Remote Entry Level Public Health Research Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $41.52 - $55.82 Hourly
Location : Multiple Locations Statewide, WA
Job Type: Part Time - Non-Permanent
Remote Employment: Remote Only
Job Number: DOH8960
Department: Dept. of Health
Division: Office of the State Health Officer (OSHO)
Opening Date: 08/04/2026
Closing Date: 8/12/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step
Description
Public Health Informatics Specialist
Data Science & Informatics Specialist 1 (DSIS 1)
Workforce Pathways Program (WFP)
Executive Office for Government and Community Affairs
This is a home-based (remote) position open to Washington residents, as well as those residing along the ID/WA or OR/WA border. It is a term-limited position supported by the Workforce Pathways Program, funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with funding currently secured from August 2026 through August 31, 2027.
The position is budgeted for 32 hours per week, with the potential to increase to 40 hours per week if additional funding becomes available.
The Opportunity
The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) works to protect and improve the health of people in Washington. The Workforce Pathways Program (WFP), within the Executive Office for Government and Community Affairs (OGCA), provides paid professional opportunities that help expand access to public health careers and strengthen the future public health workforce.
This position is part of the Center for Public Health Informatics, where it supports the development and modernization of innovative health information systems. Working with public health and technology partners, the position helps improve how health data is collected, exchanged, and used to support better health outcomes across Washington.
A Public Health Informatics Specialist transforms raw data into meaningful information that supports the research, design, development, modernization, and maintenance of innovative public health information systems. Working closely with information technology professionals, public health experts, external partners, and system users, this role helps improve how health information is collected, exchanged, protected, and used to support public health decision-making across Washington.
Key Responsibilities:
Public Health Informatics

• Support the research, design, development, and modernization of public health information systems.
• Transform raw data into meaningful information that supports public health programs and decision-making.
• Contribute to innovative informatics solutions that improve health information management.

Data Standards & Interoperability

• Apply informatics principles and industry standards to support the secure collection, exchange, and protection of health data.
• Help improve system interoperability and support compliance with federal interoperability requirements.

Collaboration & System Improvement

• Partner with information technology staff, public health professionals, organizational partners, and end users to design and enhance information systems.
• Participate in projects that improve system functionality, usability, and data quality.

Data Analysis & Reporting

• Develop or support analytic products, reports, dashboards, and data visualizations.
• Present information that helps inform planning, decision-making, and continuous improvement.

Why You'll Love This Role
This is an exciting opportunity to launch or expand a career in public health informatics while contributing to work that improves the health of communities across Washington. As part of a collaborative and supportive team, this position offers hands-on experience working with innovative health information technologies, statewide and national partners, and data that directly informs public health action. Through mentorship, professional development, and meaningful project work, the position provides valuable opportunities to build technical expertise while helping modernize the future of public health information systems.
Required Qualifications
There are multiple pathways to qualify for this position. You must meet one of the options provided and any additional criteria listed. Experience may have been gained through paid or unpaid activities.
Please ensure all relevant experience defined below is outlined in your cover letter, resume, and/or applicant profile.
Degree/Education Pathway: Bachelor's degree or other advanced degree/certification in informatics, data science, mathematics, computer science, statistics, biostatistics, epidemiology, or a related technical or quantitative field, and one (1) year of experience performing data science or informatics data work.
Non-Degree Pathway: Three (3) years of experience supporting health information systems, data management, healthcare data, public health data, analytics, research, or related work. Experience must have included collecting, validating, analyzing, integrating, reporting, or maintaining data and working with invested partners to support business or program needs.
Additional Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Experience

• Experience working with datasets to collect, validate, analyze, or report information.
• Knowledge of data management principles and data quality practices.
• Knowledge of healthcare, public health, or information system data concepts.
• Experience using spreadsheet, database, reporting, or analytical tools to organize and analyze data.
• Experience documenting processes, findings, or technical information.
• Ability to interpret data and communicate findings through written reports, presentations, or visualizations.
• Ability to work collaboratively with technical and non-technical invested partners.
• Knowledge of data privacy, security, and confidentiality requirements.

Preferred Qualifications
While these aren't required, having them can help you stand out as a candidate.

• Master's degree or higher in Public Health, Public Health Informatics, Health Informatics, Epidemiology, Biomedical Informatics, Data Science, or a related field.
• Experience working in a public health agency, healthcare organization, or health technology environment.
• Experience working with Electronic Health Records (EHRs) or Health Information Exchanges (HIEs).
• Experience applying HL7, FHIR, SMART Health Cards, or other healthcare interoperability standards.
• Experience using SQL, Power BI, Tableau, or similar data analysis and visualization tools.
• Experience automating data collection, reporting, or data processing workflows.
• Experience delivering presentations, training, or technical education to diverse audiences

Employee Benefits
This position qualifies for a complete benefits package that supports you and your family's health, financial security, and work-life balance. You'll have access to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, life and long-term disability insurance, flexible spending and health savings accounts, and retirement plans that help you plan for tomorrow while you're living today. Paid holidays, vacation and sick leave help you recharge, and additional programs like dependent care assistance and professional development opportunities add value beyond basic coverage. Join us and enjoy benefits designed to care for you as much as you care about public health. Learn more about DOH benefits and see how we support your life at work and beyond by visiting Work@Health.
About the Washington State Department of Health
We're nearly 2,000 professionals across Washington working together to protect and improve community health. Guided by our values of Equity, Innovation, and Engagement, we address health disparities, respond to emerging challenges, and strengthen systems that support resilience.
At DOH, we help reduce barriers, collaborate with diverse communities, and champion equitable health outcomes. We're passionate people who are driven to . Our work depends on people who take action to learn and grow and who take action to meet the needs of others every day, in service of a healthier Washington. Explore more about the Department of Health, our programs, and our impact by .
Working Conditions:
The following describes the working conditions of this position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Work Setting:

• This position's work can be performed fully remotely. No regular in-person attendance is required. If onsite work is requested by the supervisor, the request will be planned and communicated in advance.
• Exposure to hazards is limited to those commonly found in indoor at home or office environments. This position is sedentary, working at a computer for extended periods.
• The position requires repetitive use of a computer, inputting data and navigating a database, creating and modifying electronic documents, and using email and the internet.

Schedule:

• This position has a work schedule of 32 hours per week, which may be increased to 40 hours if additional funding is received. Although DOH business hours are Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., this position at times necessitates hours outside of the agency's core business hours.

Travel Requirements:

• Travel is not required to perform the duties of this position; however, infrequent travel may be expected to attend meetings, trainings, or conferences.
• When driving for state business, the employee must be able to legally operate a state or privately-owned vehicle; OR provide alternate transportation while on state business.

Tools & Equipment:

• This position uses standard office furniture and equipment, such as a desk, office chair, cell phone, computer, monitor(s), keyboard, and mouse; and when in the office, the position may also require the use of a printer, phone, fax machine, and/or copy machine.
• This position requires reliable access to an internet connection sufficient to perform all job duties remotely.

Customer Interactions:

• Daily contact with office-level managers and staff. Work collaboratively with other state agencies, key partners and vendors as needed or directed.

Other:

• This position is covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.
• The DOH campus is a smoke-free, drug-free, alcohol-free, scent-neutral environment.
• This position may be required to conduct and/or participate in public health emergency preparedness and response activities.

APPLICATION DIRECTIONS:
We're committed to a fair and equitable hiring process. Only materials submitted through the official application will be considered. Emailed resumes or documents won't be accepted or shared with the hiring manager.
Click "Apply" to complete your application. Attach your resume, cover letter, and DD-214 (if applicable). List at least three professional references, directly in your Applicant Profile or as a separate attachment, including a supervisor, a peer, and someone you've supervised or led (if applicable).
DO NOT INCLUDE private details like your SSN or birth year, personal photos, transcripts, certifications, diplomas, projects, portfolios, or letters of recommendation.
Veterans Preference: Applicants wishing to claim Veterans Preference must attach a copy of their DD-214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or a signed verification of service letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to their application. Please remove or cover any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers and birth year
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: We regard diversity as the foundation of our strength, recognizing that differing insights and abilities enable us to reflect the unique needs of the communities we serve.
DOH is an equal-opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination based on race/ethnicity/color, creed, sex, pregnancy, age, religion, national origin, marital status, the presence or perception of a disability, veteran's status, military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender expression, or gender identity.
Questions and Accommodations: If you have questions, need assistance with the application process, require an accommodation, or would like to request this posting in an alternative format, please contact Andrea Thieme at and reference DOH8960.
Technical Support: Reach out to NEOGOV directly at 1-855-524-5627 for technical support and login issues.
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Supplemental Information
This recruitment may be used to fill positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment are filled, the candidate pool may be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days.
Only applicants who follow the directions and complete the Application Process in full will have their responses reviewed for consideration.
Experience and education selected, listed, or detailed in the Supplemental Questions must be verifiable on the submitted applicant profile.
More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health