Salary: $129,968.18 - $164,742.03 Annually
Location : King County Administration Building - 500 4th Ave, Seattle, WA
Job Type: Temporary
Job Number: 2026AO28274
Department: DPH - Public Health
Division: Community Health Services
Opening Date: 11/05/2026
Closing Date: 11/19/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: Z3 : KC Personnel Guidelines
Full- or Part-Time: Full Time
Hours/Week: 40 hours/week
SummaryThe Best Starts for Kids Initiative is seeking a Maternal & Parent Child Health Policy and Systems Lead. The Maternal & Parent Child Health Policy and Systems lead will work across both PHSKC and DCHS to provide systems support for Best Starts focused on Maternal Child Parent Health. They will work within the Community Health Services division to provide a role of assurance for maternal and parent wellness and partner closely with staff working deeply in this area across both PHSKC and DCHS.
Special Duty Opportunity, positions are "at will" positions but are eligible for benefits. This SDA is currently anticipated to last 12/31/2027. One factor that could affect the end date of the position is an unanticipated change in funding.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.Work ScheduleMonday-Friday between the hours of
8am-6pm.Remote and Onsite Work:The
Best Start for Kids 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 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.
Job Duties - Provide strategic leadership in developing, implementing, and advancing maternal and parent-child health policies, priorities, and systems improvement initiatives across PHSKC and partner departments.
- Collaborate with staff, colleagues and Parent Child Health Lead in developing and implementing new program initiatives; ensure compliance with policies and procedures.
- Direct the daily operations of the Best Starts for Kids Prenatal-5 Strategy including developing, prioritizing and implementing program goals and objectives, monitoring implementation, and ensuring alignment with department and countywide priorities.
- Lead and support policy analysis, strategic planning, and systems improvement efforts to strengthen access to services, improve coordination across programs, and advance equitable health outcomes for families and communities.
- Provide leadership and oversight for community-based programs and investments, including contract development, implementation, performance monitoring, evaluation, and continuous quality improvement.
- Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with community-based organizations, government agencies, and other partners to inform policy and program decisions and strengthen community-centered approaches.
- Coordinate with finance, contracting, and program teams to support budget development, resource allocation, fiscal accountability, and compliance with applicable policies and requirements.
- Represent maternal and parent-child health priorities in cross-divisional, cross-departmental, and external workgroups, committees, and collaborative initiatives.
- Supervise and evaluate direct report staff including hiring, training, coaching, and addressing performance concerns as needed.
Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills Minimum:- At least 3 years' experience supervising a diverse team of people with varying expertise.
- Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the of the Best Starts for Kids initiative and Prenatal-5 programming.
- Experience convening multiple partners/collaborators, cross-departmental teams, and facilitating meetings to achieve project objectives.
Desired:- At least 5 years' recent experience in a leadership position supervising people, managing investments supporting Maternal/Parent Child Health programs, and subject matter expertise in State or local MCH policy and programming.
- Experience in Community engagement.
- Demonstrated experience leading, collaborating, and working across teams, programs, divisions, and/or departments.
- Skilled at listening, facilitating, and gathering input from multiple sources to inform decisions with political sensitivity and potentially conflict laden situations.
- Knowledge of Best Starts for Kids vision, principles, and cross-departmental (PHSKC & DCHS) implementation strategy.
- Demonstrated experience advancing equity and social justice principles and practices that address the effects of place, race, policy, and systemic inequities on communities and populations.
Supplemental InformationAre you ready to make a difference? dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.
Application ProcessIf you are interested in pursuing this position and supporting King County's vision for unified, equitable, and high-performing government, please follow the application instructions carefully. Provide us with your work history as applicable, ensuring that you provide details that highlight your ability to fulfill the requirements for this position.
If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, or you would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process, please contact Alexis Owens at
Who May ApplyInternal Applicant (Career Service)
The following items are required to be considered for this vacancy:
- NEOGOV Job Application (The responses on your job application should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
- Supplemental Questions (The responses to the supplemental questions should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
(Please note: Cover letters, resumes, and additional attachments will not be reviewed as part of the evaluation process if not outlined as a required application material as outlined above).Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the application. Cover letters and/or resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted.
