AHAH-PSH Policy Lead (COM 4)

Description

AHAH-PSH Policy Lead (COM 4)
At the Department of Commerce, we’re reimagining what’s possible in government. We’re builders, thinkers, and change-makers, working at the intersection of innovation, community, and impact. From unlocking critical funding to fueling inclusive economic growth, we’re turning big ideas into real-world solutions that uplift people and places.

Our agency’s strength lies in the diversity of our workforce and the breadth of the lived experiences and perspectives employees bring to the work. We believe equity is not just a value but a practice, which is reflected in how we design programs, engage communities, and deliver outcomes. We foster a workplace culture where curiosity is encouraged, bold thinking is welcomed, and collaboration drives our impact.

Let’s build what’s next, together.

This position works within the Office of Apple Health & Homes and Permanent Supportive Housing (AHAHPSH) and reports to the Managing Director within the office of Apple Health and Homes. This position serves as the agency’s technical expert for the statewide Permanent Supportive Housing Operating, Maintenance and Services (PSH-OMS) Program, designed to address the financial challenges faced by permanent supportive housing projects across Washington. With a focus on assisting projects which serve extremely low-income households, specifically those experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

This position’s work is driven by Senate Bill 6027, which modifies requirements and allowable uses for the PSH OMS program, which provides supplemental funding for the operations, maintenance and services needed to sustain permanent supportive housing units serving extremely low-income individuals with disabling conditions. This funding supplements project revenues and covers allowable costs for occupied PSH units as defined under RCW 36.22.250 and RCW 36.70A.030.

This position is tasked with the responsibility to assemble and lead engagement and relationship building across government to solve difficult and highly complex problems through cross-system collaboration. Provide expert advice and consultation to management, internal departments, and outside organizations with diverse and conflicting interests. This position will implement and manage new initiatives to build upon our mission of increasing quality and capacity of permanent supportive housing across Washington state. This role will be responsible for overseeing implementation efforts, ensuring compliance with legislative requirements, coordinating internal and external stakeholders, and supporting consistent execution across grantees.

This position exercises independent judgment and discretion regarding the interpretation and implementation of policies and regulations. This position coordinates with other units in HD and agency staff for the effective and timely completion of assigned tasks and ensures that customer service is a priority.

Duties

Qualifications

Required Position Qualifications:
Eight (8) years of combined experience and/or education as described below:
Experience in community, trade or economic development with a focus in multifamily/rental housing development and lending, and related real estate transactions in two or more of the following areas:
• Local Government land use
• Infrastructure planning or finance
• Construction Management
• Public works projects
• Affordable housing development
• Experience with state or federal housing program regulations.

A minimum of one (1) year supervising employees in a professional setting.

Lived experience with housing instability and/or experience navigating and receiving services from public systems such as homeless and housing services systems, foster care, the criminal legal system, or behavioral health system may substitute for two years of professional experience.

o What is lived experience? Lived experiences is relevant expertise derived from the accumulated personal life and professional experiences of an individual. Experience can be gained through life events, volunteer role/capacity, any experience gained outside of professional paid and unpaid experience, academic or a combination of experiences. The above-listed experience will demonstrate that a candidate possesses the necessary knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies to successfully qualify for and perform the duties of the position.

Education involves business, finance, public administration/policy, social services, real estate, or related field. Qualifying education post High School or equivalent may be substituted year for year for experience.

Examples of how to qualify:
• 8 years of experience
• 7 years of experience and one year of education
• 6 years of experience and two years of education
• 5 years of experience and three years of education
• 4 years of experience and four years of education
• 3 years of experience and five years of education
• 2 years of experience and six years of education
• 1 year of experience and seven years of education

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:
• Experience with the Washington State Housing Trust Fund or with U.S. HUD programs such as HOME or National Housing Trust Fund, Low-Income Tax Credit programs, federal stimulus programs, or other similar programs.
• Experience developing rental housing programs.
• Knowledge of agencies, institutions, and processes involved in real estate development.
• Thorough knowledge of grant and loan administration, contracting and accounting.
• Knowledge of agencies, institutions, and processes involved in real estate development.
• Advanced proficiency in verbal and written communication skills using current technology and the Microsoft suite of products.

Required Position Competencies:
• Ability to clearly and succinctly document and describe processes, procedures, performance measures, and required results.
• Ability to work well with diverse groups and personalities.
• Ability to identify and advocate for change necessary to streamline systems, enhance customer service, and improve efficiency and effectiveness.
• Accountability--Meets commitments, works independently, accepts accountability, handles change, sets personal standards, stays focused under pressure, and meets attendance/punctuality requirements.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the demonstrated ability to build trusting relationships and loyal partnerships with customers, employees, and executive management.
• Integrity-- Demonstrates a sense of responsibility and commitment to the public trust through statements and actions. Honors commitments and promises.
• Teamwork--Meets all team deadlines and responsibilities, listens to others and values opinions, helps team leader to meet goals, welcomes newcomers and promotes a team atmosphere.
• Communication--Communicates well both verbally and in writing, creates accurate and punctual reports, delivers presentations, shares information and ideas with others, has good listening skills.
• Customer Service--Handles customer questions and complaints, communicates with customers, handles service problems politely and efficiently, always available for customers, follows procedure to solve customer problems, understands company products and services, maintains pleasant and professional image.
• Results Focus-- Targets and achieves results, sets challenging goals, prioritizes tasks, overcomes obstacles, sets team standards and responsibilities, provides leadership/motivation. Must be able to manage multiple projects and independently set priorities of work based on programmatic needs.

To be considered for this position, the following are needed:

• A complete and detailed online application.
• A cover letter (enter online).
• At least three professional references (enter online).

For questions about this recruitment, please contact our recruitment team via email: comrecruitment@commerce.wa.gov - please reference the job number in your message.

Supplemental Information

Work from Anywhere in Washington State 
This position may be located anywhere within Washington State though occasional travel to a Commerce office building or in-state travel to attend events or meetings may be required. If selected, you will need to travel to pick up equipment and receive instruction. Many Commerce employees work remotely or have a hybrid schedule.  

This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies over the next 60 days.

Technical support is provided by NEOGOV, 855-524-5627 (can't log in, password or email issues, error messages). DES job seeker support may answer general questions regarding the recruiting system at careershelp@des.wa.gov.
 
Our Commitment to Equal Opportunity 
The Washington State Department of Commerce is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application, testing, or interview process or this job announcement in an alternative format may email Human Resources at Human.Resources@commerce.wa.gov.  Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.
               
Department of Commerce also offers a competitive benefits package including: medical and dental insurance benefits, retirement and deferred compensation plans, 11 paid holidays each year, 14-25 vacation days per year (depending on length of employment), 8 hours of sick leave per month (if full time employed), bereavement leave, an employee assistance program, as well as other benefits. Please see the Benefits Tab for more details.