Specialist, Health Program Initiatives

Specialist, Health Program Initiatives

DC Primary Care Association (DCPCA) has been providing high‑quality, sustainable primary health care in Washington, DC since 1996. DCPCA is currently seeking a Specialist to strengthen the effectiveness and recovery capacity of community health centers throughout the District. This position focuses on advancing emergency preparedness and supporting access to care, chronic disease management, and services for special populations.

$75,000.00 / yr – $78,000.00 / yr

• Serve as liaison between DCPCA, member health centers, the DC Department of Health, and the Health and Medical Coalition (HMC) to coordinate emergency response efforts.
• Conduct annual assessments of health center emergency readiness.
• Support development and implementation of emergency operations plans, COOP, and response protocols aligned with the Incident Command System (ICS), NIMS, and SEMS frameworks.
• Plan and facilitate trainings, exercises, and drills to enhance health center preparedness.
• Contribute to HRSA emergency preparedness, response, and recovery initiatives.
• Maintain situational awareness and support real‑time information exchange during public health emergencies.

• Implement and support initiatives that strengthen primary care delivery and improve health outcomes.
• Advance strategies that promote fair access and inclusive practices, especially for special populations and individuals with complex chronic needs.
• Assist with program implementation and evaluation for CHW integration, Section 330 grant‑supported efforts, and workforce development.
• Coordinate and evaluate trainings, technical assistance sessions, and learning collaboratives.
• Collect, analyze, and report data to inform decisions and track progress toward program goals.
• Build relationships with health center partners to identify needs, share best practices, and promote cross‑site collaboration.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Associate’s degree in public health, health administration, emergency management, or related field (equivalent experience may be considered).
• At least 24 years of experience in program coordination, emergency preparedness, health systems, or public health.
• Certification from FEMA’s Emergency Management Basic Academy.
• Knowledge of emergency response systems (ICS, NIMS, COOP) and public health infrastructure.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills; demonstrated ability to partner with health center staff, public agencies, and community‑based organizations.
• Experience with resource management and planning.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Proficiency with email marketing platforms (Mail Chimp, Constant Contact) and webinar tools.

• Experience working within Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and look‑alike organizations.
• Familiarity with CHW‑led models, chronic disease initiatives, Section 330 grant programming, and community‑based health efforts.
• Experience engaging special populations impacted by access barriers and social drivers of health.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Survey Monkey, and data tools such as Excel, Power BI, or Tableau.
• Proficiency in Canva or similar visual communication tools for content creation and stakeholder engagement.

DCPCA offers a competitive salary of $75,000 – $78,000 / yr based on experience and skills, along with a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, 403(b) match, ancillary benefits, flexible spending accounts, and generous leave benefits.

This is a primarily sedentary position located in a Washington, DC office, with occasional overnight travel. The role may involve occasional bending and lifting and is described as fast‑paced with high work demands under tight timelines.

Mid‑Senior level

Full‑time

Health Care Provider;
Hospitals and Health Care