Tumwater, Washington
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Posted: 06-May-26
Location: Tumwater, Washington
Type: Full Time
Salary: $162,324.00 Annually
Internal Number: DOH8917
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.
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 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.
