As the Newborn Screening Program Director, you will lead Washington’s statewide newborn screening system, overseeing the laboratory, follow-up, epidemiology, operational, and clinical coordination work that helps identify life-threatening and disabling conditions in infants before symptoms appear. This role directs a large and highly specialized public health program responsible for screening every newborn in Washington, as well as infants born in Hawaii and Idaho through interstate partnerships.

You will manage a complex regional program that includes clinical laboratory operations, public health follow-up systems, policy development, budget oversight, quality assurance, and partnerships with healthcare providers, hospitals, specialty clinics, and national organizations. The work requires balancing scientific, operational, regulatory, and strategic priorities while ensuring the program remains reliable, responsive, and aligned with evolving public health and laboratory standards.

In this role, success depends not only on technical and operational expertise, but also on the ability to lead people with authenticity, communicate transparently, foster accountability, and proactively navigate complex challenges. We are seeking a leader who builds trust, develops strong teams, values diverse perspectives, and creates a culture where respect, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement thrive.

This position plays a central role in protecting infants from preventable death and lifelong disability by ensuring newborn screening services are timely, accurate, equitable, and clinically effective. The work directly informs public health policy, supports statewide healthcare systems, and helps families access critical diagnostic and treatment services as early as possible.

Option 1 – Non-degree Pathway

Option 2 – Education Pathway

And the following experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Two (2) or more years of experience supervising staff in a public health program or laboratory setting
• Experience leading and managing complex public health, clinical, or laboratory programs
• Experience working in regulated environments with quality, compliance, or accreditation requirements (e.g., CLIA, CAP, CDC, ISO)
• Experience developing or implementing policies, procedures, or program standards
• Experience managing budgets, contracts, or grant-funded programs
• Experience working with external partners such as healthcare providers, government agencies, or community organizations
• Experience working in or supporting laboratory-based or diagnostic programs
• Knowledge of clinical laboratory operations, testing methodologies, and quality assurance practices
• Knowledge of epidemiological principles and statistical methods used in public health
• Experience interpreting and applying federal and state laws, regulations, and public health standards

About Washington State Department of Health

Our programs and services help prevent illness and injury, promote healthy places to live and work, provide information to help people make good health decisions and ensure our state is prepared for emergencies. To accomplish all of these, we collaborate with many partners every day. We help ensure a safer and healthier Washington by: Working to improve health through disease and injury prevention, immunization, and newborn screening Providing health and safety information, education and training so people can make healthy choices Promoting a health and wellness system where we live, learn, work, play and worship Addressing environmental health hazards associated with drinking water, food, air quality and pesticide exposure Protecting you and your family by licensing healthcare professionals, investigating disease outbreaks and preparing for emergencies

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