Housing Policy Director (EMS 4)

Salary : $120,433.00 - $152,917.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Multiple Locations, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2026-04308
Department: Dept. of Commerce
Division: Housing Division
Opening Date: 05/27/2026
Closing Date: 6/17/2026 11:59 PM Pacific


Description
Housing Policy Director (EMS 4)

At the , 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.

Let's build what's next, together.
The Housing Policy Director is a senior leader, reporting to the Housing Division Assistant Director, serving on the Housing Division leadership team, and leading the policy operations of the Housing Division and the collaborative policy work across the Agency. The Housing Policy Director is the statewide expert on housing and homelessness policy, representing the agency and the agency Director in strategic meetings and high-level policy discussions with the Governor and his staff. The Housing Policy Director also negotiates and partners with other state agencies (such as Department of Transportation, Department of Social and Health Services, and State Patrol) and local governments (cities and counties) to drive innovative policy and effective programs that provide unprecedented solutions to the homelessness crisis in our state.

This position is the Policy Director of the Housing Division of the Washington State Department of Commerce and the statewide expert on housing and homelessness policy. This position makes decisions and manages the internal development of polices to address housing affordability and homelessness, including changes to existing policies and resources under existing authority, and the development and pursuit of new state and federal policies and associated funding necessary to achieve stable and affordable housing for Washington residents and an effective response to unsheltered homelessness. The Housing Policy Director supports the Assistant Director and joins the Housing Division leadership team in providing strategic leadership to fulfill the agency mission of fostering resilient communities.


The Housing Policy Director partners with the agency Government Affairs and Policy Director on agency-wide policy and programs, ensuring that housing and homelessness are at the top of the agenda for our agency and Director, and that our agency and programs stay aligned with the Governor's strategic plan to reduce poverty and combat homelessness.


The Housing Policy Director represents the agency and agency Director at strategic meetings and discussions with the Governor and his staff related to housing initiatives, with the purpose of driving and implementing unprecedented solutions to solve the homelessness crisis in our state. One example of a nationally unprecedented initiative is the Governor's initiative to swiftly outreach to and transition people experiencing homelessness from the state's rights-of-way to safer and permanent housing solutions (the initiative was funded by the 2022 Legislature; the budget is $144 million). Should this initiative be successful in safely transitioning people to permanent housing solutions, it would have a tremendous impact on the state's housing and homeless future budgets, as well as serve as a leading model for other states that are experiencing homelessness crisis.

Location: Olympia or Seattle, WA - hybrid work flexibility

Duties
• Lead responsibility for communicating with Governor's Office, legislators, stakeholders, advocates, and media regarding Commerce housing policies and programs. Lead responsibility for developing and pursing adoption of housing-related agency request legislation and budget proposals that support the Governor's priorities, including affordable housing and homelessness strategic plans.
• Responsible for leading and implementing the development of coordinated and complementary policies for all programs in the Housing Division including, but not limited to policies:
1) determining what decision packets (DP) and/or agency request legislation (ARL) are submitted to the Governor each year;
2) determining how funds are awarded;
3) governing the allowable use of funds; and
4) determining who is eligible for and prioritized to receive housing and related services.
• Responsible for working closely with the Local Government Division to develop and implement land use and infrastructure policies that improve housing affordability and enable siting of necessary affordable and special needs housing.
• Responsible for working with other state agencies and local governments to clearly determine responsibility for funding and managing the necessary components of an effective response to homelessness, including temporary and permanent housing, behavioral health and other supportive services, and outreach and engagement.
• Responsible for the Statewide Interagency Council on Homelessness and Washington Statewide Advisory Council on Homelessness (ICH, SACH) that include collaboration with stakeholders to inform policies to end homelessness.
• As the statewide expert on housing and homelessness policy, responsible for leading the development and implementation of processes to forecast the impact of potential housing program policy and resource changes on housing affordability and homelessness, and estimating the impact of potential land use regulation changes on housing affordability. Activities managed in support of forecasting including maintaining updated literature reviews on impacts of programs and policies, ensuring data collection processes in Commerce and other state agencies are providing the data needed to forecast impacts, and working with the research community to design and implement studies of program effectiveness when existing research is inadequate to support accurate forecasting.
• Responsible for leading the updates of the state affordable housing and homeless housing strategic plans that quantify how proposed policy and resource changes will improve housing affordability and reduce homelessness using strategies that align with the values and priorities of the Director, Housing Division Assistant Director, Governor's Office, local governments, people with lived experience of housing instability and homelessness, housing and services providers, and agency advisory committees. Responsible for developing multi-factor models of affordable housing and homelessness unmet needs and drivers, and deploying the models to forecast future needs and the impacts of proposed policy changes. This position is designated as the lead at the National level and by other states to share Washington's policies and practices.
• Direct responsibility for partnering with other state agencies (Department of Transportation, Department of Social and Health Services, Health Care Authority ,and State Patrol) and others and local governments (cities and counties) and managing the implementation of nationally unprecedented efforts to effectively transition people from public rights-of-way to housing, including managing the related staff and developing the policy approach.
• Advise the Housing Division Assistant Director and the agency Director in the development and implementation of strategic priorities, division-wide and agency-wide initiatives, and coordination of standards and processes of program implementation and resource allocation across division programs.
• Embrace the agency mission of strengthening communities and the ongoing cultivation of a healthy agency culture embodied by the values of trust, collaboration, and creativity. Lead with integrity and transparency and with a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion internally and in the delivery of agency services and programs. Coordinate with and promote our mission of strengthening communities with other key agencies and stakeholders.
• Directly supervise: Legislative Lead, State Homelessness in Rights-of-Way Manager, and Administrative Support. Secondary supervision of two Rights-of-Way Regional Leads.
• Serve as sponsor and leader of Housing Division process improvements to implement policy development procedures that ensure every person in the Housing Division can meaningfully participate in policy and program development, leveraging the diversity of experiences of values while building understanding of buy-in regarding policies and programs.
• Lead Housing Division process improvements to ensure every program and policy development process includes people with lived experience of housing instability or homelessness, and people from historically marginalized communities. Inclusion processes must be accessible to people with a diversity of experiences and knowledge so that final policies include the informed contributions of a truly representative group of people.
• Implement policy development procedures that ensure that every person in the Housing Division can meaningfully participate in policy and program development, leveraging the diversity of experiences of values while building understanding and buy-in regarding policies and programs.

Qualifications
What You'll Bring:

This role is ideal for a strategic, mission-driven executive who thrives in complexity and is motivated by public impact at scale. We welcome candidates from both public and private sectors who bring the leadership maturity, systems thinking, and political navigation required for this role.

Required Education, Experience, and Competencies: • 10+ years of relevant experience, with a minimum of 5 years of demonstrated success in senior-level leadership roles with responsibility for managing complex programs, large multidisciplinary teams, and significant operating and/or capital budgets.
• Extensive executive management level experience including management of other management level positions.
• Experience leading a policy development process, including identifying necessary stakeholders, developing and implementing a facilitated process to work with stakeholders to review policy proposals, developing strategic plans, and quantifying the impact of strategic plans action on progress toward plan goals.
• Experience with legislative processes, including successful promotion of legislation and budget request, and operating in a political environment. Must have experience building and maintaining relationships with constituent groups, such as city and county officials, nonprofit service providers, other state agencies and legislators.
• Experience working with the media to promote priorities and transparency, including promoting successes, using the media to help advocate for policy and budget changes that support strategic initiatives, and managing media relations in crisis.
• Knowledge of contemporary management techniques, ability to provide leadership and direction to managers and staff. Must have experience managing, developing and mentoring a large, complex budget and excellent written, oral and public speaking skills.
• Experience in policy development and execution; the ability to articulate ill-defined problems and orchestrate a team to implement plans to address and resolve the same; and the ability to work with a wide array of stakeholders including the Governor's office, the legislature, Department of Commerce leadership, other agencies, companies, and associations.
Preferred/Desired Education, Experience, and Competencies: • Extensive experience communicating with the public in writing and in oral presentations
• Graduate degree or certifications in applicable fields
• Experience creating accountability metrics utilizing data sets
• Demonstrated experience and commitment to identifying and dismantling systemic barriers, expanding access and opportunity, and ensuring that programs are shaped by the people and communities served • Extensive familiarity with public employment and state or local government
To be considered for this position the following are needed:

• A complete and detailed online application.
• A cover letter (enter online).
• At least three professional references (enter online).

For questions about this recruitment, please contact the Recruitment team via email:- please reference the job number in your message.

Supplemental Information
Where You'll Work

Your duty station will be Commerce Headquarters (Olympia, WA) or the Commerce Seattle Office (Seattle, WA). Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance.

Your Schedule

This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedules. A minimum of one day per week in-office is required, with additional in-person meetings/activities as needed. Schedules depend on position needs and may change.

Additional Information

• This high-level leadership position may occasionally speak or act for the Director. Working extra hours in the evenings, weekends, or holidays can occur at this level.
• This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies within 60 days.
• Technical support: NEOGOV at View phone number on click.appcast.io (login, password, email issues, error messages). DES job seeker support:
• Initial screening will be based solely on application completeness and materials submitted. All information may be verified; documentation may be required.

Our Commitment to Equal Opportunity


The Washington State Department of Commerce is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application, testing, or interview process or this job announcement in an alternative format may email Human Resources at View email address on click.appcast.io. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or View phone number on click.appcast.io.


Department of Commerce also offers a competitive benefits package including: medical and dental insurance benefits, retirement and deferred compensation plans, 11 paid holidays each year, 14-25 vacation days per year (depending on length of employment), 8 hours of sick leave per month (if full time employed), bereavement leave, an employee assistance program, as well as other benefits. Please see the Benefits Tab for more details.
More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.


Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.


Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.


Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in , an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.


Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave
Leave Sharing

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026
01


In the space below, please write a formal cover letter describing your interest and how you meet the specific qualifications for this position.
02


How many years of post-high school equivalent formal education (including college-level coursework, technical and/or vocational education, and/or certification programs.) involving business, management, public administration or a related field do you have?

• Less than 1 year
• More than 1 year but less than 2 years
• More than 2 years but less than 3 years
• More than 3 years but less than 4 years
• More than 4 years but less than 5 years
• 5 or more years

03


How many years of professional experience in policy development, legislative processes, and executive level management do you have?

• Less than 1 year
• More than 1 year but less than 2 years
• More than 2 years but less than 3 years
• More than 3 years but less than 4 years
• More than 4 years but less than 5 years
• More than 5 years but less than 6 years
• More than 6 years but less than 7 years
• More than 7 years but less than 8 years
• More than 8 years but less than 9 years
• More than 9 years but less than 10 years
• 10 or more years

04


If you indicated you have experience noted above, please explain how, where and when you gained this knowledge and experience (must also be reflected in the work experience of your application). If you answered no, please type N/A in the text box below.)
05


Please describe your experience leading a policy development process, including identifying necessary partners and impacted parties, developing and implementing a facilitated process to work with external parties to review policy proposals, developing strategic plans, and quantifying the impact of strategic plans action on progress toward plan goals.
06


Please describe your experience with legislative processes, including successful promotion of legislation and budget requests, and operating in a political environment.
07


Please describe how you work with colleagues and supervise your team.
08


Please describe how you work with the media to promote priorities and transparency, including promoting successes, using the media to help advocate for policy and budget changes that support strategic initiatives, and managing media relations in crisis.
09


Please describe how you meet the Desired Qualifications. If you do not, please type N/A in the text box below.
10


Can you commit to being based in Olympia or Seattle with hybrid work flexibility for this position?

• Yes
• No

11


As a condition of employment, I understand and agree that I must reside in the state of Washington prior to or on the first day of state employment.

• Yes
• No

12


Are you a current or former employee of the state of Washington?

• Yes
• No

13


If you answered yes to the question above, what is the agency you are currently or formerly with? If you answered no, please type N/A.
14


Please select the option below that best indicates where you heard about this job opportunity.

• Aggregate job search website (Indeed.com, Simplyhired.com)
• Department of Commerce website
• Department of Commerce employee
• Social Media (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter)

Required Question