Risk Communications & Media Relations Specialist (CC 5) DOH9029

State of Washington; Tumwater (WA); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Washington’s Department of Health seeks a Risk Communications and Media Relations Specialist to lead public information efforts and media engagement across Environmental Public Health initiatives. The role requires coordinating messaging, training agency staff, and serving as a trusted spokesperson for health information.

You will work with local health partners, the media, and leadership to ensure accurate, timely health communications and effective crisis response across Washington

Qualifications

• Experience in public affairs, health policy or communications fields.
• Proven ability to coordinate media outreach and public information efforts.
• Ability to write clearly with AP style and for diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead risk communications and media relations for DOH programs.
• Prepare and coach leaders for media events and briefings.
• Develop content including press releases and talking points.

Skills

Public affairs

Public health policy

Communications

Media relations

Journaling/PR writing

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Master’s degree in communications or public health

Job description

This position offers a hybrid work arrangement, work is performed remotely or from our office located in Tumwater, WA, based on business need and employee preference.

The Opportunity

The Risk Communications and Media Relations Specialist is responsible for planning, developing, and delivering information to ensure the Department of Health is perceived as credible, relevant, and capable of protecting and improving the health of Washingtonians. By effectively serving as a Communications Consultant and Public Information Officer, you will provide key support to the department’s mission to protect and improve the health of people in Washington state.

This Communications Consultant 5 position primarily supports DOH’s Environmental Public Health (EPH) division. This position represents DOH to the media, local health partners, and public regarding key public health program and policy issues, maintaining effective relationships and ensuring that relevant, accurate, and timely information is provided.

The position manages and advises program staff about communication strategies on routine and high‑profile public health issues. They enhance the agency’s overall capacity for strategic storytelling and serve as an advisor and coach by providing media training and feedback to agency leadership and staff.

Key Responsibilities Include:

Lead risk communications and media relations for EPH programs and other DOH priorities as needed.

• Determining communications approaches and coordinating media activities across EPH and other areas of DOH, as needed, to ensure consistent messaging on public health policies, priorities, and initiatives.
• Representing the agency as a communications liaison and spokesperson to the news media and the public regarding public health policy, priorities, and issues.
• Leading public information and risk communications activities during emergencies and crises, determining appropriate communications strategies and coordinating with agency leadership, incident management teams, and local, Tribal, state, and federal partners.
• Advising Chief, Assistant Secretary, Office Directors and other top leadership on public information policies and issues, media strategy, emerging issues, and communications priorities, including participating in decision‑making processes.
• Advising program staff, agency leadership, and executives on media relations strategies and public information approaches for complex public health issues and agency priorities.
• Preparing and coaching agency staff and leadership for media events and providing feedback to strengthen communications effectiveness.
• Organizing, facilitating, and staffing virtual and in‑person media interviews, briefings, and meetings.

Serve as a Communications Specialist for DOH.

• Anticipating and meeting communication needs, opportunities, impacts, and expectations for the agency and other interested parties on a wide range of public health issues.
• Advising EPH leadership on communication strategies and methodologies to address high level division policies and programmatic issues.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships across DOH and with news media, division communications staff, local health agencies, other state agencies, and other organizations.
• Working with agency policy and legislative relations teams, subject matter experts, program staff, agency leaders, and external partners to ensure accuracy and consistency of public health information that maintains agency credibility.
• Coordinating and leading information distribution to media, state agencies, DOH staff and other key partners, including the governor’s office and other elected officials.
• Developing and reviewing content and materials to support communication and policy goals, including news releases, media advisories, statements, presentations, speeches, press kits, key messages, talking points, fact sheets, social media messages, FAQs, and web content.

Why You’ll Enjoy This Role

You will work with colleagues, local health jurisdictions, Tribal, state and federal agencies to prepare material for the media, legislature, and public meetings. As a primary media contact for DOH, you will provide important information to Washington residents on emerging and high‑profile issues. By coordinating on key public health topics with a variety of partners, you will ensure communication objectives are met and trust in the agency is maintained.

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: Four (4) years of experience in public affairs, public health policy or communications, journalism, public relations, or related field.

Option 2: Bachelor's degree with a major study in public affairs, public health policy, public health, communications, journalism, public relations, or related field. AND Four (4) years of experience in media relations, including establishing and maintaining working relationships with the media.

Additional Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Experience

• Experience organizing, facilitating, and hosting virtual and in‑person media interviews and briefings.
• Experience preparing and coaching agency leadership and staff for media engagements, including media training, ongoing media relations capacity development, and in risk communication.
• Proven ability to write clearly and in a manner that holds the reader's interest, including use of AP Style in news releases, blogs, and other media relations materials.
• Experience communicating complex, technical, or controversial issues to a variety of audiences.
• Experience in risk communication, emergency response, or related field.

• Experience developing and implementing strategic communication plans, including integration of social media as part of a broader communication strategy.
• Experience building positive relationships with external partners.
• Experience writing and editing for diverse audiences, including hard‑to‑reach communities and those most impacted by health disparities.
• Experience adapting communication products to ensure they are culturally and linguistically appropriate for target audiences.
• Experience applying plain language principles and an equity lens to communications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Five (5) years of writing, editing, or public relations experience.
• Master’s degree or higher in communications, public relations, journalism, or closely aligned field.
• Demonstrated experience in working with state or federal legislatures.
• Experience serving as a Public Information Officer (PIO) on an Incident Management Team (IMT) and/or completion of FEMA PIO training.
• Knowledge of the structure of the Washington State government, including branches of government, laws and regulations.

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 Communications and Health Education (OCHE) leads our agency’s strategic initiatives related to communications, health promotion, and health education. We provide agencywide guidance and hands‑on support in these areas. The Risk Communications and Media Relations Section supports agencywide efforts to consistently and effectively inform, engage, listen to, assess and motivate external and internal audiences through strong public information and communication. Our work helps ensure DOH is viewed as a credible source of health information and a great place to work.

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 day, in service of a healthier Washington. Explore more about the Department of Health, our programs, and our impact by visiting our website.

Working Conditions:

Work Setting:

This position may work from home, a DOH facility, or remotely from an alternate location. The official duty station for this position is Tumwater, WA. If onsite work is requested by the supervisor, the request will be planned and communicated in advance. Work in a fast‑paced environment with multiple assignments and priority deadlines. Exposure to hazards is limited to those commonly found in indoor home or office environments. This position is sedentary, working at a computer for extended periods.

Schedule:

This position has a work schedule of 40 hours per week. The work schedule is Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. This position may be expected to work longer hours to meet business demands and deadlines. An alternative or flexible work schedule may be considered at the incumbent's request, subject to supervisory approval.

Travel Requirements:

Ocasional overnight travel required (mainly within Washington). Travel statewide and out of state when necessary to perform the core functions of the position. This may require overnight or multiple nights lodging. Legally operate a state or privately‑owned vehicle OR provide alternative transportation and travel long distances in both daylight and at night, and in snow and rain conditions.

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. This position requires reliable access to an internet connection sufficient to perform all job duties when working remotely.

Customer Interactions:

Works closely with DOH Leaders and Communications and Health Education Office staff, senior DOH management, local health department/district staff, reporters, and others.

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.

We Encourage You to Apply

If you meet the required qualifications for this position, we want to hear from you. Preferred qualifications describe additional experience, knowledge, or skills that may be helpful in the role, but they are not required to be considered for the position. We welcome applicants with different backgrounds, experiences, identities, and perspectives.

Application Directions

To be considered, you must complete the online application in full and submit all required materials. Incomplete applications or applications missing required materials will not be considered. When completing your application, please include the following required materials:

• Cover letter: describing your qualifications for this specific position
• Resume: that details your applicable experience and education.
• Three (3) professional references: References must be entered directly into the designated references section of your application or attached as a separate document. At least one reference must be a current or recent supervisor.

DO NOT INCLUDE private details like your SSN or birth year, personal photos, transcripts, certifications, diplomas, projects, portfolios, or letters of recommendation.

Veterans Preference

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