Salary : $80,496.00 - $108,228.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Olympia, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number:Department: Health Care Authority
Division: BHR
Opening Date: 07/06/2026
Closing Date: 7/17/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step
DescriptionPrevention Policy and Project Manager (HCPM/DBHR) 71058927Someone would want this job if they are passionate about public health, community advocacy, and policy development. It offers a rare chance to shape state-level cannabis and youth substance use policies and procedures while acting as the recognized subject matter expert for government leaders.
Here are the primary reasons this role is highly appealing:
- Direct Social Impact: You directly shape initiatives that improve the lives and health outcomes of vulnerable populations across Washington State.
- High-Level Influence: You serve as the go-to expert advising senior management and collaborating with other state and federal agencies.
- Policy Shaping: You get to guide the actual execution of state laws (like RCW 69.50), directly translating legislation into real-world prevention programs.
- Autonomy: The role functions above the first level of supervision, offering significant independent decision-making and judgment.
All HCA employees will apply an equity lens to their work, which may include but is not limited to all analyses of core business and processes.
About the division:The Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR) mission is to transform lives by supporting sustainable recovery, independence, and wellness through substance use disorder prevention and mental health promotion efforts. DBHR provides support for substance use disorder, mental health, and problem gambling services. The substance use disorder prevention and treatment programs promote strategies that support healthy lifestyles by preventing the misuse of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, and support recovery from substance use disorder.
About the position:The Policy and Project Manager is responsible for developing and implementing policies and procedures for the prevention of substance misuse, specifically underage cannabis use through the execution of the Washington State RCW 69.50 and other key emerging legislative directives. This position has an exciting opportunity to lead the Substance Use Disorder Prevention and Mental Health Promotion Section to ensuring Division fulfils Legislative directive, tracking legislation related to cannabis and other substance use.
This position is eligible to telework but is occasionally required to report on-site to meet business needs. Travel is required to meet with clients or partners, conduct business, attend or provide training and/or conferences. The default assigned work location of all Health Care Authority (HCA) positions - both on-site and telework eligible positions - is within the State of Washington. This position reports to Olympia, WA. Frequency of onsite work will vary based on business and operational needs.
All agency employees are required to report on-site in Olympia on their first and last days of employment to pick up and return state-issued equipment, regardless of telework status or location. DutiesSome of what you will do:Manage key cannabis policy for the Dedicated Cannabis Account (DCA) funds across HCA DBHR and other key emerging prevention legislative directives.
- Oversee and track the Dedicated Cannabis Account (approx. $6.2 million per year), making recommendations for policy development, mitigating agency's fiscal impact, and to support stakeholders statewide.
- Oversee and manage execution of RCW 69.50 prevention and Tribal initiatives, facilitating interaction between senior leadership, presenting recommendations to organization departments and sections, and preparing for legislative hearings.
- Oversee management of initiative directives with high-level interagency groups, including Washington State Institute of Public Policy (WSIPP).
- Provide expertise, technical assistance, and linkages to evidence-based programs for outcomes and implementation to DBHR leadership.
- Serve as the agency prevention representative for state and government entities and agencies related to substance use disorder prevention policy.
- Conduct legislative and hearing analysis for all cannabis legislation.
- Review legislation and policy to develop guidelines and directives for contractors and service providers.
- Provide expert level analysis to senior leadership regarding substance use prevention and treatment policies and procedures, that potentially impact provisos, legislation, or statutes.
Prevention system coordination, training and local services and related contracts.
- Responsible for contract management, including procurement (requests for applications), negotiating performance-based contract deliverables, program and fiscal monitoring, and on-time reporting.
- Provide recommendations for policy and programmatic development regarding emerging complex issues and initiatives.
- Report project outcomes, as required, to state and national funding partners, including SAMHSA, WA State Legislature, and other stakeholders.
Managing key state and national partnerships.
- Manage key interagency partnerships, including the development and sharing of research and analyses, status reports and performance improvement activities.
- Develop communication strategies, including the creation of multidimensional reports for management information and decision-making having broad scope and significant impact for vulnerable youth and their families.
- Developing and delivering presentations and training on the status of deliverables required by related statute (i.e. RCW 69.50).
QualificationsRequired qualifications:- Current certification as a Certified Prevention Professional in Washington State or equivalent standing as recognized by a national accreditation body, or a plan to receive the Certification within 6 months of hire.
Qualifying candidates will also meet
one of the following criteria options:
Option 1:
- Master's degree from an accredited college with a major study in Public Policy and Administration, Prevention Science, Public Health, Community Health Education, Health and Human Services, Social Sciences, Communications, or closely related field.
- Three (3) years of consultative or supervisory experience in public health/social services fields, behavioral health, substance use disorder prevention or mental health promotion and related fields; with functions including analyzing policy, laws and rules, contract management, project management, managing workforce development, communications, implementing educational training programs, community engagement, technical assistance, grants management, or other comparable experience, including experience obtained during certification as a Certified Prevention Professional, if applicable.
Option 2:
- Bachelor's degree with major study in Public Policy and Administration, Prevention Science, Public Health, Community Health Education, Health and Human Services, Social Sciences, Communications, or closely related field.
- Five (5) years of the experience listed above in option 1.
Option 3:
- Nine (9) years of the experience listed above in option 1.
Option 4:
- One (1) year as a Health Care Program Specialist.
Required competencies:- The ability to take action to learn and grow.
- The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
- Knowledge of current prevention theories and technology including risk and protective factor framework, the Strategic Prevention Framework, community needs and resource assessment, principles of effectiveness, and best practices.
- Ability to work collaboratively to plan, analyze, and problem solve, identify policy needs, develop goals and objectives and use data for decision making with multiple stakeholders including youth serving system partners, providers, state and local government officials and/or legislators and legislative staff.
- Demonstrate skills providing training and technical assistance to culturally diverse audiences on prevention and health promotion topics including coalition development, community organization, substance use disorder prevention principles and best practices, program planning and implementation, and program evaluation.
- Commitment to advancing health equity systemically and programmatically.
- Ability to form relationships with strategic partners, e.g., government agencies, non-profit agencies, schools, business, and faith-based communities.
- Experience working successfully with community-based prevention efforts.
- Knowledge of evidence-based environmental prevention strategies that can impact youth alcohol and drug use in communities.
- Experience in developing and delivering trainings addressing adult learning styles.
- Ability to speak effectively and professionally in public to a variety of audiences.
- Experience with negotiating and managing performance-based contracts.
- Ability to write clear, concise and grammatically correct letters, reports and other forms of communication.
- Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects at the same time.
- Experience working independently as well as an effective team member.
- Strong interpersonal communication skills.
- Proficient in MS office products including Word, Outlook, and Excel.
Preferred qualifications:- Experience working with diverse, underserved, and/or priority populations.
- Plan, lead, organize and control the work performed by the organization.
- Support effective communications throughout the organization.
- Maintain the highest standards of personal/professional and ethical conduct and support the State's goals for a diverse workforce.
- Successful completion of the Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist Training (SAPST) or Washington Substance Abuse Prevention Skills Training (WA-SAPST). Grant writing and editing experience.
- Experience providing technical assistance to local communities on substance use disorder prevention planning, evidence-based program selection, and evaluation.
- Experience analyzing legislation.
- Experience developing and managing competitive procurements.
- Intermediate to Advanced skill in MS Office programs.
How to apply:Only candidates who reflect the minimum qualifications on their NEOGOV profile will be considered. Failure to follow the application instructions below may lead to disqualification.
To apply for this position, you will need to complete your profile which includes three professional references and attach in separate files:- A cover letter that specifically addresses how you meet the qualifications for this position
- Current resume
To take advantage of
veteran preference, please do the following:
- Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 long-form copy), NGB 22, or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
- Please black out any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers. Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.
Supplemental Information 
