Community Relations Program Manager

The Community Relations Manager contributes to the Department of Housing Service's mission of creating pathways out of homelessness, promoting housing stability, and investing in affordable communities for Washington County and our residents by leading a team overseeing a variety of strategic work and relationships with key stakeholders including advisory bodies, community engagement, and strategic and public communications. This position works in collaboration with various departments, public agencies, and community-based organizations to advance strategic policy and project objectives for the Department.

Some of the role's primary duties include:

• Works closely with departmental leadership to identify, develop, and implement a variety of strategic initiatives to advance the work of the department including, through our communications strategy, community engagement work, advisory bodies, partner and funder relations, and other strategic projects as identified.
• Builds and maintains effective relationships and communications with internal and external audiences or stakeholders, including the public, the media, partner agencies and jurisdictional partners across the County and region, with a keen political lens.
• Oversees the direction of a complex structure of advisory bodies that provide guidance to the Department, coordinating with programmatic leaders to translate technical content into policy considerations for advisory body engagement, and planning the course of their annual work to meet funder requirements, support programmatic objectives, and improve the implementation of the department's work.
• Oversee and direct broader community engagement activities to develop community led strategic plans for our programs and create safe and engaging spaces for "tough questions" public conversations. Provide strategic direction and guidance to staff who support the planning and implementation of these public meetings and community relations.
• May represent the Department on various committees or advisory bodies or in public meetings. Attends meetings and functions that are generally technical in nature and involve working with staff from various jurisdictions in support of county, regional or state initiatives.
• Oversees the preparation of materials and often drafts materials that outline the Department's objectives, policies, and processes. Materials are prepared for multiple audiences including Board communications, funder reports, advisory body presentations, and communications to the public. Provides guidance and direction on strategic communications.
• Provide supportive supervision to a diverse team, creating a positive and supportive work environment; enforces safe workplace; establishes a culture of teamwork and communication; creates a workplace that promotes the organizational values of workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion; and actively promotes an environment respectful of living and working in a multicultural society.

Ideal Candidate

• Demonstrates a commitment to public service, and innovation in government.
• Possesses knowledge of public administration and an understanding of programs and services to address homelessness and create housing stability.
• Communicates effectively and with strategic messaging and shows familiarity with diverse communication approaches including media relations, public information, and community involvement.
• Has experience facilitating collaborative processes such as advisory bodies, coalition tables or other groups of stakeholders convened to advance major bodies of work, and in relationship management with diverse stakeholders such as jurisdictional partners, funders, contractors, community stakeholders.
• Utilizes problem-solving skills, proactively identifying and supporting creative and viable business solutions.
• Effectively leads and supervises staff and works with peers and leadership across departments to manage and advance program objectives.

To review the classification specification,click here:Program Manager

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Master's Degree in criminal justice, social work, psychology, social sciences, an applied research-related field,or other related field; ANDThree (3) years of pertinent professional experience related to the specific program area of responsibility. Experience must include responsibility for the oversight and evaluation of program activities and at least two (2) years of work experience in a project, program, or team lead or supervisory role. OR
• Bachelor's Degree in criminal justice, social work, psychology, social sciences, an applied research-related field, or other related field; AND Five (5) years of relevant professional experience related to the specific program area of responsibility. Experience must include responsibility for the oversight and evaluation of program activities and at least two (2) years of work experience in a project, program, or team lead or supervisory role.

Additional Requirements

Please be clear and specific in the applicable sections of the employment application about how your background is relevant. This information must also be consistent with your supplemental question responses.Please note:Answers to the supplemental questions are typically evaluatedseparatelyfrom your application.

Supplemental Information

Apply Today: We ask that you complete and submit an online application, which will be used to screen for minimum qualifications (MQs) and to determine starting pay in accordance with the provision of the Oregon Equal Pay Law

MQ Review:HR will screen applications for minimum qualifications after the posting closes.

SME Review: Applications for candidates that meet minimum qualifications will be forwarded to a panel of subject matter experts (SME) who will review and score the responses to your supplemental questions and other application materials. This process may take up to 2 weeks.

Panel Interview(s):Our goal is to schedule panel interviews with candidates that meet the minimum qualifications andpass the SME review as soon as possible.

Please note: candidates that are successful in the evaluation process may have their applications referred for additional vacancies in the same classification.

Our commitment to you
Washington County is an equal opportunity employer committed to using a merit-based system in which recruiting, selecting, and advancing employees is based on knowledge, skills, and abilities. Our organization embraces innovation, collaboration, and work-life harmony. We promote employee development and offer an award-winning benefits and wellness program as well as an opportunity to serve and support our vibrant community.

Veterans' Preference
If you are a Veteran and would like to be considered for a Veterans' preference for this recruitment, please review the instructions using this link:Veterans' Preference Points.

Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act
Reasonable accommodation is available to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in the selection process for this recruitment. To obtain confidential assistance please contact Human Resources 503-846-8606, or e-mail: Careers@WashingtonCountyOR.gov at least 48 hours before any step in the recruitment and selection process for which you feel you need accommodation.

Status of Your Application
You will be advised by e-mail of your status at each step in the application process, from initial application to final employment disposition. Please note that Washington County communicates with all candidates via email.

Questions Regarding This Recruitment?
Contact Gregory Garabedian, Talent Acquisition Business Partner

Gregory_Garabedian@washingtoncountyor.gov