Program Specialist - Health / Children & Families

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 Healthy Children's Fund website, and the Job Description and Supplemental Job Description 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.