Pesticide Illness Prevention Program Manager (WMS 1) DOH8966
Administration, Operations
Washington, USA · Multiple locations
Description
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Pesticide Illness Prevention Program Manager (WMS 1)
Pesticides Illness Surveillance and Prevention Program
Permanent · Fulltime · Homebased
This permanent position is open to internal DOH applicants who are Washington residents or those residing on the ID/WA and OR/WA borders.
Enjoy the flexibility of our hybrid work environment, where you can balance working from home and collaborating in the office. It is anticipated that you’ll be expected to perform work activities in the office or field within the state 10% of the time. Occasional travel outside the state for meetings or conferences will be communicated in advance.
The Opportunity
The Washington State Department of Health's Division of Environmental Public Health works to protect and improve the health of people across Washington by preventing environmental health hazards and promoting healthy communities. Within the division, the Healthy Homes and Communities Section partners with communities, government agencies, and organizations to reduce environmental exposures that impact health.
This position serves as the statewide lead for the pesticide illness surveillance and prevention program. Reporting to the Healthy Homes and Communities Section Manager, the position provides leadership, technical expertise, and strategic direction for pesticide illness surveillance, investigations, and prevention efforts. It represents the Department of Health in partnerships with local, state, and federal agencies while supporting legislative and advisory committees that help shape pesticide policy and public health practice across Washington.
Key Responsibilities Include:
Program Leadership & Strategic Coordination
- Lead the statewide pesticide illness surveillance and prevention program.
- Serve as the Department's subject matter expert on pesticide illness surveillance, investigations, and prevention.
- Represent the program with local, state, and federal partners to advance coordinated public health strategies.
Partnerships & Collaboration
- Build and maintain collaborative relationships with agencies including the Washington State Department of Agriculture, Department of Labor & Industries, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Food and Drug Administration, local health jurisdictions, Washington Poison Center, and other public health partners.
- Coordinate efforts across organizations to reduce pesticide illness and exposure through data-driven, science-based public health actions.
- Promote consistent communication and information sharing among partners.
Program Supervision & Investigation Oversight
- Supervise pesticide illness investigators and provide leadership, coaching, and technical guidance.
- Ensure investigations are conducted consistently, accurately, and in a timely manner.
- Support the use of investigation findings to inform prevention strategies, recommendations, and public health decision-making.
Legislative & Advisory Committee Support
- Provide staff support for the Pesticide Application Safety Committee (PASCO).
- Coordinate meetings, prepare materials, and provide technical expertise to committee members.
- Support the related Advisory Workgroup by facilitating collaboration among agency representatives, agricultural organizations, farmworker advocates, community and migrant health centers, toxicologists, and others.
- Present complex scientific and public health information to diverse audiences in a clear and understandable manner.
Why You'll Love This Role
This is an opportunity to make a statewide impact by leading efforts that protect workers, families, and communities from pesticide-related illness and exposure. You'll collaborate with experts across public health, agriculture, labor, and environmental protection while helping shape prevention strategies, policy discussions, and public health practice. As part of a collaborative and mission-driven team, you'll have opportunities to lead meaningful work, build partnerships, mentor staff, and contribute to healthier communities throughout Washington.
Required Qualifications
There are multiple pathways to qualify for this position. You must meet one of the options provided and any additional criteria listed. Experience may have been gained through paid or unpaid activities.
Please ensure any relevant experience defined below is outlined in your cover letter, resume, and/or applicant profile.
- Four (4) years of experience leading projects, programs, or teams
- One (1) year supervising staff, including recruiting, training, performance management, and fostering an inclusive team environment.
- Three (3) years of experience building and maintaining collaborative relationships with diverse internal and external partners to advance shared program or policy goals.
- Two (2) years of experience convening and facilitating workgroups or committees, including agenda setting and achieving identified objectives.
- Two (2) years of experience reviewing, analyzing or drafting contracts, agreements, policies, or legislative testimony, reports or briefings.
- Two (2) years of experience conducting, overseeing or summarizing investigations, surveillance, or research, including writing reports or recommendations grounded in scientific evidence.
Preferred Qualifications
While these aren’t required, having them can help you stand out as a candidate.
- Proficient at reading, writing, and speaking in Spanish.
- Working knowledge or experience of pesticide use, application or toxicology.
- Demonstrated experience developing strong working relationships within and outside organizations.
- Demonstrated knowledge of Washington State legislative and budget process, experience responding to legislative inquiries and developing decision packages.
- Skills and abilities to engage with diverse audiences and multiple parties and assess information needs; and collaborate across agencies and programs to meet shared goals.
Employee Benefits
We offer a solid benefits package that supports you and your family’s health, financial security, and work-life balance. You’ll have access to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, life and long-term disability insurance, flexible spending and health savings accounts, and retirement plans that help you plan for tomorrow while you’re living today. Paid holidays, vacation and sick leave help you recharge, and additional programs like dependent care assistance and professional development opportunities add value beyond basic coverage. Join us and enjoy benefits designed to care for you as much as you care about public health. Learn more about DOH benefits and see how we support your life at work and beyond by visiting Work@Health.
About the Washington State Department of Health
We're nearly 2,000 professionals across Washington working together to protect and improve community health. Guided by our values of Equity, Innovation, and Engagement, we address health disparities, respond to emerging challenges, and strengthen systems that support resilience.
At DOH, we help reduce barriers, collaborate with diverse communities, and champion equitable health outcomes. We're passionate people who are driven to make a difference in public health (Download PDF reader). Our work depends on people who take action to learn and grow and who take action to meet the needs of others every day, in service of a healthier Washington. Explore more about the Department of Health, our programs, and our impact by visiting our website.
Working Conditions:
The following describes the working conditions of this position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Work Setting:
- Although the position’s work requires somewhat regular in-person attendance to perform duties at various locations throughout Washington state, the official duty station for this position is home-based. When not travelling for work, the incumbent may work from home, from a DOH facility, or work remotely from an alternate location.
- This position requires working at a computer for extended periods of time and in a frequently time-sensitive environment with multiple assignments, priority deadlines, and in occasionally stressful emergency response conditions.
Schedule:
- Standard business hours are Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m, with a 1 hour lunch. May be expected to adjust work schedule or work more than 40 hours per week to meet business needs, which may include evenings and weekends to meet program needs and critical deadlines. An alternative flexible work schedule may be considered upon request and supervisor’s approval after the initial review period.
Travel Requirements:
- Employee may be expected to travel within and outside of Washington state, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, during daylight and nighttime hours, and possibly in adverse conditions (rain, snow, etc.).
- When driving for state business, the incumbent must be able to legally operate a state or privately-owned vehicle; or provide alternative transportation when required to travel for state business.
- May need to attend community forums and other meetings in the evening. Some travel around state to participate in meetings, conferences and forums will be required.
Tools & Equipment:
- This position uses standard office furniture and equipment, such as a desk, office chair, and cell phone, and basic office technology including a laptop computer with needed software (Microsoft Office Suite) and hardware (docking station, monitor(s), keyboard, and mouse).
- When in the office, the position may also require the use of a phone, printer/scanner, and/or copy machine.
Customer Interactions:
- Will regularly interact with internal and external customers including people impacted by pesticide illness, legislators, other state agencies and interested parties.
- Must demonstrate an ability to work effectively with diverse communities in a culturally and linguistically appropriate and respectful manner.
Other:
- Represent the agency in a competent, confident, and professional manner.
- Must be willing to work independently and show initiative; also must be willing to work as team and assist others.
- Perform the essential duties of the position with or without an accommodation.
- Must be able to deal with difficult issues and conflicts that may arise when confronting issues of race/ethnicity, culture and environmental justice.
- The DOH campus is a smoke-free, drug-free, alcohol-free, scent-neutral environment.
- This position may be required to conduct and/or participate in public health emergency preparedness and response activities.
APPLICATION DIRECTIONS:
We’re committed to a fair and equitable hiring process. Only materials submitted through the official application will be considered. Emailed resumes or documents won’t be accepted or shared with the hiring manager.
Click “Apply” to complete your application. Attach your resume, cover letter, and DD-214 (if applicable). List at least three professional references, directly in your Applicant Profile or as a separate attachment, including a supervisor, a peer, and someone you’ve supervised or led (if applicable).
DO NOT INCLUDE private details like your SSN or birth year, personal photos, transcripts, certifications, diplomas, projects, portfolios, or letters of recommendation.
Veterans Preference: Applicants wishing to claim Veterans Preference must attach a copy of their DD-214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or a signed verification of service letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to their application. Please remove or cover any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers and birth year
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: We regard diversity as the foundation of our strength, recognizing that differing insights and abilities enable us to reflect the unique needs of the communities we serve.
DOH is an equal-opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination based on race/ethnicity/color, creed, sex, pregnancy, age, religion, national origin, marital status, the presence or perception of a disability, veteran’s status, military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender expression, or gender identity.
Questions and Accommodations: If you have questions, need assistance with the application process, require an accommodation, or would like to request this posting in an alternative format, please contact Andrea Thieme at employment@doh.wa.gov and reference DOH8966.
Technical Support: Reach out to NEOGOV directly at 1-855-524-5627 for technical support and login issues.
Supplemental Information
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This recruitment may be used to fill positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment are filled, the candidate pool may be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days.
Only applicants who follow the directions and complete the Application Process in full will have their responses reviewed for consideration.
Experience and education selected, listed, or detailed in the Supplemental Questions must be verifiable on the submitted applicant profile.
