Public Health Community Engagement Strategist (MA 5) DOH9019

Description
Equity & Social Justice Strategist
This home-based (remote) position is open to Washington residents and those living in Oregon and Idaho only.
This project position is currently funded through November 30, 2027.
The Opportunity
As the Public Health Community Engagement Strategist, you will lead statewide community engagement and partnership initiatives that bring community perspectives and lived experience into public health policy, planning, and decision-making. Reporting to the Community Investments and Engagement Manager within the Center for Community Relations and Equity, you will provide strategic leadership for the Health Justice Community Advisory Committee (HJCAC) and Community Collaborative, building meaningful relationships with community leaders, local health jurisdictions, Tribal Nations, state agencies, and cross-sector partners.
You will guide the planning, implementation, and evaluation of these initiatives, creating opportunities for communities disproportionately affected by health inequities to influence public health priorities and strategies. This includes facilitating community partnerships, developing engagement approaches, identifying barriers to equitable access, and translating community feedback into actionable recommendations for agency leadership. You will also lead cross-agency projects that address systemic barriers, improve public health services and information, and strengthen how the agency incorporates community expertise into its work.
Through strategic consultation, project leadership, and collaboration across government and community organizations, you will help ensure public health policies, programs, and resources are informed by the experiences and needs of the people they are intended to serve.
Key Responsibilities Include
Lead the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the Health Justice Community Advisory Committee and Community Collaborative, ensuring community perspectives inform agency priorities, policies, and strategies.
Build and maintain relationships with community leaders, Tribal Nations, local health jurisdictions, state agencies, and cross-sector partners to strengthen collaboration and address health inequities.
Develop and implement community engagement strategies that center lived experience, expand community representation, and create meaningful opportunities for participation in public health decision-making.
Translate community input, qualitative research, and engagement findings into actionable recommendations that address systemic inequities and inform agency policies, programs, and resource decisions.
Identify barriers to equitable access to public health information, services, and resources, and lead efforts to develop culturally and linguistically appropriate solutions.
Lead cross-agency equity and social justice initiatives, including project planning, implementation, evaluation, and coordination of deliverables across programs and partners.
Advise agency leadership and program teams on community engagement, health equity, and policy and systems change strategies, developing tools, training, and resources to strengthen agency practices.
Manage contracts and agreements supporting community engagement initiatives, including contractor relationships, deliverables, and compliance with agency requirements.
Why You’ll Love This Role
This role offers the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with communities and partners while shaping how community perspectives and lived experiences inform public health decisions. You will lead collaborative initiatives, develop strategies to address barriers to equitable access, and work across government and public health systems to create lasting improvements. Your work will help ensure that public health policies, programs, and resources reflect the needs of Washington communities, particularly those most affected by health inequities, and contribute to more inclusive and equitable public health practices statewide.
The Ideal Candidate
You are a strategic, collaborative professional who builds trust and meaningful partnerships with diverse communities. You can translate community experiences and engagement findings into practical recommendations and organizational improvements. You navigate complex partnerships, bring people together around shared goals, and approach your work with cultural humility and respect for lived experience. You are committed to advancing equitable public health practices through inclusive, community-centered approaches.
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 (6) years of professional experience leading or coordinating community engagement initiatives, developing equity-focused strategies, building cross-sector partnerships, or implementing projects addressing systemic inequities.
Option 2: A bachelor's degree or higher in public health, public administration, social sciences, community development, public policy, or a related field, AND two years of experience leading or coordinating community engagement initiatives, developing equity-focused strategies, building cross-sector partnerships, or implementing projects addressing systemic inequities.
Additional Required Knowledge, Skills, And Experience
Experience working in public health, state or local government.
Experience planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating community engagement initiatives or health-related programs and projects.
Experience leading multiple complex projects involving community partners, competing priorities, and defined deliverables.
Experience developing and implementing strategies to address systemic inequities or social determinants of health.
Experience incorporating community input, lived experience, and identified needs into program plans, policies, or initiatives.
Experience building and maintaining partnerships with community-based organizations, public agencies, or other invested partners.
Experience planning and facilitating accessible meetings, advisory committees, or collaborative convenings with community partners.
Experience developing written recommendations, reports, or action plans to inform organizational decisions, policy development, or systems change.
Experience managing project deliverables, contracts, or agreements, including monitoring progress and ensuring compliance with established requirements.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience advising senior leadership on health equity, community engagement, or policy and systems change.
Experience developing culturally and linguistically appropriate public health materials, outreach strategies, or communications.
Experience using qualitative research methods, such as interviews, focus groups, or surveys, to inform program or policy decisions.
Experience developing training, tools, or resources to strengthen community engagement and equity practices.
Experience applying trauma-informed or healing-centered approaches to community engagement.
Proficiency in a language other than English
Experience managing contracts, invoices, and/or vendor relationships.
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. As a DOH employee, 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 .
The Office of Government and Community Affairs (OGCA)
Bringing community voices to the center of public health.
The Office of Government and Community Affairs (OGCA) advances public health priorities through policy, strategic partnerships, and collaboration across all levels of government. Working with Tribal Nations, local health jurisdictions, community organizations, and partners across Washington, OGCA helps shape public health policy and strengthen systems to improve health and advance equity statewide.
Housed within OGCA, the Center for Community Relations and Equity (CRE) works to address health inequities by elevating community perspectives and strengthening the agency’s ability to incorporate equity into public health policies, programs, and strategies.
About The Washington State Department Of Health
We're nearly 2,700 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 . Our work depends on people who take action to learn and grow and who take action to meet the needs of others every

Experience
2+ yrs

Work arrangement
Yes