King County Regional Homelessness Authority

Compensation

Full Description

Title: Director, Special Projects Location: Seattle, WA; In person & eligible for telework Organizational Overview The King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA) is a public administrative agency created by an interlocal agreement between the City of Seattle and King County. KCRHA is responsible for unifying, coordinating, and administering the funding of emergency services for people experiencing homelessness — to provide oversight and accountability. Our mission is to administer effective, performance-based homeless services to support a high-functioning homelessness crisis response system to significantly decrease the incidence of unsheltered homelessness across King County using equity and social justice principles. Crisis response includes services that support those who are not yet in permanent housing such as: Emergency shelter, Transitional Housing, Tiny Home Villages, Rapid Re-Housing, Day Centers, and Severe Weather shelter. Team Overview The Programs Department is responsible for managing homelessness services contracts, conducting procurements for homelessness services in King County, administering the Coordinated Entry System, fulfilling the functions as the Continuum of Care Lead Entity, and overseeing the activation of homelessness services capacity increases during emergencies, such as severe weather. The Director of Special Projects serves in a leadership capacity on this team and manages KCRHA’s programmatic initiatives, including grant applications and oversight, site planning and development, and other special projects. The Emergency Operations Team reports to the Director of Special Projects. Flexibility and cross-functional collaboration are key skills that contribute to the team's success. Role Description The Director of Special Projects works directly with the Chief Program Officer to oversee and manage a variety of projects on behalf of KCRHA clients and execute high-profile projects that are critical to the agency's mission. This role requires a passion for ending homelessness, outstanding critical thinking, analytical and interpersonal communication skills, strong planning and project management experience and develop valuable results. The Director has experience assisting with developing and implementing homeless programs and systems or housing/homeless policy development. This role oversee Emergency Operations Team (severe weather and similar emergency responses) and works collaboratively with other divisions in the Programs Department and KCRHA-wide teams. The Director will be a member of the Programs Department Leadership Team. Accountabilities • Serve as overall program lead for homeless project planning efforts. This may include leading Executive and council-requested projects and working with local jurisdictions on homeless response efforts. • Incorporate equity and social justice principles and approaches in KCRHA planning and special projects work. • Serve as a resource for the Program and Performance Department, addressing program implementation issues including financial and staff resource needs, internal/external conflicts, and needed program changes. • Build relationships and maintain good communication with community stakeholders and institutional partners, working together to achieve common goals. • Lead and participate in meetings with key stakeholders, including local community members, elected officials, housing, and service providers. • Collaborate on contract management, training, community engagement, data collection and analysis, and promoting equity, customer service, and accountability with numerous teams in KCRHA, including the Emergency and Housing Services Division; the Coordinated Entry Team, Finance Department, Research and Data Department, and the Ombuds Office. • Oversee the budgets of special projects, including the Encampment Resolution Program funded by the Washington Department of Commerce and work with fiscal staff and the Chief Programs Officer to monitor the fund sources, analyze/project availability of funds into the future, and propose revisions to budget/policy. • Supervise, mentor and provide support (especially during severe weather activations) for Emergency Operations staff by establishing work goals and objectives. Ensuring professional development, performance reviews, and as-needed disciplinary activities. Makes recommendations to the Chief Programs Officer regarding personnel actions. • Perform other duties as Minimum Requirements • Fluency in equity and racial justice concepts and language, understanding their privilege and power, and can bring equity impact analysis to life in the context of their tasks. • 7+ years of experience operating or managing, including in a governmental setting, homelessness services programs. • 3+ years of supervisory experience, including managing a team simultaneously working on multiple facets of a Team matrix management experience is helpful. • Project management experience with demonstrated success in implementing high-profile, complex homelessness services programs under tight timelines. • Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with multiple stakeholders, including elected officials, diverse community stakeholders, nonprofit partners, and jurisdictional staff. • Excellent oral and written communication skills including the ability to communicate effectively and work with people from various cultural backgrounds. • Strong facilitation and negotiation skills, and the demonstrated ability to develop partnerships with stakeholders to build consensus and develop solutions to issues and • Experience working with federal funding sources (local, state, and federal), particularly those focused on the homeless response system. • Ability to work with creativity and flexibility, both independently and as a team member; to work under deadlines and on several tasks simultaneously; and to organize and prioritize quickly in response to changing needs. Additional Requirements • Experience with government and community stakeholders in King County • Valid Washington State Driver's License • Ability to travel up to 10%, in state and out-of-state • Demonstrated ability to lead program This includes successfully working with staff and external stakeholders on new programs, from design through implementation and continuous evaluation • Ability to operate in a politically sensitive environment, with nuance and attention to detail • A high level of customer service orientation and attention to detail, accuracy, timeliness • Ability to provide and accept feedback • Ability to work in and across several communication platforms, including social networks and cloud-based systems • Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times Benefits The KCRHA offers a comprehensive benefits package. Health: Medical, dental, and vision coverage. Insurance: Life insurance and Long-Term Disability (LTD) coverage. Retirement: Pension and Deferred Compensations Plan for eligible employees. Paid Time Off: Unlimited vacation, 96 hours of paid sick and safe leave, 12 official holidays, and 2 personal holidays. Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential support for personal and work-related challenges. Commuter Benefit: Subsidized ORCA card. EEO Statement The KCRHA is committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity and will not discriminate against an applicant or employee based on race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, alienage or citizenship status, ancestry, nationality, national origin, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, familial status, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, The KCRHA will provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities.