Community Health Worker – Resource and Support Coordinator (TLT/SDA)

Posting number: 2026SMD27577

Department: DPH - Public Health

Division: Jail Health Services

Job classification: Social Services Specialist (C9A : PROTEC17-DPH, DCHS-Health Prof)

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Public Health, Social Services

Summary

Public Health- Seattle and King County is seeking two (2) Term-Temporary Limited (TLT) or Special Duty (SDA) Social Services Specialists (Community Health Workers) to join our innovative social services team at Jail Health Services (JHS) Division! The Community Health Worker will assist patients in completing traditional Medicaid and provide low barrier health education, resource navigation and care coordination to individuals incarcerated at one of the King County Jail Facilities.
 
The JHS Social Service Team serves individuals with diverse backgrounds and needs in a variety of settings, including King County jails and community settings, and actively supports individuals in accessing health care, behavioral health treatment, transportation assistance and more. Public Health values and actively seeks applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds, including people with lived experience of substance use, incarceration and homelessness. If you are passionate about supporting re-entry populations in King County and improving health outcomes, this role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals and the health of our community!

Background

Jail Health Services (JHS) provides needed health and social services to the incarcerated population located in the King County jails - King County Correctional Facility (KCCF) in Seattle, WA and Maleng Regional Justice Center (MRJC) in Kent, WA. The primary services we provide include medical, dental, mental health, social and release planning services, treatment of substance use disorders, and pharmaceutical services. We care about the patients we serve and their health outcomes. Our division includes over 250 employees and an annual budget of over $60 million.
 
The purpose of JHS is to assure that high-quality health and human services are available to the incarcerated population in the King County adult correctional facilities: the King County Correctional Facility (KCCF) in Seattle and the Maleng Regional Justice Center (MRJC) in Kent. The JHS vision is Opening doors to healthier, happier lives, and the mission is to assess and stabilize serious health problems for the detained population of the King County Correctional Facility and the Maleng Regional Justice Center with a focus on transition from jail.
 
Staffed 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year, JHS provides a broad range of health care to all individuals booked into the jails. For patients with serious mental health or medical conditions, special housing units (psychiatric and infirmary) along with a higher level of services and medical monitoring are provided. Since the patient population varies both in numbers as well as in acuity of health conditions, staffing is adapted and flexed to meet the constantly changing needs of the population. JHS staff manage the complex health needs of underserved populations many of whom come to the facility without access to care in the community and with decompensated acute and chronic health conditions.

Temporary opportunity. Term-Limited Temporary (TLT) positions are "at-will" positions but are eligible for benefits. This TLT is currently anticipated to last two (2) years. However, funding sources for this work remain uncertain and dependent upon decisions actively being made at both the federal and local levels. As a result, the end date of this position may be adjusted based on those decisions. The County and the Department continue to work to secure long term funding sources.

This vacancy can also be filled as a Special Duty opportunity. Special Duty Assignments are open to Career Service, Career Service Exempt or other regular (non-temporary) employee in King County who has completed their initial County probation. You must have supervisor approval prior to taking a Special Duty Assignment.

Note: This posting will create a list of qualified candidates that may be considered for selection of additional vacancies of the same position type over the next 6 months.

Commitment To Equity and Social Justice

Named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.

The county go