Deputy Director, Center Health Statistics; CHS DOH

Deputy Director, Center for Health Statistics (Chs)

This position offers a hybrid work arrangement, combining remote work with scheduled onsite work at our DOH facility in Tumwater, WA, approximately 3 days a week.

The Opportunity

As the Deputy Director for the Center for Health Statistics (Chs), you will provide executive leadership for the Washington State Department of Health's Center for Health Statistics, overseeing the operations, strategy, and continuous improvement of one of the state's most critical public health data programs. You will also carry out the responsibilities of the agency-appointed Deputy State Registrar while partnering with the Office Director to guide organizational strategy, operational excellence, and long-term planning.

In this role, you will lead office-wide operations, oversee policy and quality improvement initiatives, direct strategic investments in technology and data systems, and ensure the Center is positioned to meet future public health needs and national accreditation goals. You'll work across the agency and with local, Tribal, state, federal, and national partners to strengthen the systems that produce and protect vital records and other essential health data.

The decisions you make help ensure Washington has accurate, secure, and reliable information that supports public health surveillance, legal documentation, healthcare planning, and services relied upon by millions of people throughout the state.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Lead the statewide administration and operational oversight of Washington's vital records system while serving as the Deputy State Registrar and acting on behalf of the State Registrar as authorized by law.
• Direct office-wide operations, strategic planning, fiscal management, policy development, and quality improvement to ensure efficient, compliant, and sustainable public health services.
• Guide long-term modernization of data systems, technology investments, and performance improvement initiatives that strengthen the reliability, security, and accessibility of critical public health information.
• Supervise leaders responsible for data systems, policy, and quality improvement, fostering an inclusive, high-performing workplace focused on collaboration, accountability, and professional growth.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with local health jurisdictions, Tribal governments, healthcare organizations, state and federal agencies, and national partners to advance statewide public health priorities.
• Lead continuity of operations planning, emergency preparedness, and organizational readiness to ensure essential public health services remain available during emergencies and public health responses.
• Advise executive leadership on legislative, regulatory, operational, fiscal, and strategic issues affecting the Center while ensuring compliance with state and federal laws governing vital records.
• Drive organizational excellence by advancing strategic priorities, performance management, accreditation readiness, Lean practices, and initiatives that strengthen equity, operational effectiveness, and employee engagement.

Why You'll Love This Role:

• Lead a complex statewide organization with broad responsibility for strategy, operations, and organizational improvement.
• Shape the future of Washington's vital records and public health data systems through innovation, technology, and long-term planning.
• Ensure the integrity of information that supports healthcare, legal identity, public health surveillance, and critical government services across Washington.
• Help strengthen a public health system that serves every community by improving access to reliable data, advancing operational excellence, and fostering equitable public service.

What You Bring:

You are an experienced public sector leader who enjoys solving complex organizational challenges and guiding high-performing teams through change. You build strong relationships across programs and organizations, communicate effectively with executive leaders and external partners, and make thoughtful decisions that balance operational needs, legal requirements, and long-term strategy. You value continuous improvement and use data to strengthen programs, develop people, and improve organizational performance.

You are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where employees can thrive and where collaboration, accountability, and service to the people of Washington guide every decision.

Minimum 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 any relevant experience defined below is outlined in your cover letter, resume, and/or applicant profile.

• Option 1: Twelve (12) years of professional experience in public health, governmental systems, public policy, or health system leadership, including at least five (5) years in a leadership or senior…