Policy Advisor

This recruitment announcement is for one (1) full-time project Management Analyst 5 (MA 5) position with the Washington State Board of Health (SBOH) anticipated to be funded through June 30, 2025. 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. 
 
During the 2024 legislative session, the Legislature included in the supplemental operations budget a proviso which requires the Board to review and update rules for school environmental health and safety. These statewide rules apply to public and private schools. The Board must conduct the review in collaboration with a multi-disciplinary technical advisory committee with the purpose of proposing a new set of minimum statewide health and safety standards for schools.
 
Make a difference 
This Policy Advisor, Management Analyst 5, position’s purpose is to provide the critical policy analysis, rule development and technical advisory committee support to carry out the requirements in the budget proviso as well as the Board’s broader mission and work, particularly as it relates to school environmental health and safety, environmental public health, environmental justice and health equity.
 
Your expertise and advice to the Board on complex, multifaceted and sometimes controversial public health issues of statewide significance will guide and support efforts to gather public input and engage diverse communities, Tribal public health partners, organizations and state and local government agencies in policy development. You will coordinate rule writing, track health statuses, and analyze laws, rules and other policies.
 
Some of what you’ll do:

• Present research findings and recommendations or work products to the Board, legislature, technical advisory committee, other state or local health agencies, academia, and professional/ partner organizations, including community-based organizations and coalitions.
• Help forge and maintain system partnerships with local health jurisdictions, Tribes and Tribal organizations, and professional associations, state and local governments, schools and school organizations.
• Lead the rule development process for Board rules, including reviewing and analyzing existing statutes and rules and using an equity lens in drafting proposed rule language and analyses. 
• Serve as a liaison to the Department of Health programs, government agencies and partner groups.
• Keep the Board sponsor and members informed of important developments through e-mails and telephone calls, and by convening/ facilitating meetings between the sponsor and partners when necessary.
• Provide policy consultation and general support to the Board on issues related to school environmental health and safety. 

Required Qualifications 
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. 
 
Option 1: Six (6) or more years of professional experience working in health policy development, including a minimum of two (2) years of experience analyzing state and federal laws, legislation and rules to write reports and make policy recommendations.
AND
Two (2) years of experience developing and maintaining relationships and facilitating discussions among organizations, partners and interested parties with diverse interests to develop possible solutions to policy issues.
 
OR 
Option 2: A bachelor’s degree or higher and four (4) or more years of experience in health policy development or consultative experience in a health services field including two (2) or more years of experience analyzing policy and conducting research and data analysis.
AND

• Four (4) years of professional experience researching or analyzing state or federal laws, legislation, or rules.
• Four (4) years of experience writing and preparing professional reports and other documents (e.g., legislative proposals, rules analysis, rule writing) with policy recommendations.
• Two (2) years of experience developing and maintaining relations with state or local agencies, Tribes, and other partners.
• Two (2) years of experience facilitating discussions among organizations, partners and interested parties with diverse interests to develop possible solutions to policy issues.

OR 
Option 3: Master’s degree or higher with major study in public health, environmental health, public administration, or closely allied field, and two (2) or more years of experience in policy development, analysis and research and data analysis. 
AND

• Two (2) years of professional experience researching or analyzing state or federal laws, legislation, or rules.
• Two (2)  years of experience writing and preparing professional reports and other documents (e.g., legislative proposals, rules analysis, rule writing) with policy recommendations.
• Two (2) years of experience developing and maintaining relationships with state or local agencies, Tribes, and other partners.
• Two (2) years of experience facilitating discussions among organizations, partners and interested parties with diverse interests to develop possible solutions to policy issues.

About Washington State Department of Health

Our programs and services help prevent illness and injury, promote healthy places to live and work, provide information to help people make good health decisions and ensure our state is prepared for emergencies. To accomplish all of these, we collaborate with many partners every day. We help ensure a safer and healthier Washington by: Working to improve health through disease and injury prevention, immunization, and newborn screening Providing health and safety information, education and training so people can make healthy choices Promoting a health and wellness system where we live, learn, work, play and worship Addressing environmental health hazards associated with drinking water, food, air quality and pesticide exposure Protecting you and your family by licensing healthcare professionals, investigating disease outbreaks and preparing for emergencies

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