Public Health Community Engagement Strategist (MA 5) DOH9019

 Equity & Social Justice Strategist

This home-based (remote) position is open to Washington residents and those living in Oregon and Idaho only.

This project position is currently funded through November 30, 2027.

The Opportunity

As the Public Health Community Engagement Strategist, you will lead statewide community engagement and partnership initiatives that bring community perspectives and lived experience into public health policy, planning, and decision-making. Reporting to the Community Investments and Engagement Manager within the Center for Community Relations and Equity, you will provide strategic leadership for the Health Justice Community Advisory Committee (HJCAC) and Community Collaborative, building meaningful relationships with community leaders, local health jurisdictions, Tribal Nations, state agencies, and cross-sector partners.

You will guide the planning, implementation, and evaluation of these initiatives, creating opportunities for communities disproportionately affected by health inequities to influence public health priorities and strategies. This includes facilitating community partnerships, developing engagement approaches, identifying barriers to equitable access, and translating community feedback into actionable recommendations for agency leadership. You will also lead cross-agency projects that address systemic barriers, improve public health services and information, and strengthen how the agency incorporates community expertise into its work.

Through strategic consultation, project leadership, and collaboration across government and community organizations, you will help ensure public health policies, programs, and resources are informed by the experiences and needs of the people they are intended to serve.

Key Responsibilities Include:

Why You’ll Love This Role

This role offers the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with communities and partners while shaping how community perspectives and lived experiences inform public health decisions. You will lead collaborative initiatives, develop strategies to address barriers to equitable access, and work across government and public health systems to create lasting improvements. Your work will help ensure that public health policies, programs, and resources reflect the needs of Washington communities, particularly those most affected by health inequities, and contribute to more inclusive and equitable public health practices statewide.

The Ideal Candidate

You are a strategic, collaborative professional who builds trust and meaningful partnerships with diverse communities. You can translate community experiences and engagement findings into practical recommendations and organizational improvements. You navigate complex partnerships, bring people together around shared goals, and approach your work with cultural humility and respect for lived experience. You are committed to advancing equitable public health practices through inclusive, community-centered approaches.

Required 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: Six (6) years of professional experience leading or coordinating community engagement initiatives, developing equity-focused strategies, building cross-sector partnerships, or implementing projects addressing systemic inequities.

Option 2: A bachelor's degree or higher in public health, public administration, social sciences, community development, public policy, or a related field, AND two years of experience leading or coordinating community engagement initiatives, developing equity-focused strategies, building cross-sector partnerships, or implementing projects addressing systemic inequities.

Additional Required Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

Preferred Qualifications

Employee Benefits 

We want you to have the support and benefits you need to do your best work while building a career that fits your life. As a DOH employee, you’ll have access to a comprehensive benefits package that supports your health, financial well-being, and work-life balance, with resources to support you now and help you plan for the future. Learn more about DOH benefits and what it’s like to work with us by visiting Work@Health.

The Office of Government and Community Affairs (OGCA)

Bringing community voices to the center of public health.

The Office of Government and Community Affairs (OGCA) advances public health priorities through policy, strategic partnerships, and collaboration across all levels of government. Working with Tribal Nations, local health jurisdictions, community organizations, and partners across Washington, OGCA helps shape public health policy and strengthen systems to improve health and advance equity statewide.

Housed within OGCA, the Center for Community Relations and Equity (CRE) works to address health inequities by elevating community perspectives and strengthening the agency’s ability to incorporate equity into public health policies, programs, and strategies.

About the Washington State Department of Health

We're nearly 2,700 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. Our work depends on people who take action to learn and grow and who take action to meet the needs of others every day, in service of a healthier Washington. Explore more about the Department of Health, our programs, and our impact by visiting our website.

What to Expect (Working Conditions): 

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

Work Setting: This position can be performed fully remotely, with no regular in-person attendance required. If onsite work is requested by the supervisor, it will be planned and communicated in advance. Exposure to hazards is limited to those commonly found in indoor home or office environments. The work is sedentary and involves extended periods at a computer, including repetitive computer use to enter data, navigate databases, create and modify electronic documents, and use email and the internet.

Schedule: Standard DOH business hours are Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.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 assignment, and/or meeting business demands and deadlines, and/or during the annual legislative session. An alternative or flexible work schedule may be considered at the employee's request, subject to supervisory approval.

Travel Requirements: Travel is an expectation or may be required to perform certain job duties. Monthly or quarterly travel may be required to meet with community partners or in-person meetings. Locations for travel include the Tumwater campus or a centralized location. 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. This position requires reliable access to an internet connection sufficient to perform all job duties remotely.

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

Other: This position is covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative. 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. 

We Encourage You to Apply

If you meet the required qualifications for this position; we want to hear from you. Preferred qualifications describe additional experience, knowledge or skills that may be helpful in the role, but they are not required to be considered for the position. We welcome applicants with different backgrounds, experiences, identities, and perspectives.

Application Directions

To be considered, you must complete the online application in full and submit all required materials. Incomplete applications or applications missing required materials will not be considered. When completing your application, please include the following required materials:

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

Veterans Preference: We value the experience and skill veterans bring to the workforce and encourage veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses to apply. Eligible veterans may qualify for veterans’ preference in accordance with Washington State Law. If you are claiming veterans’ preference, you must attach your applicable DD-214, NGB Form 22, or other equivalent discharge or separation documentation. Please redact your social security number, date of birth, and any other sensitive information before uploading and attaching the document.

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 do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, the presence or perception of a disability, honorably discharged veteran or military status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by law.

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 at employment@doh.wa.gov and reference DOH9019.

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

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