Senior Equitable Development Initiative Lead (Project/Program Manager IV) en King County, WA

About the Department

King County's Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) provides equitable opportunities for people to be healthy, happy, and connected to community.

Are you an adaptable leader who is passionate about leveraging public policy and programs to empower communities? Do you thrive on working with a broad range of stakeholders, including communities of color? Do you listen carefully and know how to negotiate and facilitate successful outcomes? Can you move quickly between big picture vision and project-level details? Are you skilled at bringing order to ambiguity and working in teams across disciplines? If so, we are looking for you!

The Housing and Community Development Division (HCD) is seeking a Senior Equitable Development Initiative Lead to advance the County’s efforts to empower communities most vulnerable to displacement to shape their own futures. This includes supporting residents and community-based organizations in developing visions and implementation plans for public land available for redevelopment; building the capacity of community-based organizations interested in engaging in housing development; and working within the County to align policies and programs to equitable development outcomes. Read more about King County’s Equity and Social Justice work at https://www.kingcounty.gov/elected/executive/constantine/priorities/building-equity.aspx

This recruitment is open to current King County Career Service HCD employees who have passed their initial probation and will be filled as a Special Duty Assignment (SDA). This SDA is anticipated to be 18 months in duration. You must have supervisor approval prior to taking an SDA.

HCD works with partners internal and external to King County to provide resources for housing, operating/services and community development activities to further the vision promoting healthy and vibrant communities where everyone has a stable home. 

This position is a part of the Housing Capital Initiative section within HCD, which supports the investment of affordable housing resources to create and preserve affordable rental and homeownership opportunities. This position will support DCHS’s evolution to advance equitable development practices, including identifying opportunities to advance community-driven development and community stewardship.

In 2025-26, the position will specifically direct the investment of EDI funding through three specific solicitations, including one for Housing Capital, Community Capital and Capacity Building. The position will lead the formation and engagement with the Interim Advisory Board (IAB) and supervise a team member supporting these efforts.

The position also plays a role in DCHS’s participation in County equitable Transit Oriented Development (TOD) policy and projects. 

Position Duties

• Identify and advance opportunities for community-driven development and community stewardship of affordable housing through capacity building of community-based organizations, policy development, and leverage of existing programs.
• Ensure that the County’s equity and social justice goals are incorporated into its affordable housing investment strategy. 
• Work collaboratively with community-based organizations and residents in areas vulnerable to displacement to advance opportunities for stability and self-determination. This work includes the development of community visions and implementation plans for public land that include affordable housing components.
• Collaborate with the County’s Communities of Opportunity and Equity and Social Justice teams to advance the County approach to equitable development.
• Direct the solicitation and investment of EDI funds available for Capacity Building grants.   Oversee contract management and evaluation for the program.   
• Support the housing finance solicitation and direct the review and investment recommendations for Housing Capital EDI funds. Assist Housing Finance Program (HFP) project managers with troubleshooting issues on EDI-funded projects.   
• Collaborate with Housing Capital section to advance equitable development strategies into award and contracting processes.  Participate in the review of the Housing Finance Program (HFP) Program Guidelines, offer recommendations on equitable policies and support community engagement efforts during the process.
• Collaborate with Community Capital Facilities to advance equitable development strategies into award and contracting processes.  
• Participate in county-wide equitable TOD policy and program efforts, including advocating for deep affordability, inclusive engagement, and community-driven development opportunities.
• Lead DCHS’s approach to the use of public land for equitable development, including affordable housing and community development. 
• Lead and participate in meetings with key stakeholders, including local community members, elected officials, housing developers, Sound Transit, Metro, with the goal of building consensus on program and project approach.
• Work collaboratively with the Capital Programs team, across departments, and with external partners to deploy funding resources to address housing needs and advance the County’s equity and social justice goals. For example, collaboratively identify opportunities to increase the number of community-based organizations able to receive direct or indirect funding to support affordable housing.
• Supervise one PPM II Equitable Development Initiative Program Coordinator.
• Perform other related duties or special projects as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in urban planning, critical race (Black, Latino, Asian, Native American, etc.) studies, public administration, public policy, or related field and/or any combination of education & experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the job duties of the position.
• At least 3 years of experience leading collaborative work in communities of color or other historically marginalized communities may replace education requirements.
• At least 3 years of experience in community organizing and empowerment, policy analysis and development, capacity building, affordable housing, Transit Oriented Development (TOD), or incorporating equity and social justice into programmatic approaches.
• At least one year of directing public sector grant-making processes, demonstrated experience with affordable housing sector and familiarity with affordable housing finance. 
• Experience building trusted working relationships with communities of color including immigrant and refugee communities and other vulnerable populations.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills including the ability to communicate effectively and work with people of various cultural backgrounds.
• Excellent project management skills and demonstrated ability to coordinate and track multiple complex efforts. 
• Demonstrated ability to work with a variety of stakeholders and project partners with sometimes varying objectives.
• Strong facilitation, negotiation and creative problem-solving skills.
• Experience working in a collaborative manner as a team member both internally and externally with staff, community stakeholders, and developer partners.
• Ability to work independently, but with sensitivity to the context of a broader organization.
• Ability to move quickly between big picture vision and project-level details
• Ability to and interest in leveraging public policy and programs to empower historically marginalized communities.
• Knowledge of equity and social justice principles and practices, and understanding of the effects of place, race, policy, and systems-based inequities on marginalized communities. 
• Valid Driver's License or the ability to travel throughout the county in a timely manner.
• Proficient skills in Microsoft Suite: Word, Excel, Outlook and the internet.

• Working knowledge of affordable housing development and finance.
• Experience working with community members and elected officials on complicated and potentially controversial projects.

ADDITIONAL POSITION INFORMATION:

• This position has been designated Non-Mission or Mission Critical. Unless otherwise directed by the County Executive, department director or agency head, all employees, regardless of designation, are expected to report to work or request leave during an emergency or inclement weather. For more detailed information, please visit HR Policy County Operations During Emergency Situations and the King County Guidelines for Workforce Management in an Emergency.
• The HCD Division works in a hybrid model, with days in the office as well as telecommuting. The ratio of remote to onsite work will be dependent on business needs and is subject to change.The primary onsite location is Chinook, 401 5^thAve, Seattle, WA 98104. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
  
  King County has a robust collection oftools and resourcesto support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment. Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.

• This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not eligible for overtime. Typical hours are Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm.
• This position is represented by PROTEC17 (C23)
• Classification: Project/Program Manager IV

WHO MAY APPLY:
This position is open to current King County Career Service HCD employees who have passed their initial probation that meet the minimum qualifications. Interviews for this selection process will take place on or around November 20, 2025. Candidates who wish to be considered for this position must submit an online King County application and respond to the supplemental questions. Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the requested and relevant information in the online application and supplemental questionnaire. Applications and/or supplemental questionnaires that state, "see my resume" are considered incomplete and will not be considered to be competitive. If you have any questions, please contact Phitsamai Xaxouthep, [email protected].

Other Qualifications

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King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.