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Newborn Screening Program Director (WMS 3) - DOH8895



Newborn Screening Program Director 

This is a full-time onsite position located at our Public Health Laboratories located in Shoreline, WA.


The Opportunity:


As the Newborn Screening Program Director, you will lead Washington’s statewide newborn screening system, overseeing the laboratory, follow-up, epidemiology, operational, and clinical coordination work that helps identify life-threatening and disabling conditions in infants before symptoms appear. This role directs a large and highly specialized public health program responsible for screening every newborn in Washington, as well as infants born in Hawaii and Idaho through interstate partnerships.


You will manage a complex regional program that includes clinical laboratory operations, public health follow-up systems, policy development, budget oversight, quality assurance, and partnerships with healthcare providers, hospitals, specialty clinics, and national organizations. The work requires balancing scientific, operational, regulatory, and strategic priorities while ensuring the program remains reliable, responsive, and aligned with evolving public health and laboratory standards.


In this role, success depends not only on technical and operational expertise, but also on the ability to lead people with authenticity, communicate transparently, foster accountability, and proactively navigate complex challenges. We are seeking a leader who builds trust, develops strong teams, values diverse perspectives, and creates a culture where respect, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement thrive.


This position plays a central role in protecting infants from preventable death and lifelong disability by ensuring newborn screening services are timely, accurate, equitable, and clinically effective. The work directly informs public health policy, supports statewide healthcare systems, and helps families access critical diagnostic and treatment services as early as possible.


Key Responsibilities Include:


  • Lead and manage Washington’s regional newborn screening program, including laboratory operations, follow-up services, epidemiology, operations, and clinical coordination activities. 
  • Direct a multidisciplinary program of approximately 46 staff and supervisors while fostering a workplace culture grounded in accountability, collaboration, equity, and continuous improvement. 
  • Build strong, trusting relationships across teams by promoting open communication, active listening, transparency, respect, and shared problem solving in a complex public health environment. 
  • Coach, mentor, and support staff and supervisors in developing leadership capacity, strengthening professional growth, and building high performing teams that value diverse perspectives and experiences. 
  • Establish program policies, operational standards, and strategic priorities that ensure timely, accurate, and reliable newborn screening services across Washington, Hawaii, and Idaho. 
  • Promote a culture of quality and continuous improvement while overseeing laboratory quality assurance, accreditation compliance, testing methodologies, and implementation of new screening technologies and operational improvements. 
  • Guide statewide follow-up and case management systems to ensure infants with abnormal screening results receive timely diagnostic evaluation and clinical care. 
  • Develop and manage multimillion dollar program budgets, contracts, grants, and resource planning activities that support long term program sustainability and service delivery. 
  • Communicate clearly and effectively with staff, healthcare partners, executive leadership, policymakers, and community stakeholders to support collaboration, transparency, and informed decision making. 
  • Partner with healthcare providers, specialty care clinics, state agencies, national organizations, and the Washington State Board of Health to strengthen newborn screening systems and inform policy decisions. 
  • Lead strategic planning and policy development related to adding new conditions to the newborn screening panel, including rulemaking support, stakeholder engagement, operational readiness, and public health implementation planning. 
  • Advance equitable and culturally responsive public health practices by ensuring services, partnerships, and systems effectively support diverse communities and populations across Washington and partner states.


Why You’ll Love This Role:


  • Lead one of the state’s most critical public health laboratory and clinical coordination programs with broad operational and strategic responsibility.
  • Work at the intersection of laboratory science, public health policy, healthcare systems, and program leadership in a highly collaborative environment.
  • Help shape systems and services that support early detection and intervention for infants and families across Washington and partner states.
  • Influence the future of newborn screening through policy development, innovation, quality improvement, and strategic public health leadership.
  • Mentor and support a highly skilled team committed to improving health outcomes for newborns and families.


What You Bring:


You are a people-centered and emotionally intelligent leader who can demonstrate a genuine commitment to the growth, well-being and success of individuals and teams. You build inclusive environments where diverse perspectives, backgrounds and experiences are valued, and you foster strong partnerships grounded in respect, collaboration, and shared purpose.


You communicate clearly, consistently, and transparently across all levels of an organization. You know how to tailor communication for different audiences, encourage open dialogue, and build alignment through clarity and active listening. You are approachable, thoughtful, and comfortable navigating difficult conversations with professionalism and authenticity.


You lead with integrity and accountability, holding yourself and others responsible for commitments, outcomes, and ethical decision-making. You build trust through reliable actions, fairness, and consistency, and you address challenges directly while maintaining positive working relationships.


You bring experience leading complex public health, healthcare, laboratory, or regulated operational programs and can balance strategic planning with day-to-day operational leadership. You are skilled at analyzing complex information, making sound decisions, managing competing priorities, and leading teams through change and continuous improvement.


You understand the importance of equitable and accessible public health services and are motivated by meaningful work that improves health outcomes for children, families, and communities across Washington and partner states.


Minimum Qualifications 

There are multiple pathways to qualify for this position. You must meet one of the options provided and any additional criteria listed. Experience 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. 


Option 1 – Non-degree Pathway

  • At least 10 years of experience in public health, clinical, biological, or chemical laboratory settings. Experience should include supervising staff and either program or operations management.


Option 2 – Education Pathway

  • A Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health, laboratory science, healthcare administration, epidemiology, biomedical science, or a closely related field, AND at least 8 years of experience in public health, clinical, biological, or chemical laboratory settings. Experience should include supervising staff and either program or operations management.


And the following experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities:

  • Two (2) or more years of experience supervising staff in a public health program or laboratory setting
  • Experience leading and managing complex public health, clinical, or laboratory programs
  • Experience working in regulated environments with quality, compliance, or accreditation requirements (e.g., CLIA, CAP, CDC, ISO)
  • Experience developing or implementing policies, procedures, or program standards
  • Experience managing budgets, contracts, or grant-funded programs
  • Experience working with external partners such as healthcare providers, government agencies, or community organizations
  • Experience working in or supporting laboratory-based or diagnostic programs
  • Knowledge of clinical laboratory operations, testing methodologies, and quality assurance practices
  • Knowledge of epidemiological principles and statistical methods used in public health
  • Experience interpreting and applying federal and state laws, regulations, and public health standards


Preferred Qualifications

While these aren’t required, having them can help you stand out as a candidate.

  • Experience leading or managing a newborn screening program or a public health laboratory program, including supervisory or senior-level management responsibilities
  • Knowledge of CLIA regulations and laboratory quality systems
  • Experience working with clinical laboratory systems, testing protocols, or laboratory accreditation standards 
  • Experience with state or federal rulemaking, including working with governing bodies or advisory committees 
  • Knowledge of congenital or metabolic disorders and related clinical follow-up systems 
  • Experience working in a multi-state or regional program environment 
  • Experience collaborating with national public health organizations or federal health agencies 
  • Experience with data systems, epidemiology, or population health analytics
  • Knowledge of and ability to meet CLIA personnel requirements relevant to the role, including laboratory oversight and regulatory compliance.


Employee Benefits 

We offer a solid benefits package that supports you and your family’s health, financial security, and work-life balance. You’ll have access to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, life and long-term disability insurance, flexible spending and health savings accounts, and retirement plans that help you plan for tomorrow while you’re living today. Paid holidays, vacation and sick leave help you recharge, and additional programs like dependent care assistance and professional development opportunities add value beyond basic coverage. Join us and enjoy benefits designed to care for you as much as you care about public health. Learn more about DOH benefits and see how we support your life at work and beyond by visiting Work@Health. 


The Public Health Laboratories – Where Science Protects Communities

At the Public Health Laboratories, every test matters. From hunting emerging pathogens to ensuring every newborn in the state gets life-saving screenings, your work will drive disease detection, outbreak response, and protect Washington’s most vulnerable. We’re the state’s reference lab, tracking rare threats like rabies, hantavirus, and West Nile virus, analyzing outbreaks, and safeguarding food and water safety. Here, science meets service in a collaborative, equity-driven team committed to real-world impact and public health at scale.


About the Washington State Department of Health

We're nearly 2,000 professionals across Washington working together to protect and improve community health. Guided by our values of Equity, Innovation, and Engagement, we address health disparities, respond to emerging challenges, and strengthen systems that support resilience. At DOH, we help reduce barriers, collaborate with diverse communities, and champion equitable health outcomes. We’re passionate people who are driven to make a difference in public health. Explore more about the Department of Health, our programs, and our impact by visiting our website.


Working Conditions:

The following describes the working conditions of this position, with or without reasonable accommodation.


Work Setting:

  • This position's work must be completed at the Public Health Laboratory located in Shoreline WA.
  • The laboratory environment is noisy, may be stressful, and is fast paced.
  • The position may require working in stressful emergency response conditions.
  • The position may require working in an open cubicle office setting with exposure to hazards commonly found in an indoor office setting.
  • This position may require working with, in or around the following laboratory hazards: 
  • Infectious biological material from humans.
  • Dried blood (occasionally whole blood)
  • Various laboratory chemicals that can cause illness, skin irritation, or breathing problems. 
  • Paints, pesticides, toxic cleaning supplies, etc.

Schedule:

  • The DOH Public Health Laboratory operates Monday through Saturday and most holidays. 
  • This position has a work schedule of 40 hours per week; however, the position may be expected to work longer hours to complete projects or assignments, and/or meet business demands and deadlines. 
  • An alternative or flexible work schedule may be considered at the employee’s request, subject to approval.

Travel Requirements:

  • Annual travel is expected. Travel may include between 2-5 trips out of WA state and 5-10 trips within WA state for the following purpose including State Board of Health Meetings related to NBS activities, legislative meetings, offsite DOH meetings, national conferences and symposia.
  • When driving for state business, the employee must be able to legally operate a state or privately-owned vehicle; OR provide alternate transportation while on state business.

Tools & Equipment:

  • This position uses standard office furniture and equipment, such as a desk, office chair, cell phone, computer, monitor(s), keyboard, and mouse; and when in the office, the position may also require the use of a printer, phone, fax machine, and/or copy machine.
  • Laboratory equipment may include use of incubators, refrigerators, freezers, centrifuges, fume hoods, Autodelfia, fluorescent readers, pipettes, card punchers, tandem mass spectrometers, conventional and real-time PCR platforms, and other typical lab equipment, personal protective equipment, computers, copiers, printers, and fax machines.

Customer Interactions:

  • The position regularly requires engaging with customers in a variety of settings agency staff, agency managers, agency supervisors, legislators, governor's office staff, and local health jurisdictions, federal government, State Board of Health, external partners, statewide professional associations.

Other:

  • This position does not have union representations and is not covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
  • This position may require periodic testing or immunizations for communicable diseases as a condition of employment.
  • The DOH campus is a smoke-free, drug-free, alcohol-free, scent-neutral environment. 
  • This position may be required to conduct and/or participate in public health emergency preparedness and response activities. 


APPLICATION DIRECTIONS:

We’re committed to a fair and equitable hiring process. Only materials submitted through the official application will be considered. Emailed resumes or documents won’t be accepted or shared with the hiring manager.


Click “Apply” to complete your application. Attach your resume, cover letter, and DD-214 (if applicable). List at least three professional references, directly in your Applicant Profile or as a separate attachment, including a supervisor, a peer, and someone you’ve supervised or led (if applicable).


DO NOT INCLUDE private details like your SSN or birth year, personal photos, transcripts, certifications, diplomas, projects, portfolios, or letters of recommendation.


Veterans Preference: Applicants wishing to claim Veterans Preference must attach a copy of their DD-214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or a signed verification of service letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to their application. Please remove or cover any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers and birth year


Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: We regard diversity as the foundation of our strength, recognizing that differing insights and abilities enable us to reflect the unique needs of the communities we serve.  


DOH is an equal-opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination based on race/ethnicity/color, creed, sex, pregnancy, age, religion, national origin, marital status, the presence or perception of a disability, veteran’s status, military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender expression, or gender identity. 


Questions and Accommodations: If you have questions, need assistance with the application process, require an accommodation, or would like to request this posting in an alternative format, please contact Shawnelle Goalder, Talent Acquisition Consultant/Recruiter at employment@doh.wa.gov and reference DOH8895 in the subject. 


Technical Support: Reach out to NEOGOV directly at 1-855-524-5627 for technical support and login issues. 


Qualifications

This recruitment may be used to fill positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment are filled, the candidate pool may be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days. 

Only applicants who follow the directions and complete the Application Process in full will have their responses reviewed for consideration. 

Experience and education selected, listed, or detailed in the Supplemental Questions must be verifiable on the submitted applicant profile.

This position is located in King County. The advertised pay includes a 5% location-based salary adjustment.

This position’s advertised salary includes a 5% premium for required dual-language duties. 

Date Posted
05/14/2026
Job Reference
DOH8895
Organization
Dept. of Health, Public Health Laboratories (PHL)
Location
King County - Shoreline, WA
Category
Pediatric and Newborn Service
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