Water Recreation Program Technical Lead (PHA 4) DOH8794

Full Job Description

Public Health Advisor 4

Environmental Public Health – Office of Environmental Health and Safety

Permanent · Full-time · Remote/Field

The Opportunity

This role supports the Washington State Department of Health’s mission to protect and improve health through equity, innovation, and engagement.

Located within the Division of Environmental Public Health (EPH) in the Office of Environmental Health and Safety (OEHS), this position serves as the lead technical expert for the Water Recreation Program, helping ensure water recreation facilities across the state are healthy and safe for all.

You’ll lead consultation, policy direction, and technical evaluation related to water recreation health and safety, while mentoring and training other professionals. This position reports to the Water Recreation and Food Safety Section Manager.

Expectations and Responsibilities

• Serve as the lead technical authority on water recreation health and safety policies, regulations, and practices
• Provide consultation, guidance, and evaluation on complex technical issues and regulations related to water recreation facilities
• Train and support other lead professionals and program staff in virtual, classroom, and field settings
• Provide technical expertise and leadership in response to illness outbreaks and safety incidents
• Utilize community engagement practices to inform program decisions and policy development

Why You’ll Love This Role

You’ll have the opportunity to influence statewide public health protections, work on meaningful water recreation health and safety initiatives, and collaborate with passionate professionals committed to healthy, safe places where people live, work, and play.

This role offers both technical leadership and mission-driven impact.

The Ideal Candidate

You are a collaborative public health or environmental health professional with strong technical expertise in water recreation safety.

You bring experience interpreting and applying regulations, enjoy mentoring others, and value equity-centered, community-informed public health work.

Experience working with Tribal partners and applying environmental justice principles is highly valued.

Location and Flexibility

We value work-life balance and offer the convenience of remote work with occasional in-person collaboration opportunities.

Travel to meetings, training, and field investigations is sometimes required and may occur outside of normal work hours and would be scheduled in advance when possible.

This is a remote/home-based position available to applicants residing anywhere in Washington State, as well as those living near the Oregon/Washington border and the Idaho/Washington border.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

We value all relevant experience (paid or unpaid) and encourage applicants from all backgrounds. You must meet at least ONE of the options provided and any additional criteria listed.

Experience may have been gained through paid or unpaid activities. While “Preferred Experience” is not required, these skills or experiences can help you stand out as a candidate.

Please ensure any relevant experience defined below is outlined in your cover letter, resume, and/or applicant profile.

Option 1: A master’s degree or higher in Public Health, Environmental Health, Environmental Science, or another closely allied science AND 4 years of experience in a regulatory water recreation program performing the required skills and abilities listed below.

Option 2: A bachelor’s degree in public health, Environmental Health, Environmental Science, or another closely allied science AND 6 years of experience in a regulatory water recreation program performing the required skills and abilities listed below.

Option 3: 10 years of experience in a regulatory water recreation program performing the required skills and abilities listed below.

Additional Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Experience:

• Interpreting regulations and statutes and providing technical assistance regarding water recreation hazards or issues.
• Conducting water recreation inspections and outbreak investigations and writing comprehensive reports
• Developing and presenting training and educational outreach on water recreation health and safety hazards or issues to a broad scope of partners
• Participating in the development of water recreation health and safety guidance, best practices, policies, or rules

Preferred/Desired Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Experience:

• Two years of experience as a lead for a local, state, and/or federal regulatory or health services program
• Registered as an Environmental Health Specialist or Sanitarian in either Washington State or by the National Environmental Health Association
• Possess current Pool / Spa Operator Certification, issued by the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance, or Aquatic Facility Operator Certification issued by the National Recreation and Park Association.

We are the Washington State Department of Health (DOH)

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.

To learn more about the DOH please visit doh.wa.gov and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and our blog, Public Health Connections.

Benefits and Lifestyle

We prioritize your work-life balance and offer one of the most competitive benefits packages nationwide, tailored to support your lifestyle. Discover more about "Why DOH" by visiting Work@Health.

Conditions of Employment:

This position is covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.

I am prepared, with or without accommodation, to do the following:

APPLICATION DIRECTIONS:

To apply, click "Apply" and complete the application. Attach your resume, and cover letter.

In your Applicant Profile, include at least three professional references (including a supervisor, a peer, and someone you’ve supervised or led, if applicable). Please do not include private information such as social security number or year of birth.

Do attach the following:

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

Do not include or attach the following – these documents or details will not be reviewed:

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 Andrea Thieme at employment@doh.wa.gov and reference the assigned “DOHXXXX” recruitment number.

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.