Our Workforce Pathways Program (WFP), within the Office of Public Affairs & Equity, is a unique program designed to provide paid professional experience and learning opportunities to people historically excluded from public health career opportunities. The Workforce Pathways Program is an intentional investment to bridge lived experience and cultural diversity into a public health workforce representative of Washington’s diverse populations.
Within the Center for Facilities, Risk, and Adjudication (CFRA), the Office of Enterprise Risk Management (OERM) leads efforts to identify and manage risks that could hinder the agency’s goals. OERM encompasses six sections—Civil Rights, Privacy, Public Disclosure, Information Governance, External Audit/Internal Controls, and Enterprise Risk Management—focused on mitigating risks, ensuring compliance, and supporting equitable, safe, and effective operations.
The Training and Communication Specialist (Program Specialist 3) drives OERM’s agency-wide training, communication, and public outreach efforts to promote awareness of the critical services provided by this office. This position will equip DOH employees with the knowledge and skills to promote equitable access to DOH programs and services, prevent discrimination, safeguard confidential information, and comply with laws related to civil rights, public disclosure, and records management.
The position supports training and outreach initiatives across all OERM offices, with a particular focus on the Civil Rights & ADA Program and the Privacy Office, helping to advance organizational understanding and implementation of essential policies and practices.
Location and Flexibility
We value work-life balance and offer the convenience of remote work with occasional in-person collaboration opportunities. Attending events or working In-office is rarely required and would be scheduled in advance. This is a remote/home-based position available to applicants residing anywhere in Washington State, as well as those living near the Oregon/Washington border and the Idaho/Washington border.
Required Qualifications (you must meet ONE of the provided options and any additional criteria listed.):
Experience defined below may have been gained through paid or unpaid activities. Please ensure any relevant experience defined below is outlined in your cover letter, resume, and/or applicant profile.
The Workforce Pathways Program aims to integrate lived experience and cultural diversity into a public health workforce that is reflective of the cultures, ethnicities, abilities, languages, and communities across the state of Washington. We strongly encourage applicants to apply who bring valuable lived, cultural, and linguistic experience, as well as applicants from diverse backgrounds, identities, abilities, career or educational paths, and communities historically underrepresented in public health.
Option 1: Three (3) years of experience in the following: Communications or content creation, Community engagement, AND Education/training.
Option 2: A bachelor’s degree or higher from a college or university (from within the U.S. or internationally) in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, or a related field AND One (1) year of experience in community engagement OR education/training.
NOTE: Below defines what each area of experience might entail:
- Communications: Involves conveying complex information to diverse audiences, with a focus on cultural sensitivity, accessibility, and clear and engaging communication.
- Content Creation: Involves creating materials for educational or outreach purposes, including multimedia content such as videos, blogs, websites, and social media content.
- Community Engagement: Involves building partnerships and collaborating with marginalized or vulnerable communities to foster trust, remove barriers, support inclusive decision-making, and promote equity.
- Education/Training: Involves facilitating training programs and delivering presentations for diverse audiences, including those with non-technical backgrounds, while adapting to various learning styles and accessibility needs.
Preferred Qualifications:
Lived or work experience in one or more of the following areas would be valuable in this role:
- Multilingual. Proficiency in a language other than English, with the ability to communicate with customers in their preferred language and translate materials as needed.
- Language Access & Accessibility. Experience ensuring services and information are accessible for individuals with disabilities and people with limited English proficiency.
- Collaboration. Experience working collaboratively with diverse partners to accomplish tasks and meet goals—such as co-workers and colleagues, professional or advocacy organizations, or community-based groups.
- Workload Management. Ability to effectively organize and prioritize multiple assignments, sometimes complex in nature or involving competing priorities, to produce work products that are accurate, thorough, and timely with minimal supervision.
- Critical Thinking and Judgment. Ability to exercise a high level of emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and judgment.
- Digital Media Tools. Experience and proficiency with digital design, media, or communication tools, such as Adobe Pro, Adobe Creative Suite products, Microsoft Teams, and SharePoint.
- Civil Rights. Experience with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Washington Law Against Discrimination (chapter 49.60 RCW), and other civil rights laws.
- Commitment to Public Service. New to U.S. governmental public health service but interested and committed to gaining experience within the governmental public health system. Commitment to serving the public, particularly underserved and under resourced communities and advancing the intersection of equity and racial justice in public health.
Benefits and Lifestyle
We prioritize your work-life balance and offer one of the most competitive benefits packages nationwide, tailored to support your lifestyle. Discover more about “Why DOH” by visiting Work@Health.
We are the Washington State Department of Health (DOH)
At DOH, we safeguard public health in an ever-evolving world. Through collaboration with local health jurisdictions and state, federal, and private partners, our programs, and services impact every Washingtonian and visitor daily. We’re driven by Equity, Innovation, and Engagement, as outlined in our Transformational Plan for the future of Washington health.
This project position is to be funded through May 30, 2026. As a result, this position is not eligible for a Department of Retirement Services benefit for the duration of the placement. There may be an exception for existing state employees, please contact your Human Resources Business Partner for more information.
Conditions of Employment:
This position is covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.
I am prepared, with or without accommodations, to do the following:
- Commit to a full-time 40-hour workweek schedule (flexible work schedule requests must be approved supervisor).
- Communicate through applications such as MS Teams and MS Outlook, and by phone while working remotely.
- Adjust my work schedule occasionally to align with business needs, which may entail working evenings and weekends.
- Perform my job duties either remotely from home or in person at the designated DOH site location as described.
- Occasional travel may be necessary, sometimes requiring overnight stays or trips out of state. You must be able to legally drive a vehicle or arrange alternative transportation for state business.
- Engage in emergency response exercises and high-priority assignments as assigned during emergency events.