SHIPS Education Specialist

The Education Specialist provides education and referral for HIV/STI/PrEP services for individuals within King County. This position works on the Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) team at the Sexual Health Clinic at Harborview team and provide education and coordination of care for target populations. Work is conducted primarily in person and depending on the circumstances, virtually. People with lived experience of substance use, incarceration, houselessness, and/or sex work; people of color, women, and members of the LGBTQIA+ communities; and people living with HIV/AIDS and/or hepatitis C are strongly encouraged to apply. This emphasis on diversity and inclusivity reflects a commitment to providing equitable and just health and human services to all individuals, regardless of their background. This position demands a commitment to equity, social justice, and a deep understanding of the complex challenges faced by individuals in the Black community.
 
 This position offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact within the Black community in King County. We prioritize dignity, equity, and evidence-based care. As an Education Specialist working to educate, link, and refer individuals to appropriate services, candidates join a team that is committed to improving health outcomes for underserved individuals in the community. This role providers the chance to deliver patient centered education and support. The work environment is collaborative and is supported by a multidisciplinary team that includes medical providers, nurses, disease research intervention specialists, and administrative staff.
 
Background

Temporary Opportunity. Term-Limited Temporary (TLT) positions are “at will” positions but are eligible for benefits. This TLT is currently anticipated to last 12 months. One factor that could effect the end date of the position is an unanticipated change in funding.

This vacancy can also be filled as a Special Duty opportunity. Special Duty Assignments are open to Career Service, Career Service Exempt or other regular (non-temporary) employee in King County who has completed their initial County probation. You must have supervisor approval prior to taking a Special Duty Assignment.

Note: This posting will create a list of qualified candidates that may be considered for selection of additional vacancies of the same position type over the next 6 months. 

Commitment To Equity and Social Justice

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 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, and hours can vary based on operational need, currently predominately 8:00 am - 5:00 pm.
Non-Exempt and subject to the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (overtime eligible).

 

Work Location 
 This position will be based out of the Sexual Health Clinic in the Nineth and Jefferson Building located on the Harborview campus, 908 Jefferson St. Seattle, WA 98122

The prevention team works in a hybrid model, with a minimum of 3 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 is building name and address.

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 department's 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.

 

• Conduct educational and informational programs for staff, clients, community groups and professionals regarding topics around safe sex practices, risk reduction, HIV/PrEP/STI services and other related topics
• Promote diverse culturally appropriate health beliefs and practices, patient preferred languages, health literacy, and other communications needed for participants referred to care
• Work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to assess needs, monitor patient access to care, and eliminate barriers to service delivery
• Provide health education technical assistance and support to PHSKC staff, partner organizations, and members of the public
• Conduct outreach to priority populations in neighborhoods, community centers, and other areas within King County
• Provide patients with information about potential health risks related to HIV/STIs and assist in developing a plan to reduce future risk for acquiring/transmitting HIV/STIs
• Investigate factors for PrEP discontinuation among HIV negative persons thought to be at increased risk for acquiring HIV.
• Assure confidentiality of all records, data, and information as required by section, department, state and/or federal regulation.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Knowledge of HIV and STD transmission modes, symptoms and implications.
• Demonstrated ability to provide medical information in a clear and concise manner.
• Knowledge and demonstrated application of motivational interviewing skills.
• Knowledge and demonstrated application of behavior change theory and risk reduction strategies.
• Oral, written, and interpersonal communications skills
• Skill in effectively communicating a broad amount of information to a wide variety of audiences
• Demonstrated ability to protect PHI and other confidential information.
• Experience navigating and using electronic health records and/or other client level data repositories.
• Demonstrated ability to follow procedures/protocols and apply them to unpredictable situations.
• Familiarity with Microsoft programs such as Outlook, and the ability to use drop down menus, point and click software, and multiple screens.
• Familiarity with social media platforms such as Instagram and YouTube, and the ability to navigate and use the platforms for sexual health promotion
• Ability to drive a county fleet vehicle to multiple locations within King County on a flexible schedule during work hours.
• Possess a valid WA State driver's license or ability to obtain one within 90 days of hire. Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health position (include for ALL customer/front-facing and Float Pool positions)
• Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health position.

Desired Qualifications:

• Minimum two years of progressively responsible experience in health education, patient care, or related fields; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the role effectively.
• Bilingual/ bicultural/ individuals with diverse backgrounds, including people with lived experience with behavioral health and recovery, incarceration, houselessness, people of color, and members of the LGBTQIA+ communities.
• Competency, comfort, and experience working and communicating with diverse populations and interest groups such as; men who have sex with men, transgender individuals, adolescents, younger adults, drug users, etc.
• Experience working in a position where you routinely coordinated with community-based organizations and healthcare providers
• Previous experience as a health educator focused on HIV/STDs, sexual health, family planning, or reproductive health.
• Current knowledge of the biology and epidemiology of HIV and other STDs.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, to a variety of audiences including professional colleagues, policy makers, and members of at-risk populations.

• Ability to work with minimal supervision and exercise independent good judgment.

King County's 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 person's 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.

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)
• Resume

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. 
• For more information on our selection process, please refer towww.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/jobs/hiring. For tips on interviewing, please visithttps://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 your recruiter listed on this job announcement.

Union Membership

This position is represented by Protec 17-DPH

Contact

For questions about the application process, contact the Recruiter