Program Specialist, Community Impact & Health Equity

Who we are Community Health Plan of Washington is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any actual or perceived protected characteristic or other unlawful consideration. Our commitment is to: · Strive to a pply an equity lens to all our work. · Reduce health disparities. · Create an equitable work environment. About the Role The Program Specialist, Community Impact & Health Equity, works closely with the Supervisor and department team members to coordinate and sustain CHPW’s Community Advisory Council (CAC) Program and related community engagement initiatives. This role serves as a key liaison between CAC participants, community partners, and CHPW staff to ensure the community voice meaningfully informs health equity, quality improvement, and population health initiatives aimed at reducing disparities in care. The individual in this role supports engagement planning, relationship management, project coordination, and community-informed strategies that strengthen CHPW’s commitment to equitable, whole-person care. To be successful in this role, you: Have a minimum of three (3) years of experience in community engagement, community organizing, public health, health equity, healthcare operations, or related fields (required) Have a minimum of one (1) year of experience working with vulnerable populations in a healthcare setting or for a community-based organization (required) Associate's degree preferred, human service field considered; relevant professional experience may be substituted for education (required) Have project or event coordination experience (preferred) Have experience facilitating meetings, community groups, stakeholder engagement activities, or community-centered discussions (preferred) Are fluent in speaking Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese, Cantonese, Arabic, or Somali (preferred) Essential functions and Roles and Responsibilities: Work collaboratively with internal staff to support coordination and implementation of the Community Advisory Council (CAC) Program and related community engagement activities. With guidance from the Supervisor, Community Impact & Health Equity, ensure meetings and engagement activities are well planned, effectively facilitated, and outcomes are clearly communicated to stakeholders. Program Coordination: With oversight from the Supervisor, Community Impact & Health Equity, support CAC logistics, engagement, reporting, and project coordination activities, including onboarding new council participants; developing and refining engagement materials; facilitating and documenting meetings; managing participant compensation processes; tracking engagement activities and deliverables; drafting surveys; and preparing reports summarizing findings, themes, and recommendations. Program Communications: Manage and track communications related to CHPW Community Advisory Councils (CACs) and other community engagement initiatives including direct council participant written and verbal communication (i.e., phone calls or emails), supporting the Supervisor, Community Alignment & Health Equity with presentation development for internal stakeholders, and other communications as needed. Triage issues identified while planning and communicating with community partners interested in the CACs and other projects and promptly reply to ensure partners feel included, informed, and valued. Program Recruitment: Assist the Director, Health Equity & Quality and Supervisor, Community Impact & Health Equity in implementing recruitment, retention, and engagement strategies that support diverse, representative, and high-performing Community Advisory Councils. Plan, coordinate, and document qualitative community engagement activities with community members, community-based organizations, and cross-sector partners, including focus groups, listening sessions, interviews, workshops, and online engagement opportunities. Support health equity, quality improvement, and community impact initiatives aligned with CHPW’s strategic priorities and informed by community voice and engagement efforts. Support the Supervisor, Community Impact & Health Equity with documentation, reporting, and regulatory activities related to health equity, community engagement, and quality improvement initiatives for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS), WA Health Care Authority (HCA), WA Health Benefits Exchange, National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), and other relevant regulatory bodies. Other duties as assigned. Essential functions listed are not necessarily exhaustive and may be revised by the employer, at its sole discretion. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Written and verbal communication skills Advanced facilitation, communication, and relationship‑management skills Interpersonal skills that enable relationship building with all levels of a health care organization and with community partners Knowledge of program planning, implementation, and evaluation Effective organizational and project management skills Ability to think critically and solve problems Ability to track and support initiatives targeted toward improving community alignment, health outcomes, and advancing health equity Knowledge of cultural, linguistic, and health literacy barriers to optimal health care As part of our hiring process, the following criteria must be met: Complete and successfully pass a criminal background check. Criminal History: includes review of criminal convictions and probation. CHPW does not automatically or categorically exclude persons with a criminal background from employment. The applicant’s criminal history will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis considering the risk to the business, members, and/employees. Has not been sanctioned or excluded from participation in federal or state healthcare programs by a federal or state law enforcement, regulatory, or licensing agency. Vaccination requirement (CHPW offers a process for medical or religious exemptions) Candidates whose disabilities make them unable to meet these requirements are considered fully qualified if they can perform the essential functions of the job with reasonable accommodation. Compensation and Benefits: The position is FLSA Non-Exempt and is eligible for overtime. Based on market data, this position grade is 42N and has a 5% annual incentive target based on company, department, and individual performance goals. Salary determined at offer will be based on labor market data and a candidate's years of relevant work experience and skills relevant to the position. CHPW offers the following benefits for Full and Part-time employees and their dependents: Medical, Prescription, Dental, and Vision Telehealth app Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts Basic Life AD&D, Short and Long-Term Disability Voluntary Life, Critical Care, and Long-Term Care Insurance 401(k) Retirement and generous employer match Employee Assistance Program and Mental Fitness app Financial Coaching, Identity Theft Protection Time off including PTO accrual starting at 17 days per year. 40 hours Community Service volunteer time 10 standard holidays, 2 floating holidays Compassion time off, jury duty pay. Sensory/Physical/Mental Requirements: Sensory* : Speaking, hearing, near vision, far vision, depth perception, peripheral vision, touch, smell, and balance. Physical* : Extended periods of sitting, computer use, talking and possibly standing. Mental : Ability to learn and prioritize multiple tasks at a given time and have the capability of handling demanding situations. Analytical/problem solving/critical thinking ability. Work Environment: Office environment Employees who frequently work in front of computer monitors are at risk for environmental exposure to low-grade radiation. *Candidates whose disabilities make them unable to meet these requirements are considered fully qualified if they can perform the essential functions of the job with reasonable accommodation. *The above is intended to describe the general content of and the requirements for satisfactory performance in this position. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of the duties, responsibilities, or requirements of this position. Job descriptions may be updated or changed to reflect business needs.