Salary: $120,060.00 - $139,572.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Tumwater, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: DOH8950
Department: Dept. of Health
Division: Disease Control and Health Statistics (DCHS)
Opening Date: 07/23/2026
Closing Date: 8/3/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description
Deputy Director, Center for Health Statistics (CHS)
This position offers a hybrid work arrangement, combining remote work with scheduled onsite work at our DOH facility in Tumwater, WA, approximately 3 days a week.
The Opportunity

As the Deputy Director for the Center for Health Statistics (CHS), you will provide executive leadership for the Washington State Department of Health's Center for Health Statistics, overseeing the operations, strategy, and continuous improvement of one of the state's most critical public health data programs. You will also carry out the responsibilities of the agency-appointed Deputy State Registrar while partnering with the Office Director to guide organizational strategy, operational excellence, and long-term planning.
In this role, you will lead office-wide operations, oversee policy and quality improvement initiatives, direct strategic investments in technology and data systems, and ensure the Center is positioned to meet future public health needs and national accreditation goals. You'll work across the agency and with local, Tribal, state, federal, and national partners to strengthen the systems that produce and protect vital records and other essential health data. The decisions you make help ensure Washington has accurate, secure, and reliable information that supports public health surveillance, legal documentation, healthcare planning, and services relied upon by millions of people throughout the state.
Key Responsibilities Include:

• Lead the statewide administration and operational oversight of Washington's vital records system while serving as the Deputy State Registrar and acting on behalf of the State Registrar as authorized by law.
• Direct office-wide operations, strategic planning, fiscal management, policy development, and quality improvement to ensure efficient, compliant, and sustainable public health services.
• Guide long-term modernization of data systems, technology investments, and performance improvement initiatives that strengthen the reliability, security, and accessibility of critical public health information.
• Supervise leaders responsible for data systems, policy, and quality improvement, fostering an inclusive, high-performing workplace focused on collaboration, accountability, and professional growth.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with local health jurisdictions, Tribal governments, healthcare organizations, state and federal agencies, and national partners to advance statewide public health priorities.
• Lead continuity of operations planning, emergency preparedness, and organizational readiness to ensure essential public health services remain available during emergencies and public health responses.
• Advise executive leadership on legislative, regulatory, operational, fiscal, and strategic issues affecting the Center while ensuring compliance with state and federal laws governing vital records.
• Drive organizational excellence by advancing strategic priorities, performance management, accreditation readiness, Lean practices, and initiatives that strengthen equity, operational effectiveness, and employee engagement.

Why You'll Love This Role:

• Lead a complex statewide organization with broad responsibility for strategy, operations, and organizational improvement.
• Shape the future of Washington's vital records and public health data systems through innovation, technology, and long-term planning.
• Ensure the integrity of information that supports healthcare, legal identity, public health surveillance, and critical government services across Washington.
• Help strengthen a public health system that serves every community by improving access to reliable data, advancing operational excellence, and fostering equitable public service.

What You Bring:

You are an experienced public sector leader who enjoys solving complex organizational challenges and guiding high-performing teams through change. You build strong relationships across programs and organizations, communicate effectively with executive leaders and external partners, and make thoughtful decisions that balance operational needs, legal requirements, and long-term strategy. You value continuous improvement and use data to strengthen programs, develop people, and improve organizational performance. You are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where employees can thrive and where collaboration, accountability, and service to the people of Washington guide every decision.
Minimum 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: Twelve (12) years of professional experience in public health, governmental systems, public policy, or health system leadership, including at least five (5) years in a leadership or senior advisory role involving supervising teams, managing public health programs, program budget, and fiscal operations, and leading policy, program, regulatory, and legislation development and implementation.

• Option 2: Bachelor's degree in public health, public administration, public policy, health administration, or a closely related field, and eight (8) years of professional experience in public health, governmental systems, public policy, or health system leadership, including at least three (3) years in a leadership or senior advisory role involving supervising teams, managing public health programs, program budget, and fiscal operations, and leading policy, program, regulatory, or legislation development and implementation.

Additional Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Experience

• Experience developing and implementing programs or policies with a significant public health impact
• Experience supervising staff, including supervisors or other staff with independent management responsibilities
• Experience monitoring program budgets and developing budget proposals
• Experience managing or implementing quality improvement projects
• Experience overseeing or managing contracts and grant agreements, including identifying and acting when deliverables, requirements, or timelines are at risk or not met
• Experience managing or sponsoring IT system development or improvements
• Experience administering or overseeing a program governed by state or federal statute, rule, or regulation
• Experience building and maintaining partnerships with organizations and community partners
• Experience developing and implementing engagement or communication strategies that support collaboration across organizations and community partners
• Experience analyzing complex issues, identifying risks or emerging challenges, and providing strategic recommendations to senior leadership
• Experience contributing to continuity of operations, emergency response, or business continuity planning

PreferredQualifications

While these aren't required, having them can help you stand out as a candidate.

• Master's degree or higher in public health, public administration, business administration, or a related field
• Experience working in a vital records office
• Experience using change management approaches or methodologies to support organizational or system-level change
• Experience leading or managing training development for public health programs
• Experience negotiating or navigating high-stakes discussions, conflict resolution, or facilitating dialogue among stakeholders
• Experience applying quality improvement methods such as Lean or other continuous improvement frameworks
• Experience supporting or leading an organizational accreditation or certification effort
• Experience supporting equity, diversity, or inclusion initiatives within an organization
• Experience working with tribal governments, local health jurisdictions, or other governmental partners

Employee Benefits

We offer a solid benefits package through the State's Public Employees Benefits Board that supports you and your family's health, financial security, and work-life balance. You'll have access to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, life and long-term disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, and retirement plans that help you plan for tomorrow while you're living today. Paid holidays, vacation and sick leave help you recharge, and additional programs like dependent care assistance and professional development opportunities add value beyond basic coverage. Join us and enjoy benefits designed to care for you as much as you care about public health. Learn more about DOH benefits and see how we support your life at work and beyond by visiting Work@Health.
Working Conditions:

The following describes the working conditions of this position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Work Setting:

• This position is hybrid and will be required to be able to come into the office up to 3 days a week, depending on need. Work is performed almost exclusively indoors in an office environment. Exposure to hazards is limited to those commonly found in government office environments.

Schedule:

• This position has a work schedule of 40 hours per week; however, the position may be expected to work longer hours to complete projects or assignment, and/or meeting business demands and deadlines, and/or during the annual legislative session). An alternative or flexible work schedule may be considered at the incumbent's request, subject to supervisory approval.

Travel Requirements:

• Some travel is required, and is typically local or regional, to meet with clients, conduct business, conduct clinical investigations or consultations, or attend or provide training.
  • When driving for state business, the employee must be able to legally operate a state or privately-owned vehicle; OR provide alternate transportation while on state business.

Tools & Equipment:

• Duties require the use of standard office furniture and equipment (e.g., desk, filing cabinet, computer, printer, telephone, fax machine, copy machine, etc.)
  • This position requires reliable access to an internet connection sufficient to perform all job duties remotely.

Customer Interactions:

• Requires frequent contact with customers (agency managers, supervisors, employees, local health jurisdictions, legislators, governor's office staff and other stakeholders.)

Other:

• This position is part of the Washington Management Service and is not represented by a union or covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement.
• 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.

APPLICATION DIRECTIONS:

We're committed to a fair and equitable hiring process. Only materials submitted through the official application will be considered. Emailed resumes or documents won't be accepted or shared with the hiring manager.
Click "Apply" to complete your application. Attach your resume, cover letter, and DD-214 (if applicable). List at least three professional references, directly in your Applicant Profile or as a separate attachment, including a supervisor, a peer, and someone you've supervised or led (if applicable).
DO NOT INCLUDE private details like your SSN or birth year, personal photos, transcripts, certifications, diplomas, projects, portfolios, or letters of recommendation.
Veterans Preference: Applicants wishing to claim Veterans Preference must attach a copy of their DD-214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or a signed verification of service letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to their application. Please remove or cover any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers and birth year