Director, Neighborhood & Community Services

Full Job Description

NOTE: This position will be open until filled. First review of applications will take place on December 19, 2025.

The The City of Tacoma is seeking a dynamic, visionary leader to serve as Director of Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS).

This executive-level position provides strategic direction, leadership, and oversight to a multifaceted department focusing on human services.

The NCS Department funds community programs that strengthen our community by supporting efforts to improve livability, education, safety, civic engagement, equity and accessibility.

The Department also leads the City response to homelessness services in alignment with the City’s Homelessness Strategy.

Integral to all of the work of the Department is the partnership with the community: NCS works with community members to facilitate safe, clean, attractive neighborhoods.

This position serves as an advisor to the City Manager and oversees the operations of the department, including managing a biennial budget exceeding $47 million.

The work of this position involves overseeing programs that address complex and often politically sensitive issues, including homelessness, community safety, and may also include housing needs and services.

This position requires a strong, compassionate leader who is collaborative, able to manage complex and sensitive issues, and is skilled at managing diverse teams and resources.

This leader must be able to work effectively with local, state, and federal leaders and across City departments, community organizations, and government agencies to achieve shared goals; they must also be responsive to resident and business-owner needs.

Key Responsibilities

Department Leadership and Management

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for all NCS programs, initiatives, and staff.
• Ensure departmental priorities and programs align with goals and direction of the City Council and City leadership.

• Oversee a biennial budget of more than $47 million, including procurement, financial monitoring, and reporting.
• Develop and oversee complex contractual relationships.
• Ensure effective staffing and support for boards, commissions, and committees assigned to the department.

Staff Leadership and Development

• Lead, mentor, and support a diverse team of professionals committed to public service.
• Manage work programs, set performance expectations, and oversee recruitment, development, and retention of staff.
• Foster an inclusive workplace culture that values teamwork, accountability, and professional growth.
• Work closely with staff to manage organizational change effectively and foster a culture of adaptability and continuous improvement.
• Ensure staff deliver high-quality support to boards, commissions, and community initiatives.

Community Engagement and Strategic Collaboration

• Advise the City Manager, Deputy City Manager, and City Council on human services, neighborhood, and community issues within the NCS portfolio.
• Cultivate strong partnerships with community members, community-based organizations, nonprofits, and regional agencies.
• Engage with community members to provide information and ensure responsiveness to concerns or requests.
• Lead NCS participation in the development of policy recommendations and legislative initiatives.
• Represent NCS at local, state, and federal levels; prepare and present briefings and reports to a range of audiences.

Ideal Candidate
The successful candidate will be:

• A strategic and inclusive leader with a deep commitment to equity, transparency, and community engagement.
• Experienced in public administration, human services, or community development within a complex municipal or governmental environment.
• Adept at managing large budgets, complex contracts, navigating politically sensitive issues, and collaborating with diverse stakeholders.
• An exceptional communicator, capable of building trust and credibility across all levels of government and the community.

Compensation and Benefits
The current salary range for the director position is $170,164.80- $239,595.20 annually. The City of Tacoma provides excellent medical, dental and vision benefits for the whole family; paid holidays and personal time off; participation in Tacoma's Public Employees' Retirement System and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities. For more information on the City of Tacoma's benefit package feel free to explore City of Tacoma Benefits.

Decision-Making and Budget AuthorityThe Director of Neighborhood and Community Services has the authority to develop and implement departmental policy and to make operational decisions critical to the success of NCS programs and services.

The Director serves as a principal advisor to the Deputy City Manager and City Manager and provides strategic recommendations to City Council on matters related to the NCS portfolio.

The Director oversees and administers the department’s biennial budget exceeding $47 million and including multiple revenue sources, ensuring sound fiscal management, accountability, and alignment of resources with community priorities.

Requirements

Minimum Education*
Bachelor's degree in business or public administration, planning or directly related field

Minimum Experience*
10 years professional experience in community engagement, human services, social services, including prior supervisory, managerial and/or subject-matter expert experience

Licensing, Certifications and Other Requirements
Some assignments may require a Washington State Driver's License

*Equivalency: 1 year of experience = 1 year of education

Desirable Qualifications
Experience in municipal government operations; understands inter-governmental relationships; experience with government contracting reporting and compliance; demonstrates resiliency, adaptability, values differences, effectively manages conflict.

Additional Information

A COMMITMENT TO EQUITY & DIVERSITYAt the City of Tacoma, we're on a mission to make our workforce as diverse and inclusive as the community we serve.

We actively seek out candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. Join our team at the City of Tacoma and help us build a more vibrant, inclusive, and equitable community for all.

If you have a less traditional background, we want to hear about your transferrable skills and experience. We value a variety of perspectives and are excited to see what you bring to the table.

THE COMMUNITYTacoma is centrally located just 32 miles south of the city of Seattle and 31 miles north of the state capital, Olympia.

The City of Tacoma is also home to the Port of Tacoma, which is among the largest container ports in the United States.

Like most cities in the northwest, Tacoma is surrounded by beautiful nature, offering residents many opportunities for outdoor adventures.

Largely suburban in nature with a small, but dense, urban core, Tacoma is home to numerous institutes of higher learning that attract students from across the country.

The University of Washington Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University, University of Puget Sound, a satellite campus of the Evergreen State College, three community/technical colleges, and several trade and business schools are within Tacoma's geographic area.

Downtown's Cultural District is the site of the Washington State History Museum, Museum of Glass, the Tacoma Art Museum, and America's Car Museum.

With its affordable housing and distinctive neighborhoods and business districts, the city has been recognized numerous times as a best city to live in the nation. To see a few of the great things Tacoma has to offer, view this YouTube Video!

View this exciting video to learn more about the City of Tacoma: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2n5MWl8KFvI

TO APPLY
Interested individuals should apply online by completing the application and attaching a resume and cover letter by the closing date and time listed on the job announcement. Applications received without attaching the required materials may not progress in the selection process.

Compensation & Benefits

PAY DETAILS
Hourly Rate: $81.81 - $115.19
Annual Salary: $170,164.80- $239,595.20
Employee Benefits | City of Tacoma

GET ASSISTANCE
For assistance with the application process or questions regarding this job announcement please contact the Human Resources office at (253) 591-5400 by 4:00 p.m. of the closing date of the job announcement.

For technical difficulties using the NeoGov system, call the applicant support line at 1-855-524-5627 between 6:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. This will allow us to assist you before the job announcement closes.

COMMUNICATION FROM THE CITY OF TACOMA
NOTE: For questions regarding this specific recruitment contact HR Analyst Kat Flores.

We primarily communicate via email during the application process. Emails from cityoftacoma.org and/or governmentjobs.com must be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk email folders.