The City of Issaquah is seeking an experienced Human Services Manager to join our dedicated Parks & Community Services team and help shape the future of community well-being. Under general direction, positions in this classification assist in carrying out Citywide human services activities including coordinating, directing, and implementing programs and projects that support direct service providers focused on mental health services, housing, homelessness, food access, and other community needs; healthy communities; diversity, equity, and inclusion in City program delivery, including racial equity and justice; grants and grant monitoring; and/or other human services, programs, projects, or initiatives. Incumbents take an active role in working collaboratively with internal staff and external stakeholders to solve problems, build quality human services infrastructure and capacity, and enhance the equity, access to services, and quality of life for all residents. Public contact is extensive and frequent, these positions interact with public officials, non-profit organizations, and neighborhood and community groups.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Incumbents perform a broad range of work tasks and oversee multiple projects, programs, and initiatives. The work is distinguished from the Human Services Coordinator by primary responsibility for oversight of the Human Services Division and the focus on overall strategic direction and project management, while still accomplishing the varied day-to-day tasks required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

• Reports to the Parks and Community Services Director.
• Directly supervises one or more administrative or professional staff in the Human Services Division.
• Performs work independently with very limited supervision.

• Plans, organizes, and manages the Human Services operations of the City.
• Assists in establishing and implementing the goals of the Human Services Division, in alignment with the City’s strategic plan, City Council and Human Services Commission priorities, and Parks and Human Services Department goals.
• Prepares and monitors the Human Services Division budget; develops performance measures related to equity and human services.
• Identifies, develops, and implements human services related projects and programs that are responsive to community needs; manages consultants and projects related to human services.
• Implements short- and long-term equity and human services strategies. Recommends adjustments in programs, activities, policies and procedures to further equity and human services goals.
• Serves as the City liaison to the non-profit and human service provider community, community groups, and other governmental agencies to further City policy regarding equity and human services.
• Fosters the development of community collaborations and partnerships to provide human services to residents. Facilitates networking and relationships amongst human service providers.
• Identifies potential program funding sources and prepared funding requests; negotiates funding and prepares contracts.
• Develops and participates in community events promoting equity and human services, including Welcoming Week, community conversation panels, and similar.
• Analyzes and reports on potential impact of legislation and regulations on City human services programs.
• Understands, measures, analyzes, and responds to community needs on an ongoing basis; advocates for and supports a systems approach to meeting community needs; communicates community needs to stakeholders and promotes available resources and solutions.
• Serves as staff liaison to the Human Services Commission.
• Presents proposed programs and projects to human service provider groups, community groups, the Human Services Commission, other agencies, and the City Council.
• Recruits, selects, supervises, and evaluates professional and technical staff; provides guidance and direction to staff; ensures positive resolution of problems; sets priorities for the Human Services team, establishes workloads and provides support in decision-making.
• Proposes and writes resolutions, proclamations, ordinances, reports and other official documents as required.
• Participates in local and regional conversations around equity and human services to align City and regional priorities.
• Ensures effective customer service.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• A bachelor’s degree in public administration, social work, social services or related field.
• Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in the management of community and social services.
• Or any combination of experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is primarily performed in an office environment, with occasional travel to other facilities.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

 

Knowledge of:

• Human services principles, practices, and implementation including community needs assessment, human service provider functions, grantmaking and monitoring, equity and racial equity, and funding sources for human services programs.
• Federal, State and local laws, rules, and regulations applicable to human services.
• Current trends in provision of human services and local community needs.
• Structure and operation of municipal government principles, practices, procedures and legal requirements and its political environment.
• Human services issues on the local, regional, and national level.
• Community demographics.
• Principles and practices of supervision and training.
• Methods and techniques for community engagement.
• Effective methods for organizing and utilizing data.
• Project management skills.
• Research methods.

Skill in:

• Using computers and software to collect, process and analyze data.

Ability to:

• Implement human services strategies.
• Interpret legal documents, laws, and regulations.
• Cultivate and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with elected officials, advisory boards, community groups, human services providers, non-profit organizations, other agencies, and the general public.
• Communicate effectively in written and oral form; make effective presentations to a variety of audiences.
• Negotiate viable solutions under a variety of circumstances.
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
• Effectively represent the City in situations which are potentially adversarial or stressful.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships and build trust.
• Assemble and analyze statistical, economic, and marketing information and make practical recommendations.
• Analyze complex issues and impacts and provide clear and concise recommendations and alternative solutions.
• Work independently with little direction in planning, prioritizing, scheduling and organizing work.
• Compile and prepare reports, requests for proposals, and other documents.
• Manage grant applications and processes.
• Develop and meet schedules, timelines, work programs and cost estimates.
• Negotiate and seek creative solutions using good interpersonal skills
• Read, interpret apply and explain rules, regulations, codes, policies and procedures.
• Maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion and judgment in dealing with sensitive or confidential information.