AHAH/PSH Deputy Managing Director (WMS 2)

State of Washington•Multiple Locations Statewide, WA

10d•Remote

About The Position

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. This job is a commitment to reshape systems so they work better for everyone. If you’re ready to challenge the status quo and build meaningful connections, we want to meet you. Let’s build what’s next, together. The Housing Division (HD) partners with local governments, Tribes, housing authorities, and nonprofits to develop and preserve affordable housing, promote individual and family self-sufficiency, and reduce adult and youth homelessness. Reporting to the Managing Director for Office of Apple Health & Homes and Permanent Supportive Housing, this position is responsible for direction, oversight, management, and administration of services and activities related to behavioral health housing programs, and policy and efforts to expand permanent supportive housing in Washington. The Deputy Managing Director for the Office of Apple Health & Homes and Permanent Supportive Housing (AHAH/PSH) is responsible for promoting an effective, collaborative statewide system to facilitate seamless transitions for patients discharged from state psychiatric hospitals, local inpatient behavioral health settings, and other public institutions into permanent housing. The position manages state and federal funding for long-term supportive housing rental subsidy programs and works with state and local organizations to better coordinate all supportive housing funding. This position will partner with the Managing Director and work closely with the Washington Healthcare Authority (HCA) and the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to facilitate linkages among disparate community bed capacity building efforts and integrate building infrastructure with ongoing supportive housing benefits. This work will result in new permanent supportive housing units and long-term capacity in Washington.

Requirements

Nine years of experience and/or education as described below:
A minimum of three (3) years of experience managing housing or housing assistance contracts.
A minimum of one (1) year of supervisory experience including hiring staff, training and development, assigning work, evaluating performance, and taking corrective action.
Any combination of three or more of the following areas:
Working with stakeholders to increase the supply of permanent supportive housing or other housing services.
Managing the process of developing at least one new funding program or similar type of new initiative.
Briefing and engaging senior level government officials.
Experience with state or local legislative processes.
Demonstrated knowledge of public systems that serve individuals with behavioral health challenges, co-occurring populations, or those at risk of and experiencing homelessness.
Demonstrated experience convening and coordinating diverse stakeholder groups.
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.
Education involving a major study in public/business administration, public policy, housing finance, real estate, or a closely related field.
Excellent research, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to effectively compile and present complex information concisely.
Excellent public speaking, verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to prioritize work and manage tight deadlines effectively.
Intermediate skill level in the Microsoft Office suite products including OneDrive, Teams, SharePoint, Excel, Word, and Outlook.

Nice To Haves

Prior involvement with system reform.
Experience with or academic study of public policy, planning, law or a related field.
Understanding of principles and practices that apply evidence-based and innovative solutions relevant to Commerce's mission.
Ability to understand and work with state budget and accounting systems, program budgeting, and the ability to manage budgets as required.
Knowledge and understanding of agencies as service providers is essential.

Responsibilities

Assisting the AHAH/PSH Managing Director with shaping and driving policy through the development of strategic plans, policies, and procedures.
Developing and modifying programs to ensure compliance with state and federal requirements.
Ensuring fair and equitable access to resources in the most effective, efficient, and transparent manner possible.
Communicating effectively to establish, foster, and maintain effective relationships.
Improving the effectiveness and efficiency of state and other permanent supportive housing programs.
Serving as backup to the AHAH/PSH Managing Director on behavioral health and supportive housing issues and challenges and developing opportunities through close contact with the community and public and private organizations who provide relevant services.
Consulting and coordinating with other unit and HD division programs and staff to ensure the implementation and delivery of housing programs and policies stay aligned and coordinated whenever feasible.
Facilitate building capacity for broad-based long-term rental assistance programs that provide permanent housing subsidies for persons with behavioral health conditions or who are experiencing homelessness or have had a history of homelessness.
Serve as the liaison between Commerce and key leaders and staff from the HCA and DSHS including discharge social workers at Eastern and Western State Hospitals and local psychiatric facilities.
Coordinate with Behavioral Health Organizations and their providers, Amerigroup, and the contracted Foundational Community Supports providers, supported employment and housing providers, and other public and private stakeholders to perform the key tasks associated with this position.
Expand permanent supportive housing systems that are coordinated with behavioral health and other health services:
Manage $11 million per year of long-term rent assistance funding for permanent supportive housing in scattered-site permanent housing or project-based permanent supportive housing for persons with behavioral health conditions.
Manage $14 million in HUD Section 811 Project Rental Assistance for persons with disabilities residing in approved units in publicly financed multifamily housing projects.
Manage $1 million per year in startup and operating funding for new recovery residences across Washington for persons in recovery from substance use disorders.
Collaborate with the Operating, Maintenance, and Services manager to manage approx. $47 million per year for operating and services costs of permanent supportive housing units in publicly financed capital projects.
Facilitate linkages for individuals and systems to coordinate services resulting in greater access to housing, care coordination between supportive housing services, intensive case management, mental health and substance abuse treatment, and vocational and employment assistance.
Prioritize individuals discharging from state or local psychiatric facilities.
Work closely with the Heath Care Authority, the Department of Social and Health Services, Behavioral Health Administrative Service Organizations, Managed Care Organizations, and state and local psychiatric facilities.
Assist the AHAH/PSH Managing Director in collaborating with funders (like the Housing Trust Fund and the Washington State Housing Finance Commission, and other large municipal funders) to increase applications for development of permanent supportive housing projects.
Assists the AHAH/PSH Managing Director in research to quantify current unmet need for behavioral health housing and permanent supportive housing, advising the Legislature on the unmet need, and working with leaders in the Multifamily Housing unit to bring about increased production of permanent supportive housing.
Participate in the acceptance and promotion of a statewide, evidence-based permanent supportive housing model.
Building knowledge and service strategies developed as "best practices," this curriculum provides supervisors and staff working in supportive housing settings with the tools and skills they need to support and strengthen their work in providing services to both individuals and families with complex service needs for staff working in supportive housing settings.
Work with stakeholders to document and communicate needs, barriers, and policy opportunities related to permanent supportive housing.
Coordination of the following is required, but not limited to, issues, projects, and staffing contribute to the development of legislative proposals and or political strategies to achieve unit goals:
Assist in designing and setting overall direction for implementation and management of behavioral health and supportive housing policy.
Responsible for formulating detailed strategies and implementing plans to convene and direct cross-agency Statewide systems change relevant to behavioral health housing.
Oversee applications, receipts, and use of public and private grants and appropriate funds related to behavioral health housing.
In partnership with the Managing Director, exercise independent judgement and make decisions concerning inter-agency and legislative changes relevant to behavioral health and supportive housing.
Develop and maintain strong working relationships with stakeholders from a variety of interest groups related to behavioral health and supportive housing.
Develop legislative testimony and draft bill analysis and propose RCW changes regarding programs and services.
Promote viewing all work of the unit through a racial equity lens.
Oversee work performed: help establish Unit culture, participate in the hiring process; identify and support training and mentoring, needs and opportunities; provide regular feedback, coaching, and guidance; set goals and expectations; evaluate job performance; correct performance.
Meet to develop goals, objectives and work plans.
Contribute to development and maintenance of staff morale.