The Organization
King County Parks has evolved from 150 acres in 1938 to more than 28,000 acres. Today, our system consists of more than 205 parks, 175 miles of regional trails, and 215 miles of backcountry trails. Our mission is to steward, enhance and acquire parks to inspire healthy communities. We seek to cultivate strong relationships with community partners to enhance park amenities for all King County residents to enjoy today and for generations to come. Learn more at www.kingcounty.gov/parks.
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.
Position Overview
King County Parks is accepting applications for a Community Investments Manager to oversee the Community Investments unit which includes six grant programs within the Parks and Recreation Division. We are seeking a dynamic individual to launch and oversee four new grant programs (Targeted Equity Grant, Aquatics Grant, Open Space-River Corridor Grant, Capital Project-Open Space Grant) funded by the King County Parks and Open Space Levy as well as manage the long-standing Community Partnership Grant Program and Youth and Amateur Sports Grant Program. If you enjoy working collaboratively and are an agent for change, you’re encouraged to apply.
The Community Investments Manager will lead and directly supervise the team in fulfilling grant commitments for 2020 – 2025 King County Park, Recreation and Trail Open Space Levy. This position is responsible for implementing the grant programs and engaging four advisory boards, guide strategic planning initiatives and policy development to position King County Parks internally and externally as a leader in improving equity of access to recreational opportunities in this region. This position will have oversight of over 100-million-dollar budget to manage the grant programs.
Successful candidates will work collaboratively with other local governments and stakeholder groups on highly visible program policies and issues. They have the ability to collaborate and build relationships across a range of stakeholders including cities, tribes, park districts, environmental non-profits, community groups and elected officials. They are up to date with trends and developments in the fields of grantmaking, governance, and organizing.
Individuals interested in joining our team must be committed to racial, social and economic equity for ALL people in King County. We welcome applications from people who will help us consistently demonstrate the values of equity, respect, and partnership. To learn about the King County Equity and Social Justice Strategic Plan click here.
Who is Eligible: This position is open to all qualified applicants,King County and the Parks and Recreation Division values diverse perspectives and life experience and encourages people of all backgrounds to apply.
Telecommuting Requirement
The work associated with this position will be performed predominantly by telecommuting, with occasional onsite work and meetings, as influenced by business needs. Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various King County facilities.
Employees must reside in WA 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 by the department in alignment with the Public Health Directive from the Seattle & King County Public Health Officer. King County is doing its part to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and remains committed to reducing our carbon footprint.
Work Location: Primarily teleworking and the King Street Center 201 S. Jackson St., Seattle WA 98104
Work Schedule: This position is exempt from the overtime provision of the Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA) and is not overtime eligible. This full-time position works a 40-hour work week.
Job Duties
Leadership
- Lead with a mission-driven sense of urgency, commitment, and strategic vision
- Lead, supervise and support a dedicated staff with a shared vision and sense of purpose, creating ongoing opportunities for learning, growth, innovation, and creativity.
- Oversee multiple priorities and assign work effectively.
- Develop, coach and mentor a culturally diverse staff in a collaborative manner with a focus on employee engagement, proactive communication, personal and professional development, performance management, job progression and team building.
- Apply equity and social justice analysis in the areas of grant making, community engagement/outreach, program/policy development, environmental justice, and/or economic development.
- Guide strategic planning initiatives and decision making to build on the team’s strengths and opportunities, for long-term growth.
- Seeks to understand, empathize and connect with direct reports, with an awareness of power dynamics and direct report relationships.
Program and organizational development
- Collaborate with team to develop and implement investment policies and procedures and evaluate impact to guide continuous improvement in future cycles
- Ensure that the Community Investments unit serves as a highly effective partner and resource throughout King County.
- Ensure that Community Investments are integrated and aligned and meeting Division, Department and County initiatives including and not limited to the King County Equity and Social Justice Strategic (ESJ) Plan, DNRP ESJ policy, Parks ESJ strategy, Strategic Climate Action Plan, Land Conservation Initiative, and Clean Water, Healthy Habitat.
Engagement
- Develop relationships, build upon existing partnerships, & seek new strategic alliances aligned with King County’s ESJ community partnership goals To advance impact of King County’s Community Investments
- Encourage, invest and prioritize community involvement in planning, implementation, and evaluation of projects, programs and services to confirm alignment with public values, priorities and center equity and social justice.
- Work collaboratively with other local governments and stakeholder groups on program policies and issues.
Advisory Board Relations
- Develop a strong working relationship with members of four advisory boards to partner on vision, strategy, and implementation. Recruit of new members, as needed.
- Keep Board informed, individually and collectively, on the progress and challenges of the grant programs.
- Support partnership with Play Equity Coalition
General Management, Finance, and Administration
- Oversee the financial administration and management of the grant programs, including preparation, review, and oversight of the unit’s budget and compliance with all local, state, and federal requirements.
- Ensure contracting and financial policies are designed to reduce inequities Ensure effectiveness of the internal structures, including financial systems, procedures, budgets, and technology so that financial information, websites, databases, information flow, and other administrative processes are productive and efficient..
- Develop, implement and monitor biennial program budget.
- Supervise applicable operations and processes, ensuring that methodologies and technical systems meet regulatory requirements and industry standards.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications:
- At least 5 years of progressively responsible management experience including organizational development, strategic planning, program management, matrix management, and staff supervision.
- At least 5 years of community engagement experience that demonstrates an understanding of the benefits of community involvement in planning, implementation, and evaluation of projects, programs and services. As well as an orientation to dialogue, deliberation, and collective decision making.
- At least 5 years of experience in grants management to include developing policy and processes such as application development and review, contract management, program design and implementation, evaluation and performance measurement. This could include grant writing and grant seeking, as development staff/consultant of a nonprofit organization.
- Experience leading and interacting with advisory boards, commissions, coalitions and/or task forces.
- Experience successfully leading an interdisciplinary workforce. Ability to develop and maintain an effective, collaborative, and positive staffing environment including workforce development, personnel management, restorative justice or trauma-informed supervisory practices, conflict resolution, and guiding staff through adaptation and change.
- Experience with design of and implementation of large scale initiatives and complex programs or projects that address and dismantle institutional and structural racism and its impact on marginalized communities.
- Lived experience working in a professional or personal capacity towards racial justice, anti-racism, or social justice issues impacting Native Americans/American Indians/Alaska Natives, Indigenous Peoples, communities of color, and immigrants and refugees.
- Engaged in ongoing self-exploration related to race, power, and privilege, including performing stakeholder analysis.
- A robust and adaptable skill set including strong leadership, organization, strategic thinking, organizational development, persuasive communicator and excellent written and verbal communication skills; demonstrated ability to be self-directed and adaptable, working in a multi-faceted and sometimes ambiguous environment; ability to track, prioritize and manage multiple issues and competing priorities; demonstrated experience leading inclusive and adaptive group processes.
- Experience managing complex organizational environments that will support a matrixed structure and workforce that spans multiple agencies. Experience developing a culturally, technically, and generationally diverse workforce in a collaborative manner; experience working in an organized labor environment is desired.
- Strong relationships with BIPOC, LGBTQ, disabled, immigrant/refugee communities and organizations led by these communities
- Proficiency with information technology including MS Office Suite, SharePoint, remote workforce tools, and other appropriate technology.
The Successful Candidate Will Have the Following Competencies:
- Manages complexity – Making sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
- Drives engagement – Creating a climate where people are motivated to do their best to help the organization achieve its objectives.
- Values differences – recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization.
- Strategic mindset – seeing ahead to future possibilities and translating them into breakthrough strategies.
- Manages conflict – handling conflict situations effectively, with a minimum of noise.
- Builds networks – effectively building formal and informal relationship networks inside and outside the organization.
- Communicates effectively – developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
- Organizational Savvy – Maneuvering comfortably through complex policy, process, and people-related organizational dynamics.
- Directs work – Providing direction, delegating, and removing obstacles to get work done.
- Instills trust – gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.
Necessary Special Requirements: Valid Washington State Driver’s License or the ability to travel to locations in King County that may not be served by public transportation
How To Apply
Application and Selection Process: Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness including online application, cover letter and resume, and responsiveness to the list of qualifications, skills, and abilities. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more panel interviews. Applications without the following required materials may not be considered for this position.
- King County application
- Resume
- Cover Letter detailing your background and what you can bring to this position
- Responses to supplemental questions
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.