Homeless System Performance Specialist - Olympia, United States - State of Washington

Description

Homeless System Performance Specialist

At the Department of Commerce, we strive to be creative, collaborative, and trusted.

We identify opportunities to deliver critical funding and services to strengthen communities and aim to promote equity in all aspects of our work.

We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce is essential to our success, and we work to foster an environment where all individuals are valued and respected.

We cultivate an environment in which we continuously learn, and we own our work.

We invite all candidates to join us in our mission to create a diverse and equitable workplace that reflects the richness of the communities we serve.

Together, we can build a brighter and more inclusive future.

The Housing Division (HD) partners with local governments, Tribes, housing authorities, nonprofits and other organizations to develop and preserve affordable housing, promote individual and family self-sufficiency, and reduce adult and youth homelessness.

The Data & Performance Unit (DPU) within the Housing Division (HD) is responsible for large scale system-wide initiatives related to homelessness and housing data systems, analysis, research, evaluation, and technical assistance.

DPU teams work to support communities by:

• Strengthening data collection methods
• Safeguarding the privacy and security of protected data
• Improving data quality and data literacy
• Producing actionable and accessible analysis
• Evaluating performance and disparities
• Providing technical assistance to strengthen responses to homelessness and housing crisis

The Homeless System Performance Specialist reports to the Performance Team Manager of the Data & Performance Unit (DPU) within the Housing Division (HD).

This position develops and implements state homeless system performance measures and benchmarks, evaluating compliance using quantitative and qualitative data, and meets legislatively required reporting and performance requirements.

This specialist directs technical assistance and training efforts within county government homeless systems and with direct service providers.

This position builds bridges between the HUD System Performance Measures, the state's strategic plan and the homeless system grant requirements so that grantees and stakeholders can clearly make the linkages to evidence based housing interventions that help people without housing move into permanent destinations.

This position provides expert high level feedback to agency management on state-wide homeless policies and is able to present authoritatively to stakeholders and the legislature on the metrics as well as advice on revisions or how to incorporate future federal homeless requirements.

DUTIES:

• Interpret legislative policy requirements and Strategic Plan to recommend development of key performance measures.
• Draft performance requirements in compliance with state legislation in consultation with agency executive leadership.
• Examine and test fidelity of necessary data sources to meet measures.
• Develop performance based funding contract language for all applicable HD programs. Provide expert direction and advice to executive policy makers in Commerce and counties, directing performance management so that the agency executive management, the Legislature, county executives, grant managers, grantees and stakeholders understand how required performance improvement will support homeless systems.
• Author performance improvement elements of State Homeless Housing Strategic Plan required under RCW 43.185C.040, in consultation with agency executive leadership, local elected officials, and executive leadership of local non-profit housing agencies.
• Provide expert advice and consultation, directing and championing performance measures so that grant managers, grantees and stakeholders understand how evaluating performance will move us toward better policy and funding decisions.
• Develop nationally unprecedented performance measurement theories and metrics, and translate those metrics into technical specifications and collection procedures in compliance with state legislation.
• Work with DPU staff to develop visualizations of complex performance metrics and benchmarks that communicate progress toward achieving requirements to agency executive management, the Legislature, local elected officials, contract managers, and the public.
• Develop and implement timeline for evaluation, process for review and plan to communicate results.
• Develop technical assistance plans with county policy makers, HAU grant managers, and Commerce executive leadership to support low performing and non-compliant grantees return to compliance.
• Oversee implementation of technical assistance plans and provide coaching and assistance to ensure successful implementation of plan by Commerce grant managers and local executive leadership.
• Provide technical assistance so that grantees are performing at their highest abilities and understand how their best work contributes to reductions in homelessness.
• Participate directly in HD and Commerce initiatives relating to homeless system performance including assisting with development of policies, procedures, and corrective actions, assisting with modifying contract language and performance measurement procedures, and other cross-position work that improves the ability of Commerce to promote racial equity.
• Participate in national homeless system performance initiatives facilitated by HUD and NAEH.
• Research and stay informed about national trends and emerging best practices related homeless system performance measurement and improvement strategies.

Required Qualifications:

Eight years total of a combination of formal education, beyond high school equivalence, (to include relevant college level coursework, technical and/or vocational education and/or certification programs) and professional experience in community, trade or economic development with a focus in the direct management or delivery of services to people experiencing homelessness or a housing crisis, which includes at least two years of professional experience in the evaluation of homeless systems.

Lived experience with housing instability and/or experience navigating and receiving services from public systems such as homeless and housing services systems, foster care, the criminal legal system, or behavioral health system will substitute for two years of professional experience.

What is lived experience? Lived experiences is relevant expertise derived from the accumulated personal life and professional experiences of an individual.

Experience can be gained through life events, volunteer role/capacity, any experience gained outside of professional paid and unpaid experience, academic or a combination of experiences.

The above listed experience will demonstrate that a candidate possesses the necessary knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies to successfully qualify for and perform the duties of the position.

An equivalent combination of education and experience, including lived experience, will be evaluated on a year for year basis.

Some examples of this are, but not limited to:

• Example 1: 8 years of professional experience
• Example 2: 5 years of combined lived and professional experience plus 3 years formal education (college level coursework)
• Example 3: Associate's degree plus 6 years of professional experience
• Experience providing technical assistance to community based social service programs on best practices to improve performance.
• Demonstrated experience as a collaborative team member that values diversity and can work effectively and positively with individuals of diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds with an understanding of power, privilege and inequity

Desired Qualifications:

• Understanding and commitment to anti-racism, equity, diversity, and inclusion. Ability to apply an equity lens to evaluation and planning efforts.
• Experience in the evaluation of social service programs or systems.
• Accountability: Meets commitments, works independently, accepts accountability, manages change, sets personal standards, and stays focused under pressure.
• Integrity: Accountable for actions, maintains confidentiality, works with staff in a straightforward and honest manner.
• Customer service: Responds to customer questions and complaints in a timely and courteous manner.
• Results focused: Sets and achieves targets, prioritizes task, creative problem solver.
• Proven ability to work successfully with people who have opposing ideas and opinions and build relationships.
• Advanced knowledge of federal initiatives and existing local strategies to reduce homelessness.
• Advanced knowledge of best practice strategies
• Experience analyzing Homeless Management Information System data, or other large data sets.
• Knowledge of HMIS specifications and capabilities.
• Experience with statistics, output, and outcome measurement.
• Experience with project management.
• Recognized skill negotiating and championing system change efforts.
• Demonstrated proficiency in translating technical requirements to a non-technical audience.
• Advanced experience using computer applications including databases and web applications.
• Demonstrated experience in advanced level homeless program evaluation.

To be considered for this position the following are needed:

• A complete and detailed online application
• At least three (3) professional references (enter online)

For questions about this recruitment, please contact Elly Price at .

This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies over the next 60 days.

This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

Technical support is provided by NEOGOV, can't log in, password or email issues, error messages). DES job seeker support may answer general questions regarding the recruiting system at


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 call Human Resources at Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or

Work from Anywhere In Washington State:

This position may be located anywhere within Washington State though occasional travel to a Commerce office building or in-state travel to attend events or meetings may be required.

If selected, you will need to travel to pick up equipment and receive instruction. Many Commerce employees work remote or have a hybrid schedule.