Chief of Communications & Health Education (DOH8917) Full Time NEW

This position offers a hybrid arrangement, blending remote flexibility with onsite presence at our DOH facility in Tumwater, WA.

Make an Impact Where It Matters Most

Step into a highly visible leadership role at the epicenter of public health strategy, where communication and health education isn’t just messaging, it’s influence, trust, and action. As the Chief of the Office of Communications and Health Education, you will guide how critical health information reaches communities across Washington, shaping behavior, strengthening partnerships, and ensuring the agency speaks with clarity, credibility, and purpose.

This role sits on the agency’s strategy team and reports to the Chief of Staff, with direct influence on how public health priorities are understood and acted upon statewide. You’ll lead the integration of communications and health education into every corner of the organization, aligning strategy, policy, and execution to drive meaningful outcomes.

What You’ll Do

Set the Vision for Communications and Health Education

• Lead and direct the Office of Communications and Health Education, aligning all functions with agency priorities and executive direction.
• Develop and sustain a comprehensive, agencywide communications and health promotion strategy, both proactive and reactive.
• Ensure messaging reflects evidence-based practices that influence community and individual health behaviors.

Lead High-Impact Communication Functions

• Oversee integrated communications and health promotion across media relations, risk communications, strategic storytelling, digital platforms, social media, web, video, and design.
• Ensure all communications are timely, accurate, high-quality, and aligned with agency priorities.
• Approve high-visibility products and set quality standards.

Drive Strategy, Policy, and Organizational Alignment

• Direct communications and health education policy development and ensure compliance with agency standards.
• Align communications and health education efforts with broader agency planning and policy initiatives.
• Support and advance the agency’s policy agenda through strategic approaches.

Lead People, Resources, and Operations

• Manage a large, complex portfolio including budget, personnel, and contracts.
• Oversee approximately 80 staff, including direct supervision of 5 leaders.
• Direct resource allocation across a $38.4M operating budget to meet strategic priorities.
• Champion performance management, continuous improvement, and innovation across the office.

Strengthen Partnerships and External Engagement

• Build and maintain relationships across government, healthcare, community organizations, and professional associations.
• Navigate complex, high-visibility environments involving elected officials and diverse partners.
• Serve as a key advisor and connector between agency leadership and external audiences.

Champion Culture, Equity, and Engagement

• Foster a diverse, engaged workforce and inclusive practices.
• Ensure messaging reaches and resonates with historically underrepresented communities.
• Model leadership grounded in integrity, professionalism, and public service.

Why This Role Matters

This is more than a communications leadership role. It is a strategic lever for public health impact. The decisions made here shape how people understand risks, access resources, and make informed choices about their health.

You’ll lead efforts that influence statewide outcomes, from everyday health education to high-stakes emergency messaging. In moments that matter most, this role ensures the right message reaches the right people at the right time, with clarity and trust.

At the agency level, your work drives alignment, strengthens credibility, and elevates how public health shows up for communities. At the community level, it translates into real-world behavior change and improved health outcomes across Washington.

Required Qualifications

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.

Non-Degree Pathway (Option 1)

Twelve (12) years of experience in communications, public affairs, health education, or a closely related field. Experience should include a combination of developing and leading communications, health education, or public engagement strategies, managing staff and resources, and overseeing multiple programs or functional areas.

Degree Pathway (Option 2)

Bachelor’s degree or higher in communications, public health, public administration, business administration, journalism, or a closely related field; and ten (10) years of experience in communications, public affairs, health education, or a closely related field. Experience should include a combination of developing and leading communications, health education, or public engagement strategies, managing staff and resources, and overseeing multiple programs or functional areas.

Additional Qualifications Required For Both Options

• Five (5) years in a senior leadership role overseeing complex, multi-functional communications, health education, or public engagement programs.
• Experience advising executive leadership on communications strategy.
• Experience with risk communication, crisis communication, or emergency response messaging
• Demonstrated leadership of enterprise or statewide communications or health education strategies.
• Experience leading multiple communications functions such as media relations, digital communications, branding, or public outreach.
• Experience applying equity, diversity, and inclusion principles in communications, public engagement, or health education programs, including developing or delivering messaging that reaches historically underrepresented or marginalized communities using culturally and linguistically appropriate approaches.
• Experience working with external partners such as government agencies, community organizations, or public sector stakeholders.
• Experience managing budgets, allocating resources, and overseeing contracts or vendor services.
• Experience developing policies, procedures, or organizational standards related to communications or public engagement.
• Experience reviewing and approving high-visibility communications products for accuracy, clarity, and consistency.
• Knowledge of public sector communications practices, including working in politically sensitive or high-visibility environments.
• Knowledge of health promotion or health education principles and how messaging influences behavior.

Preferred Qualifications

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

• Master’s degree in communications, public health, public administration, business administration, journalism, or a closely related field
• Experience working in a state, local, or federal government agency.
• Experience in public health communications or health education programs.
• Experience leading organizational change, performance management, or continuous improvement initiatives.

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 the positions, 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 Tumwater, WA. 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; however, the position may be expected to work longer hours to complete assignments, meet business demands, and during the annual legislative session. A flexible and/or compressed work schedule will be considered at the incumbent’s request, subject to supervisory approval.
• Travel Requirements: Infrequent travel may be assigned as needed within Washington and possible national travel on occasion. 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: Duties require the use of standard office equipment such as office and remote work equipment, cell phone, and reliable internet connection.
• Customer Interactions: This position is a primary point of contact for agency leadership, other state agencies, local agencies, and other partners.
• Other: The DOH campus is a smoke-free, drug-free, alcohol-free, scent-neutral environment. This position may be required to conduct 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 Zach Covington at Zach.Covington@doh.wa.gov and reference the DOH8917 recruitment number.

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

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Supplemental Information

Only applicants who follow the directions and complete the Application Process in full will have their responses reviewed for consideration.