Community Engagement Specialist

Principal Responsibilities

• Design and execute community outreach and engagement initiatives in collaboration with the Division Director and team members to increase access to and improve participants' experience in MHCF programs.
• Engage directly with developers, CBOs, and other interested parties, especially those historically marginalized, to understand their experiences, identify barriers, and guide strategies that align with the Commission’s Racial Equity Strategic Plan.
• Create and implement specific community outreach and engagement strategies in collaboration with MHCF staff to inform policy and program development across a variety of programs.
• Develop effective metrics and research best practices to determine progress toward program goals for CBO and BIPOC developer involvement in the Bond/Tax Credit program.
• Develop and implement a data collection strategy in collaboration with MHCF and the Asset Management Compliance (AMC) division to establish program goals and measurement methods.
• Serve as the MHCF lead for planning, drafting, and initiating all external email distributions and communications, as well as the liaison with IT for relevant webpage updates.
• Establish an equitable process, in collaboration with MHCF staff and external parties, for creating, updating, and maintaining a division-wide Resource List of real estate development professionals.
• Develop, publish, and update informational materials regarding the Bond/Tax Credit program, LIHTC, and other community-focused MHCF programs in accordance with the Community Engagement Strategy.
• Aid in developing training curriculum, lesson plans, and multimedia presentations to help interested parties understand complex programs, and support post-training evaluations.
• Create and maintain partnerships with other public funders, such as the City of Seattle, county governments, the State Department of Commerce, and other funding partners to collaborate on addressing issues concerning community-based development.
• Work on additional special projects throughout the year as identified by management and perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to build relationships and work effectively with diverse external parties, including community-based organizations (CBOs), developers, and interested parties with diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• Deep understanding of specific policies, procedures, and applicable laws regarding the WSHFC Bond/Tax Credit Program, alongside a foundational knowledge of general LIHTC and tax-exempt bond programs.
• Expertise in designing, implementing, and evaluating evidence-based community engagement and outreach strategies.
• Demonstrated experience in translating complex policies into simple, accessible language for diverse audiences through written materials, verbal presentations, and public speaking.
• Proficiency in leveraging databases, Salesforce, or content/enterprise management solutions to manage contacts, generate forms, and produce materials that support business objectives.
• Skill in creating user-friendly web content, developing accessible digital tools or links for external audiences, and collaborating effectively with technical web development staff.
• Strong analytical and research capabilities, with a track record of using data to establish metrics and refine organizational policies.
• Demonstrated knowledge of public policy, planning, or environmental studies focused on housing/facility development, public finance, and sustainable energy issues.
• Ability to take action to learn and grow: Takes responsibility for increasing skills in new technologies and systems to make government programs more effective.
• Ability to take action to meet the needs of others: collaborates across diverse backgrounds to increase access and positive outcomes in housing and development.