Education Specialist



Education Specialist

Salary

$32.51 - $41.20 Hourly

Location

Chinook Building 401 5th Avenue Seattle, WA

Job Type

Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week

Job Number

2025CJ24826

Department

DPH - Public Health

Division

Community Health Services

Opening Date

06/27/2025

Closing Date

7/7/2025 12:00 AM Pacific

FLSA

Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit

C9A : PROTEC17-DPH, DCHS-Health Prof

Full- or Part-Time

Full Time

Hours/Week

40 hours/week

Summary

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NOTE: The application period has now closed. Only Priority Placement Program participant applications will be added to the candidate pool.


Department of Public Health – Seattle and King County is recruiting for six (6) Peer Community Specialists (Education Specialist) to join the Family Ways team. Family Ways supports pregnant, parenting families and children up to age five. Services are provided to 3 specific focus communities: U.S. born Black/African American, Native American/Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander communities. Our goal is to have a team that is representative of the populations we serve and dedicated to serving clients with quality and compassion. 


Applicants passionate about equity in public health innovation and community-led health initiatives will find this position exciting and meaningful. Family Ways is a thriving and cohesive team committed to client-centered support during the perinatal and early years.

The Peer Community Specialists will work in a team environment and practice care coordination with other disciplines. The team includes a Public Health Nurse, Nutritionists, Social Worker and Administrative Support staff. Peer Community Specialists will be responsible for partnering with program participants and families in creating a care plan and supporting them through pregnancy or parenting. All services are culturally relevant, participant-centered, and strengths-based. 


Commitment To Equity and Social Justice

Named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.


The county government has a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all – in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from all communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.


We recognize that structural racism consists of principles and practices that cause and justify an inequitable distribution of rights, opportunities, and experiences across racial groups. Since declaring Racism is a Public Health Crisis in June 2020, King County and Public Health committed to being intentionally anti-racist and accountable to Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities.


To learn more, please visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/elected/executive/equity-social-justice.aspx


Work Schedule

Typical workdays and hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Workdays and hours may vary depending on community events, client/family need and staff coverage. Some weekday evenings and weekend work will be required.

This position is subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act and is overtime eligible.


Work Location

Chinook Building, 401 5th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104.  These roles will be doing work from various locations including Public Health clinical sites, home visits, as well as community visits throughout King County.

Additionally, while this position will be primarily based at South Park - 7272 W Marginal Wy S, Seattle, WA 98108 in the future, it is currently based at the Chinook Building – 401 5th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104. If you have questions or need clarification regarding location, please contact the Recruiter listed in this posting. 


Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements. 

Some of the work associated with this position will be performed through teleworking and will report to office location and to meetings as needed. Travel to other work locations may be necessary. Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various King County facilities. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements. 


Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.  To support employees during this time King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will be joining an innovative and progressive team.

Job Duties

  •  Partner with program participants and families to develop care plans and goals. 

  •  Identifying social and health systems resources.

  •  Identifying and connecting participants to community resources.

  •  Setting and achieving personal and family wellbeing goals.

  •  Conduct educational and informational learning opportunities for staff, clients, community groups and other professionals.

  •  Document interactions with program participants in record-keeping systems, acquire necessary paperwork, and respond to calls, emails, or requests in a timely manner. 

  • Promote and/or market sound, accurate, culturally appropriate educational materials and information.

  • Collaborate with program participants, families, communities, and King County programs to support access to services and referrals.

  • Foster and coordinate community and agency partnerships, attend community events.

  • Help assess needs for education for program participants, families, and other program staff. 

  • Assist with identifying program and curriculum development needs.

  • Maintain and update a library of training and reference materials, gather and assemble data.

  • Foster relationships with community organizations.

  • Support community engagement activities.

  • Support expanding partnerships and program participation.

  • Collaborate and coordinate with other King County programs and community-based organizations to advance racial equity and social justice. 

  • Participate in development of racial equity/anti-racism trainings or curriculum.

  • Engage actively in program goals/objectives. 

  • Be an active partner in participant-centered, strengths-based practices.

  • Apply trauma recovery and healing strategies to program participants.

  • Prioritize racial equity and social justice frameworks and principles in collaborative work with program team and with other County programs.

  • Work collaboratively with evaluation team and data management support staff. 

  • Collaborate and share decision making with team members fostering and creating space for authentic and respectful dialogue.

  • Be an active participant in a continuous improvement workplace culture  

  • Ability to meet deadlines

  • Other Duties as Assigned.

Icons representing values: racial justice, respect, leadership, stewardship, teamwork, problem-solving, customer focus, and results-driven.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Our ideal candidate will demonstrate the following (Minimum): 

  • Skill in leading programs and services through a racial equity lens, fostering respect and participant-centered approaches grounded in strength-based practice, while promoting collaborative decision-making, accountability, and continuous improvement.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of theories and practices in health promotion education and behavior-change programs training and assessment methods teaching methods and presentation techniques.
  • Demonstrated experience with client interaction in a variety of settings (including home/field visits) and be comfortable accompanying participants and families to appointments.
  • Demonstrated experience in teaching, coaching, and collaboration with others including strong communication skills, especially in difficult situations.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills required and ability to interact professionally with culturally diverse individuals during a time of crisis and distress.
  • Customer service, health care, or education skills or experience.
  • Excellent organizational skills, with attention to detail and accuracy and ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion and professionalism. 
  • Proficient with (Microsoft Office 365) and other web-enabled tools. 
  • Ability to exhibit a professional, positive attitude and work ethic. 
  • Ability to exercise critical thinking and sound judgement, both independently and as a team member.

The most competitive applicants will have the following experiences and qualifications (Desired): 
  • Experience working with communities to build partnerships and gain understanding of unique community needs. 
  • Demonstrated knowledge and ability of how to engage authentically with program participants and families. 
  • Experience as Community Health Worker, Navigator, or Community Organizer. Marshallese and Chuukese speakers encouraged to apply. 
  • Racial Equity, and Social Justice Knowledge of equity and social justice principles and practices. 
  • Experience working with communities striving to overcome systemic racism.
  • Direct knowledge and/or lived experience working in at least one of these communities: U.S born Black/African American, the American Indian/Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander communities. 

Supplemental Information

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.


Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.


King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions, please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

Who May Apply

These Career Service opportunities are open to all qualified applicants.


Application Process

The following items are required to be considered for this vacancy:

  • NeoGov Job Application (The responses on your job application should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
  • Supplemental Questions (The responses to the supplemental questions should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)


Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the application. Cover letters and/or resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted.


Necessary Special Requirements

  • The selection process may include evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, interviewing, and testing. You must completely fill out the application with your relevant education and work experience.
  • The selected candidate must be able to pass a thorough background investigation, but findings may not necessarily disqualify an applicant for employment.
  • For more information on our selection process, please refer to www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/jobs/hiring. For tips on interviewing, please visit https://www.kingcounty.gov/~/media/audience/employees/learning-and-development/Interview_Tips.ashx?la=en
  • Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.
  • Public Health relies on office automation (Microsoft Office) and web-based enabled tools; therefore, candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use to perform functions associated with on-going work.
  • Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing their mandatory trainings on time and obtaining required immunizations.
  • Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health positions.
  • When Public Health responds to an emergency, and in accordance with relevant CBA language and/or KC policy and procedures, we may assign duties outside your regular job description. This may involve responding at any time, including nights and weekends, with possible deployment to locations other than the department. 
  • If you need a disability accommodation in the application or testing process, please call the contact number listed on the job announcement.

Union Membership

This position is represented by PROTEC 17


Contact

For questions about the application process, contact Christina Jamerson at cjamerso@kingcounty.gov


King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being.  Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:

  • Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what’s best for themselves and their eligible dependents
  • Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
  • Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
  • Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
  • 12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays
  • Generous vacation and paid sick leave
  • Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves
  • Flexible Spending Account
  • Wellness programs
  • Onsite activity centers
  • Employee Giving Program
  • Employee assistance programs
  • Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
  • Training and career development programs
For additional information about employee benefits, visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page.

This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy.  If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.  
 
NOTE:  Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
 
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.

01
Do you have experience and knowledge working with more than one of these communities: U.S born Black/African American, American Indian/Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander communities?
  • Yes
  • No
02
If yes, describe where that knowledge is from and how you have applied it in your previous roles. Please be thorough and explicit on your role and experience. If you do not have this experience, enter n/a.
03
Do you have experience with the following: Please select all that apply.
  • community engagement
  • working one on one with program participants
  • home or field visits
  • I do not have this experience
04
Describe how you have included, promoted, and supported equity and social justice principles in your current work, previous work, or personal experience. Please give a detailed description. If you do not have this experience, enter n/a.
05
Select ONLY ONE of the following 3 focus communities you are applying to serve:
  • American Indian/Alaska Native
  • U.S born Black/African American
  • Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
06
Please describe your skills and abilities, including one example of something you learned or a way you have grown as a provider. If you do not have this experience, enter n/a.
07
Are you applying to this position as an eligible current or previous King County Employee Priority Placement Program Participant? AND Is this position the same or lower percentage of full-time when compared to the position held at the point of the notification of layoff? AND Do you possess the skills and abilities to qualify for this position?
  • Yes, I was given a layoff notice from my Career Service role at King County and I am within two years of the effective date of my layoff. Additionally, the position I was laid off from was the same or a higher percentage of FT status when compared to this one.
  • No.
08
If you answered yes to the question above and you are applying for this position as a Priority Placement Participant, to be considered, you must provide the following three pieces of information in the space provided: 1. The title you held when you received your layoff notice 2. The department you worked in 3. The effective date of your layoff

Required Question

Employer
King County
Address
King Street Center
201 South Jackson Street
Seattle, Washington, 98104
Phone
206-477-3404