This recruitment will remain open until the position is filled. Applications received by July 30, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. will have first consideration.
The Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD) is seeking a strategic, collaborative, and innovative executive to serve as its next Chief of Administration. The role serves as the Director of the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention's (DAJD) Administrative Services Division. Reporting directly to the Department Director, this position provides strategic leadership and oversight for the department's administrative operations, including Human Resources, Finance, Information Technology, Data and Analytics, Planning, and other support functions. As a member of the Senior Management Team, the Chief of Administration partners with department leadership to advance organizational priorities, support County initiatives, ensure fiscal stewardship, and improve operational effectiveness across the department.
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT The Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD) is an Executive branch department with five divisions and approximately 940 budgeted employees supporting two adult detention facilities, a juvenile detention facility, various community supervision programs, and administrative services. The two adult secure detention divisions are the Seattle Division, which operates the King County Correctional Facility (KCCF), and the Kent Division, which operates secure detention at the Maleng Regional Justice Center (MRJC). The Juvenile Division operates secure detention at the Clark Children and Family Justice Center (CCFJC) in Seattle. An average daily population, as of March 2026, the adult jails combined housed more than 1325 adult residents, the CCFJC housed more than 33 juvenile residents and supervised 40 juvenile clients in the community, and the Community Corrections Division had approximately 675 individuals supervised under electronic home monitoring and day reporting programs.
DAJD MISSION: We provide in-custody and community-based services that are data informed, advance safety, lead system change, and promote equitable outcomes for the people we serve.
DAJD VISION: We lead the Nation in providing exemplary services that transform lives.
DAJD PRIORITIES - Ensure safety and security of staff and residents.
- Recruit, develop, support, and retain staff.
- Promote opportunities to humanize the people in our facilities and programs.
- Strengthen community connections.
- Manage operational risks.
To learn more about DAJD, please visit our website at:
https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dajd ;
The job description is an overview and is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not an exhaustive list of all the functions and tasks required of this position.
- Direct the Administrative Services Division, providing leadership for approximately 65 employees, while managing a biennial division budget of approximately $106 million, including department-wide contracts, programs, and administrative services.
- Serve as a member of the department's Senior Management Team, advising the Director and Deputy Director on strategic priorities, policy development, organizational planning, and operational improvements supporting all five department divisions.
- Lead development and implementation of the department's business plan, Executive priorities, performance measures, strategic initiatives, and data-informed decision-making.
- Serve as a department liaison to the Executive Office and the primary liaison to the King County Council, coordinating legislative transmittals and responses to budget provisos, audits, legislative inquiries, and other executive or council requests.
- Represent the department in executive-level and/or inter-agency committees, task forces, and strategy groups. Serve as a department leadership liaison during external audits.
- Direct the Human Resources and Finance functions, providing executive oversight to the Human Resources Services Delivery Manager (HRSDM), Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Agency Records Officer (ARO) and their respective teams. Establish strategic direction for recruitment, employee and labor relations, leave administration, employee engagement, payroll, accounting, budgeting, records management, and related administrative services.
- Provide executive oversight of the department's approximately $450 million biennial operating budget. Partner with the Chief Financial Officer to develop budget recommendations, identify funding priorities, monitor expenditures, pursue new funding opportunities, and implement strategic budget reductions when necessary.
- Direct the department's technology strategy and investments by overseeing the Information Technology Manager and collaborating with the County's Department of Information Technology to establish technology priorities, manage IT resources, and support technology initiatives across the department.
- Oversee administrative support functions including facilities and asset management, contract administration, inmate commissary operations, mail services, records management, public disclosure, capital planning, program planning, and data analysis.
- Negotiate, administer, and oversee contracts with vendors, service providers, governmental agencies, and jurisdictions, including interlocal jail service agreements with municipalities, the Port of Seattle, the University of Washington, and federal agencies.
- Represent the department before elected officials, County leadership, community stakeholders, labor organizations, and partner agencies regarding administrative operations, strategic initiatives, budgets, and policy matters.
The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following competencies.
Leadership
- Ability to build collaborative relationships and establish credibility with diverse internal and external partners, including County agencies, governmental entities, labor organizations, and community partners.
- Leadership in building high-performing teams by fostering collaboration, accountability, open communication, employee engagement, and a culture of inclusion and continuous improvement.
- Ability to coach, mentor, develop, and evaluate managers and staff through clear expectations, effective delegation, performance management, succession planning, and timely employment decisions.
- Strong interpersonal, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills, including the ability to build consensus, facilitate difficult discussions, and resolve high-profile or sensitive issues.
- Ability to analyze complex organizational, operational, financial, and political issues and develop practical, strategic recommendations.
- Ability to understand organizational dynamics, anticipate stakeholder needs and reactions, and develop strategies that support departmental and County objectives.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare executive-level reports, present information to elected officials and executive leadership, and represent the department in public forums.
Technical/Professional:
- Knowledge of public sector financial management, strategic planning and performance management systems, labor relations, human resources management, contract negotiation and administration, information technology initiatives and governance, public records management, organizational performance metrics, data analysis, and/or policy development.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Successful candidates will demonstrate the leadership competencies described above and possess the following qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in public administration, public policy, economics, finance, business administration, statistical analysis, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- A minimum of five years of progressively responsible executive or senior leadership experience contributing to the strategy, operations, and/or budget of a department or agency of comparable or greater size and complexity.
- Demonstrated experience leading enterprise-wide initiatives, preferably within the criminal justice or public sector environment, including developing, implementing, and defending complex projects and initiatives.
- Advanced analytical and technical skills, including the ability to analyze and interpret complex operational, financial, and performance data to inform executive-level decision-making.
- Experience directing multidisciplinary teams and coordinating the work of direct reports and cross-functional partners to achieve organizational objectives.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear, concise reports and deliver effective presentations to diverse audiences.
- Experience analyzing public policy, legislation, organizational performance, or process improvement initiatives.
- Demonstrated ability to think strategically by evaluating trends, data, economic conditions, and emerging issues to develop long-term organizational strategies.
DESIREABLE QUALIFICATIONS:
- Advanced degree in public administration, public policy, economics, finance, business administration, statistical analysis, or a related field.
- Advanced knowledge of public sector budgeting, financial planning, forecasting, and fiscal management.
- Demonstrated experience leading human resources and/or labor relations direction and strategy.
- Demonstrated success in driving large projects and initiatives.
HOW TO APPLY:Completion of the full King County application and supplemental questionnaire is required. Resumes or letters of interest alone WILL NOT substitute for a full application. A copy of your current resume and a letter of interest detailing your qualifications is required. 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.
UNION MEMBERSHIP: This is a non-represented, appointed, career service exempt position, meaning that the person selected for this position will be at-will and serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority.
WORK SCHEDULE: This position will work a 40-hour work week. Standard hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Evening and/or weekend work may be required.
This position is exempt under the provisions of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), meaning that it is not eligible for overtime pay or compensatory time accrual, and the incumbent will be required to work the hours necessary to meet position responsibilities.
WORK LOCATION: The work associated with this position will be performed through a hybrid work model that will require both onsite and remote work. The ratio of remote to onsite work will be dependent on business needs and is subject to change.
The primary onsite work location for this position is the King County Courthouse at 516 3rd Avenue, E245, Seattle, WA, 98104. However, candidates must be willing and able to report to work at different secured detention facilities in Seattle and Kent.
Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and, when working remotely, must maintain a workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work.
DEPARTMENT CONTACT: Questions regarding this announcement or position may be directed to: Jaclyn Smith, DAJD Sr. Human Resources Analyst; at Phone Number: 206-263-3379 or via email at jacsmith@kingcounty.gov
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: It is a hiring requirement that all staff employed by DAJD successfully pass a thorough background investigations process, which includes fingerprinting, criminal history check, reference checks, and other tests as deemed necessary.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 teamdedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.King County values 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) EmployerNo 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.
