Chief Administrative Officer

This position is only open to current King County employees. The Department of Local Services (DLS) is seeking a collaborative, strategic, and equity-centered Chief Administrative Officer to lead key policy, planning, government relations, and organizational performance functions. As a core member of the Director’s Office, this leader will play a critical role in shaping how DLS advances service delivery, strengthens partnerships, and responds to the priorities of unincorporated King County communities. The Chief Administrative Officer will provide strategic leadership, guide high-impact initiatives, and support the Director in navigating complex, sensitive, and high‑profile issues. If you are a seasoned public‑sector leader who thrives on cross‑agency collaboration, policy development, and improving how government works, we encourage you to apply. This is a unique opportunity to help shape the future of unincorporated King County and influence how county government delivers on its commitments to community members. If you are energized by work that blends strategy, policy, operations, and community impact, this is a powerful opportunity to help lead change at a county‑wide scale. 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. Applying equity, racial, and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. In this role, you will apply equity and social justice principles that exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices to all aspects of the work. Responsibilities Lead and oversee the Department’s Policy, Government Relations, Best Run Government programs, Long Range Planning, and Code Writing programs. Collaborate across departments, divisions and external stakeholders to address complex community complaints and ensure the County is responsive to community needs and priorities. Provide leadership and direction to senior managers and project teams working within the assigned functional areas. Serve as a trusted advisor to the Department Director, representing the department in high‑profile and politically sensitive matters. Facilitate interagency coordination and develop strategic approaches to policy development, legislative affairs, and long‑term planning initiatives. Drive initiatives to support a high‑performing organization that models best practices in government operations and exemplary customer service. Support the department’s engagement with County Executive, City officials, County Council, and other governmental bodies. Manage communication flow and ensure the Director and leadership team are well‑prepared with relevant information and materials for meetings and public events. Identify critical issues impacting public trust and departmental effectiveness and lead efforts to resolve them collaboratively. Promote an inclusive work environment that values diversity and fosters professional growth. Perform other duties as assigned to support department goals. Minimum Qualifications More than 10 years of progressive leadership experience in government, public administration, policy development, land use planning, legislative affairs, or a similarly complex public‑sector environment. More than 10 years of experience leading or advising executive leadership on high‑visibility, politically sensitive, or cross‑agency issues. Demonstrated ability to apply racial and social justice principles to policy development, operations, program design, and decision‑making. At least 7 years of experience supervising or leading teams, including setting expectations, managing performance, and supporting staff development. Strong skills in strategic thinking, problem‑solving, analysis, facilitation, and communication. Knowledge of King County intergovernmental processes and direct experience applying them. Experience building relationships and collaborating with elected officials, community groups, intergovernmental partners, and internal stakeholders. Ability to manage complex workloads, navigate competing priorities, and exercise sound judgment in fast‑paced or ambiguous environments. Proficiency with business applications, including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams). Desired Qualifications Leadership experience in policy development, long‑range planning, legislative affairs, government relations, or interagency coordination. Experience working in a labor‑represented or unionized environment. Experience supporting or leading Best Run Government, continuous improvement, or organizational performance initiatives. Knowledge of land use, community planning, or local government regulatory systems. Experience working with elected officials, legislative bodies, or cross‑jurisdictional partnerships. Demonstrated success addressing complex community concerns or resolving issues with high public visibility. Experience managing change, guiding multi‑disciplinary project teams, or leading organizational development initiatives. Strong understanding of King County government, local governance structures, or regional planning issues. Job Classification The classification of this position is Chief of Staff I. The 2026 pay range for this position will be $172,757.31–$218,980.11 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 only open to current King County Employees. 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 Operations During Emergency Situations and the King County Guidelines for Workforce Management in an Emergency. Union Membership This position is non‑represented. Teleworking Requirement The work associated with this position will be performed through a combination of remote and onsite work. The successful candidate may be expected to report to the office for onsite work up to 5 days per week. The frequency of onsite work may vary based on business or operational needs and be adjusted accordingly. The primary onsite location is King Street Center, 201 S. Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements. King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment. Employees will be provided with a County‑issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours. To Apply If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement. Contact Information Erika Yanak Senior HR Analyst (206) 477-0320 Erika.yanak@kingcounty.gov Equal Employment Opportunity Statement King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EOH policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation. #J-18808-Ljbffr