Emergency Management Specialist - Risk Communications (Health Department)

Snohomish County; Everett (WA); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Snohomish County Health Department is seeking a Risk Communications Specialist to lead the program’s messaging during preparedness and emergency activations. You will develop pre-scripted and incident-specific messages, coordinate with the Communications team, and integrate risk communication into plans, trainings, and exercises.

The role requires turning complex health information into clear, culturally responsive messages under time pressure, building strong partnerships, and working across

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in Emergency Management or closely related field.
• Two (2) years of Public Health, Emergency Management or closely related field, preferred.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and respond to public health emergencies as a member of the PHEPR Program.
• Embed equity, access, and inclusion into all work.
• Coordinate with regional partners on cross-jurisdiction topics.
• Maintain documentation and records.
• Coordinate trainings and briefings for partner presentations.
• Respond to Emergency Operations Centers during activations.

Skills

Communication

Public health knowledge

Emergency management coordination

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Emergency Management

Master’s degree (preferred)

Job description

Why Join Snohomish County?

Snohomish County’s commitment to life-work balance and an inclusive culture. The County offers outstanding benefits and professional growth opportunities to our employees, and we also enjoy flexible work schedules, telework options and a convenient downtown Everett, WA. location. Snohomish County believes in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and is committed to embedding these values into our workplace culture. Snohomish County is located on the Puget Sound; we are situated near some of the country’s most scenic national parks and is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live in the U.S.

Teleworking Options

The Health Department typically has a hybrid model for most roles; however, it is outlined by the supervisor for the given role based on performance and business needs. When working remotely, employees are expected to maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours. Snohomish County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely.

Description

Snohomish County Health Department is recruiting a Risk Communications Specialist to join our Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response (PHEPR) team in the Office of the Director. This role leads the program’s risk communication work, from preparedness messaging during steady-state periods to real‑time support during emergency activations.

The Risk Communications Specialist develops pre-scripted and incident-specific messages, coordinates with the department’s Communications team and Public Information Officer, and builds risk communication into our emergency plans, trainings, and exercises. During responses, the specialist supports public information operations and partner coordination. After exercises and incidents, the specialist leads communication-focused after‑action work and carries improvements back into plans and training.

We are looking for someone who can turn complex, evolving health information into clear, accurate, culturally responsive messages under time pressure. The right candidate builds strong working relationships with partners, has great communication skills, and is comfortable working in dynamic environments.

Examples of Work Performed

• Prepare and respond to public health emergencies using skills, training, and procedures as a member of the PHEPR Program. Participate in and support emergency responses in assigned ICS roles and tasks.
• Contribute to annual Integrated Preparedness Plans (IPP), AARs/IPs, risk/capability assessments (e.g., THIRA/SPR, HVA), readiness assessments, and corrective-action tracking work.
• Embed and integrate equity, access, and inclusion principles into all work—including planning, training, exercises, outreach, volunteer management, partner engagement, and response operations.
• Maintain accurate documentation (plans, SOPs, checklists, job aids, rosters, inventories) and accurate records (training completions, inventories, volunteer rosters, MOUs, AARs/IPs, assessments) in shared repositories, ensuring consistency with grant and program requirements.
• Coordinate with Region 1 and Puget Sound partners on cross-jurisdiction topics, projects, and priorities (e.g., ESF-8, fatality management, surge planning, alternate care, etc.). Build and sustain the relationships needed for effective emergency preparedness and response.
• Support risk communication, information management, and situational awareness processes; keep public‑facing preparedness information current and accurate.
• Participate in required public health or emergency management trainings/drills/exercises; maintain role‑appropriate credentials.
• Collaborate with Health Department staff to support effective emergency preparedness and response functions.
• Maintain working knowledge of ICS/NIMS and fulfilling assigned Emergency Operations Center or Incident Management Team roles during trainings, exercises, and responses.
• Coordinate with local, regional, and state partners (DEM, NWHRN, EMS Council, mortuary services, healthcare facilities, DHS BioWatch, UASI workgroups, etc.) to share resources, lessons learned, and best practices.
• Support WebEOC needs for the health department, collaborate with external partners as needed; ensure staff have access to emergency notifications, complete all required WA Secures drills.
• Support staff and volunteer readiness, departmental logistics and operations, and resource management (through tasks such as WAServ rosters, MCM inventories/trailers, Power BI trackers, readiness assessments, etc.) consistent with program needs and requirements.
• Assist with the tracking of grant‑funded deliverables (PHEP/CRI/FPHS/NACCHO/UASI), prepare succinct status reports, and contribute to relevant workplans/strategic plans.
• Coordinate the preparation and delivery of trainings, accurate briefings, and partner presentations; facilitate meetings and communities of practice; maintain SCHD preparedness and response resources (e.g., SCHD Emergency Response Toolkit, internal/external preparedness page, etc.).

Associated Duties

• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Respond, as requested, to Emergency Operations Centers during a public health/health care emergency activation.
• May be required to work extended workdays during a response, including weekends.
• Participate in local, regional, and state related meetings and communities of practice related to public health preparedness.

Skills for the position may be gained through education, certification, relevant job experience or a combination, such as:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in Emergency Management or closely related field
• Two (2) years of Public Health, Emergency Management or closely related field, preferred.

Licenses, Certifications, and Other Information

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution in Emergency Management or closely related field preferred.
• Completion of relevant emergency management courses such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Independent Study Series and appropriate National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident command System (ICS) courses; ICS 100 and 700 to be completed within two weeks of employment.
• Completion of Homeland Security Exercise Evaluation Program (HSEEP), preferred
• Valid Washington State Driver’s license or ability to obtain one within thirty (30) days of hire and a driving record which meets the requirements of Snohomish County’s insurance carrier.
• Successful completion of a background check pursuant to RCW 43.43.830.

Snohomish County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer.

Accommodations for individuals with disabilities are provided upon request.

EEO policy and ADA notice

If you have any questions regarding this opportunity, please reach out to [e-mail].

Job Offers are contingent on successful completion of reference and background checks. Snohomish County will not sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa for this opportunity. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States.