Special Projects Manager

Salary : $104,224.50 - $143,865.00 Annually
Location : Bellevue, WA
Job Type: Regular
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 25-00026
Department: Community Development
Division: CD Housing/ARCH
Opening Date: 02/04/2025
Closing Date: 2/24/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Come Join the City of Bellevue!

Please fill out your application as fully as possible. The City evaluates candidates based on the information provided in the online application only. Do not submit resumes and cover letters. Read the "Hiring Process" section below to learn more.
Job Summary
Come join a talented, diverse team of housing professionals that represent a coalition of 15 cities and King County working together to create affordable housing in the fast-growing East King County region. A Regional Coalition for Housing (ARCH) is dedicated to creating equitable, inclusive communities of opportunity through investment, policy development, program delivery and direct support for people looking for affordable rental and ownership housing.

The Special Projects Manager will advance strategic affordable housing development opportunities within East King County and provide expert advice and technical assistance to ARCH member jurisdictions and other community partners. This will include helping to evaluate broader opportunities across the region and advise ARCH members on local housing strategies and incentives, as well as provide targeted support to special projects that require unique financing, land use or partnership strategies, including projects that leverage underutilized public, nonprofit or faith community property. The successful applicant will have experience with a variety of development types (mixed use, multi-family, rental, and homeownership) and financing structures (tax credits, tax exempt bonds, local, state, and federal resources). They will also be skilled in analyzing feasibility and establishing priorities with staff and leadership of the surplus property owner and soliciting development partners to achieve the ARCH member goals.

The Special Projects Manager is a member of the ARCH Investment team, which oversees several investment programs on behalf of ARCH and its member cities including the ARCH Housing Trust Fund (HTF), Bellevue Housing Stability Program (HSP), and the Issaquah Inclusive Housing Investment Pool (IHIP). The Special Projects Manager will help lead ARCH's work on surplus property and strategic development sites and coordinate closely with the Investment Team to align development opportunities with available funding. As a steward of public resources, the Special Projects Manager will also work with public and private lenders and investors to leverage local resources for greatest impact.

The Special Projects Manager reports to the Investments Manager, with the opportunity to shape the strategic direction of affordable housing development in the region as local investment in housing grows.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
In this role, you will undertake the following responsibilities:

Special Projects and Surplus Sites

• Evaluate surplus properties for suitability of affordable housing development, including potential co-development with other public and private uses.
• Provide expertise and advice on special projects, including on financing and deal structuring.
• Complete financial feasibility studies to inform potential property offerings.
• Draft and assist with implementation of various affordable housing solicitations, including request for proposals or request for qualifications.
• Engage public and private property owners with vacant or underutilized property that may be suitable for affordable housing development.
• Coordinate with ARCH staff responsible for administering local funding programs to position projects for local, county and state investment.

Planning and Technical Assistance

• Conduct and/or provide advice on economic and policy analysis to inform local zoning and incentive strategies to produce affordable housing.
• Facilitate regional discussions and strategies to advance collective development opportunities that result in building affordable housing faster.
• Provide technical assistance to faith communities, nonprofits and other community-based organizations seeking to develop or partner on affordable housing projects.

Support ARCH Investment Programs

• Work with the ARCH Investments Manager to pursue external partnerships and champion affordable housing investments.
• Engage with public and private financial institutions to attract increased investment in affordable housing in East King County.

• Draft and negotiate funding and related agreements for special projects and oversee contracts.

• Prepare and make presentations to city councils and other audiences.
• Represent ARCH cities in local, regional and State committees and work groups and maintain strong relationships with diverse partners, including nonprofit and for-profit housing providers, and city executive, finance, and legal services staff.

Qualifications
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

This position requires a diverse set of skills that may be demonstrated from a combination of education and work experience, including:

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as finance, business, public administration, accounting, real estate development, urban planning, etc.
• Master's degree in a relevant field is a plus
• Five or more years of work experience in a relevant field, including but not limited to lending, finance, contracts, land use, or real estate development

• We are open to hiring candidates with three or more years of experience at a more junior level.

• Alternatively, an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required mix of knowledge, skills and abilities.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES

• Expertise in real estate development and affordable housing finance
• Knowledge of related fields such as lending/investing, property appraisal, market analysis, design/architecture/engineering, construction management, etc.
• Knowledge of affordable housing funding sources and programs, including Low Income Housing Tax Credits and tax-exempt bond programs
• Knowledge of urban planning community development, and regulatory frameworks for development of housing, including land use and building codes
• Project management techniques and ability to apply those to complex projects
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences
• Ability to develop legal agreements from contract boilerplates

• Experience building strong relationships with customers, colleagues and the public
• A demonstrated commitment to creating diverse, equitable communities

Supplemental Information

Flexible/Hybrid Working:
A hybrid work schedule is available for this position after an orientation period working in the office after hire. Remote work for this position is subject to department's operational needs and will be discussed with candidates during the selection process. Full-time remote work is not an available option. Once hired, employees must reside in the State of Washington and within reasonable commuting distance to ARCH offices.

HIRING PROCESS
The City evaluates candidates based on the information provided in the online application only. Do not submit resumes and cover letters. To evaluate all candidates fairly and equitably, the City will make all applicants anonymous when we are screening the applications. We will redact information from our application such as your name, address, and other demographics. To help us, please complete the online application form as fully as possible.

• Answer the Supplemental Questions when requested which can be found on the Questions tab of the Job posting.
• We do not accept resumes and cover letters during the anonymous application screening stage, unless otherwise stated in the job description.
• Applicants advancing to the next stage may be required to provide a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and references.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• All candidates will be required to establish employment authorization and identity at the time of hire. The City is not able to sponsor work visas.
• All positions require the completion of references checks, including at least one prior supervisor.
• Some positions may require completion of a criminal background check prior to start employment
• Some positions may require obtaining a commercial driver's license (CDL), licensures, or additional certifications.

At the City of Bellevue, you'll be part of a team committed to providing exceptional customer service, upholding the public interest and advancing the community vision. The six essential and enduring principles that guide our individual actions, our interactions, and our decision making in the City of Bellevue organization is: Exceptional Public Service, Stewardship, Commitment to Employees, Integrity, Innovation, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. You'll work in an environment that is innovative, collaborative, future focused, and committed to excellence. Bellevue welcomes the world. Our diversity is our strength. We embrace the future while respecting our past. It's what makes the City of Bellevue an exciting place to work, live, and explore.

Have we piqued your interest yet? Come join our team! The City of Bellevue supports workplace diversity. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, genetic information, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected status. Persons needing assistance with the application process may call the Human Resources Office, at 425-452-6838 or If you are invited to participate in the selection process and need ADA accommodations, please notify HR before you are scheduled for an interview or testing.

The City of Bellevue participates in the E-Verify program. Learn more about the E-Verify program.
For any technical difficulties with your application, please contact the NEOGOV support line at 855-524-5627.
** Please be sure to check your junk folder for any messages that may be sent to you about this recruitment.**
The City of Bellevue offers employees a comprehensive benefits package providing choice, flexibility, and value!

Please Note: Seasonal, part-time, and variable employees are not eligible for the below benefits except for mandatory participation in the retirement plan assigned to the position, which will be the Municipal Employees Benefit Trust (MEBT 2) retirement plan or the Washington State Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) retirement plan and any other benefits as required by law.

The following summary applies to fully benefited positions:
Medical
Employees are offered a choice of medical coverage through the City's self-insured Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan or Kaiser Permanente (HMO).
Dental
Employees are offered a choice of two dental carriers with plans that offer regular checkups, x-rays, fillings, and crowns. Orthodontia is available through one of the carriers.
Vision
Employees are offered a choice of vision coverage through an annual exam-only plan or a buy-up plan which includes an annual eye exam and hardware coverage.

Retirement Plans - Employees are offered three retirement plans:

• Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS): Mandatory participation (PERS, LEOFF or PSERS), depending upon eligibility.
• City of Bellevue Municipal Employee's Benefit Trust (MEBT): Optional participation in this 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match contributions that vest on a 3-year schedule.
• Deferred Compensation Program (457 DCP): Optional participation in the supplemental Deferred Compensation Program also administered by DRS that allows tax-deferred savings into a variety of investments options.

Other benefits include:
More detailed information about our employee benefits is available at

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Life/Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
• Long Term Disability (LTD)
• Survivor Income
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 11 observed holidays per year plus 2 additional personal holidays, vacation (standard accrual of 12 days a year), and sick leave (accumulated at the rate of one day per month)
• An ORCA Card bus pass
• On-site fitness center, and self service food/coffee options
• Career development and training programs
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)

Paydays - The City of Bellevue pays employees on the 8th and the 23rd of each month (24 pay periods per year).

Please note that the City does not participate in the Social Security Administration (SSA) program, and employees do not earn social security credits. The mandatory DRS retirement pension plan provides the required social security replacement plan. Any social security benefits earned at other places of employment may be reduced because they are subject to the Windfall Elimination Provision or the Government Pension Offset.

NOTE: This is a brief summary of the benefit programs for the City's non-represented employees. Every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. Benefits for employees represented by a may have different benefits. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a CBA, the CBA prevails. Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.
01

In lieu of a cover letter, please provide a brief description of your background, qualifications, and your interest in this position. Ensure that you remove your name and any other personal identifiers.
02

What experience prepares you to advise groups in making property disposition decisions?
03

How would you approach the review and evaluation of a proposed development to ensure the development's success for mission aligned seller, future residents, the owner, community, and public?
04

How do you organize your work to meet deadlines and communicate progress to internal and external stakeholders?
05

If not provided already, please provide 2-3 professional references here.
Required Question