Assistant Chief of Staff - (Strategic Planning Manager II)

Full Job Description

The Department of Local Services (DLS) is seeking an Assistant Chief of Staff (Strategic Planning Manager II) to serve in the Director’s Office, supporting department-wide leadership, strategic integration, and operational excellence.

This position plays a critical role in advancing the Director’s priorities, strengthening coordination across divisions, and ensuring that Road Services priorities are consistently elevated in decision-making, planning, and execution.

Reporting directly to the DLS Chief of Staff, this role operates at the intersection of strategy, operations, and policy.

The Strategic Planning Manager II provides executive-level support on complex, high-impact initiatives, including the department’s transition to a future-of-work model, emergency management and response, inter-jurisdictional coordination, and the integration of transportation and road services priorities across DLS.

The position also represents the Department in Countywide and regional forums and provides leadership across inter-departmental and inter-divisional teams.

Equity, Racial, and Social Justice are foundational to this role.

The successful candidate will apply equity principles daily—shaping policies, processes, and outcomes that promote fairness, accountability, and meaningful community impact.

This position requires a strategic thinker and trusted advisor who can navigate complex systems, lead through collaboration, and deliver results in a dynamic, public-sector environment.

Our commitment to Equity, Racial and Social JusticeThe Department of Local Services is deeply dedicated to fostering Equity, Racial and Social Justice in every aspect of our work.

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.

Requirements

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.

• Lead all aspects of DLS’s transition to a future-of-work model, including repositioning the department’s physical footprint and implementing a sustainable balance of remote and on-site work, reporting to the DLS Director and Chief of Staff.
• Ensure Road Services Division priorities and strategic initiatives are fully integrated into Director’s Office decision-making, planning, communications, and departmental leadership processes; advise the Director on road infrastructure, safety, and critical issues.
• Represent the DLS Director in County-level, inter-departmental, and inter-jurisdictional planning groups, particularly those impacting transportation, mobility, and roads.
• Lead, manage, and supervise an intermediate manager responsible for logistical and operational support to major DLS initiatives, including emergency response, administrative functions, and customer care.
• Lead DLS emergency management and response efforts, coordinating with other jurisdictional partners (e.g., Seattle Public Utilities), and serve as the DLS liaison to the Emergency Management Coordinating Committee.
• Serve as the Director’s Office liaison with Roads and Permitting Division public records request leads.
• Provide oversight of core administrative functions, including team meetings, gatherings, and events, ensuring alignment with Director’s Office priorities and Road Services integration.
• Develop, update, and ensure department-wide understanding and implementation of standard operating policies and procedures that support equitable, ethical, efficient, and effective service delivery across DLS, with emphasis on Road Services.
• Integrate key strategic guidance into all areas of responsibility, including the King County Values and Priorities, the King County Equity and Social Justice Strategic Plan, the DLS Business Plan, and Road Services strategic priorities.
• Provide leadership and matrix management of inter-jurisdictional, inter-departmental, and inter-divisional teams to accomplish Executive- and Department-directed goals; serve on the DLS Leadership Team; contribute to departmental planning and business plan development, including performance indicators, outcome measures, road system performance, and capital investment priorities.
• Assume Chief of Staff duties in the Chief of Staff’s absence and perform other duties as assigned.

Values

• Serve with integrity.
• Show initiative and work hard.
• Prioritize outcomes over optics.
• Center those most impacted and put “boots on the ground.”
• Sove problems with a “yes, and” mindset
• Work as one, adaptable, mission-driven team

Qualifications

Minimum qualifications:

• Ten years of experience in roads operations and maintenance, transportation safety, planning, and/or critical issues.
• Bachelor’s degree in Transportation, Engineering, Business or Public Administration, Project Management, Public Policy, or similar fields, and/or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Five years of experience in project management, managing complex projects, and/or the equivalent combination of education and experience working in a project environment.
• Experience leading and facilitating leadership teams/meetings, including participation in inter-departmental and inter-jurisdictional planning groups.
• Demonstrated experience in Emergency Management planning and response.
• Demonstrated experience developing policies, processes, or standard operating procedures.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with outstanding attention to detail.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities/tasks effectively.
• Skill in working effectively with diverse individuals and populations from diverse backgrounds.

Additional Information

INTERVIEW SCHEDULE:
Those applicants who pass the initial screening will be invited for a 45-minute in-person interview the week of 3/9/2026.

WHO MAY APPLY:
This recruitment is open to current King County employees only and 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.Applications will be screened for clarity, completeness, and competitiveness.

The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more interviews. Minimum qualifications and answers to supplemental questions must be demonstrated in your application materials.

For interviewing tips, please see the STAR-LA method: star-la_interview_method.pdf

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.

We work in the office at least four days per week to foster connection and responsiveness, arrive prepared and on time, and structure meetings with clear goals and next steps.

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.

UNION MEMBERSHIP: This position is non-represented.

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

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 EEO 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.

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.

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact:

Erika Yanak
Senior HR Analyst

erika.yanak@kingcounty.gov

(206) 477-0320