Temporary Human Services Manager

The City of Kirkland's Parks and Community Services Department is seeking to hire a Temporary Human Services Manager!

Note: This position is classified as temporary and is currently funded through 5/15/2026.

Responsible for proactive management of human services provided to the Kirkland community; examples include homelessness response, housing needs, food, and behavioral and mental health services. This includes assessing community need, identifying services to fill the needs, oversight of the grant program tailored to meet the needs and coordination with regional partners to develop regional solutions to complex problems. This position works with the Human Services Commission and collaborates with multiple other City departments.

Principal Accountabilities

• Manage the provision of comprehensive programs and services that meet basic human needs.
• Develop relationships with City staff, regional organizations, and collaboratives that allows for effective coordination of human services.
• Collaborate with Department leadership, identified City departments, and regional partners to develop strategy and recommend policy for the provision of human services.
• Advise and support the City Council and its Human Services Commission in their work towards achieving the mission.
• Develop program funding recommendations that meet identified priorities and objectives.
• Supervises subordinate personnel, including motivating, training and delegating assignments; monitoring performance; conducting performance evaluations; taking disciplinary /corrective action; initiating salary increases and promotions and conducting hiring and termination.
• Develops, implements, monitors and reports on the division budget.
• Ensures equitable, safe and efficient program and service delivery.

Essential Functions

• Hire, train, payroll approval, evaluate, and recognize full time. Attract, retain and motivate a competent and professional staff. Accountable for creating and maintaining a positive work environment.
• Assess community needs and develop strategies to meet community need through effective oversight and planning of various human services.
• Budget development and oversight for assigned areas including the implementation and allocation of the Human Services grant program.
• Administer City's participation in the King County CDBG Consortium, including meeting deadlines for citizen participation, notification procedures and funding for the City's public human services program; preparation of local program policies; review CDBG project applications; and recommends for adoption projects and funding levels to the City Council.
• Maintain a current working knowledge and understanding of the King County and CDBG Consortium adopted Policy Plan to determine eligibility of projects and meet federal program requirements.
• Review, negotiate, monitor, develop and evaluate contracts for the distribution of City funds. Prepare contracts for Parks & Community Services Director, City Manager or designee, and City Attorney for review and approval. Monitor program contracts and provide project evaluation, including fiscal monitoring.
• As appropriate, recommend changes and improvements in the City's Human Services policies, programs, priorities, and services.
• Conduct an annual workshop for service providers to review the City's policies, funding priorities, application criteria and general processes. Provide orientations for providers to navigate the application, implementation, invoicing and reporting processes.
• Conduct on-site monitoring visits to ensure compliance with contract requirements and verify service reports.
• Coordinate the efforts of or provide staff support as appropriate to the Human Services Commission, related Council Committees and various regional committees. Includes production of oral and written reports.
• Acts as city liaison with various community groups, associations and individuals.
• Maintain contact with other cities, King County, funding collaboratives and other groups on issues related to human service funding.
• Collaborates with other departments throughout the city to assist Kirkland to achieve the vision established in the Comprehensive Plan outlined for Human Services.
• Provides thorough analysis and prepares written reports for Director, Human Services Commission, City Council, and City Manager outlining performance, demographics, service levels and equitability of human services. Maintain reporting platforms such as the website dashboard.
• Develops a comprehensive publicity and outreach program through preparation and distribution of news releases, bulletins, announcements, brochures, web site and online materials and other promotional items.
• Creates comprehensive guides, resource listings, how to information, or videos necessary to connect people to services.

Peripheral Responsibilities

• Prepare written, oral, and visual reports for City Council, Human Services Commission, Senior and Youth Council, community groups, and private organizations to explain City policy and make recommendations pertaining to human services.
• Oversee and review the technical work of consultants, contracting agencies and other organizations as appropriate.
• Continue to explore opportunities for regional cooperation in solving human service problems.
• Issue RFP's for human services providers. Negotiate scope of work, fees and contracts for service providers.
• Pursues grants, sponsorship or alternate sources of revenue.
• Participate in special projects as assigned.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Why Kirkland?

• Advanced knowledge of planning principles, practices, and techniques in human services administration and development.
• Ability to recognize and define problems and recommend solutions.
• Ability to analyze, research, and prepare reports.
• Basic PC proficiency including word processing, spreadsheet software and financial software.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare and effectively manage a budget.
• Ability to attract, retain, lead and motivate a competent and professional staff.
• Advanced public relations and communication skills (both verbal and written) to interpret, and explain rules, regulations, legal requirements and policies.
• Skill in negotiating contracts or agreements with outside agencies.
• Advanced organizational skills to effectively manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.

Minimum Qualifications
A Bachelor's degree in Social Services, Public Administration or related field plus five years of progressively responsible experience administering human services and related programs. Possession of a valid Washington State Driver's License or the ability to secure a reasonable transportation accommodation to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the position.

Position requires a resume and cover letter for consideration of application. Please note how you meet minimum qualifications within the cover letter. Applicants who are selected for next steps in the hiring process will be invited by phone or e-mail. Candidates are encouraged to apply at the earliest possible date as screening, interviewing, and hiring decisions will be made through the recruitment period, until such time as the vacancy is filled. Job open until filled.

The City of Kirkland is a welcoming community where every person can thrive and grow. We value diversity, inclusion, belonging, and work together to support our community. We do this by solving problems, focusing on the customer, and respecting all people who come into the City whether to visit, live, or work. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are committed to creating a workforce that does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, color, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, marital status, genetic information, veteran status, disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. We encourage qualified applicants of all backgrounds and identities to apply to our job postings. Persons with a disability who need reasonable accommodations in the application or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call 425-587-3210 or Telecommunications Device for the Deaf 711.

Working Conditions
Work is performed primarily in an office environment but requires frequent travel to meetings, workshops, and site visits. Attendance of meetings frequently requires working evening hours.