Best Starts for Kids Program Coordinator, Lead and Toxics Program (Educator Consultant III)
- Summary
The Environmental Health Division is seeking a skilled, enthusiastic, and dedicated Program Coordinator (Educator Consultant III) for the Lead and Toxics Program. This position is funded through the Best Starts for Kids levy. A key component of Best Start for Kids prenatal to five strategic investments is ensuring families, caregivers, and providers, have information and resources to promote healthy child development by preventing exposure to lead and other toxics.
The Lead and Toxics Program team of four staff implement Best Starts program activities, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funded grant to prevent childhood lead poisoning, an Environmental Protection Agency grant to promote healthy home environments, and a Washington Dept. of Ecology grant (Dirt Alert) to address soil contamination in the Tacoma Smelter Plume-affected areas of King County. The successful candidate will work to integrate this work across Best Starts strategies, manage a portfolio of community contracts, and provide lead and toxics education to internal and external partners in a variety of settings. The candidate should also have a passion for environmental justice, facilitating equitable community partnerships, developing innovative communication strategies, and creating heathier lives for all people in King County.
ABOUT THE BEST STARTS FOR KIDS LEVY (BSK)
Best Starts for Kids (Best Starts) is King County's initiative to improve the health and well-being of our residents by investing in promotion, prevention, and early intervention for children, youth, families, and communities (www.kingcounty.gov/beststarts). Initially approved by voters in 2016, Best Starts was renewed in August 2021. Implementation of Best Starts is guided by the Best Starts Implementation Plan, approved by the King County Council in September 2016 for Levy 2016-2021, and in November 2021 for Levy 2022-27.
Best Starts emphasizes the promotion of positive development of children and youth, with the largest investments in pre-natal to children aged five and continuing with early intervention services at critical milestones throughout childhood to early adulthood to reduce and prevent negative outcomes later in life. The initiative encourages innovation and multiculturalism built on the experiences and priorities of our community partners and residents, with multi-generational approaches planned to capitalize on strengths within families and communities.
ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES DIVISION:
The Environmental Health Services Division identifies and sustains environmental conditions that promote health equity and healthy people and communities in Seattle and King County through the work of over 150 dedicated employees. Our vision is healthy, safe, and vibrant communities that are free of health inequities based on race, gender, or economic status. The Division’s core values include racial equity and social justice, integrity, community service, collaboration, a supportive work culture, and learning from each other and the communities we serve. To learn more, please visit https://www.kingcounty.gov/ehs.
COMMITMENT TO EQUITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE:
As the only jurisdiction in the world 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. King County has adopted a racial equity agenda aimed at advancing regional change and is developing the systems and standards necessary to eliminate racial health inequities. The selected candidate will be able to demonstrate a commitment to eliminating racial inequities and the ability to integrate King County's Equity and Racial Social Justice principles into the daily functions of this position. To learn more, please visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity.- Job Duties
Program Planning and Management:
- Develop and implement community education, outreach, and public involvement strategies that promote healthy child development and reduce exposure to lead and other toxics.
- Plan and produce effective lead and toxics education materials: create in partnership with community, evaluate effectiveness, assure quality translation, and manage distribution to focus populations.
- Work with partners (internal and external) who provide services to promote healthy environments where children live, learn and play.
- Develop and manage contracts and provide support and technical assistance to community-based organizations.
- Develop and implement training programs for healthcare providers and community/internal partners related to childhood lead poisoning prevention, testing, intervention, and mitigation.
- Develop and manage funding proposal processes and reports.
- Develop relationships and create equitable partnerships with other public, private, and non-profit agencies and organizations.
- Facilitate planning and implementation processes that center community voices and assure that equity considerations are integral to the development and implementation of all program strategies.
- Speak publicly on the connection between healthy home environments, environmental toxics, and public health.
- Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL HAVE SOME COMBINATION OF THE FOLLOWING KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Deep knowledge of equity and social justice principles and practices and an understanding of the effects of place, race and policy and systems-based inequities on marginalized communities and populations.
- Communicate effectively (oral, written, in-person, and remote): concise, responsive, clear, accurate communication (oral, meeting materials, slides, etc.) for diverse audiences (including community members, elected officials, representatives of agencies/organizations, peers, and staff).
- Experience with project management tools (online and in-person) to organize and prioritize work quickly in response to changing needs and work efficiently under deadlines.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office products (such as Excel, Word, Outlook, SharePoint, Teams) and Zoom or similar video conferencing software.
- Demonstrated skill and creativity planning and facilitating virtual community meetings and events.
- Demonstrated experience building trusting relationships with culturally specific and community-based groups, volunteer boards, service providers, and co-workers.
- Experience building strategic connections between government, institutional and community partners.
- Demonstrated experience facilitating community-led processes to identify priorities and address public health issues.
- Experience providing and designing engaging trainings, outreach and/or technical assistance with diverse groups using adult learning approaches related to toxics, racial health inequities and environmental justice.
- Ability to work with creativity and flexibility, both independently and as a team member; to work under deadlines and on multiple projects simultaneously; and to organize and prioritize quickly in response to changing needs.
- Demonstrated experience developing and supporting community contracts with community-based organizations.
- Demonstrated skill in creating multi-lingual fact sheets, infographics and other educational print or web-based materials for audiences speaking multiple languages.
- Bachelor's or master’s degree in social work, science, public health, public administration or a combination of work experience and education.
- Well-versed in the policies/systems that contribute to lead and toxics exposures in children. A strong background in environmental justice is preferred.
- Supplemental Information
Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.
Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.
Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles--we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement:
King County Executive Branch employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If you are the successful candidate for the position you applied for, the County will send you a conditional offer letter.
As a condition of employment, prior to a final offer of employment, you will be required to:- submit proof of vaccination, or
- have an approved request for medical or religious exemption and an approved accommodation. Philosophical, political, scientific, or sociological objections to vaccination will not be considered for an exemption or accommodation.
The Executive Branch includes employees in the Executive branch, the Assessor's Office, Elections, the King County Sheriff's Office, and the Executive Office.
King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer:
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. 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.
To Apply:
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.
WHO MAY APPLY: This position is open to all qualified applicants. King County’s recruitment goals include hiring the candidate who is best able to meet the performance objectives of the role. We therefore encourage persons with non-traditional skill-sets, backgrounds, and experiences to apply.
Application Process:
The following items are required to be considered for this vacancy:- An electronic application through www.kingcounty.gov/jobs or www.governmentjobs.com (use the “Apply” link), or paper application (see note below).
- Responses to the supplemental questions.
- A current resume or curriculum vitae.
- A cover letter that summarizes your interest and qualifications for the position.
- Copy and paste one or more documents into the text resume section of the application.
- Attach multiple documents/files in the resume attachment section.
- The selection process may include but is not limited to: evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, interviewing, and testing. For more information on our selection process, please refer to www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/jobs/hiring.
- Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health positions.
- Staff may be required to play an active role in the event of a public health emergency, which may include changes in responsibilities, work location and working hours.
If you need an accommodation in the recruitment process or an alternate format of this announcement, please inquire directly with the contact listed on the job announcement or Public Health's Human Resources Service Delivery Manager.
Necessary Special Requirements:- The selected candidate will be required to pass a thorough background investigation.
- Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.
- Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing required training on time.
WORK SCHEDULE: This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not overtime eligible. This is a full-time position (40 hours a week) and flexibility is required to attend frequent community events/meetings in the evening and on weekends. Use of a King County vehicle will be provided when appropriate.
COMPETITIVE BENEFITS: King County provides our employees with a transportation pass that is good on most transit systems throughout the Puget Sound region, including the Sounder, King County Water Taxi, and Kitsap Fast Ferries. We offer a benefits package that includes competitive medical, dental and vision benefits for the whole family and domestic partner, competitive vacation, sick, holiday and executive leave plans, and participation in the State's Public Employees Retirement Plan (PERS), as well as the option of participating in the County's deferred compensation plan (a 457 plan).
CONTACT: If you have questions about the position, please contact Amy Shumann at amy.shumann@kingcounty.gov or (206) 263-8214. If you have questions regarding the recruitment process, please contact Sarah Dunkinson, Human Resource Analyst at sdunkinson@kingcounty.gov.
King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage: King County pays 100% of the premiums for eligible employees and family members
- Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
- Retirement: King County employees are eligible to participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
- Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
- 10 paid holidays each year (plus 2 personal holidays)
- Generous vacation and paid sick leave
- Paid parental leave, family and medical leaves, and volunteer leave
- Flexible Spending Account
- Wellness programs
- Onsite gyms and activity centers
- Employee giving program
- Employee assistance programs
- Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
- Training and career development programs
This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails. Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.
NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.
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01In addition to English, are you fluent in any of the following languages? (Check all that apply)
- Spanish
- Vietnamese
- Russian
- Somali
- Chinese
- Korean
- Ukrainian
- Amharic
- Punjabi / Hindi
- Tagalog
- Other, please list:
02Describe an innovative community health education and/or outreach strategy that you have developed and implemented.03Do you have technical knowledge of lead poisoning and other toxics, particularly in children? If yes, describe your previous work experience and how that experience informs your knowledge of federal and/or state and/or local regulations and/or strategies related to lead and toxics poisoning and prevention.04Have you worked on policies related to environmental justice and health? If yes, what was your role? Which agencies/partners public entities have you worked with on this issue?05Do you have experience with environmental justice issues that impact communities inequitably affected by exposure to environmental contaminants? If yes, describe your experience and strategies you used to address inequities?06Are you applying to this position as an eligible current or previous King County Employee Priority Placement Program Participant? Is this position the same or lower percentage of full-time when compared to the position held at the point of the notification of layoff? Do you possess the skills and abilities to qualify for this position?- Yes, I was given a layoff notice from my role at King County and I am within two years of the effective date of my layoff. Additionally, the position I was laid off from was the same or a higher percentage of FT status when compared to this one.
- No.
07If you answered yes to the question above and you are applying for this position as a Priority Placement Participant, to be considered, you must provide the following three pieces of information in the space provided: 1. The title you held when you received your layoff notice 2. The department you worked in 3. The effective date of your layoffRequired Question