Community Capacity and Safety Advisor

THE DEPARTMENT

Seattle’s Department of Neighborhoods (DON) serves residents of Seattle by providing programmatic support and building inclusive partnerships to ensure that they receive equitable access to government. 

We lead the citywide effort that results in the implementation of equitable outreach and engagement practices that reaffirm the City’s commitment to inclusive participation. This is a directive we take seriously and is reflected in our mission to strengthen Seattle by engaging all communities. We do this by fostering community partnerships, cultivating emerging leadership, and facilitating community inclusiveness. 

THE JOB

Seattle’s growth has caused systemic community safety issues, particularly for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)communities. DON is recruiting for applicants with a special combination of community engagement/collaboration, project/people management, research, strategic planning, and implementation skills. The Community Capacity and Safety Advisor will create a community-centered infrastructure to address these safety problems. This will include building internal and external relationships and partnerships as well as strengthening capacity and community involvement in informing and improving deep-rooted causes to bolster public safety efforts. 

Your top priorities will include:

• Leading the development of a framework, strategies, and communication plans for DON’s newly established Community Safety program
• Providing guidance, strategy, and leadership to DON’s current Community Safety contracts
• Overseeing DON’s CID Community Capacity Building model and potential for expansion to other classified confluence neighborhoods impacted by rapid growth and displacement
• Building and leading an interdepartmental team focused on creating a unified approach to community safety
• Designing and implementing a model that provides opportunities for community to learn about crime prevention strategies, review current City policies/programs/investments in community safety, and co-create recommendations for future City investments

You will thrive in this job, if you have:

• A deep understanding of and sensitivity to issues affecting BIPOC communities, especially Native and Indigenous groups.
• Proven ability to establish and maintain strategic and trusted relationships with community groups, government agencies, and other organizations.
• Proven experience in community engagement, activation, health, and safety.
• Strong skills in researching, developing, and implementing strategic plans that align with organizational goals and are co-designed with community.
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to oversee multiple initiatives simultaneously.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to engage effectively with a wide range of partners, from community members to government officials.
• Facilitating City forums and community conversations on key issues impacting community capacity building and safety.
• Experience influencing and creating policies and programs that promote racial equity and social justice.
• Experience leading and motivating teams to collaborate and support each other in the challenging work of identifying gaps and removing barriers to equity and achieving lasting systemic change with community.
• Strong organization and critical thinking skills, including the ability to organize and prioritize work, and the ability to analyze operational problems and implement solutions that are data driven.
• A reputation for exercising a high level of tact, good judgment, discretion, and diplomacy during all interactions.
• Acted as the main point of contact for your program/project and represented your organization while in community, with various organizations, and as a team member of local, regional, and national cohorts for public health and safety

A successful applicant is strategic and collaborative with a professional career that reflects a commitment to building inclusive and respectful relationships among diverse internal and external partners. This career orientation should be complimented by demonstrated skills and expertise in the following areas:

• Centering racial equity and social justice in interactions and work products.
• Leading teams and fostering buy-in through influential communication, creating a shared vision, and ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
• Managing projects and organizational efforts effectively and efficiently to develop strategic plans, work plans, maintain workflows, and deliver outcomes.
• Using data and technical information to advance change. 
• Familiarity with complexities of community safety and the multiple roles of local government.
• Using tools and software for data analysis, communication, and graphic visualization.
• Delivering outcomes in a politically nuanced and fast-paced environment.
• Compelling communication, active listening, writing, and presentation skills.

This civil service position is classified as a Strategic Advisor 2, Exempt, and is exempt from FLSA (not eligible for overtime). The full pay range for this discretionary pay title is $54.60 - $81.93 hourly. The salary range for this individual position has been identified as $63.00 - $65.00 hourly ($131,544 - $135,720.00 annually, based on 2088 hours per year).

Benefits:

A comprehensive benefits package includes vacation, holiday, and sick leave, as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on our website: City of Seattle Employee Benefits.

Hybrid work:

This position offers the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule, with arrangements based on an agreement between the employee and their supervisor. Some local travel and regional travel will be required, along with occasional evening and weekend in-person meetings.

Application process:

Here is a resource for Application and Interviewing tips (Download PDF reader) with the City of Seattle.

Please submit your application at City of Seattle Jobs Website no later than 4:00 PM Pacific Time on Tuesday, March 4, 2025. To be considered for this position, in addition to completing your application fully, please attach:

• A PDF of your current resume that illustrates your related skills, experience, and abilities.
• A cover letter explaining your interest in this opportunity with DON and your ability to perform in this role.

Why work at the City?

The City of Seattle recognizes every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. Our culture is the result of our behavior, our personal commitments, and the ways that we courageously share our perspectives and encourage others to do the same. To cultivate an antiracist culture, we seek employees who will engage in the Race and Social Justice Initiative by working to dismantle racist policies and procedures, unlearn the way things have always been done, and provide equitable processes and services. 

This position is open to all applicants who demonstrate alignment with the skills and experience described above. The department values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, medical condition, or pregnancy. OED encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ individuals, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.

Hiring timeline:

We anticipate conducting the first and second rounds of interviews during the third and fourth weeks of March. Our goal is to have the selected new hire start in April 2025.

Accommodations:

Individuals with disabilities will be provided reasonable accommodations to participate in the job application or interview process, perform essential job functions, and receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact Kate.Moore@seattle.gov for question or to request accommodations.

Salary : $131,544 - $135,720