H.R. 1 Communications Consultant 3 (CC3/COM)

State-of-Washingto; Olympia (WA); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work flexibility

Paid holidays

Employee wellness programs

Job summary

Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) seeks a Communications Consultant 3 to support HR 1 (Apple Health) communications, including web content, fact sheets, and client-facing pages. You will coordinate publication processes, manage complex requests, and advise leadership on communications strategy.

The role emphasizes equity, plain language, and collaboration with the visual communications and policy teams. Hybrid work with in-state travel is expected.

Qualifications

• Plan strategically, identify communications needs, and develop goals with clear work plans.
• Explain complex technical information to non-technical audiences using plain language.
• Work independently and in teams to deliver results.
• Knowledge of state health care programs, Apple Health (Medicaid), and HR 1.
• Apply health equity principles to communications strategies.
• Experience with government agencies, health care providers, and public/private stakeholders.
• Use social media tools to reach multiple audiences.
• Accreditation in public relations and excellent writing skills.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate Apple Health HR 1 publication processes and web content.
• Manage complex requests, reviews, approvals, and web updates.
• Lead bi-annual Drupal content review with the visual communications team.
• Advise leadership on HR 1 communications strategies.
• Write and edit materials including forms, infographics, publications, and FAQs.
• Coordinate outreach requests for HR 1 with agency staff.
• Oversee reviews and updates for Apple Health handbooks.
• Support social media and video production efforts.

Skills

Drupal

Public relations

Mass communications

Change management

Writing & proofreading

Health care communications

Tools

Granicus

Job description

H.R. 1 Communications Consultant 3

This is a full-time permanent hybrid position that will occasionally be required to attend an in-person meeting or event based on business needs.

All HCA employees are required to be Washington state residents upon their first day of employment.

The Opportunity

As a communications consultant, you will support a broad range of products including webpages, fact sheets, translations, internal communications, and communications toolkits for Apple Health (Medicaid) changes related to House Resolution 1 (H.R. 1), also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBA). You’ll also collaborate with other communications staff to support other agency initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate Apple Health (H.R. 1) publication processes, including materials and web content.
• Manage complex requests, reviews, edits, approvals, and web updates.
• Coordinate the annual review process for Apple Health publications and manage process with HCA visual communications team, including improving readability and distribution of complex publications.
• Lead the bi-annual Drupal web content review of relevant sections of the HCA website.
• Consult and advise communications division leadership about complex H.R. 1 communications strategies.
• Write and edit Apple Health (H.R. 1) communications materials, including forms, infographics, publications, fact sheets, FAQs, and letters.
• Write and edit Apple Health (H.R. 1) client-facing pages on HCA’s website using website analytics and other data.
• Coordinate with agency staff on outreach requests for H.R. 1.
• Manage the reviews, edits, approvals, and updates for Apple Health managed care member handbooks.
• Support HCA social media and video lead, including supporting video production.

Why You’ll Love This Role

• You’ll play a critical role in communicating significant changes to Apple Health members across the state whose coverage will be impacted by federal changes coming to Medicaid.
• Your work will be highly visible across the state.
• You’ll make a difference for people who rely on Apple Health.
• You’ll have the opportunity to support executive photo and video production.
• You’ll appreciate the State benefits, stability, and remote work flexibility.

What You Bring

• Experience coordinating mass communication campaigns.
• Familiarity with the health care industry, Apple Health (Medicaid), and H.R. 1.
• Experience participating in change management projects.
• Web management experience with Drupal or a similar tool.
• Excitement to support vulnerable populations in Washington by sharing accurate information about their health care coverage.

Required Qualifications

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 application.

• Demonstrated ability to plan strategically, identify communications needs, and develop goals and comprehensive work plans for achieving those goals.
• Demonstrated ability to clearly communicate complex technical information verbally and in writing to a non-technical audience, including the application of plain language principles to legally precise documents.
• Ability to work independently and in groups.
• Knowledge of state health care programs, commercial health care insurance and current health care issues.
• Understanding of health equity principles and how to apply them to communications strategies.
• Demonstrated skills working with government agencies, health care providers, health care insurers and/or public/private health care stakeholders/customers.
• Demonstrated ability to use social media tools to communicate with multiple audiences.
• Accreditation in public relations.
• Excellent writing and proof-reading skills.

Required Competencies:

• Equity lens – All HCA employees are required to consider equity in their decisions, processes, and day-to-day work, including how their work may affect the people and communities we serve.
• The ability to take action to learn and grow – You take action to learn and grow by seeking new perspectives, learning from experiences, and using what you’ve learned to continuously improve how you work and serve others.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others – You take action to meet the needs of others by listening, understanding different perspectives, and responding with care, respect, and solutions that support the people of the communities we serve.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of relevant health care content, such as health care coverage, Apple Health (Medicaid), and the effects of H.R. 1.
• Experience participating in change management projects as part of a communications team.
• Experience coordinating mass communication campaigns that reach a diverse audience.
• Hands-on experience with Drupal or an equivalent web management tool.
• Hands-on experience managing mass email campaigns using Granicus (formerly GovDelivery) or a similar email distribution tool.
• Expertise navigating paid outreach systems, e.g. social media advertising.
• A combination of seven (7) years of higher education and/or professional experience in communications, journalism, or public relations.

About the Division

The Communications Division provides strategic leadership and operational support for external and internal communications on agency business and strategic initiatives for HCA.

About the Washington State Health Care Authority

Better Health. Better Care. A Healthier Washington.

At HCA, we work to ensure people across Washington have the opportunity to be as healthy as possible. As the State’s largest health care purchaser and behavioral health authority, HCA serves nearly 3 million Washington residents through Apple Health (Medicaid), Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) and School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) programs, and behavioral health services. Through this work, HCA purchases and coordinated care coverage, supports behavioral health prevention, treatment, crisis response, and recovery and helps strengthen access to high-quality care across Washington.

More than a benefits package:

We want our employees to have the support, flexibility, and benefits they need to do our best work and build a career that works for their life. As a Washington State HCA employee, you’ll have access to a comprehensive benefits package that supports your health, financial well-being, and work-life balance. Our benefits are designed to support you today while helping you plan for the future. Learn more about why HCA by visiting the Voices of HCA and the Who we are section of our website.

Your total compensation is more than your paycheck:

• Remote work and flexible schedules
• Medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and 12 paid holidays
• Paid Family and Medical Leave (PMFL)
• Retirement options to plan for the future
• Training and professional development opportunities
• Employee wellness programs
• Learn more about Washington State Employee Benefits

Work Location and Schedule

This is a full-time 40-hour-per-week hybrid position. You will report to the HCA office located in Olympia, WA for in-person work. Our standard business hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with alternative work schedules considered based on business needs. When working in-person, you will work in a shared space, open office environment. In this role you'll regularly collaborate with colleagues, agency leaders, state and federal partners, and other external partners or customers. Occasional travel may be required for meetings, training, or other business needs. All employees are required to report to our Olympia office on their first and final day of employment.

Our commitment to an inclusive workplace:

The Health Care Authority is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating a workplace where employees are respected, included, and supported in bringing their experiences, perspectives, and ideas to work.

Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in how we work together and serve the people of Washington. HCA also supports five voluntary employee led Employee Resources Groups (ERGs), which create opportunities for connection, community, learning, and professional growth.

Veterans

We value the experience and skill veterans bring to the workforce and encourage veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses to apply. Eligible veterans may qualify for veterans’ preference in accordance with Washington State Law. If you are claiming veterans’ preference, you must attach your applicable DD-214 documentation to your application. Please redact your social security number, date of birth, and any other sensitive information before uploading and attaching the document.

The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is an E-Verify employer. All applicants with a legal right to work in the United States are encouraged to apply.

E-Verify is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.