Housing Policy Director (EMS 4)

Housing Policy Director

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.

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

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: View email address on click.appcast.io.

Initial screening will be based solely on application completeness and materials submitted. All information may be verified; documentation may be required.

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.