Chief of Staff

This position is only open to current King County employees.

The Department of Local Services (DLS) is seeking an experienced strategic and equity-driven leader to serve as our next Chief of Staff. This key role supports the Department Director by providing organizational leadership shaping strategic priorities and ensuring the effective operation of the Directors Office. The Chief of Staff is a trusted advisor and collaborator who leads cross-departmental initiatives supports executive decision-making and advances our commitment to equity racial and social justice in every aspect of our work. If you are an effective relationship-builder a strong communicator and a leader who thrives in a dynamic community-focused government environment we invite you to join us in serving the residents of unincorporated King County.

As the Chief of Staff for the Department of Local Services you will play a vital role in shaping how King County serves residents in unincorporated communities. This is an exciting opportunity for a strategic and people-centered leader who wants to make a meaningful difference in how government works.

Our Commitment to Equity Racial and Social Justice

The Department of Local Services is deeply dedicated to fostering Equity Racial and Social Justice in every aspect of our work. Our commitment to True North values which ensures every person has the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential and forms the core of our mission and purpose. Our pledge is to cultivate embrace and celebrate the distinct experiences viewpoints and perspectives of our people partners and the communities we serve. Through this work we dismantle systemic barriers address inequities and actively confront prejudices and biases. We acknowledge this journey is ongoing and we remain steadfast in our efforts to create a positive impact for our employees and communities alike.

Applyingequity racial and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County this role you will apply equity and social justice principles that exemplify shared values behaviors and practices to all aspects of the work.

Executive Leadership & Representation

• Provide leadership to functions undertaken in the Directors Office and represent the Director and the department on matters of significance.
• Serve as a member of the Directors Office Core Team (DO CORE) and Department Leadership Team.
• Partner with the Department Director Deputy Directors Chief Administrative Officer Chief Financial Officer and other executives to provide overall strategic leadership for all DLS employees systems operations and community impact.
• Ensure the Director is well prepared with materials data and briefing support for meetings conferences and public events.

Operational Oversight & Strategic Support

• Oversee and manage the flow and exchange of information streamline operations and track the performance of internal systems to ensure high functionality.
• Identify and manage critical issues that have significant public or organizational impact requiring the attention of the Director and/or other senior leaders.
• Contribute to the vision mission and values of the department through responsible and effective leadership decision-making and work performance.
• Implement continuous improvement practices to strengthen service quality customer service and use of data.
• Collaborate with leaders to inform key initiatives and improve functionality and accessibility of programming.

Team Leadership & Staff Development

• Lead coach and supervise a high-performing team within the Directors Office including Administrative Support Communications Equity/Belonging (EIB) and Emergency Operations.
• Supervise and mentor staff including assigning work monitoring quality and timeliness and conducting employee development and performance management.
• Provide candid caring feedback and coaching to help staff improve and thrive.
• Inspire excellence and cultivate a culture of equity inclusion and belonging where all members of the team can contribute.

Equity Organizational Health & Workforce Development

• Serve as a champion of equity by embedding racial and social justice principles into departmental practices operations and decision-making.
• Work in partnership with the Human Resources Manager and the Equity Inclusion and Belonging Manager to assess workforce needs and implement effective strategies for hiring training team building and conflict resolution.
• Identify process gaps and areas for improvement related to ERSJ efforts recruitment analytics leave management and employee/labor relations; recommend and implement solutions.
• Develop and implement approaches to improve employee engagement satisfaction and organizational health.

Interdepartmental & External Coordination

• Serve as liaison to Facilities Management Division (FMD) King County Information Technology (KCIT) and the Department of Human Resources (DHR).
• Partner with the Office of Equity Racial and Social Justice to align with county-wide equity initiatives and best practices.
• Represent DLS in cross-agency initiatives and ensure DLS priorities and needs are effectively advanced.

Advisory Role & Special Projects

• Serve as a trusted advisor to the Director and senior leadership on key policy operational and workforce matters.
• Lead or participate in high-visibility projects that require discretion strategic thinking and strong change management.
• Perform other duties and assignments as needed to sustain DLS as a high-performing organization.

Minimum qualifications:

• 10 years or more of progressive leadership experience in a large public sector government or similarly complex organization.
• Demonstrated experience advising senior leaders and supporting organizational strategy operations policy development or program management.
• Experience leading and developing teams including supervising staff managing performance and cultivating a positive and inclusive workplace culture.
• Demonstrated ability to apply racial social and economic equity principles to organizational practices decision-making and service delivery.
• Experience managing sensitive high-visibility or politically complex issues involving diverse stakeholders.
• 8 years or more of progressive contract management and procurement experience.
• Strong skills in contracting strategic thinking analysis communication relationship-building and decision-making.
• Ability to work collaboratively with staff at all levels elected officials community partners and cross-agency teams.
• Experience working in fast-paced environments with competing priorities and the ability to navigate ambiguity and lead through change.
• Proficiency with business applications including Microsoft Office Suite (Word Outlook Excel PowerPoint Teams).

Desired Qualifications:

• Leadership experience in a Chief of Staff Deputy Director Senior Advisor or similar executive support role.
• Experience working in a unionized labor-intensive environment.
• Experience developing or leading equity inclusion and belonging initiatives or programs.
• Strong understanding of county or local government structures processes and legislative or policy development.
• Experience leading organizational change continuous improvement or business process redesign.
• Demonstrated skill in building and sustaining effective community public and intergovernmental relationships.
• Experience supporting emergency operations crisis communications or high-risk/high-impact issues.
• Knowledge of public-sector budgeting administrative systems or operational planning.
• Experience managing communications media relations or public affairs.

JOB CLASSIFICATION:The classification of this position is Chief of Staff I. The 2026 pay range for this position will be $172757.31-$218980.11 annually.

INTERVIEW SCHEDULE:
Those applicants who pass the initial screening and are selected to move forward will be invited for a 30-minute in-person interview.

WHO MAY APPLY:
This recruitment is open to current King County Employees only.This posting may be used to fill current and/or future career service term-limited temporary short-term temporary and/or special duty positions over the next six months.

APPLICATION PROCESS:
A full and complete King County application is required. You may also provide a resume and cover letter summarizing how you meet the experience qualifications knowledge and skills for the position.

Applicants will be screened for clarity completeness and competitiveness. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more interviews.

WORK SCHEDULE:
The work week is normally Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. but may at times require work outside of normal business hours. This position is Exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not eligible for overtime pay.

EMERGENCY DESIGNATION STATUS:This position has been designated Mission-Critical- Those employees who provide maintain and re-establish essential county functions as described in agency Continuity of Operations plans.

Unless otherwise directed by the County Executive department director or agency head all employees regardless of designation are expected to report to work or request leave during an emergency or inclement weather. For more detailed information please visit HR Policy County OperationsDuring Emergency Situations and the King County Guidelines for Workforce Management in an Emergency.

UNION MEMBERSHIP:This position is non-represented.

TELEWORKING REQUIREMENT