Fresh Listing

Posted: February 23, 2026 (1 day ago)

This job was posted recently. Fresh listings typically have less competition.

AHAH/PSH Deputy Managing Director (WMS 2)

State of Washington

Dept. of Commerce

Fresh

Location

Washington, 98504

Salary

$89,263 - $116,775

per year

Closes

March 10, 2026

Job Description

Summary

This role involves leading efforts to expand permanent supportive housing in Washington state, focusing on helping people transition from psychiatric hospitals and other institutions into stable homes with ongoing support.

It includes managing funding, developing policies, and coordinating with government agencies and community organizations to build more housing units and improve program efficiency.

A good fit would be someone with experience in housing or behavioral health policy who enjoys collaborating across sectors to create equitable systems that reduce homelessness.

Key Requirements

  • Experience in policy development and strategic planning for housing or behavioral health programs
  • Knowledge of state and federal funding requirements for supportive housing and rental subsidies
  • Strong skills in program management, oversight, and ensuring compliance with regulations
  • Ability to build and maintain relationships with government agencies, nonprofits, and community organizations
  • Expertise in coordinating services for vulnerable populations, such as those with behavioral health needs
  • Demonstrated commitment to equity, transparency, and efficient resource allocation

Full Job Description

At the

AHAH/PSH Deputy Managing Director (WMS 2)
At the Department of Commerce, we’re reimagining what’s possible in government. We’re builders, thinkers, and change-makers, working at the intersection of innovation, community, and impact. From unlocking critical funding to fueling inclusive economic growth, we’re turning big ideas into real-world solutions that uplift people and places.

Our agency’s strength lies in the diversity of our workforce, and the breadth of the lived experiences and perspectives employees bring to the work.

We believe equity is not just a value but a practice, which is reflected in how we design programs, engage communities, and deliver outcomes.

We foster a workplace culture where curiosity is encouraged, bold thinking is welcomed, and collaboration drives our impact.

This job is a commitment to reshape systems so they work better for everyone. If you’re ready to challenge the status quo and build meaningful connections, we want to meet you.

Let’s build what’s next, together.

The Housing Division (HD) partners with local governments, Tribes, housing authorities, and nonprofits to develop and preserve affordable housing, promote individual and family self-sufficiency, and reduce adult and youth homelessness.

Reporting to the Managing Director for Office of Apple Health & Homes and Permanent Supportive Housing, this position is responsible for direction, oversight, management, and administration of services and activities related to behavioral health housing programs, and policy and efforts to expand permanent supportive housing in Washington.

The Deputy Managing Director for the Office of Apple Health & Homes and Permanent Supportive Housing (AHAH/PSH) is responsible for promoting an effective, collaborative statewide system to facilitate seamless transitions for patients discharged from state psychiatric hospitals, local inpatient behavioral health settings, and other public institutions into permanent housing. The position manages state and federal funding for long-term supportive housing rental subsidy programs and works with state and local organizations to better coordinate all supportive housing funding.

This position will partner with the Managing Director and work closely with the Washington Healthcare Authority (HCA) and the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to facilitate linkages among disparate community bed capacity building efforts and integrate building infrastructure with ongoing supportive housing benefits. This work will result in new permanent supportive housing units and long-term capacity in Washington.
Core processes include:
• Assisting the AHAH/PSH Managing Director with shaping and driving policy through the development of strategic plans, policies, and procedures.
• Developing and modifying programs to ensure compliance with state and federal requirements.
• Ensuring fair and equitable access to resources in the most effective, efficient, and transparent
manner possible.
• Communicating effectively to establish, foster, and maintain effective relationships.
• Improving the effectiveness and efficiency of state and other permanent supportive housing programs.
• Serving as backup to the AHAH/PSH Managing Director on behavioral health and supportive housing issues and challenges and developing opportunities through close contact with the community and public and private organizations who provide relevant services.
• Consulting and coordinating with other unit and HD division programs and staff to ensure the implementation and delivery of housing programs and policies stay aligned and coordinated whenever feasible.

Requirements

Tasks Include:
• Facilitate building capacity for broad-based long-term rental assistance programs that provide permanent housing subsidies for persons with behavioral health conditions or who are experiencing homelessness or have had a history of homelessness.
• Serve as the liaison between Commerce and key leaders and staff from the HCA and DSHS including discharge social workers at Eastern and Western State Hospitals and local psychiatric facilities.
• Coordinate with Behavioral Health Organizations and their providers, Amerigroup, and the contracted Foundational Community Supports providers, supported employment and housing providers, and other public and private stakeholders to perform the key tasks associated with this position.

Expand permanent supportive housing systems that are coordinated with behavioral health and other health services:
• Manage $11 million per year of long-term rent assistance funding for permanent supportive housing in scattered-site permanent housing or project-based permanent supportive housing for persons with behavioral health conditions.
• Manage $14 million in HUD Section 811 Project Rental Assistance for persons with disabilities residing in approved units in publicly financed multifamily housing projects.
• Manage $1 million per year in startup and operating funding for new recovery residences across Washington for persons in recovery from substance use disorders.
• Collaborate with the Operating, Maintenance, and Services manager to manage approx. $47 million per year for operating and services costs of permanent supportive housing units in publicly financed capital projects.
• Facilitate linkages for individuals and systems to coordinate services resulting in greater access to housing, care coordination between supportive housing services, intensive case management, mental health and substance abuse treatment, and vocational and employment assistance.
• Prioritize individuals discharging from state or local psychiatric facilities. Work closely with the Heath Care Authority, the Department of Social and Health Services, Behavioral Health Administrative Service Organizations, Managed Care Organizations, and state and local psychiatric facilities.
• Assist the AHAH/PSH Managing Director in collaborating with funders (like the Housing Trust Fund and the Washington State Housing Finance Commission, and other large municipal funders) to increase applications for development of permanent supportive housing projects.
• Assists the AHAH/PSH Managing Director in research to quantify current unmet need for behavioral health housing and permanent supportive housing, advising the Legislature on the unmet need, and working with leaders in the Multifamily Housing unit to bring about increased production of permanent supportive housing.

To promote statewide adoption and fidelity of this practice, the following additional tasks and objectives are associated with this position:
• Participate in the acceptance and promotion of a statewide, evidence-based permanent supportive housing model.
• Building knowledge and service strategies developed as "best practices," this curriculum provides supervisors and staff working in supportive housing settings with the tools and skills they need to support and strengthen their work in providing services to both individuals and families with complex service needs for staff working in supportive housing settings.
• Work with stakeholders to document and communicate needs, barriers, and policy opportunities related to permanent supportive housing.

Coordination of the following is required, but not limited to, issues, projects, and staffing contribute to the development of legislative proposals and or political strategies to achieve unit goals:
• Assist in designing and setting overall direction for implementation and management of behavioral health and supportive housing policy.
• Responsible for formulating detailed strategies and implementing plans to convene and direct cross-agency
Statewide systems change relevant to behavioral health housing.
• Oversee applications, receipts, and use of public and private grants and appropriate funds related to behavioral health housing.
• In partnership with the Managing Director, exercise independent judgement and make decisions concerning inter-agency and legislative changes relevant to behavioral health and supportive housing.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with stakeholders from a variety of interest groups related to behavioral health and supportive housing.
• Develop legislative testimony and draft bill analysis and propose RCW changes regarding programs and services.

Staff management:
• Promote viewing all work of the unit through a racial equity lens.
• Oversee work performed: help establish Unit culture, participate in the hiring process; identify and support training and mentoring, needs and opportunities; provide regular feedback, coaching, and guidance; set goals and expectations; evaluate job performance; correct performance.
• Meet to develop goals, objectives and work plans. Contribute to development and maintenance of staff morale.

Qualifications

Required Education, and Experience:
Nine years of experience and/or education as described below:
Experience must include the following:
• Three (3) years of experience managing housing or housing assistance contracts.
• Two (2) years of supervisory experience including hiring staff, training and development, assigning work, evaluating performance, and taking corrective action.
• Working with stakeholders to increase the supply of permanent supportive housing or other housing services.
• Managing the process of developing at least one new funding program or similar type of new initiative.
• Briefing and engaging senior level government officials.
• Experience with state or local legislative processes.
• Demonstrated knowledge of public systems that serve individuals with behavioral health challenges, co-occurring populations, or those at risk of and experiencing homelessness.
• Demonstrated experience convening and coordinating diverse stakeholder groups.

Education involving a major study in public/business administration, public policy, housing finance, real estate, or a closely related field.

Examples of how to qualify:
o 9 years of experience
o 8 years of experience and 1 year of education
o 7 years of experience and 2 years of education
o 6 years of experience and 3 years of education
o 5 years of experience and 4 years of education
o 4 years of experience and 5 years of education
o 3 years of experience and 6 years of education

Preferred/Desired Education, Experience, and Competencies:
• Prior involvement with system reform.
• Experience with or academic study of public policy, planning, law or a related field.
• Understanding of principles and practices that apply evidence-based and innovative solutions relevant to Commerce's mission.
• Excellent research, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to effectively compile and present complex information concisely.
• Excellent public speaking, verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize work and manage tight deadlines effectively.
• Ability to understand and work with state budget and accounting systems, program budgeting, and the ability to manage budgets as required.
• Knowledge and understanding of agencies as service providers is essential.

To be considered for this position the following are needed:
  • A complete and detailed online application.
  • A cover letter (enter online).
  • At least three professional references (enter online).
For questions about this recruitment, please contact our recruitment team via email: comrecruitment@commerce.wa.gov - please reference the job number in your message.

Additional Information

Work from Anywhere in Washington State
This position may be located anywhere within Washington State though occasional travel to a Commerce office building or in-state travel to attend events or meetings may be required. If selected, you will need to travel to pick up equipment and receive instruction. Many Commerce employees work remotely or have a hybrid schedule.

This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies over the next 60 days.

Technical support is provided by NEOGOV, 855-524-5627 (can't log in, password or email issues, error messages). DES job seeker support may answer general questions regarding the recruiting system at careershelp@des.wa.gov.

Our Commitment to Equal Opportunity
The Washington State Department of Commerce is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application, testing, or interview process or this job announcement in an alternative format may email Human Resources at Human.Resources@commerce.wa.gov. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.

Department of Commerce also offers a competitive benefits package including: medical and dental insurance benefits, retirement and deferred compensation plans, 11 paid holidays each year, 14-25 vacation days per year (depending on length of employment), 8 hours of sick leave per month (if full time employed), bereavement leave, an employee assistance program, as well as other benefits. Please see the Benefits Tab for more details.

Check your resume before applying to catch common mistakes

Browse Similar Jobs

Posted on NEOGOV: 2/23/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 2/24/2026

Source: NEOGOV | ID: neogov-washington-5246992