Deputy Director, Center for Health Statistics (CHS) DOH8950

State of Washington•Thurston County – Tumwater, WA

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

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.

Requirements

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.
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.
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.
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

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

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.