Salary : $74,479.32 - $99,804.24 Annually
Location : Snohomish Health District- 3020 Rucker Avenue, Ste 306, Everett, WA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 26-012
Department: Health Dept
Division: Health Department Administration
Opening Date: 10/30/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Description This position is open until the first review and is a bargaining unit represented position. We are looking for someone that can start in early January 2027.
A cover letter and resume are required with your online application in order for your application to be considered complete. Uploading your resume to auto-fill portions of the application does not automatically attach it to your application. Incomplete applications will not be considered for this position.
We are recruiting a Risk Communications Specialist to strengthen public health emergency communications through message development, partner coordination, and the integration of risk communication into preparedness planning, training, and response operations. This role works closely with staff across the department and with external partners to build operational readiness, support emergency activations and responses, and drive continuous improvement through after-action processes.
Teleworking OptionsThe Health Department typically has a hybrid model for most roles; however, it is outlined by the supervisor for the given role based on performance and business needs. When working remotely, employees are expected to maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours. Snohomish County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely.
DescriptionSnohomish County Health Department is recruiting a Risk Communications Specialist to join our Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response (PHEPR) team in the Office of the Director. This role leads the program's risk communication work, from preparedness messaging during steady-state periods to real-time support during emergency activations.
The Risk Communications Specialist develops pre-scripted and incident-specific messages, coordinates with the department's Communications team and Public Information Officer, and builds risk communication into our emergency plans, trainings, and exercises. During responses, the specialist supports public information operations and partner coordination. After exercises and incidents, the specialist leads communication-focused after-action work and carries improvements back into plans and training.
We are looking for someone who can turn complex, evolving health information into clear, accurate, culturally responsive messages under time pressure. The right candidate builds strong working relationships with partners, has great communication skills, and is comfortable working in dynamic environments.
Job Duties Examples of Work Performed:- Prepare and respond to public health emergencies using skills, training, and procedures as a member of the PHEPR Program. Participate in and support emergency responses in assigned ICS roles and tasks.
- Contribute to annual Integrated Preparedness Plans (IPP), AARs/IPs, risk/capability assessments (e.g., THIRA/SPR, HVA), readiness assessments, and corrective-action tracking work.
- Embed and integrate equity, access, and inclusion principles into all work-including planning, training, exercises, outreach, volunteer management, partner engagement, and response operations.
- Maintain accurate documentation (plans, SOPs, checklists, job aids, rosters, inventories) . and accurate records (training completions, inventories, volunteer rosters, MOUs, AARs/IPs, assessments) in shared repositories, ensuring consistency with grant and program requirements.
- Coordinate with Region 1 and Puget Sound partners on cross-jurisdiction topics, projects, and priorities (e.g., ESF-8, fatality management, surge planning, alternate care, etc.). Build and sustain the relationships needed for effective emergency preparedness and response.
- Support risk communication, information management, and situational awareness processes; keep public-facing preparedness information current and accurate.
- Participate in required public health or emergency management trainings/drills/exercises; maintain role-appropriate credentials.
- Collaborate with Health Department staff to support effective emergency preparedness and response functions.
- Maintain working knowledge of ICS/NIMS and fulfilling assigned Emergency Operations Center or Incident Management Team roles during trainings, exercises, and responses.
- Coordinate with local, regional, and state partners (DEM, NWHRN, EMS Council, mortuary services, healthcare facilities, DHS BioWatch, UASI workgroups, etc.) to share resources, lessons learned, and best practices.
- Support WebEOC needs for the health department, collaborate with external partners as needed; ensure staff have access to emergency notifications, complete all required WA Secures drills.
- Support staff and volunteer readiness, departmental logistics and operations, and resource management (through tasks such as WAServ rosters, MCM inventories/trailers, Power BI trackers, readiness assessments, etc.) consistent with program needs and requirements.
- Assist with the tracking of grant-funded deliverables (PHEP/CRI/FPHS/NACCHO/UASI), prepare succinct status reports, and contribute to relevant workplans/strategic plans.
- Coordinate the preparation and delivery of trainings, accurate briefings, and partner presentations; facilitate meetings and communities of practice; maintain SCHD preparedness and response resources (e.g., SCHD Emergency Response Toolkit, internal/external preparedness page, etc.).
Associated Duties:- Perform other duties as assigned.
- Respond, as requested, to Emergency Operations Centers during a public health/health care emergency activation.
- May be required to work extended workdays during a response, including weekends.
- Participate in local, regional, and state related meetings and communities of practice related to public health preparedness.
Minimum Qualifications Skills for the position may be gained through education, certification, relevant job experience or a combination, such as:- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in Emergency Management or closely related field
- Two (2) years of Public Health, Emergency Management or closely related field, preferred.
Licenses, Certifications, and Other Information:- Master's degree from an accredited institution in Emergency Management or closely related field preferred.
- Completion of relevant emergency management courses such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Independent Study Series and appropriate National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident command System (ICS) courses; ICS 100 and 700 to be completed within two weeks of employment.
- Completion of Homeland Security Exercise Evaluation Program (HSEEP), preferred
- Valid Washington State Driver's license or ability to obtain one within thirty (30) days of hire and a driving record which meets the requirements of Snohomish County's insurance carrier.
- Successful completion of a background check pursuant to RCW 43.43.830.
Additional InformationSnohomish County offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees that receive a regular appointment who work at least 20 hours a week.
Visit to learn more about the following benefits.
County Benefits - Medical Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Retirement
- Basic Group Term Life Insurance/ Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
- Long Term Disability (LTD)
- Commuting Benefits
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Partners for Health Employee Wellness Program
- Leave & Holidays
Voluntary Benefits - Deferred Compensation 457(b)
- Supplemental Group Term Life Insurance
- Additional Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance (AD&D)
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
- Supplemental Individual Insurance Policies
Healthcare Premiums - Regular full-time employees: If you work 35 or more hours per week, you will pay these for medical insurance. The County pays the for vision, dental, and basic life insurance.
- Regular part-time employees: If you work between 20 and 34 hours per week, you will pay for medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. The County's contribution toward the premium for an employee in a regular part-time appointment will be pro-rated in an amount equal to the F.T.E. percentage the employee is assigned.
Note: Temporary employees, seasonal employees and paid interns may be eligible for medical insurance benefits. Review the County's to learn more.
01
Do you have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in Emergency Management or closely related field?
02
Do you have two (2) years of Public Health, Emergency Management or closely related field (preferred)?
03
How many years of experience do you have developing public-facing communications about health, safety, or emergency topics?
- None
- Less than 1 year
- 1 to 3 years
- 3 to 5 years
- More than 5 years
04
Have you served in a communications role during an activated emergency response, such as PIO, Joint Information Center staff, or a communications lead in an EOC or ICS structure?
05
What draws you to emergency preparedness and risk communication specifically, and what would you want to accomplish in your first year in this role?
Required Question
