Policy Director

The Commission

The Community Police Commission (CPC) envisions communities and Seattle’s police aligned in shared goals of safety, respect, and accountability. We listen to, amplify, and build common ground around Seattle Police Department (SPD) policies among communities in Seattle. We are a small, but mighty, team championing policing practices centered in justice and equity.

The Job

The CPC is recruiting for a Policy Director, who will lead the CPC and its Policy Team in achieving its mission and goals of effective oversight of the Seattle Police Department with active community involvement. This position is central to the CPC’s role of being a link between communities and policy development in our efforts to fulfill the duties as outlined in Ordinance 125315.

Responsibilities include directing all policy development at the CPC, working closely with and reporting to the CPC Executive Director and Commissioners, and interfacing with accountability partner agencies and the public. You will develop comprehensive policy strategies to provide input to OPA, OIG, SPD, and other City departments and offices, including the Mayor, Council, and City Attorney on the police accountability system, police services, and SPD policies and practices of significance to the public by conducting advanced research and policy analysis, developing policy materials (memos, reports, briefings, and letters to officials), planning community engagement efforts related to policy issues, advising on policy recommendations to be implemented by the Seattle Police Department, and more.

Job Responsibilities

Here is more about what you’ll be doing: 

Champion equity. Apply racial equity and social justice lens and actively engage in the CPC’s efforts to ensure that SPD’s practices are in line with the City of Seattle’s goals of public safety and constitutional policing for all citizens, especially members of BIPOC communities who have historically faced the most acute effects of biased policing. Understand the history of racism and recognize the unique role of government in addressing institutional and structural racism.

Transformational,  strategic thinking and policy expertise. The work requires being comfortable working in a politically sensitive environment with multiple priorities and tight deadlines. Serve as a key advisor to the CPC and Executive Director to develop, recommend, and facilitate  community input into the reforms necessary to ensure constitutional policing. Develop and analyze policies and recommendations regarding the programs required by CPC's governing ordinance, brainstorming, researching, shaping, presenting, and defending those policies in a variety of public settings, including with community members, City Council, partner oversight agencies, and state and federal partners..

Team leadership and collaboration. Lead and supervise a dedicated team of policy analysts to oversee and gain community input on police accountability. Actively support and cultivate the team’s leadership and growth. Provide hands-on support to the team as needed.

Policy development, research, and analysis. Research, investigate, and survey available sources of information, including community expertise, peer-reviewed research, program evaluations, and best practices research related to a variety of complex policy issues, including policing, public safety, and relevant technology policy. Compile data; perform or assist in the organizing, analyzing, and interpreting of data; and summarize and present compiled data to internal and external audiences. . Stay informed about and monitor policy issues and legislation (local, state and federal) as well as emerging issues in other jurisdictions.

Communication and outreach. Respond to inquiries from constituents, other accountability partners, and Seattle City Council members and staff. Communicate effectively verbally and in writing, and work well with the public, stakeholders, and agency staff. Develop outreach and engagement strategies on policy issue areas. Prepare speeches, talking points, and issue briefings on policy areas.

You will be successful in this job if you are committed to:

• Public service and have an appreciation for robust discussion and willingness to work hard to accomplish important goals
• Racial and social justice, equity, and supporting the power of communities to forge their own solutions and work towards achieving anti-racist policies
• Formulating innovative solutions to complex, sensitive challenges in collaboration with community partners and organizations
• Building strong working relationships with the CPC Executive Director, Commissioners and staff, City Council, accountability partner agencies, and community

You will be most effective in this job if you have:

• A policy background and expertise in policing, public safety, or another municipal or state policy area
• A strong understanding the Seattle Consent Decree and 2017 Accountability Ordinance, constitutional policing and the unique monitoring system in place in Seattle, including the role community plays in the police reform process
• Significant experience in policy and technical writing, policy review and analysis, management, budgeting, and project management Legal and/or legislative training or experience is a plus.
• Strong research and analytical skills and the ability to decipher complex issues using an equity lens
• Built successful working relationships and have excellent cross-cultural social skills
• Strong organizational skills and keen attention to detail and accuracy
• Outstanding project management skills and experience leading complex projects from initiation to completion 
• Ability to connect with community members and community organizations by demonstrating strong listening, written, and verbal communication skills
• Created plans, set priorities, organized work, met deadlines and objectives with minimal oversight
• Handled complicated, controversial situations calmly and respectfully, exercising discretion, maintaining confidentiality, and responding thoughtfully and with consideration for short-term and long-term goals
• Adjusted your work to pitch in when teammates needed support
• A track record of reliability, hard work, cooperative style and can set priorities, meet deadlines, and accomplish objectives in a self-driven manner
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite, SharePoint, Outlook, or similar scheduling tools
• Advanced training and education in a related field is beneficial

Qualifications

A successful applicant will have experience that reflects a commitment to public service and finding ways to use policy to enact change to reach anti-racist goals. A high degree of political savvy, deep policy knowledge, and willingness to fully engage with our community partners, as well as our city and state partners, is necessary. This experience should be complemented by proven ability and progressively responsible experience in the following areas:

• Policy and legislative planning and implementation
• Project management
• Research and data analysis
• Leading a team and managing work
• Listening, written, and oral communication skills
• Working in a dynamic, diverse, fast-paced environment both independently and as an active team member

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.

Additional Information

This position is classified as a Strategic Advisor 2, Exempt and is exempt from overtime and the Civil Service System. The full salary range for this position is $43.89 - $65.83 per hour. The annual salary that has been set for this role is $124,904.16 ($59.82/hr. based on 2088 hours).

This role may be required to work nights, evenings, weekends or attend meetings at locations outside of the office. This position offers the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule. Employees will be expected to be in-office twice a week. Individual schedules will be based on agreement between the employee and management.

Why work at the City of Seattle?

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including 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 the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans. 

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.

Application Process:

Applications will be accepted until 4:00pm Pacific Time on Tuesday, January 30, 2024. In addition to completing the application at www.governmentjobs.com/careers/seattle fully, for your application to be accepted, you must:

• Attach a resume detailing your relevant talents, training, and experiences.
• Attach a cover letter that describes your interest in the position and motivation to support the work of CPC.

This hiring process involves a background check of conviction and arrest records in compliance with Seattle's Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17. Applicants will be provided an opportunity to explain or correct background information.

Who may apply: This position is open to all candidates who demonstrate alignment with the skills and experience described above. The City of Seattle encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences. The City of Seattle 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, or gender identity.

The City of Seattle is an Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to diversity in the workplace. Accommodations for people with disabilities are provided on request. The City is a Drug Free Workplace.

Questions? Please contact Nicolette Hornbeck at Nicolette.Hornbeck@seattle.gov