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Student Support Specialist - Project Position (PS 4) DOH8835



This remote home-based role is open to Washington residents and those residing on the ID/WA and OR/WA borders. Field work throughout the state is required and is expected to comprise approximately 20% of work time.


This project position is currently funded through 9/29/29


The Opportunity

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH), within the Executive Office of Prevention, Safety & Health and the Center for Whole Person Care (CAWPC), is recruiting a Student Support Specialist to support the Rural Nursing Education Program (RNEP). This role plays a critical part in addressing Washington’s nursing shortage, particularly in rural communities, by supporting students pursuing nursing education and careers in their home communities.


Reporting to the RNEP Program Manager, the Student Support Specialist provides academic advising, mentorship, and wraparound support to rural nursing students. The position works closely with academic institutions, community partners, and student services to ensure students are prepared, supported, and able to successfully progress from prerequisite coursework through completion of a nursing program.


Key Responsibilities:

Student Advising & Mentorship

  • Provides individualized academic advising, coaching, and mentorship to RNEP students.
  • Supports students through prerequisite coursework, nursing program applications, and academic progression.

Academic & Program Coordination

  • Collaborates with faculty, advisors, and student services to support academic readiness and success.
  • Works with colleges to monitor student progress and ensure requirements for advancement are met.

Barrier Reduction & Resource Coordination

  • Identifies and helps address barriers impacting student success, including financial, academic, emotional, and logistical challenges.
  • Coordinates access to tutoring, test preparation, financial aid counseling, nutrition support, childcare, transportation, and technology resources.

Community & Partner Engagement

  • Builds and maintains strong relationships with community partners, academic institutions, and local stakeholders.
  • Collaborates with rural partners to support students committed to nursing education and practice in their communities.


Why You’ll Love This Role

This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on rural health outcomes by supporting future nurses where they are needed most. The position is part of a collaborative, mission-driven team and provides valuable experience in student support, workforce development, and health equity while helping students turn educational goals into lasting careers.


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: Four or more years of experience in an advisory capacity supporting students by providing guidance, recommendations, or assistance with navigating programs or services

Option 2: Bachelor’s degree in public health, nursing, social and behavioral science, education, counseling or a closely related field and two years of experience supporting students by providing guidance, recommendations, or assistance with navigating programs or services.

Option 3: Master’s degree in public health, nursing, social and behavioral science, education, counseling or a closely related field and one year of experience supporting students by providing guidance, recommendations, or assistance with navigating programs or services.


Preferred Qualifications

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

  • Understanding of nursing education rules, regulations, and requirements.
  • Experience working with health care facilities located in rural communities.
  • Experience working with postsecondary students


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. 


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:

  • The incumbent may work from home, DOH facilities, or remotely from an alternative location. The official duty station for this position is home-based. 

Schedule:

  • Standard business hours are Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Travel Requirements:

  • Frequent travel throughout the state is required to perform the functions of the position.  This includes meeting with local students and academic institutions. 
  • When traveling for work, the incumbent may travel alone or with another person, may stay overnight, for several days and nights in/or out of state. 
  • When driving for state business, the incumbent must be able to legally operate a state or privately-owned vehicle; OR provide alternative transportation while on state business

Tools & Equipment:

  • This position may require frequent phone conversations while looking up information on the computer.    Duties require the use of standard office furniture and equipment (e.g., desk, filing cabinet, computer, printer, telephone, fax machine, copy machine, etc.)

Customer Interactions:

  • Daily contact with Center-level managers and staff. Frequent contact with community-based RNEP partners, students and advisory board.

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. 

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 Andrea Thieme at employment@doh.wa.gov and reference DOH8835.


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 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.

Date Posted
02/10/2026
Job Reference
DOH8835
Organization
Dept. of Health, Office of Prevention, Safety, and Health (OPSH)
Location
Multiple Locations Statewide, WA
Category
Internship/Fellowship
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