Public Health-Seattle & King County’s Communities of Opportunity (COO) initiative is seeking a director to join its innovative team. Ideal candidates are strategic visionary leaders who are intentional about centering race, transforming systems, and advancing equity. COO is a public-private-community initiative that aims to achieve social, economic, health, and racial equity through community-led solutions and equity-based strategies focused on the intersections of housing, health, economic opportunity, and community connections.
The COO Director is responsible for holding the vision and values of COO, providing strategic guidance, and overseeing the implementation of the Communities of Opportunity Initiative consistent with Best Starts for Kids Implementation Plan, 2022-2027. The COO Director is the lead spokesperson for COO and liaison to partners that include: the COO Best Starts for Kids Advisory Board (commonly known as the COO Governance Group), COO’s two sponsors - King County and Seattle Foundation, community partners, and Best Starts leadership. The Director leads a diverse team made up of government and foundation staff dedicated to the successful implementation of the initiative.
As a King County employee, the Director reports to the Manager of the Chronic Disease & Injury Prevention (CDIP) section in the division of Health Sciences. The CDIP section works with community partners, providers, and other stakeholders on the prevention of the leading causes of death and disability (i.e., healthy eating/active living, tobacco and youth marijuana prevention, and violence and injury prevention) to create conditions that promote equity and lead to healthier community conditions for all. CDIP also provides programs to address breast, cervical and colon health, and supports the use of community health workers in addressing asthma and other health conditions. The division of Health Sciences provides robust assessment and evaluation work and population health strategies to influence public health with a focus on community conditions through data, evidence, and emerging best practices in partnership with the community. In addition, the COO Director is accountable to King County and to Seattle Foundation for implementation of the COO Initiative.
The COO Director position will be filled as a Career Service, full time Program/Project Manager IV (PPM IV) position.
Commitment To Equity and Social Justice
Named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.
The county government has a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all – in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from all communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.
We recognize that structural racism consists of principles and practices that cause and justify an inequitable distribution of rights, opportunities, and experiences across racial groups. Since declaring Racism is a Public Health Crisis in June 2020, King County and Public Health committed to being intentionally anti-racist and accountable to Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities.
Work Schedule
The typical work schedule for this position is Monday through Friday; 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Work Location
This position is hybrid and will predominately telecommute with a combination of home-based telework and onsite work at the Chinook Building on the 11th floor, located at 401 Fifth Ave. Seattle, WA 98104.
Teleworking:
Some of the work associated with this position will be performed through teleworking, and will report to office location and to meetings as needed. Travel to other work locations may be necessary. 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.
Leadership and Vision
- Hold the vision and values of COO, provide strategic guidance, and oversee the implementation of the Communities of Opportunity Initiative consistent with Best Starts for Kids Implementation Plan, 2022-2027.
- Monitor the progress of COO and propose strategies to strengthen the work of COO based upon engagement of community partners and others.
- Primary liaison to partners that include: the COO Best Starts for Kids Advisory Board (commonly known as the COO Governance Group), COO sponsors: King County and Seattle Foundation, community partners, and Best Starts leadership.
- Work with COO sponsors and partners to garner new opportunities that extend and leverage the work of COO to create equitable, healthy, and thriving communities.
- Engage with Best Starts leadership, Best Starts and COO evaluation teams, COO sponsors, and COO program leads to inform policy decisions for the Best Starts levy.
- Partner with King County government affairs staff and Best Starts leadership in communicating with elected officials and the Executive’s office on issues related to Communities of Opportunity.
- Represent COO and Public Health on various intergovernmental planning groups, cross-division teams, and coordinate with other divisions and departments on joint implementation of projects.
Management, Operations, and Finance
- Support the COO Governing Group and its committees in setting strategic direction and making policy recommendations to the King County executive and Council on the use of levy funds.
- Support and supervise the COO team, and actively create and foster an inclusive, supportive, power-sharing, and anti-racist workplace so that all employees can thrive.
- Work with the finance, contracting, compliance, administrative, and other department staff to ensure compliance with Best Starts levy requirements and sponsors (King County and Seattle Foundation) requirements.
- Provide leadership and strategic direction for policy documents (e.g., annual report) and work with BSK/COO evaluators.
- Support the GG in identification and securing of funding sources to back the initiatives and programs approved by the King County executive and Council.
- Demonstrate strong leadership abilities, guiding teams and organizations through significant changes and improvements.
- Other duties as assigned.
Our ideal candidate will demonstrate the following (Minimum):
- Experience advancing equity and social justice principles, practices, and policies that address the effects of place, race, policy, and systemic inequities on communities and populations.
- Knowledge and experience in at least one of the following areas: community development, housing, economic development, public health, or human services.
- Experience with capacity-building and partnerships, such as with non-profits and community-based organizations.
- Ability to hold the vision of a group, share power, and drive vision toward results.
- Understanding of community power-building, community organizing, and policy and systems change strategies.
- Demonstrated ability to facilitate complex group dynamics and navigate interpersonal and group conflict in a generative manner.
- Strong written and verbal skills with demonstrated experience to communicate effectively with diverse audiences including community members, elected officials, representatives of agencies/organizations, peers, and staff.
- Strong problem solving and interpersonal skills.
The most competitive applicants will have the following experiences and qualifications (Desired):
- Minimum of 5 years in a leadership role serving in communities impacted by inequities.
- Experience in local government, philanthropy, and/or non-profit settings.
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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.
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.
Who May Apply
This full-time career service position is open to all qualified applicants.
Application Process
The following items are required to be considered for this vacancy:
- NeoGov Job Application (The responses on your job application should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
- Supplemental Questions (The responses to the supplemental questions should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
- Resume (Outlining relevant experience)
- Cover letter (Detailing your background and describing how you meet or exceed the requirements)
Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the application. Cover letters and/or resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application.
Necessary Special Requirements
- The selection process may include evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, interviewing, and testing. You must completely fill out the application with your relevant education and work experience.
- The selected candidate must be able to pass a thorough background investigation, but findings may not necessarily disqualify an applicant for employment.
- Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.
- Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health positions.
- When Public Health responds to an emergency, and in accordance with relevant CBA language and/or KC policy and procedures, we may assign duties outside your regular job description. This may involve responding at any time, including nights and weekends, with possible deployment to locations other than the department.
- If you need a disability accommodation in the application or testing process, please call the contact number listed on the job announcement.
Union Membership
This position is not represented by a labor union.
Contact
For questions about this recruitment, please contact Salyse Duckworth, HR Analyst at sduckworth@kingcounty.gov.
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