Property Owner and Tenant Assistance Manager

Full Job Description

The Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections Code Compliance Division is seeking a Manager to lead the Property Owner and Tenant Assistance (POTA) group.

POTA provides advice to renters and landlords on City laws governing rental properties, investigates and enforces violations of several City laws, administers tenant relocation assistance, and conducts outreach and education throughout the City.

In addition to managing and supervising the work of a team of nine skilled professionals, this position helps resolve controversial and politically sensitive or disputed landlord-tenant issues, supports senior management in the monitoring and reporting of POTA performance, and helps inform City policy.

Requirements

• Create an environment of equity and inclusion by supporting the goals of the Race and Social Justice Initiative (RSJI), modeling behavior that promotes RSJI and applying the equity and inclusion lens to work.
• Maintain a culture of service and fairness to all customers. Promote equitable access to POTA services, including access for people of color, immigrant and refugee communities, 2SLGBTQIA+ people, and people living with disabilities.
• Supervise the work of the POTA team by organizing, planning, prioritizing, and assigning work, monitoring individual and group performance for productivity, timeliness, quality of work, and providing feedback and evaluation of performance.
• Train new staff in landlord-tenant regulations and POTA processes.
• Resolve difficult, complex, or controversial cases or situations through good communication, problem solving, and diplomacy.
• Ensure the timely and accurate collection of performance data, prepare and present reports on performance to senior management and elected officials. Seek opportunities to improve processes and data collection.
• Collaborate across workgroups, divisions, departments, and with outside parties, on individual cases and general policy and procedures.
• Assist staff in deescalating hostile, uncooperative, or antagonistic customers. Ensure the workgroup follows security and safety protocols.
• Maintain a comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of the relevant codes. Advise and assist in the development and revision of codes.
• Provide support to SDCI’s Outreach Coordinator for events, including inclusive outreach to historically underrepresented communities.
• Support staff in legal proceedings such as appeals to the Hearing Examiner and preparing enforcement cases for the Law Department. Serve as lead on more difficult or controversial cases.
• Review employee timesheets to ensure proper coding and manage leave requests in a timely, fair manner. Work with senior management and human resources to address performance or personnel issues that may arise.
• Support senior management in budget preparation and hiring and respond to internal inquiries about program spending.
• Represent POTA at internal and external meetings as necessary.

Qualifications

Requires five years of experience in code compliance, enforcement or dispute resolution in housing, land use, tenant protections, or a related field. Experience in the repair, construction, appraisal, inspection, or sale of residential and/or commercial buildings and property will be considered experience in code compliance. Also required is the proven ability to supervise through one year of supervisory experience in a related field and/or a combination of education, training and experience that provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class.

Successful candidates will possess the following knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience:

• Knowledge and experience with City and State laws governing landlords and tenants
• Experience working in a regulatory capacity
• Experience working with diverse communities
• Experience in deescalation techniques and conflict resolution
• Experience using workload tracking systems to monitor and report on performance
  

Additional Information

To be considered for this position, please submit the following with your online application:

• A one-page cover letter in which you clearly describe how your knowledge, experience, skills, and abilities prepare you for the job responsibilities and qualifications outlined in the job advertisement
• A current resume outlining your professional work experience

The full salary range for this position is $56.57 - $84.88 per hour. The targeted salary for this role has been identified as $78.76 per hour.

Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process including 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.

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 Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections is a proud participant in the Race and Social Justice Initiative, a citywide effort to realize the vision of racial equity.

We require a strong commitment to customer service and a demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse communities and cultures.

The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences; people of color, women, 2SLGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.