Emergency Management Specialist - Risk Communications (Health Department)

Snohomish County•Everett, WA

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

Snohomish County Health Department is recruiting a Risk Communications Specialist for its Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response (PHEPR) team in the Office of the Director. The specialist leads risk communication work, developing preparedness and incident-specific messages, coordinating with the department’s Communications team and Public Information Officer, and integrating risk communication into emergency plans, training, and exercises. During responses, the specialist supports public information operations and partner coordination. Following exercises and incidents, the specialist leads communication-focused after-action work and incorporates improvements into plans and training. The role also contributes to public health emergency preparedness and response across planning, partner engagement, information management, training, exercises, logistics, and resource management. The successful candidate will turn complex, evolving health information into clear, accurate, culturally responsive messages under time pressure and build effective working relationships in dynamic environments. The position may require responding to Emergency Operations Centers and working extended days, including weekends, during an emergency response. The County expects the person hired to be able to start in early January 2027. The position is represented by a bargaining unit. The Health Department typically uses a hybrid work model for most roles, with the supervisor determining arrangements based on performance and business needs. Remote employees must maintain a suitable home workspace and reliable internet access and be available during scheduled work hours. A cover letter and resume are required for a complete application.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in Emergency Management or a closely related field; skills may also be gained through certification, relevant job experience, or a combination of these.
Two years of experience in Public Health, Emergency Management, or a closely related field is preferred.
Completion of relevant emergency management courses, including appropriate NIMS and ICS courses; ICS 100 and 700 must be completed within two weeks of employment.
Valid Washington State driver’s license or ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire, and a driving record meeting Snohomish County insurance carrier requirements.
Successful completion of a background check pursuant to RCW 43.43.830.
Ability to produce clear, accurate, culturally responsive messages from complex and evolving health information under time pressure.
Ability to coordinate with partners and work effectively in dynamic environments.
Ability to maintain a reliable remote-work workspace and remain available during scheduled work hours when working remotely.
Ability to work extended workdays, including weekends, during emergency responses when required.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree from an accredited institution in Emergency Management or a closely related field.
Two years of experience in Public Health, Emergency Management, or a closely related field.
Completion of the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP).

Responsibilities

Prepare for and respond to public health emergencies as a member of the PHEPR Program, including participation in assigned ICS roles and tasks.
Develop pre-scripted and incident-specific risk communication messages and support public information operations during emergency responses.
Coordinate risk communication with the department’s Communications team, Public Information Officer, and external partners.
Integrate risk communication into emergency plans, training, exercises, and response operations.
Lead communication-focused after-action work following exercises and incidents and incorporate improvements into plans and training.
Contribute to Integrated Preparedness Plans, after-action reports and improvement plans, risk and capability assessments, readiness assessments, and corrective-action tracking.
Embed equity, access, and inclusion principles in planning, training, exercises, outreach, volunteer management, partner engagement, and response operations.
Maintain accurate preparedness documentation and records in shared repositories, consistent with grant and program requirements.
Coordinate with regional, Puget Sound, local, and state partners on emergency preparedness topics, projects, priorities, resources, and lessons learned.
Build and sustain relationships that support effective emergency preparedness and response.
Support risk communication, information management, situational awareness, and current and accurate public-facing preparedness information.
Participate in required trainings, drills, and exercises and maintain role-appropriate credentials.
Maintain working knowledge of ICS/NIMS and fulfill assigned Emergency Operations Center or Incident Management Team roles during trainings, exercises, and responses.
Support the Health Department’s WebEOC needs and coordinate with external partners as needed; ensure staff can access emergency notifications and complete required WA Secures drills.
Support staff and volunteer readiness, departmental logistics and operations, and resource management, including rosters, inventories, trackers, and readiness assessments.
Track grant-funded deliverables, prepare status reports, and contribute to workplans and strategic plans.
Coordinate the preparation and delivery of trainings, briefings, and partner presentations; facilitate meetings and communities of practice; and maintain preparedness and response resources.
Respond to Emergency Operations Centers when requested during a public health or health care emergency activation; work extended days, including weekends, when required during a response.
Perform other duties as assigned.