The Department of Community and Human Services values diverse perspectives and life experiences. The Department encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with lived experiences.  

WHO MAY APPLY: This position is open to all qualified candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. 

REQUIRED MATERIALS: Candidates who wish to be considered for this position must submit an online King County application, resume, cover letter 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.

WORK SCHEDULE/CONDITIONS: 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.

Teleworking Requirement 

The work associated with this position will be performed through a combination of teleworking complemented with onsite work and meetings as needed. Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various King County facilities. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection (access may be supplemented in some situations) where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours. Please note that when an employee conducts work that is likely to bring them in contact with another individual, safety precautions are required, including the wearing of masks in some situations. King County is doing its part to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and remains committed to reducing our carbon footprint.

King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will be joining an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment.  

RECRUITER: Susan Churchill, susan.churchill@kingcounty.gov 

• Serve as the Deputy Director for Adult Services Division of more than fifty people providing direct services and managing contracted community partners with the overall mission of providing veterans, older adults, and members of resilient communities in King County with equitable opportunities to be healthy, happy, self-reliant and connected to community:
  1. Direct the Adult Services Division in the director's absence.
  2. Represent, communicate and negotiate on behalf of the division director and DCHS in complex and politically sensitive discussions with other divisions, departments, branches of government, jurisdictions, and community leaders and coalitions.
  3. Collaborate with the DCHS deputy directors and internal staff to ensure alignment of internal systems with Department and County-level strategies, direction and guidance.
  4. Oversee the Adult Services Division’s internal performance management process (tier boarding).
• Lead the DCHS Resilient Communities Program: Oversee implementation of a system of contracted programming for vulnerable populations in accordance with the County Strategic Plan, ESJ Strategic Plan, and the Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy's Transition and Implementation Plans by annually administering $18M to $21M in VSHSL vulnerable populations funding and over $20M in general fund funding for survivors of domestic violence, survivors of sexual assault, survivors of commercial sexual exploitation, persons with disabilities and their caregivers, immigrants and refugees, and persons diverting from the criminal justice system.
  1. Set strategic direction and lead the team that develops and oversees plans, timelines, performance measurement plans, and budgets to conduct full-cycle strategic planning and implementation oversight of vulnerable populations investments. Full-cycle strategic planning and implementation oversight includes system design, program design, procurement processes, contract formation and management, data-informed performance measurement, capacity building, and continuous community partnership.
  2. Supervise--including coaching, mentoring and developing.
  3. Cultivate relationships and partnerships with coalitions and communities to shape and learn from collective attitudes and efforts on issues affecting vulnerable populations.
  4. Manage multiple, simultaneous, complex and politically sensitive initiatives to improve housing stability, financial stability, social engagement, healthy living, and service system access for vulnerable populations in King County.
  5. Design and monitor compliance and quality assurance protocols to ensure that the program satisfies statutory and regulatory requirements while supporting County strategic priorities around Best Run Government and Equity and Social Justice.
  6. Represent DCHS and the County in collaborations with taskforces, inter and intra- disciplinary groups, and committees as assigned by the Division Director.
  7. Oversee DCHS's administration of Council-directed "one-time" general fund expenditures.
• Oversee staffing of the King County Women's Advisory Board; Veterans Advisory Board; VSHSL Advisory Board.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

• A clear belief in the fundamental importance of integrity.
• A well-developed understanding of equity and social justice principles and experience leading teams and/or implementing policies that integrate equity and social justice into program design and workplace culture.
• At least six years of cumulative professional experience developing, analyzing, or implementing policies or programs.
• Professional leadership experience as the director, assistant director or equivalent executive leader of an organization, institute or center that delivers services, develops or analyzes policies.
• At least two years of experience working in a federal, state or local government to develop, analyze or implementing policies or programs at a strategic level.
• At least 6 years of experience developing, analyzing, or managing budgets of at least $10M.
• Professional experience regularly interacting with executive and/or elected leaders on politically sensitive or controversial issues or policies.
• Experience supervising (10 or more people), coaching, mentoring and supporting colleagues while being coached, mentored and supported by colleagues.
• The curiosity to question established practices, the emotional intelligence to drive change while strengthening relationships, and the growth mindset needed to incorporate new ways of working, thinking, and relating.
• The grit to do hard work and the ability and willingness to inspire others to work hard.
• A combination of life experience, work experience, and/or education (advanced/bachelors degree in law, public administration, social work, systems engineering, humanities) that equips the candidate to credibly set strategic direction, work with community partners, and lead a team.
• A valid Washington State Driver's License or the ability to travel around the county in a timely manner.
• High integrity and a commitment to continuous improvement and who:
  1. Have a good sense of self, knowing personal strengths, weaknesses, and biases and the impacts of these on others, particularly those you lead; possessing a commitment to continuously advancing this self-awareness.
  2. Demonstrate transparency and build trust, courageously, and consistently acting upon a strong set of core values that are aligned with King County values.
  3. Have the ability as a leader to facilitate difficult conversations, particularly related to equity, race (and other protected classes), power, and privilege.
  4. Have the leadership courage and ability to identify and take steps necessary to ensure that all have equitable opportunities to thrive.
• An ability to communicate well, in both oral and written communications.

• Expertise in King County legislative systems and processes.
• Experience managing, supporting or analyzing programs within King County's system of direct and contracted services for vulnerable populations.
• Familiarity with the theory and practice of Results-Based Accountability.
• Experience in the local, regional, or national service communities for survivors of gender-based violence, persons with disabilities, immigrants and refugees, or aging and disability services.
• People leadership experience, which demonstrates:
  1. Experience with building effective teams in diverse work environments while creating strong morale, instilling vision and purpose, and fostering open dialogue.
  2. Interest in and ability to develop and lead direct reports, furthering people's career goals, providing challenging and stretching tasks and assignments, and effectively developing all levels of staff.
  3. Knowledge of how to build relationships and treat all employees and customers equitably, with respect and dignity, as well as solve problems for the good of all.
  4. Experience working with labor and the ability to develop and nurture strong, productive relationships with union leadership, respecting established processes, and fostering an environment of mutual respect.

Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles--we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

Covid-19 Vaccination Requirement

As of October 18, 2021, most* King County employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If hired, you will be required to submit proof of vaccination by October 18th. People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a two-dose series or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine. Employees may make requests for a reasonable accommodation based on a medical disability or for sincerely held religious beliefs. Philosophical, political, scientific, or sociological objections to vaccination will not be considered for an exemption or accommodation.

This directive applies to employees in the Executive branch*, the Assessor's Office, Elections, the King County Sheriff's Office, and the Executive Office.

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 your recruiter listed on this job announcement.