Program Specialist - Health / Children & Families
Apply NowCompany: Whatcom County, WA
Location: Bellingham, WA 98225
Description:
Salary: $34.27 - $49.29 Hourly
Location : Bellingham, WA 98225
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: P480 315 0225
Department: Health Department
Division: Community Services
Opening Date: 03/27/2025
Closing Date: 4/20/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
Summary
Whatcom County Health & Community Services is recruiting for a Program Specialist to focus on supporting the Healthy Children's Fund (HCF) and contract development which focuses on the strategies of the HCF Implementation Plan. This position will provide ongoing support for staff and projects funded with HCF funds in Whatcom County.
ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES
Independently organizes, coordinates and facilitates the efforts to improve access to services throughout Whatcom County that offer families pathways to child care, housing, healthcare and social supports to improve childhood well-being.
In collaboration with the Child and Family Well-being Task Force, community partners and county leadership, plans, develops, implements and evaluates programs, policies, systems and environmental change strategies to increase access to child care, as well as supports for vulnerable children ages 0-5 and their families.
Works with community partners to establish funding priorities and programmatic standards. Identifies, secures, and administers federal, state, and local funding to improve housing, behavioral health and child care accessibility, affordability, quality and cultural relevance.
Develops, drafts and facilitates funding mechanisms, such as Requests for Proposals, MRSC solicitations, Letters of Agreement and Interlocal Agreements.
Develops, drafts and monitors contracts with community organizations based on established funding priorities and following County purchasing guidelines.
Collaborates with community partners to develop and implement ongoing community assessment and planning processes for current systems supporting early learning and care and vulnerable children and their families.
Prioritizes involvement of youth and families in planning efforts; particularly people from marginalized populations. Identifies systemic barriers within early learning and care and other service systems, such as housing, behavioral and mental health healthcare systems that impact children, youth and families.
Incorporating principles of cultural and linguistic competency, uses appropriate communication to increase the visibility of system issues impacting children, youth, and their families,
Creates and maintains relationships with and convenes cross-sector and cross-cultural stakeholders with a particular focus on the Child and Family Well-being Task Force and local child care and early learning and care community and work force.
For more information please review the website, and the and for this position.
Work Location: 322 N. Commercial Street, Bellingham
Hours of Work: Monday - Friday, 40 hours. Hybrid schedule available.
Supervisor: Community Health & Human Services Supervisor
Salary Range:
Hiring rate depends on qualifications. This position receives annual pay increases to the next step in the associated salary range (apx. 3.8%) subject to satisfactory performance, in addition to any negotiated Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA).
We are required by State Law to list the full salary range. As a public entity and in a union-covered position, we are required to make pay decisions based on experience, qualifications, and equity with other employees. Hiring rate typically is limited to entry to mid of the posted salary range, subject to required approvals.
Qualifications
Requires a Bachelors' degree in Public Health, Community Health, public administration, child development, or closely related field AND four years of progressively responsible work experience in community health, social work, human services, community organizing, early learning and care or related field.
Master's degree in related field preferred and may be substituted for six months of experience.
At its sole discretion, Whatcom County may consider combinations of education, experience, certifications, and training in lieu of specifically required qualifications contained herein.
Requires knowledge of:
Community mobilization strategies, assessment and planning methods, policy and program development and evaluation.
Child development, the impacts of early adversity and value of protective factors.
Early learning and care environments and systems.
Impacts of housing and healthcare systems on children and their families.
Racial equity practices and principles, including integrating the principles of racial equity into all aspects of the work.
Trauma-informed care practices.
Principles of planning, time management, project coordination, group dynamics and program and process evaluation.
Contract and Funding Mechanism (such as RFP's) development, writing and monitoring.
Requires the ability to:
Contribute to a work environment where continuous quality improvements in service and professional practice are pursued.
Communicate effectively and professionally with diverse customers.
Whatcom County offers excellent benefits at no cost to employees, including:
01
Do you have a Bachelors' degree (or higher)in Public Health, Community Health, public administration, child development, or a closely related field?
02
Do you have at least 4 years of progressively responsible work experience in community health, social work, human services, community organizing, early learning and care or a related field?
03
Please describe your experience in Community Health, public administration, child development
04
Describe your experience developing and reviewing contracts including budget and financial components, scopes of work and project evaluation.
05
Please describe your experience in strategic planning and partnership development
06
Describe your experience conducting and coordinating community needs assessments
07
Describe your experience developing requests for proposals, including budget, financial components, scopes of work and project evaluations and goals.
Required Question
Location : Bellingham, WA 98225
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: P480 315 0225
Department: Health Department
Division: Community Services
Opening Date: 03/27/2025
Closing Date: 4/20/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
Summary
Whatcom County Health & Community Services is recruiting for a Program Specialist to focus on supporting the Healthy Children's Fund (HCF) and contract development which focuses on the strategies of the HCF Implementation Plan. This position will provide ongoing support for staff and projects funded with HCF funds in Whatcom County.
ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES
Independently organizes, coordinates and facilitates the efforts to improve access to services throughout Whatcom County that offer families pathways to child care, housing, healthcare and social supports to improve childhood well-being.
In collaboration with the Child and Family Well-being Task Force, community partners and county leadership, plans, develops, implements and evaluates programs, policies, systems and environmental change strategies to increase access to child care, as well as supports for vulnerable children ages 0-5 and their families.
Works with community partners to establish funding priorities and programmatic standards. Identifies, secures, and administers federal, state, and local funding to improve housing, behavioral health and child care accessibility, affordability, quality and cultural relevance.
Develops, drafts and facilitates funding mechanisms, such as Requests for Proposals, MRSC solicitations, Letters of Agreement and Interlocal Agreements.
Develops, drafts and monitors contracts with community organizations based on established funding priorities and following County purchasing guidelines.
Collaborates with community partners to develop and implement ongoing community assessment and planning processes for current systems supporting early learning and care and vulnerable children and their families.
Prioritizes involvement of youth and families in planning efforts; particularly people from marginalized populations. Identifies systemic barriers within early learning and care and other service systems, such as housing, behavioral and mental health healthcare systems that impact children, youth and families.
Incorporating principles of cultural and linguistic competency, uses appropriate communication to increase the visibility of system issues impacting children, youth, and their families,
Creates and maintains relationships with and convenes cross-sector and cross-cultural stakeholders with a particular focus on the Child and Family Well-being Task Force and local child care and early learning and care community and work force.
For more information please review the website, and the and for this position.
Work Location: 322 N. Commercial Street, Bellingham
Hours of Work: Monday - Friday, 40 hours. Hybrid schedule available.
Supervisor: Community Health & Human Services Supervisor
Salary Range:
- MCBA- Range 180.0
Hiring rate depends on qualifications. This position receives annual pay increases to the next step in the associated salary range (apx. 3.8%) subject to satisfactory performance, in addition to any negotiated Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA).
We are required by State Law to list the full salary range. As a public entity and in a union-covered position, we are required to make pay decisions based on experience, qualifications, and equity with other employees. Hiring rate typically is limited to entry to mid of the posted salary range, subject to required approvals.
Qualifications
Requires a Bachelors' degree in Public Health, Community Health, public administration, child development, or closely related field AND four years of progressively responsible work experience in community health, social work, human services, community organizing, early learning and care or related field.
Master's degree in related field preferred and may be substituted for six months of experience.
At its sole discretion, Whatcom County may consider combinations of education, experience, certifications, and training in lieu of specifically required qualifications contained herein.
Requires knowledge of:
Community mobilization strategies, assessment and planning methods, policy and program development and evaluation.
Child development, the impacts of early adversity and value of protective factors.
Early learning and care environments and systems.
Impacts of housing and healthcare systems on children and their families.
Racial equity practices and principles, including integrating the principles of racial equity into all aspects of the work.
Trauma-informed care practices.
Principles of planning, time management, project coordination, group dynamics and program and process evaluation.
Contract and Funding Mechanism (such as RFP's) development, writing and monitoring.
Requires the ability to:
Contribute to a work environment where continuous quality improvements in service and professional practice are pursued.
Communicate effectively and professionally with diverse customers.
Whatcom County offers excellent benefits at no cost to employees, including:
- Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage for employees AND their family
- Generous paid leave provisions, including vacation, sick leave, and an average of 13 paid holidays per year
- Lifetime pension through the Washington State Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS), with joint contributions required from the employee and the County
- $50,000 Life Insurance coverage for employees
- Option to invest in a 457 Deferred Compensation Retirement Plan.
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA) available for health care and/or dependent care expenses
- Voluntary Term Life Insurance and Personal Accident Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Additional is available online.
01
Do you have a Bachelors' degree (or higher)in Public Health, Community Health, public administration, child development, or a closely related field?
- Yes
- No
02
Do you have at least 4 years of progressively responsible work experience in community health, social work, human services, community organizing, early learning and care or a related field?
- Yes
- No
03
Please describe your experience in Community Health, public administration, child development
04
Describe your experience developing and reviewing contracts including budget and financial components, scopes of work and project evaluation.
05
Please describe your experience in strategic planning and partnership development
06
Describe your experience conducting and coordinating community needs assessments
07
Describe your experience developing requests for proposals, including budget, financial components, scopes of work and project evaluations and goals.
Required Question