Education Specialist - Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian/Native American/Alaska Native

Education Specialist - Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian/Native American/Alaska Native

Salary

$33.73 - $42.75 Hourly

Location

South Park Warehouse 7272 West Marginal Way South Seattle WA 98108, WA

Job Type

Career Service (Exec)

Job Number

2026AO27510

Department

DPH - Public Health

Division

Community Health Services

Opening Date

07/29/2026

Closing Date

8/12/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

FLSA

Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit

C9A : PROTEC17-DPH, DCHS-Health Prof

Full- or Part-Time

Full Time

Hours/Week

40 hours/week

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Summary

Department of Public Health - Family Ways Program is seeking an Education Specialist (Peer Community Specialist) to join its innovative team and work directly with Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian or Native American/ Alaska Native families! Peer Community Specialists partner with pregnant, parenting families and children up to age five with relationship-based, culturally-aligned support. Services are provided to 3 specific focus communities: Native American/Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander and US born Black/African American communities. All services are culturally relevant, participant-centered and strengths-based.

The Peer Community Specialist will work in a team environment and practice care coordination with other disciplines. The team includes a Public Health Nurse, Nutritionists, Social Worker and Administrative Support staff. Peer Community Specialists will be responsible for partnering with program participants and families in creating a care plan and supporting them through pregnancy or parenting.

Note: This recruitment will be used to create an eligibility pool to fill additional Career Service, Term-Limited Temporary (TLT), or Special Duty Assignment (SDA) vacancies that may occur over the next six months.

Commitment To Equity and Social Justice

Named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nations history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.

The county government has a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all - in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from all communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.

We recognize that structural racism consists of principles and practices that cause and justify an inequitable distribution of rights, opportunities, and experiences across racial groups. Since declaring Racism is a Public Health Crisis in June 2020, King County and Public Health committed to being intentionally anti-racist and accountable to Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities.

To learn more, please visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/elected/executive/equity-social-justice.aspx

Work Schedule

Typical work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, however, hours may vary depending on community events, client/family need and staff coverage. Some weekday evenings and weekend work will be required,

Remote and Onsite Work:

The Family Ways team works in a hybrid model, with days in the office as well as telecommuting. The ratio of remote to onsite work will be dependent on business needs and is subject to change. The primary onsite location South Park Warehouse: South Park 7272 W. Marginal Way, Seattle WA 98108.

Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the departments hybrid environment. Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.

Job Duties

• Partners with program participants and families to develop care plans and goals.
• Identify social and health systems resources.
• Identify and connect participants to community resources.
• Set and achieve personal and family wellbeing goals.
• Conduct educational and informational learning opportunities for staff, clients, community groups and other professionals.
• Document interactions with program participants in record-keeping systems, acquire necessary paperwork, and respond to calls, emails, or requests in a timely manner.
• Collaborate with program participants, families, communities, and King County programs to support access to services and referrals.
• Foster and coordinate community and agency partnerships.
• Attend community events.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Ideal Candidate:

• Skills or experience in home visiting, early childhood education, pregnancy and parenting education, customer service, or health care.
• Experience and knowledge of theories and practices in health promotion education and behavior-change programs.
• Excellent interpersonal skills required.
• Ability to interact professionally with culturally diverse individuals during a time of crisis and distress.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills, with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use to perform the essential functions of this position.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.
• Ability to exhibit a professional, positive attitude and work ethic.
• Critical thinking and sound judgment.
• Comfortable with in-person visits for service coordination/client assessment.
• Ability to work with creativity and flexibility, both independently and as a team member.
• Ability to meet deadlines.
• Able to be flexible and adjust to changing needs.
• Regular and reliable attendance.
• Development of effective working relationships.

Desired Candidate:

• Marshallese and Chuukese speaker
• Partnership and community engagement experience working with communities to build partnerships and gain understanding of unique community needs.
• Demonstrated knowledge and ability of how to engage authentically with program participants and families.
• Experience as Community Health Worker, Navigator, or Community Organizer.
• Racial Equity, and Social Justice (RESJ) knowledge of equity and social justice principles and practices.
• Experience working with communities striving to overcome systemic racism.
• Direct knowledge and/or lived experience working in at least one of these communities: Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander communities.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a team member.
• Demonstrated skills and abilities working collaboratively with clients and families, community-based groups, service providers, other staff and programs.

Supplemental Information

Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nations best places to live, work and play.

Application Process

If you are interested in pursuing this position and supporting King County's vision for unified, equitable, and high-performing government, please follow the application instructions carefully. Provide us with your work history as applicable, ensuring that you provide details that highlight your ability to fulfill the requirements for this position.

If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, or you would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process, please contact Recruiter

King Countys Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values unite us.

King County serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency, delivering on commitments with transparency and accountability. We are action-oriented, creative problem solvers who collaborate across roles, engage directly with communities, and challenge the status quo to achieve meaningful impact. As a unified team, we uphold high ethical and stewardship standards, embrace change, stay curious, and continuously improve. Across all interactions, we listen first, act quickly, and stay aligned as a team to earn and sustain public trust. Learn more about our Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values here and visit our Why work at King County page here.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on sex, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religious affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age except by minimum age and retirement provisions, pregnancy, status as a family caregiver, parental status, marital status, military status or status as a veteran who was honorably discharged or who was discharged solely as a result of the persons sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, citizenship or immigration status, genetic information, or other protected class. However, to the extent that distinction or differential treatment on the basis of citizenship or immigration status is authorized by either federal or state law, regulation, or government contract, it is not an unfair practice.

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.

Who May Apply

These positions are open to all qualified applicants.

The following items are required to be considered for this vacancy:

• NEOGOV Job Application (The responses on your job application should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
• Supplemental Questions (The responses to the supplemental questions should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)

(Please note: Cover letters, resumes, and additional attachments will not be reviewed as part of the evaluation process if not outlined as a required application material as outlined above).

Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the application. Cover letters and/or resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted.

Necessary Special Requirements

• The selection process may include evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, interviewing, and testing. You must completely fill out the application with your relevant education and work experience.
• The selected candidate must be able to pass a thorough background investigation, but findings may not necessarily disqualify an applicant for employment.
• The selected candidate must pass a Pre-Employment Physical.
• For more information on our selection process, please refer to www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/jobs/hiring. For tips on interviewing, please visit https://www.kingcounty.gov/~/media/audience/employees/learning-and-development/Interview_Tips.ashx?la=en.
• Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.
• Public Health relies on office automation (Microsoft Office) and web-based enabled tools, therefore candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use to perform functions associated with on-going work.
• Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing their mandatory trainings on time and obtaining required immunizations.
• Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health positions.
• When Public Health responds to an emergency, and in accordance with relevant CBA language and/or KC policy and procedures, we may assign duties outside your regular job description. This may involve responding at any time, including nights and weekends, with possible deployment to locations other than the department.
• 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.

Union Membership

Protec 17

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:

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what's best for themselves and their eligible dependents
• 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: eligible King County employees may 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
• 12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays
• Generous vacation and paid sick leave
• Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves
• Flexible Spending Account
• Wellness programs
• Onsite activity centers
• Employee Giving Program
• Employee assistance programs
• Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
• Training and career development programs

For additional information about employee benefits, visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page.

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.

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.

01

Has your experience prepared you to build relationships and work with families around resource navigation and setting goals?

• Yes
• No

02

Please describe how your experience prepared you to build relationships and work with families around resource navigation and setting goals. If you do not have this experience, please type N/A.

03

Select ONLY ONE of the following 3 focus communities you are applying to serve:

• Native American/Alaska Native
• Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

04

Please explain why you see yourself as a good fit to work with this community. Explain in detail your lived experience and knowledge working with the community you selected in question number 3. If you do not have this experience, please type N/A.

05

Describe how you have included, promoted, and supported equity and social justice principles in your current work, previous work, or personal experience. Please give a detailed description. If you do not have this experience, please type N/A.

06

Do you speak another language that would be relevant to working on this team such as a Marshallese or Chukese?

• Yes
• No

07

What languages do you speak?

08

Are you able to travel throughout King County during the workday?

• Yes
• No

09

If 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 layoff

10

Are you applying to this position as an eligible Priority Placement Program Participant who is a current or previous King County Employee impacted by layoff? AND 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? AND Do you possess the skills and abilities to qualify for this position?

• Yes, I was given a layoff notice from my Career Service 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.

Required Question

Employer King County

Address King Street Center

201 South Jackson Street

Seattle, Washington, 98104

Phone 206-477-3404

Website http://www.kingcounty.gov/