Seattle, Washington is pursuing a goal of inclusive, resilient growth. In order to achieve that, the City must prevent the displacement of low-income and BIPOC households. The FUSE Executive Fellow will promote this goal by analyzing and implementing key policies and programs. As a result of this work, the City will ensure all residents are able to participate in Seattle’s success, both now and in the future.

Fellowship Dates: April 28, 2025 – April 24, 2026

Salary: Executive Fellows are FUSE employees and receive an annual base salary of $80,000. Fellows can also access various health, dental, and vision insurance benefits. Compensation for this year of public service is not intended to represent market-rate compensation for the experienced professionals in our program.

ABOUT THE FUSE EXECUTIVE FELLOWSHIP

FUSE is a national nonprofit working to expand social and economic opportunities, particularly for communities that have been limited by a history of systemic and institutionalized racism. FUSE partners with local governments and communities to more effectively address pressing challenges by placing experienced professionals within city and county agencies. These FUSE Executive Fellows lead strategic projects designed to advance racial equity and accelerate systems change. Since 2012, FUSE has led over 250 projects in 40 governments across 20 states, impacting the lives of 25 million people.

When designing each fellowship project, FUSE works closely with government partners and local stakeholders to define a scope of work that will achieve substantive progress toward regional priorities. FUSE then conducts an individualized search for each project to ensure that the selected candidate has at least 15 years of professional experience, the required competencies for the role, and deep connections to the communities being served. They are data-driven and results-oriented and able to effectively manage complex projects by developing actionable roadmaps and monitoring progress to completion.

Executive Fellows are hired as FUSE employees and embedded in government agencies for at least one year of full-time work. Throughout their fellowships, they receive training, coaching, and professional support from FUSE to help achieve their project goals. FUSE Executive Fellows bring diverse perspectives and new approaches to their projects. They build strong relationships with diverse arrays of stakeholders, foster alignment within.

PROJECT CONTEXT

Seattle, Washington is growing. The City’s natural beauty, vibrant culture, and combination of tech companies (e.g., Amazon, Google) and legacy firms (e.g., REI, Starbucks) have made it an attractive place to settle. While this growth is promising, some families–especially BIPOC households–experience increasing risk for displacement. The Office of Planning and Community Development (OCPD) has a vision for equitable, resilient growth. It aims to prevent displacement of low-income and BIPOC communities; create opportunities for inclusive wealth creation via homeownership; and make neighborhoods dynamic and accessible for residents at all income levels. Like many City departments, OCPD uses the Racial Equity Toolkit when crafting policies and programs. For example, the Equitable Development Zoning initiative reviewed the City’s zoning policies to remove barriers for affordable, inclusive housing projects and to expand opportunities for community-driven anti-displacement projects. In 2023, the City Council adopted zoning changes identified by this process.

Recently, Seattle received $5 million in a Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing (PRO Housing) grant to support strategies that help Legacy Homeowners pursue development projects. This program will target the structural barriers homeowners face when trying to take advantage of current and future opportunities to add housing to their property. Funding will go to technical assistance, pre-development support, and connections with public and private support resources.

In 2019, Seattle reformed its Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) rules, created pre-approved plans, launched ADUniverse, and saw a fourfold increase in ADU permits. In 2025, Seattle homeowners will be able to add more housing to their property, expanding today’s allowances for ADUs. This offers families the chance to leverage their property, generate wealth and rental income, and accommodate changing household needs – if they can overcome the hurdles involved in a development project.

One strategy for operationalizing this work is the creation of a Public Development Authority (PDA) as a governance model authorized under state law to perform public functions. An ADU PDA could use its funding to facilitate the delivery of ADUs and other middle housing to low-and moderate-income families who are otherwise excluded from development opportunities that tend to privilege higher-wealth owners.

The City of Seattle will partner with FUSE Corps to help make their vision a reality. The Executive Fellow will engage in research and planning work that delivers much needed unit production for overcrowded cities, returning revenue and increasing property value for resident black and brown families rather than forcing them out of cities due to affordability pressures and typical gentrification trends. As a result of this work, families at risk for displacement will be able to stay in their homes, making the City a more diverse, inclusive, and resilient place to live.

PROJECT SUMMARY

Starting in May 2025, the FUSE Executive Fellow will develop deep relationships with a broad range of stakeholders, including City partners (e.g., Office of Housing, Department of Construction and Inspections, Office of Economic Development), local non-profits (e.g., Equitable Development Initiative grantees), and members of the public (with an emphasis on BIPOC individuals and communities at heightened risk for displacement). The Executive Fellow will seek to understand the resources, opportunities, and aspirations these partners have for equitable, resilient growth and anti-displacement approaches to housing in Seattle. In addition, the Executive Fellow will review best practices for inclusive zoning and housing development in communities similar to Seattle. Finally, the Executive Fellow will work with their Executive Sponsor and Project Supervisor to develop and approve specific project goals and deliverables. While these goals and deliverables will likely include the ones listed below, they may differ based on situational changes and the Executive Fellow’s specific skills and experience.

Next, the Executive Fellow will develop a proposal for how the creation of a Public Development Authority (PDA) might establish a model for leasing backyard property from BIPOC residents, identifying the housing types that would be generated (including #vanlife units, mobile home unit delivery, modular housing delivery, and traditional stick frame model), outline what the leasing model would entail, the tenant sublease management structure and how BIPOC families would accrue savings over the lease term to allow them to buyout the PDA at the end of the lease term.

In addition, the Executive Fellow will advance the anti-displacement agenda by supporting OPCD’s strategic planning process in 2025. The Executive Fellow will assist the Office in identifying displacement needs, advance policies to help families remain in place, and shape the City’s investment decisions to center people at risk for displacement. Specific projects or activities in 2025 could include a significant role in coordinating downtown revitalization efforts. As commercial buildings linger below their pre-COVID capacity, the Executive Fellow will work with City employees, local businesses, and community members to rethink how the space could serve all residents. If successful, revitalizations should draw office workers back to the neighborhood while catalyzing housing development. One additional project should be development of a Request for Ideas (RFI) competition in coordination with key OPCD staff that allows community stakeholders and development partners to put together teams that will develop concept ideas for mixed use community space/retail/and housing projects in the 30 new Neighborhood Centers (NCs) being created as part of the 2025 Seattle Comprehensive Plan Major Update. RFI should also contemplate consideration of an affordable housing bonus in NCs.

In order to be successful, the deliverables must identify and implement feasible, sustainable pathways to preventing displacement. In particular, the Executive Fellow must leverage the City’s Racial Equity Toolkit to ensure BIPOC families benefit from policies and programs.

PROJECT DELIVERABLES

By April 2026, the Executive Fellow will have overseen the following:

  • Conduct a Stakeholder Listening Tour – Develop relationships with City government, local non-profit and real estate leaders, and members of the public to understand the resources, constraints, perceived opportunities, potential threats, and aspirations affecting anti-displacement efforts in Seattle. Conduct extensive best practices research related to equitable, resilient growth in similar communities.
  • Public Development Authority – Develop a proposal and strategy for a PDA to create more equitable ADU outcomes and help low- and moderate-income (LMI) homeowners of color stay and thrive in community.
  • Anti-Displacement Agenda – Identify high priority displacement needs; create and implement a plan to respond to them in coordination with key OPCD staff, the Mayor’s Office, and the Seattle Office of Innovation and Performance. Develop Request for Ideas (RFI) competition in coordination with key OPCD staff that allows community stakeholders and development partners to put together teams that develop concept ideas for mixed use community space/retail/and housing projects in the 30 new Neighborhood Centers (NCs) being created as part of the 2025 Seattle Comprehensive Plan Major Update. RFI should also contemplate consideration of an affordable housing bonus in NCs.
  • Downtown Revitalization – Advance approaches that serve both residential and commercial interests while redeveloping downtown neighborhoods.

KEY STAKEHOLDERS

  • Executive Sponsor – Rico Quirindongo, Director, Office of Planning and Community Development
  • Project Supervisor – Amy Nguyen, Deputy Director, Office of Planning and Community Development

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Synthesizes complex information into clear and concise recommendations and action-oriented implementation plans.
  • Develops and effectively implements both strategic and operational project management plans.
  • Generates innovative, data-driven, and result-oriented solutions to complex challenges.
  • Respond quickly to changing ideas, responsibilities, expectations, trends, strategies, and other processes.
  • Communicates effectively verbally and in writing and excels in active listening and conversing.
  • Fosters collaboration across multiple constituencies to support more effective decision-making.
  • Establishes and maintains strong relationships with diverse stakeholders, both inside and outside of government, particularly community-based relationships.
  • Embraces differing viewpoints and implements strategies to find common ground.
  • Demonstrates confidence and professional diplomacy while effectively interacting with individuals at all levels of various organizations.

FUSE is an equal-opportunity employer with core values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply for this position.