Important Notice for Applicants:
At Bixal, we are committed to ensuring a transparent and secure application process. Official communication will only be sent from an email address ending in @bixal.com or from @bixal.na.teamtailor-mail.com. Any messages from other sources should be treated with caution.

About Bixal

Bixal is a mission-driven organization that partners with leading federal agencies to design and deliver people-centered digital solutions. We are a diverse group of strategists, designers, technologists, and data scientists who believe in using design and technology to make government services more accessible and effective for all.

Independent Consultant Opportunity

About the Role

This role supports a long-term federal digital services contract with the Office of Head Start dedicated to making large, public-facing platforms more usable, accessible, and effective for real-world users. The work is iterative and user-centered, with regular research, testing, and collaboration across design, content, and engineering teams.

Success in this role means designing solutions that balance user needs, accessibility requirements, and technical realities; communicating design decisions clearly to both technical and non-technical partners; and contributing to steady, continuous improvements rather than one-off redesigns. Designers who are comfortable working within constraints, value collaboration, and care deeply about accessibility and public impact tend to excel in this environment.

This position is contingent on contract award by our client, with a defined performance period of one year with four one-year option periods. This is a part time role at 20 hours per week. Work will be deliverable based with some flexibility in how the hours are worked, as long as deadlines and collaboration needs are met. The role will operate with a high level of independence while partnering closely with the design and engineering teams

The compensation rate for this role is $58.50-$64/hr

Responsibilities

• Conduct user research, including interviews, usability testing, and heuristic evaluations.

• Design wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity UI solutions for web-based platforms.

• Collaborate with developers to ensure designs are feasible, accessible, and implemented accurately.

• Apply human-centered design methods to solve complex content and navigation challenges.

• Ensure designs meet Section 508 accessibility requirements and WCAG standards.

• Design within and contribute to shared design systems, including alignment with the U.S. Web Design System (USWDS).

• Support ongoing UX improvements, audits, and iterative releases.

• Participate in Agile workflows and ceremonies using Jira, Smartsheet, Asana, and Box.

• Contribute to internal design standards, documentation, and best practices.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of professional experience in UI/UX design.

• A strong portfolio demonstrating user-centered thinking, research-informed design, and accessible UI solutions.

• Hands-on experience with Section 508 accessibility and WCAG guidelines.

• Experience using the US Web Design System or other large scale design systems.

• Familiarity with the 21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act and OMB Memo M-23-22.

• Experience designing for Drupal or other CMS-driven websites.

• Proficiency in Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, or similar tools.

• Comfort working in cross-functional, highly collaborative Agile teams.

• Strong communication skills and ability to explain design decisions to varied audiences.

• Bachelor’s degree in UX design, HCI, design, or equivalent experience preferred.

• Prior work with or for government, non-profits, or underserved communities.

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

Important Notes

• This is a 1099 consulting opportunity, not a full-time or part-time employment position.

• Bixal does not provide benefits or equipment for independent contractors.

• All applicants must reside in and be authorized to work in the United States.