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

Description
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

Work arrangement
Yes