Policy Advisor (MA 5), Washington State Board of Health (DOH9002)

This home-based (remote) position is open to Washington residents and those living in Oregon and Idaho only. Work is performed remotely, as well as at our facility in Tumwater, Board meetings and meetings with partners throughout the state.

Why Work for the Washington State Board of Health? Imagine advising and providing analysis on strategic initiatives related to public health with a focus on children’s and community health, health promotion, and disease prevention. That's the work of the Washington State Board of Health, and it's the work you'd lead as Policy Advisor.

The Board provides statewide leadership on policies that protect and improve public health. It fulfills this mission by monitoring public health trends to understand and prevent disease, serving as a public forum for policy development, and adopting foundational public health rules that keep communities safe. The Board makes recommendations directly to the Governor, Legislature, and Secretary of Health, and in collaboration with the Governor's Interagency Council on Health Disparities, completes health impact reviews: evidence-based, non-partisan analyses of how proposed legislative or budgetary changes may affect health and equity.

As part of this mission-driven team, you will collaborate with other state and local agencies, as well as public and private organizations to inform policy decisions. This is an opportunity to research and develop reports that clarify how existing laws and rules contribute to or address children’s and community health in Washington State. If you are passionate about public service, health promotion policy, and making a measurable difference, the Washington State Board of Health provides an unparalleled platform to lead change at the highest levels of public health in state government.

The Opportunity This Policy Advisor position supports and carries out the Board’s mission and work, particularly through health policy development and analysis related to children’s and community health, health equity, health promotion, and disease prevention and control. This position provides the Board with expertise and advice on complex, multifaceted, and sometimes controversial public health issues of statewide significance.

The position coordinates rulemaking and drafts rules, monitors and analyzes health status, and analyzes laws, rules, proposed legislation and other policies. It leads and supports efforts to gather public input and engage diverse communities, Tribal public health partners, state and local government agencies, and professional and community organizations in policy development. This position presents research findings, recommendations, and other work products to the Board, legislature, other state or local health agencies, and professional/ partner organizations including community-based organizations and coalitions.

This position helps build and maintain partnerships across the governmental public health system, including with local health jurisdictions, Tribes and Tribal organizations, and professional associations. It also engages organizations and people with an interest in the Board’s activities and authorities.

What You'll Work On Policy Analysis, Research & Reports Gathering data, analyzing and tracking legislation, and producing the official documents necessary to guide the Board's decisions.

• Research & Data Synthesis: Planning, conducting, and summarizing literature reviews, existing data, expert consultations, and surveys.
• Policy Development: Proposing policy recommendations, identifying options, and researching how existing laws affect community health (e.g., vaccine hesitancy).
• Document Writing: Composing white papers, resolutions, memoranda, briefings, and policy packages.
• Statutory Reporting: Contributing to the biennial State Health Report (RCW 43.20.100) for the Governor and legislature.
• Government-to-Government: Collaborate closely with the Board’s Tribal liaison to ensure compliance and best practices are followed when working with Tribes and Tribal organizations.

Rulemaking & Implementation Applying formal administrative processes required to draft, evaluate, and pass Board rules within state legal frameworks.

• End-to-End Rule Development: Leading the rule development process under the Administrative Procedures Act, Regulatory Fairness Act, and Executive Orders.
• Legal & Equity Oversight: Applying an equity lens to rule language and collaborating with Board counsel to ensure compliance with state and federal laws.
• Agency Coordination: Acting as a liaison to the Department of Health and other state and local agencies to coordinate rule development, seek subject matter expertise, review drafts, and align timelines.
• Petitions & Reviews: Processing and gathering information for Board action on formal petitions for rulemaking under RCW 34.05.330.
• Investigating compliance complaints under RCW 70.05.120

Engagement, Coalitions & Partnerships Building external relationships, maintaining institutional networks, and ensuring historically marginalized communities have a voice in policy.

• Interagency Liaison: Establishing and maintaining relationships with federal, state, and local agencies (e.g., OSPI, DCYF, HCA, OIC, Tribal governments).
• Community & Partner Outreach: Working with community engagement and communications teams to engage implementing partners (e.g., school nurses, coalitions) and ensure meaningful participation by communities that have been historically disenfranchised or underserved.
• Professional Advocacy: Representing the Board in meetings with professional organizations, advisory groups, committees, and policy consortiums (e.g., WSPHA, SPE).
• Academic Connection: Delivering guest lectures to support future public health practitioners.

Board Support, Legislative Strategy & Governance Managing internal workflows, preparing leadership for public hearings, and advocating for the Board during legislative session.

• Meeting & Hearing Preparation: Developing presentations, assembling reports, and organizing diverse panels of expert presenters for Board meetings and public hearings.
• Legislative Advising & Testimony: Analyzing high-priority legislation and budget proposals, drafting letters for the Board chair, and delivering testimony at legislative hearings.
• Committee Facilitation: Convening and facilitating the Board’s health promotion policy committee and other ad hoc committees.
• Internal Communication: Keeping the Executive Director, Board sponsors, and members informed of key developments via regular briefings.
• Mentorship: Supervising and mentoring Board interns on health promotion and disease prevention projects.

Who we’re looking for The successful candidate will champion equity and inclusion by embedding anti-racist frameworks, social determinants of health, and language access principles directly into policy and rule development. They are someone who demonstrates deep cultural humility and respect for diverse perspectives, adapting engagement strategies to build trust with varied communities.

Leveraging multi-media tools and modern technology to elevate policy initiatives and maximize the reach of communication efforts, they deliver clear, accessible written and verbal presentations, driving consensus and co-creating collaborative solutions.

With a solid foundation in public health law and community health regulations, they will ensure all initiatives align with industry best practices and disease prevention goals. They apply strong analytical problem-solving to isolate critical issues, evaluate complex options, and craft actionable recommendations for policy, rules, and legislation.

Using their robust organizational and project management skills they will lead multiple concurrent initiatives while meeting timelines.

They communicate respectfully and with cultural competence, model self-awareness and integrity, and believe in the mission of the board to eliminate health disparities and promote health equity, so that all communities have an opportunity to thrive.

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 years of experience in public health, public policy, law, or a closely related field. AND,

• 4 years of experience in health policy development including researching and analyzing policy issues and writing and preparing reports, analyses, or other documents with policy recommendations.
• 4 years of experience researching or analyzing state or federal laws, legislation, or rules, including interpreting their implications for public health.
• 4 years of experience developing and maintaining relationships with state or local agencies, Tribes, and other partners.
• 2 years of experience facilitating discussions among organizations, partners, and interested parties with diverse perspectives and interests to identify and develop collaborative solutions to policy issues.

Option 2: A bachelor’s degree; AND

• 4 of experience in health policy development including researching and analyzing policy issues and writing and preparing reports, analyses, or other documents with policy recommendations.
• 4 years of experience researching or analyzing state or federal laws, legislation, or rules, including interpreting their implications for public health.
• 2 years of experience developing and maintaining relationships with state or local agencies, Tribes, and other partners.
• 2 years of experience facilitating discussions among organizations, partners and interested parties with diverse perspectives and interests to identify and develop collaborative solutions to policy issues.

Option 3: Master’s degree with major study in public health, public policy, public administration, law, or closely allied field; AND

• 2 or more years of experience in health policy development, analysis, and research/data analysis, including writing and preparing reports, analyses, or other documents with policy recommendations.
• 2 years of experience researching or analyzing state or federal laws, legislation, or rules, including interpreting their implications for public health.
• 2 years of experience developing and maintaining relationships with state or local agencies, Tribes, and other partners.
• 2 years of experience facilitating discussions among organizations, partners, and interested parties with diverse perspectives and interests to identify and develop collaborative solutions to policy issues.

Additional Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Experience

• Ability to assess, analyze, and summarize complex policy proposals, laws, and regulations, focusing on their implications for health equity in Washington.
• Ability to analyze and interpret complex research findings to inform policy and rule development.
• Skilled in integrating health equity, anti-racist frameworks, and language access principles into policy and rule development.
• Verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to present complex information clearly, in plain talk, to diverse partners and customers including policymakers, community members, and public health professionals.
• Organizational and project management skills, with the ability to lead and coordinate multiple initiatives simultaneously while meeting deadlines.
• Familiarity with public health laws, regulations, and best practices, particularly related to community health and disease prevention.
• Skilled at leading discussions and facilitating meetings with various community partners and customers to achieve consensus and develop collaborative solutions.
• Understanding and respect for diverse cultural perspectives, with the ability to adapt approaches to engage with different communities effectively.
• Skilled in using multi-media presentation tools and other relevant technology to support policy and rule development and related communication efforts.
• Knowledge of the structural determinants of inequities and social determinants of health, including the impacts of racism and oppression on health, and the ability to integrate this understanding into your work.
• Experience identifying, reading, interpreting and summarizing peer-reviewed research.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Ability to identify critical issues, generate and analyze options and prepare recommendations for changes in policy, rules, and legislation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in the following• Working with or enforcing state and federal public health rules such as immunizations, notifiable conditions, school health screening etc.

• Implementing developing or enforcing local, state, federal, or Tribal public health regulations such as prenatal or newborn screening, notifiable conditions, etc.

• Identifying critical issues, analyzing options, and recommending changes to policies, rules, or legislation.

• Managing multiple projects involving diverse teams and partnerships.

• Working with diverse communities and communities that have been historically marginalized in a culturally and linguistically appropriate ways.

• A solid understanding of Washington State's public health system.

• Ability to build and maintain partnerships within public or environmental health systems at the state or local level.

• Skilled in managing multiple projects involving diverse teams and partnerships.

• Experience developing, researching, or analyzing policy for impacts on public health or the social determinants of health, or disproportionately impacted communities and populations.

• Experience preparing professional reports and other documents with policy recommendations, legislative analysis or rule writing.

• Experience developing and maintaining relationships with state or local agencies, Tribes, and other public health partners. Experience facilitating discussions with groups of people with diverse interests to develop possible solutions to policy issues.

• Understanding of research methods.

• Understanding of the legislative process and agency rulemaking processes.

• Understanding of the public health system in Washington State.

• Experience working within the governmental public health system at the state or local level.

• Excellent writing skills with attention to detail and the ability to translate complex and technical subject matter into understandable and culturally appropriate language for non-technical audiences.

• Ability to speak clearly and effectively to a variety of audiences. Ability to listen and understand written and verbal communication from Board members, staff, and interested parties.

• Ability to work independently and in a team, manage multiple concurrent priorities and complete assignments on time.

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. 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.

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

Work Setting: This position may work from home, a DOH facility, or remotely from an alternate location. The official duty station for this position is home-based. Work is performed almost exclusively indoors in a DOH/ SBOH or home-based office environment. This position is working at a computer for extended periods of time. Exposure to hazards is limited to those commonly found in government office environments. Schedule: This position has a work schedule of 40 hours per week. Standard DOH business hours are Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The position may be expected to work outside of core scheduled hours and/or more than 40 hours a week, including evenings, weekends, and holidays to meet Board needs and critical deadlines. An alternative or flexible work schedule may be considered at the incumbent's request, subject to supervisory approval. Travel Requirements: Travel is required to attend meetings in person, to include but not limited to, State Board of Health meetings, Health Disparities Council Meetings, legislative meetings, community forums, conferences as funding allows, and other meetings with interested parties, and to meet with legislators or legislative staff, as needed. When traveling for work, the position may require traveling long distances, alone and/or with other employees for multiple 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: Duties require the use of office furniture and equipment (e.g., desk, computer, printer, phone, copy machine, etc.), use of A/V equipment for hybrid (virtual and in person) public meetings. Customer Interactions: Frequent contact with other state, federal, agencies and partner organizations. Must demonstrate the ability to work effectively with diverse communities in a culturally and linguistically appropriate and respectful manner. Contact may be in person, virtual, by phone or email. This position responds to inquiries from members of the public. Other: This position is covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative. The DOH and State Board of Health’s office and meeting spaces 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:

• Cover letter: describing your qualifications for this specific position
• Resume: that details your applicable experience and education.
• Three (3) professional references: References must be entered directly into the designated references section of your application or attached as a separate document. At least one reference must be a current or recent supervisor.

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 Kristina Cox at [email protected] and reference DOH9002. Technical Support: Reach out to NEOGOV directly at 1-855-524-5627 for technical support and login issues.

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. To be considered, please follow the application instructions and complete all required application materials. Information provided in your supplemental question responses, including education and experience, must be supported by your applicant profile and verifiable.