Community Relations Program Manager

Current Washington County Employees:
Please apply through the employee portal to be considered for this opportunity.

Job Type: Regular

Pay Range: $ - $ Salary

Department: Housing Services

FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt

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.

• 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.

Education and Experience:

• Master's Degree in criminal justice, social work, psychology, social sciences, an applied research-related field, or other related field; AND Three (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…