As a staff member of the Washington State Board of Health and reporting to the Manager of the Governor’s Interagency Council on Health Disparities, the Environmental Justice Task Force Project Manager (Project) will provide project management for all aspects of a new legislatively-created task force.

The Washington State Board of Health’s mission is to provide statewide leadership in advancing policies that protect and improve the public’s health.  The mission of the Governor’s Interagency Council on Health Disparities, which is staffed by the Board, is to recommend state actions to eliminate health disparities.  The 2019-2021 operating budget included a proviso for the Council to convene and staff an Environmental Justice Task Force. The Task Force must develop strategies for incorporating environmental justice principles into how state agencies discharge their responsibilities. This position serves as the Environmental Justice Task Force Project Manager, providing expertise and advice to the Task Force on complex, multifaceted, and controversial topics of statewide significance.

This is a full-time, project Management Analyst 5 (MA 5) position.  This project position is anticipated to be funded through October 31, 2020.

Washington State Department of Health (DOH) works with federal, state, tribal, and local partners to help people in Washington stay healthy and safe.  Our programs and services help prevent illness and injury, promote healthy places to live and work, provide education to help people make good health decisions and ensure our state is prepared for emergencies. To learn more about the agency, visit our website, DOH Infographic (Download PDF reader), and see what it’s like to Work@Health!

DOH is a great place to work and has implemented several “Employer of Choice” initiatives, including:

• We are committed to diversity and inclusion. DOH fosters an inclusive environment that encourages all employees to bring their authentic selves to work each day. We strive to hire, develop, and retain a competent and diverse workforce that is reflective of the customers we serve.
• We have an engaging Wellness@Health program which offers programs that support healthy behaviors and work/life balance. Our program provides wellness education, access to healthy food, physical activity classes, stress relief, and many other resources to support a healthy you.
• We support a healthy life/work balance by offering flexible/alternative work schedules, and mobile and telework options.  (Depending upon job duties.)
•  We are making exciting steps towards modernizing our workplace by providing motivating and inspiring workspaces that promote creative thought, innovation, and collaboration among co-workers.
• We have an Infant at Work Program that is based on the long-term health values of breastfeeding newborns and infant-parent bonding.  Eligible employees who are new mothers, fathers, or legal guardians can bring their infant (6 weeks to 6 months) when returning to work.  (Depending upon job duties and work location.)

• Conducts research and consults with stakeholders on environmental justice topics, including cumulative impact analysis, community engagement, establishing goals for reducing environmental health disparities, prioritizing highly impacted communities, implementing equity analyses, and research and data collection.
  • Researches environmental justice efforts in other states and local jurisdictions.
  • Reviews the literature to identify how environmental justice is being integrated into state and local government agency activities.
  • Seeks out community voice and lived experience to inform the Task Force.
  • Consults with national, state, and local experts and stakeholders on data sources, strategies, and best practices to promote environmental justice.
  • Presents research and consultation findings, presents options, and makes recommendations to the Task Force.

• Plans Environmental Justice Task Force meetings.
  • In consultation with the Task Force Co-Chairs, plans meeting agendas, organizes briefings and presentations, and identifies presenters.
  • Works to ensure meetings and any community forms are planned, organized, and set up to encourage meaningful community and tribal participation.
  • Supports the Task Force Co-Chairs and members by drafting talking points and assisting with meeting facilitation.
  • Prepares and organizes meeting materials.
  • Assists with managing the Task Force budget, in collaboration with the State Board of Health Executive Director, the Health Disparities Council Manager, and the Board’s fiscal analyst.
  • Provides guidance and direction to the Community Outreach Coordinator assigned to support the Task Force to ensure meaningful community and tribal engagement into all activities of the Task Force, including assuring the provision of language assistance services and general communications activities.
  • Provides guidance and direction to the Administrative Assistant assigned to support the Task force on meeting locations, equipment and set up needs, and other support needed.

• Provides policy consultation and general support to the Task Force and stakeholders.
  • Researches and responds to questions from the Task Force Co-Chairs and members.
  • Provides expert advice and consultation to the Task Force Co-Chairs and members.
  • Serves as the primary point of contact for the Task Force with identified stakeholders, including the Legislature; the Governor’s Office; state agencies, boards, and commissions; business and labor sectors, and community-based organizations.

• Drafts the final legislative report.
  • Drafts and formats report content.
  • Briefs the Task Force on the report for review and approval and makes any needed revisions.
  • Submits the report in a timely fashion.
  • May be called upon to present report findings to the Governor’s Interagency Council on Health Disparities, the Legislature, and other groups.

What we’re looking for

Our ideal candidate understands how structural discrimination limits opportunity and creates inequity, including environmental injustice.  They will be a culturally humble and outward focused individual who will center community expertise while working effectively across sectors to create recommendations for incorporating environmental justice principles into state government decision making.

Our ideal candidate MUST be comfortable discussing issues of race, institutional racism, and oppression.

Required Qualifications

• OPTION 1:  Five (5) years of experience in environmental health/science, public health, community development planning, public policy, project management, or health education/promotion.

OR 

• OPTION 2:  A Bachelor’s degree in environmental health/science, public health, community development planning, public policy, or a closely related field and three (3) years of experience in environmental health/science, public health, community development planning, public policy, project management, or health education/promotion.

OR 

• OPTION 3:  A Master’s degree in environmental health/science, public health, community development planning, public policy, or a closely related field and two (2) years of experience in environmental health/science, public health, community development planning, public policy, project management, or health education/promotion.

Desired Qualifications 

• Demonstrated experience in the following:
  • Staffing a board, council, commission, task force, or other similar group.
  • Facilitating discussions with diverse stakeholders to reach agreement.
  • Understanding of public health and/or environmental public health topics.
  • Lived experience with environmental injustice.
  • Working with diverse communities and tribes.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Understanding of the Washington State government system and agency responsibilities.

Conditions of Employment/Working Conditions
With or without an accommodation, I am willing and able to:

• Work indoors, in an open office environment with possible conversation and other noise distractions.
• Work at a tobacco-free campus and environment.
• Standard business hours are 8am to 5pm, Monday through Friday.  A flexible work schedule or telework may be considered upon request and supervisory approval.

• Occasionally work in excess of 40 hours per week and/or to adjust normally scheduled hours, which may include evening and weekends, to meet program needs and critical deadlines.
• Travel throughout the state which may include overnight stays, as required, while performing the duties of this position.
• Work in a fast-paced/stressful environment with multiple priorities and competing deadlines.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding information accessed or discussed while performing the duties of the position.
• Extensive participation in meetings with government staff and other stakeholders.
• Interact and work with customers (some of whom may be frustrated or distressed) in a positive, friendly, and supportive manner that meets the needs and standards of the office and the agency.

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

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is an equal opportunity employer.  DOH strives to create a working environment that is inclusive and respectful.  It is our policy to prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, political affiliation, genetics, or disability in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of our workforce.

If you have questions, need alternative formats or other assistance please contact Cher Williams at (360) 236-4545, cher.williams@doh.wa.gov, or TDD Relay at 1-800-833-6384 or 7-1-1. Technical support is provided by NEOGOV, 855-524-5627 (can’t log in, password or email issues, error messages).

Application Process

Intrigued? We’d love to hear from you.  Click “Apply” to submit your detailed application profile along with the following:

1. A letter of interest, describing how you meet the specific required and desired qualifications for this position
2. A current resume.
3. Three (3) or more professional references, to be included in your profile.

Do not attach transcripts or other documents that are not requested in the Application Process. These documents will not be forwarded to the hiring manager.