SHIPS Education Specialist

King County; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

King County Education Specialist position supports HIV/STI/PrEP education and referrals at Harborview Sexual Health Clinic in Seattle. The role combines in-person and virtual interactions, serving diverse communities with emphasis on equity and social justice.

Working with medical providers, nurses and outreach staff, you will educate, link, and coordinate care for priority populations while upholding confidentiality and safety standards.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of HIV and STD transmission, symptoms and implications.
• Able to provide medical information clearly to diverse audiences.
• Experience in motivational interviewing and behavior change strategies.

Responsibilities

• Educate clients on HIV/STI/PrEP topics and linkage to services.
• Coordinate referrals and follow up to improve access to care.
• Partner with a multidisciplinary team to support equitable care.
• Engage with priority populations to reduce barriers to services.

Skills

HIV education

Health education

Motivational interviewing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Public Health

Tools

EHR systems

Job description

The Education Specialist provides education and referral for HIV/STI/PrEP services for individuals within King County. This position works on the Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) team at the Sexual Health Clinic at Harborview team and provide education and coordination of care for target populations. Work is conducted primarily in person and depending on the circumstances, virtually. People with lived experience of substance use, incarceration, houselessness, and/or sex work; people of color, women, and members of the LGBTQIA+ communities; and people living with HIV/AIDS and/or hepatitis C are strongly encouraged to apply. This emphasis on diversity and inclusivity reflects a commitment to providing equitable and just health and human services to all individuals, regardless of their background. This position demands a commitment to equity, social justice, and a deep understanding of the complex challenges faced by individuals in the Black community.

This position offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact within the Black community in King County. We prioritize dignity, equity, and evidence-based care. As an Education Specialist working to educate, link, and refer individuals to appropriate services, candidates join a team that is committed to improving health outcomes for underserved individuals in the community. This role provides the chance to deliver patient centered education and support. The work environment is collaborative and is supported by a multidisciplinary team that includes medical providers, nurses, disease research intervention specialists, and administrative staff.

Background

Temporary Opportunity. Term-Limited Temporary (TLT) positions are “at will” positions but are eligible for benefits. This TLT is currently anticipated to last 12 months. One factor that could effect the end date of the position is an unanticipated change in funding.

This vacancy can also be filled as a Special Duty opportunity. Special Duty Assignments are open to Career Service, Career Service Exempt or other regular (non-temporary) employee in King County who has completed their initial County probation. You must have supervisor approval prior to taking a Special Duty Assignment.

Note: This posting will create a list of qualified candidates that may be considered for selection of additional vacancies of the same position type over the next 6 months.

Commitment To Equity and Social Justice

Named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.

The county government has a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all – in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from all communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.

We recognize that structural racism consists of principles and practices that cause and justify an inequitable distribution of rights, opportunities, and experiences across racial groups. Since declaring Racism is a Public Health Crisis in June 2020, King County and Public Health committed to being intentionally anti-racist and accountable to Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities.

To learn more, please visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/elected/executive/equity-social-justice.aspx

Work Schedule

Typical work schedule is Monday through Friday, and hours can vary based on operational need, currently predominately 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. Non-Exempt and subject to the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (overtime eligible).

Work Location

This position will be based out of the Sexual Health Clinic in the Nineth and Jefferson Building located on the Harborview campus, 908 Jefferson St. Seattle, WA 98122

The prevention team works in a hybrid model, with a minimum of 3 days in the office as well as telecommuting. The ratio of remote to onsite work will be dependent on business needs and is subject to change. The primary onsite location is building name and address.

Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment. Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.

• Conduct educational and informational programs for staff, clients, community groups and professionals regarding topics around safe sex practices, risk reduction, HIV/PrEP/STI services and other related topics
• Promote diverse culturally appropriate health beliefs and practices, patient preferred languages, health literacy, and other communications needed for participants referred to care
• Work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to assess needs, monitor patient access to care, and eliminate barriers to service delivery
• Provide health education technical assistance and support to PHSKC staff, partner organizations, and members of the public
• Conduct outreach to priority populations in neighborhoods, community centers, and other areas within King County
• Provide patients with information about potential health risks related to HIV/STIs and assist in developing a plan to reduce future risk for acquiring/transmitting HIV/STIs
• Investigate factors for PrEP discontinuation among HIV negative persons thought to be at increased risk for acquiring HIV.
• Assure confidentiality of all records, data, and information as required by section, department, state and/or federal regulation.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Knowledge of HIV and STD transmission modes, symptoms and implications.
• Demonstrated ability to provide medical information in a clear and concise manner.
• Knowledge and demonstrated application of motivational interviewing skills.
• Knowledge and demonstrated application of behavior change theory and risk reduction strategies.
• Oral, written, and interpersonal communications skills
• Skill in effectively communicating a broad amount of information to a wide variety of audiences
• Demonstrated ability to protect PHI and other confidential information.
• Experience navigating and using electronic health records and/or other client level data repositories.
• Demonstrated ability to follow procedures/protocols and apply them to unpredictable situations.
• Familiarity with Microsoft programs such as Outlook, and the ability to use drop down menus, point and click software, and multiple screens.
• Familiarity with social media platforms such as Instagram and YouTube, and the ability to navigate and use the platforms for sexual health promotion
• Ability to drive a county fleet vehicle to multiple locations within King County on a flexible schedule during work hours.
• Possess a valid WA State driver's license or ability to obtain one within 90 days of hire. Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health position
• Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health position.

Desired Qualifications

• Minimum two years of progressively responsible experience in health education, patient care, or related fields; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the role effectively.
• Bilingual/ bicultural/ individuals with diverse backgrounds, including people with lived experience with behavioral health and recovery, incarceration, houselessness, people of color, and members of the LGBTQIA+ communities.
• Competency, comfort, and experience working and communicating with diverse populations and interest groups such as; men who have sex with men, transgender individuals, adolescents, younger adults, drug users, etc.
• Experience working in a position where you routinely coordinated with community-based organizations and healthcare providers
• Previous experience as a health educator focused on HIV/STDs, sexual health, family planning, or reproductive health.
• Current knowledge of the biology and epidemiology of HIV and other STDs.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, to a variety of audiences including professional colleagues, policy makers, and members of at-risk populations.

• Ability to work with minimal supervision and exercise independent good judgment.

King County's Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values unite us.

King County serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency, delivering on commitments with transparency and accountability. We are action-oriented, creative problem solvers who collaborate across roles, engage directly with communities, and challenge the status quo to achieve meaningful impact. As a unified team, we uphold high ethical and stewardship standards, embrace change, stay curious, and continuously improve. Across all interactions, we listen first, act quickly, and stay aligned as a team to earn and sustain public trust. Learn more about our Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values here and visit our Why work at King County page here.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on sex, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religious affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age except by minimum age and retirement provisions, pregnancy, status as a family caregiver, parental status, marital status, military status or status as a veteran who was honorably discharged or who was discharged solely as a result of the person's sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, citizenship or immigration status, genetic information, or other protected class. However, to the extent that distinction or differential treatment on the basis of citizenship or immigration status is authorized by either federal or state law, regulation, or government contract, it is not an unfair practice.

Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

Union Membership

This position is represented by Protec 17-DPH