The Resident Liaison is a foundational role within the SSHD, serving as the primary connection between the agency and its residents. More than an administrative function, this position plays a critical role in fostering community, supporting resident leadership, and advancing participatory governance.
The Resident Liaison ensures that residents are informed, engaged, and empowered to exercise their rights and responsibilities as outlined in the SSHD Charter. During the start-up phase, the Resident Liaison will collaborate closely with the Resident Governance Design Work Group to test and implement the agency’s governance infrastructure. As implementation progresses, the Resident Liaison will proactively gather and apply resident feedback to refine rules and regulations, fostering a culture of shared responsibility, accountability, and resident ownership.
The long-term purpose of the Resident Liaison is to embed resident voice and shared governance into the organization’s core operations. This role helps ensure that residents are active participants in decision-making, not just recipients of services. Over time, it builds leadership capacity among residents and creates systems of mutual accountability. Ultimately, the goal is to foster a community where residents take ownership and help sustain a fair, responsive, and inclusive environment.
This full-time, salaried position includes a full package of benefits, including health, dental and vision. SSHD employees are also eligible for the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) retirement pension plan through the State of Washington.
Bilingual or multilingual skills relevant to the resident population.
Position Details Job Title: Resident Liaison
Department: Operations
Reports To: Chief Operating Officer
FLSA Status: Exempt
Compensation & Benefits Salary Range: $85,000 - $108,000. This full-time, salaried position includes a full package of benefits, including health, dental and vision. SSHD employees are also eligible for the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) retirement pension plan through the State of Washington.
Work Schedule: This is a full-time position that requires a flexible schedule to support resident engagement, including regular evening and occasional weekend meetings such as Resident Governance Councils, elections, subcommittee meetings, and community events. The organization supports flexible scheduling within the work week to accommodate these responsibilities, and staff may adjust their schedules accordingly. This role requires a consistent on-site and in-community presence to effectively build relationships, facilitate participation, and respond to resident needs.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Resident Governance & Elections
Onboarding, Communication & Advocacy
Required Skills and Abilities
Community Organizing & Engagement: Demonstrated experience in resident organizing, community-led advocacy, or participatory engagement, with the ability to build trust across diverse communities.
Governance & Legal Literacy: Familiarity with renter protections, social housing models, Community Land Trusts (CLTs), and public governance frameworks. Working knowledge of the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) and related compliance requirements preferred.
Facilitation & Inclusive Practice: Ability to support inclusive, accessible governance processes by working effectively with residents from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences
Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex policy, governance decisions, and organizational updates into clear, plain-language materials.
Operational & Technical Capability: Ability to manage hybrid engagement tools (e.g., digital voting platforms), coordinate meetings and events, and support participatory processes with strong attention to detail.
Organizational Skills & Adaptability: Strong ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and communityfacing responsibilities in a dynamic environment.
Judgment & Discretion: Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive, confidential, and emotionally complex situations with professionalism and sound judgment.
Training, Support, and Capacity Building Skills: Demonstrated ability to design and facilitate trainings that support the governance infrastructure and leadership development pipeline for resident-led decision-making.
Lived Experience: Experience living in multifamily, affordable, or social housing is highly valued to support authentic engagement with the resident community.
Technology Proficiency: Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with collaboration, communication, or engagement platforms.
Work Schedule Flexibility: Ability to work evenings and weekends and adjust schedule to support resident meetings, governance activities, and community events.
Education and Experience
Preferred Qualifications
Other Requirements