About the Human Services Department:
Pierce County Human Services is the community and human services arm of the Pierce County government. It is the largest contributor to Pierce County's safety net, providing services and funding to nearly 170 agencies and governmental jurisdictions. The department collaborates with its community partners, including other public and non-profit funders and service providers, to understand current and emerging community and human service needs. The department strives to create and invest in a comprehensive and integrated regional services system.

Why It's a Great Department: 
The Human Services Department has strong, committed, and passionate leadership. Human Services employees are engaged and caring individuals. We foster collaboration among teams, divisions, departments, and external partners. The County supports modernized communication through social media, newsletters, and other tools, and encourages community input through advisory boards and community needs assessments.
 
Your Future in this Role:
This is an exciting opportunity to be a part of local efforts to address affordable housing. In this role you will have the opportunity to make a difference in people's lives, have an impact on the communities we serve and make a positive contribution to Pierce County. You will be part of a team of highly motivated, compassionate, and engaged employees working together to support a livable Pierce County.

Core Responsibilities 

• Develop program plans for the acquisition of privately and publicly owned properties for the development of affordable housing. This includes but is not limited to developing an inventory of properties, developing target production goals, identifying specific geographic areas of focus for development, identifying outside resources, and identifying target populations with the greatest need for affordable housing. 
• Represent the Department at local Council meetings, Pierce County Council Meetings, Pierce County Community Development Corporation (PC-CDC) Board meetings, and/or other community meetings as needed. This includes public presentations to stakeholders, citizen groups, the public, leadership, Council’s, and elected officials.
• Identify public properties and available privately owned properties on the market suitable for affordable housing development. Vet those properties for suitability for affordable housing. Create a list of potential properties suitable for affordable housing development. 
• Conduct feasibility analysis on properties being considered for acquisition. 
• Negotiate terms of acquisition with public agencies and private parties. 
• Develop project plans for acquired properties and coordinate the procurement of agencies and contractors to develop those properties as affordable housing.

Core Competencies

• Recognize racial equity issues that require critical thinking through the lens of institutional and structural racism and intersections with poverty and access to affordable housing. 
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with public and private officials at all levels as well as with coworkers, resident groups, media, and the general public.

 
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO APPLY: 

• Graduation from a four year college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in public or business administration or social work, or a related field And 
• Three years of professional social services work experience which includes work with related programs, contracts, planning, or services required. 
• Any combination of education and experience may substitute for the minimum requirements.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience in any of the following programs HOME Investment Partnership, Community Development Block Grant, Local Income Housing Tax Credits, Washington State Housing Trust Funds, or other federal, state and local affordable housing funds. 
• Experience in property acquisition and/or housing development. 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Successful completion of a Pierce County background investigation is required prior to employment. 
• Must possess a valid Washington State Driver’s license, or the ability to obtain the license within 30 days of employment, or otherwise meet the travel requirements of the position.

To be considered for this opportunity please:

• Complete and submit a detailed online Pierce County Employment Application by selecting "APPLY" above or go to: www.piercecountywa.org/jobs. 
• To be considered applicants must submit a cover letter and resume. 
• If you have a question about this opportunity, please email the Recruitment Team at PCHRRecruit@piercecountywa.gov and specify the Job Number and Title.
• If you do not have internet access, you may visit your local public library or any WorkSource location and use their computers.
• Individuals needing accommodation in the application, testing process or need this job announcement in an alternative format may call Human Resources at (253) 798-7480, at least two days prior to the need. 

This is a competitive selection process. Your application form will be reviewed and evaluated for the quality and quantity of education/experience in the areas listed. Applicants whose qualifications most closely correspond to the County's needs will be eligible for further consideration. Notification of application status normally occurs 4 to 6 weeks after the closing date. Short notice may be given to applicants to participate in further selection processes which may include written, oral and performance examinations, and final interviews.As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, Pierce County welcomes a diverse workforce. Pierce County does not discriminate based on race, creed, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a disabled person.