback and improve communication
• Ability to collaborate across departments and influence practices

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REQUIRES:

• an accredited Bachelor's degree and 3 years of experience in language services, including translation, interpretation, and language access program management.
• Preference given for experience applying plain language principles to public-facing communications, website content, forms, and other resident-facing materials; experience editing complex or technical information for diverse audiences; experience developing and delivering trainings, workshops, or guidance materials; experience working in government, public service, communications, content strategy, or a related field.

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Military veterans encouraged to apply

Why You'll Love Working with Us - Core Employee Benefits (Benefits offered to all permanent employees unless otherwise specified)

Comprehensive Health Coverage
Affordable medical, dental, and vision plans with multiple options and low employee contributions.

Generous Paid Time Off
Enjoy vacation, sick leave, and 13 paid holidays-with accruals that grow the longer you're with us.

Secure Retirement Planning
City-funded pension plan plus an optional 457 savings plan to help you build long-term financial security.

Support for Life's Big Moments
Paid parental and bereavement leave to help you navigate major life events with peace of mind.

Tuition Assistance
Get reimbursed for eligible education expenses-invest in your future while you work.

Income Protection
Short- and long-term disability coverage options to safeguard your earnings.

Life Insurance Provided
City-paid life insurance with the option to add more coverage for extra peace of mind.

Community Volunteer Leave
Take up to 8 hours annually to give back to causes you care about.

Want the Full Picture?
Click here for a complete benefits summary.

URGENT!!! CRITICAL RECRUITMENT INFORMATION

Applications and/or resumes are evaluated on the information received by the application deadline. Please ensure that your application or resume clearly demonstrates how you meet the minimum qualifications for the position for which you are applying, this includes providing all relevant educational dates and a detailed description of relevant work experience, including months/years of employment. Applications and/or resumes may not be considered if information is incomplete.

In order for a resume to be used in lieu of an application the resume must have been submitted online via the City's Applicant Tracking System.

Positions requiring a high school diploma/GED certificate must be obtained from a school/program accredited by the Department of Education and recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education.

The minimum education requirement for positions that allow for experience equivalency for an accredited degree is a high school diploma. Unless otherwise specified, an accredited degree must be obtained from a college or university listed with the U.S. Department of Education and recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education.
For positions with a salary grade of EX6 or higher that require an accredited degree, qualifying professional experience must be obtained AFTER the accredited degree is obtained.
Successful completion of a pre-employment criminal history/background check is required for all positions. Some positions require a post offer drug screen and/or physical.

If appointed, non-residents must obtain residency inside Kansas City, Missouri's city limits within nine months.

The City of KCMO is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity and inclusion in the workplace. The City is committed to providing a workplace environment for its employees and citizens free from discrimination based on race, color, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, religion, age, disability, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, or gender identity. For more information, please see our EEO Policy

The City of KCMO is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please call 816-513-1908 or send an e-mail to [email protected] .

If claiming military veterans' preference points, you must attach a copy of your DD-214 or a DD-256 (for reservists). To claim veterans' points you must have served 180 days of regular active duty service and be discharged or released under honorable conditions during peacetimes or 90 days of active duty service, one (1) day during "wartime" and a last discharge or release under honorable conditions. (DOD) 38 U.S. Code • 4211).

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