Program Specialist II - Vital Records (Health Department)
Snohomish County
FreshPosted Mar 27
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Posted: April 1, 2026 (1 day ago)
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Vital Records Amendments Specialist (HSC 1) DOH8882
State of Washington
Dept. of Health
Location
Washington, 98504
Salary
$3,925 - $5,271
per month
Type
Full-Time
More Other jobs →Closes
April 8, 2026
SES Pay Grade
Base salary range: $147,649 - $221,900
Typical requirements: Executive-level leadership experience. Senior executive qualifications required.
Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).
Job Description
Summary
This job involves reviewing and updating official records like birth, death, marriage, and adoption certificates to ensure they are accurate and follow the law.
You'll check documents, decide on requests for changes, and help people understand the process.
It's a good fit for someone who is detail-focused, good at making fair decisions, and enjoys working with rules and sensitive information.
Key Requirements
- Two years of experience applying laws, policies, or procedures to complete work or make decisions, or an associate degree plus one year of such experience
- Strong attention to detail and ability to interpret complex legal documents
- Sound judgment for approving or denying amendment requests independently
- Clear communication skills to guide the public, attorneys, and partners on processes
- Organizational skills to handle sensitive, high-stakes situations professionally
- Experience researching and resolving complex cases, including historical records
- Familiarity with maintaining accurate records and identifying potential fraud
Full Job Description
Vital Records Amendments Specialist
This is a full-time onsite position located at our DOH facility in Tumwater, WA. This Non-Permanent Appointment has a duration of 12 months.
The Opportunity
As the Vital Records Amendment Specialist, you will review and process requests to correct or update official birth, death, marriage, and adoption records. This includes evaluating legal documents, interpreting state and federal laws, and determining whether requested changes meet requirements.
You will provide clear guidance to the public and partners on amendment processes and make independent decisions to approve or deny requests. Your work ensures vital records are accurate, legally compliant, and usable for identity verification and access to services across Washington.
Key Responsibilities Include:
- Interpret and apply state and federal laws to evaluate requests for vital record amendments, corrections, adoptions, and parentage actions
- Assess applications, court orders, and supporting documentation to determine if requests meet legal and policy requirements
- Approve or deny amendment requests using independent judgment while ensuring consistency, accuracy, and compliance
- Provide technical guidance to the public, attorneys, healthcare providers, and government partners on amendment processes and legal requirements
- Research complex cases, including historical records and prior amendments, to resolve issues and determine appropriate next steps
- Update and maintain the statewide vital records system (WHALES) to reflect approved changes and ensure accurate recordkeeping
- Identify potential fraud risks and escalate concerns to protect the integrity of vital records
- Contribute to policy development, process improvements, and quality initiatives to strengthen program operations
Why You’ll Love This Role:
- You’ll work on complex, real-world cases where your judgment and attention to detail matter
- You’ll build expertise in laws, policies, and processes that directly impact people’s lives
- You’ll help individuals navigate important life events by ensuring their records are accurate and usable
- You’ll play a key role in maintaining a system people rely on for identity, legal processes, and access to services
What You Bring:
You are detail oriented and use sound judgment when working through complex information and legal requirements. You communicate clearly with a wide range of people and can explain processes in a way that makes sense.
You stay organized, consistent, and professional, even when handling sensitive or high stakes situations. You take pride in accurate work and understand the importance of getting it right.
Minimum 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: Two (2) years of experience applying laws, policies, or procedures to complete work or make decisions.
Option 2: Associate degree or higher; AND one (1) or more years of experience applying laws, policies, or procedures to complete work or make decisions.
AND the following experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities:
- Experience reviewing information for accuracy and completeness
- Experience applying established procedures or guidelines to complete work
- Experience delivering services in a respectful and inclusive manner to individuals from diverse backgrounds, ensuring fair and consistent application of policies and procedures
- Experience providing clear guidance and resolving customer inquiries, issues, or complaints across multiple communication channels such as phone, email, or in person
- Experience managing a high-volume workload with frequent interruptions while maintaining accuracy and timeliness
- Ability to handle sensitive or confidential information appropriately
- Basic computer skills and experience entering or updating information in a system
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, performing tasks such as creating and formatting spreadsheets, entering and organizing data, using basic formulas and functions, and working across multiple worksheets
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, performing tasks such as creating, editing, and formatting documents, using standard text formatting, lists, and basic layout features
PreferredQualifications
While these aren’t required, having them can help you stand out as a candidate.
- Experience working with vital records, health records, or other identity-related documentation
- Experience working in a government, public health, legal, or regulatory environment
- Knowledge of family law, adoption, parentage, or court order requirements
- Experience interpreting and applying laws, rules, or policies to complete work or make decisions
- Experience using data or case management systems, such as WHALES or similar vital records, legal, or healthcare databases, to update, maintain, or retrieve records
- Experience providing guidance to customers or partners on complex or regulated processes
- Experience handling escalated or complex inquiries, including legal or public records requests
- Experience supporting process improvement, policy updates, or quality assurance efforts
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 Vital Records
Vital Records is a statewide program within the Washington State Department of Health and operates as part of the Center for Health Statistics. We are responsible for the registration, amendment, preservation, and issuance of Washington’s official birth, death, marriage, and divorce records.
Each year, we register approximately 90,000 births, 55,000 deaths, 45,000 marriages, and 25,000 divorces, and process more than 50,000 amendments and corrections. Our work ensures these records remain accurate, legally compliant, and available when individuals and families need them.
Vital records establish identity, confirm family relationships, and support access to benefits, healthcare, travel, and other essential services.
Through statewide systems, policy oversight, and strong partnerships with counties, hospitals, funeral directors, and other agencies, we maintain the integrity and reliability of Washington’s official records.
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 this position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Work Setting:
- This position's work must be completed at the DOH facility located in Tumwater, WA.
- Exposure to hazards is limited to those commonly found in indoor at home or office environments.
- This position is sedentary, working at a computer for extended periods.
- The position requires repetitive use of a computer, inputting data and navigating a database, creating and modifying electronic documents, and using email and the internet.
- The position requires may require working in an open cubicle office setting.
- The position requires[may require] working in an open cubicle office setting.
Schedule:
- Standard DOH business hours are Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The position would not normally require working in excess of 40 hours per week, but if it became necessary for business needs, your supervisor would notify you in advance.
- This position would not normally work an alternate schedule, but requests may be considered and are subject to supervisory approval.
Travel Requirements:
- Travel is not required to perform the duties of this position; however occasional travel may be expected to attend meetings, trainings, or conferences.
- 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:
- This position uses standard office furniture and equipment, such as a desk, office chair, cell phone, computer, monitor(s), keyboard, and mouse; and when in the office, the position may also require the use of a printer, phone, fax machine, and/or copy machine.
Customer Interactions:
- The position regularly requires engaging with customers in a variety of settings agency staff, agency managers, agency supervisors, legislators, governor's office staff, and local health jurisdictions.
- The position requires daily interactions on the telephone and in writing with customers, some of whom may be upset, frustrated, or irate.
Other:
- This position is covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.
- The DOH campus is a smoke-free, drug-free, alcohol-free, scent-neutral environment.
- This position may be required to conduct and/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 Shawnelle Goalder, Talent Acquisition Consultant/Recruiterat employment@doh.wa.gov and reference DOH8882 in the subject.
Technical Support: Reach out to NEOGOV directly at 1-855-524-5627 for technical support and login issues.
Additional Information
This recruitment may be used to fill positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment are filled, the candidate pool may be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days.
Only applicants who follow the directions and complete the Application Process in full will have their responses reviewed for consideration.
Experience and education selected, listed, or detailed in the Supplemental Questions must be verifiable on the submitted applicant profile.
Check your resume before applying to catch common mistakes