Reporting to the Director of Enterprise Risk Management, the Chief Privacy Officer is the agency's subject matter expert on privacy, confidentiality, and healthcare information management. This position provides expert advice and support on privacy and confidentiality matters for the entire agency, independently reviewing all aspects of the agency's privacy and confidentiality policies and activities. This position provides support and advice to the agency's leadership regarding planning, leading, and strategically managing a reliable and legally compliant privacy program.
 
The Chief Privacy Officer ensures the agency and its employees follow state and federal privacy and confidentiality legal requirements. This position is authorized to make policy and procedure decisions about privacy, data sharing, and confidentiality. It has the flexibility to interpret those policies and procedures to the best advantage of the agency. The position also provides advice and consultation regarding sharing confidential information with outside entities.
 
When we talk to our Chief Privacy Officer about their values, they'll see themselves in words like Human-Centered, Partnership, Equity, and Excellence. They'll also see in these words a challenge to improve—personally and organizationally—in pursuit of a better impact on people and business outcomes.
 
 When we ask others about them, they'll describe a person of remarkable capability, diligence, and focus. They'll tell us about someone who:

• Sees and understands the objectives and challenges of the people they work with and those they impact.
• Adjusts what they're doing based on what they learn.
• Holds themselves accountable for helping those around them succeed and achieve their own business results.

It takes personal courage, tenacity, and humility to achieve big things in this way. Our ideal candidates probably wonder whether they're up to this challenge. But they want to take it on because they're hungry for personal growth and to help build this kind of business, team, and workplace culture at the Department of Health.

 
About the Department of Health 
The vision of the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is equity and optimal health for all. Our mission is to work with others to protect and improve the health of all people in Washington state. Learn more about the DOH Transformational Plan.
 
Our Values 
Good organizations know what they do and how they do it. Great organizations also understand why they do it. Our values are: 

• Human-centered: We see others as people who matter like we do and take into account their needs, challenges, contributions, and objectives. 
• Equity: We are committed to fairness and justice to ensure access to services, programs, opportunities, and information for all. 
• Collaboration: We seek partnership and collaboration to maximize our collective impact. We cannot achieve our vision alone. 
• Seven Generations: Inspired by Native American culture, we seek wisdom from those who came before us to ensure our current work protects those who will come after us. 
• Excellence: We strive to demonstrate best practices, high performance, and compelling value in our work every day. 

The Washington State Department of Health acknowledges that our locations statewide are on the homelands of Native people, who have lived in this region from time immemorial. Currently, within the boundaries of Washington State, there are 36 tribes, 29 of which are federally recognized, that share traditional homelands and waterways in what is now Washington State. Some of these are nations and confederacies that represent multiple tribes or bands. We express our most profound respect for and gratitude toward these original and current caretakers of the region. As a public health agency, we acknowledge our responsibility to establish and maintain relationships with these tribes and Native peoples, in support of tribal sovereignty and the inclusion of their voices in public health programs and policies. We pledge that these relationships will consist of mutual trust, respect, and reciprocity.
 
Benefits of Working for DOH 
Washington is America's Top State, according to U.S. News (2021), and provides one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
 
We also offer: 

• A healthy life/work balance by offering flexible schedules and telework options for many positions. 
• Growth and development opportunities. 
• A wellness program that offers education, access to healthy food, and fitness classes. 
• Opportunities to serve your community through meaningful work. 
• A commitment to diversity and inclusion fosters an inclusive environment that encourages all employees to bring their authentic selves to work. 
• An Infant at Work Program based on the long-term health values of breastfeeding newborns and infant-parent bonding. 
• Employee resource groups that provide forums for employees to gather and share ideas about matters that affect their personal and professional lives and support career development.  

Tumwater is a vibrant city just south of Olympia, the state's capital, with a small-town feel conveniently situated in the Puget Sound area between Seattle and Portland. The rugged Olympic Mountains rise in the distance, and Mount Rainier seems close enough to touch on a clear day. Tumwater enjoys the benefits of an engaged and educated community and a well-supported school system, with two universities and a community college within a ten-mile radius.
 
Tumwater is located in Thurston County, Washington, homelands of the Coast Salish Peoples, including those recognized today as the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation, and the Nisqually and Squaxin Indian Tribes. We acknowledge their presence here since time immemorial and recognize their continuing connection to the land, to the water, and to their ancestors.

 

The desired candidate profile (All relevant experience including lived, volunteer, or professional, or a combination of experience and education that demonstrate the ability to perform the work will be considered):

• Bachelor's degree in health information management, public or business administration, organizational leadership, or a related field. 
• Three (3) years of professional experience in one or more disciplines: working with privacy and confidentiality laws, or conducting research and analyzing policies, laws, rules, or regulations.
• Experience in the following: 
  • Working with leadership, business unit managers and staff to document privacy and confidentiality activities and the application of law to resolve challenges. 
  • Knowledge and experience in state and federal information privacy laws, including but not limited to HIPAA.
  • Demonstrated organization, facilitation, written and oral communication, and presentation skills.
  • Proficiently translating complex information issues into readily understood concepts for staff, management, and the public. 

Preferred Education, Experience, and Competencies

• Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school (not required to be an active member of the bar association) 
• Any of the following certifications: 
  • Certified in Healthcare Privacy and Security (CHPS) 
  • Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) 
  • Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP) 

As well as demonstrated experience in the following leadership competencies:
 

• Start with mindset – Turn your mindset outward by seeing the humanity in others.
• Be the change – Change your mindset regardless of whether others change theirs.
• Be fully capable – Own your work, plans, actions, and impact. Position others to own theirs.
• Build relationships – Eliminate the unnecessary distinctions that create distance between yourself and others.
• Rethink systems and processes to turn them outward – Create an environment that energizes people rather than manages objects.
• Measure results – Move yourself and your teams to achieve collective goals.

Compensation & Benefits
The annual compensation is between $95,020 – $111,360, depending upon qualifications. Learn more about the Washington Management Service.  
 
Washington State offers a full benefits package, including vacation and sick leave, family medical and dental coverage, life insurance, retirement, and a deferred compensation program.
 
The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is an equal opportunity employer. DOH strives to create a working environment that is inclusive and respectful. Our policy prohibits discrimination based on race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, genetics, or disability in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of our workforce.
 
If you have questions, need alternative formats or other assistance please contact zach.covington@doh.wa.gov, (360) 236-2406 or TDD Relay at 1-800-833-6384 or 711 (Washington Relay).  Technical support is provided by NEOGOV, 855-524-5627 (can't log in, password or email issues, error messages).
   
Application Process
Intrigued? We'd love to hear from you. Click “Apply” to submit your detailed application profile along with the following:
   

1. A cover letter that addresses your qualifications and demonstrated experience as they relate to the position.  
2. A current resume detailing your professional background.
3. Five (5) or more professional references, to be included in your profile under the references section which includes at least one supervisor, peer, and (if you have supervised staff) someone you have supervised or led. Please do not attach any letters of recommendation.  

Only attach the documents requested in the Application Process, and please ensure they are not password-protected. Please delete any photos or private information (social security number, year of birth, transcripts, etc.) for these documents.  Additional documents not requested will not be reviewed and may cause errors within your application when downloaded.
 
 Live and Work in a Great State
Washington is America's Top State, according to U.S. News (2021) and provides one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
 
Washington offers a total work/life package of pay, benefits, flexibility, and workplace opportunities to help you get the most out of your career and out of life. Washington State is a great place to work, play, and be a part of a community. Washington offers a quality of life that is unsurpassed. From the high-energy urban center of Seattle, one of the nation's top-ranked cities, to the more relaxed pace of our rural communities, Washington's distinctive Northwest lifestyle blends a progressive, creative culture with a casual nature.
 
All employees working for the Department of Health must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before their hire date. The Office of Human Resources will verify proof of vaccination after an employment offer has been extended.  
 
Please reach out to the Office of Human Resources at HR@doh.wa.gov if you need information on a medical or religious accommodation. 

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