Director - Department of County Human Services

Current employees: Please apply through the employee portal to be considered for this opportunity.

Pay Range:

$167,876.79 - $268,604.58 Annual

Department:

Non-Departmental

Job Type:

Regular Non-Represented

Exemption Status:

United States of America (Exempt)

Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified):

March 16, 2026

The Opportunity:

Overview

Multnomah Countyis seeking a Department of County Human Services(DCHS) Directorthat will be responsible for the leadership, vision, direction and accountability for all the activities and operations of the department’s divisions. You will lead a dedicated workforce of approximately 1,140 employees, currently organized into four main divisions, and manage a budget of approximately $440 million.

We are looking for a strategic, empathetic leader, dedicated to centering community needs and addressing the root causes of inequity. A Director who leads through a trauma informed approach with the ability to operate with maximum impact, dignity, and efficiency to keep the Department focused on its North Star: the belief that in Multnomah County, every person, at every stage of life, has equitable opportunities to thrive.

DCHS designs programs, services and funding to provide stability for Multnomah County residents across the lifespan. DCHS strives to not only uplift our community members in times of need – but to invest in innovative, future-oriented approaches to human services that prevent crises, build assets and nurture self-determination within our communities by addressing and readdressing the root causes of racism and all other forms of inequity.

Responsibilities in this role will include:

As the DCHS Director you will oversee our current four primary divisions Aging, Disability & Veterans Services (ADVSD); Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Services (IDDSD); Youth and Family Services (YFS); and Preschool & Early Learning (PEL)

Leadership & Strategic Direction

• Oversee the department’s divisions, ensuring high-quality administration, communication, collaboration, and service delivery.
• Implement high-level policy into measurable results, using transparent performance frameworks to demonstrate the department is an effective steward of public resources.
• Work with teams to evaluate program effectiveness and utilizes continuous improvement practices to adapt to community needs and changing funding landscapes.
• Identifies and operationalizes system integration across department silos when possible to improve shared technology and data platforms.
• Assess current operations to implement recommendations for improved data and performance, governance, and technology.
• Oversee the department's implementation of strategic planning and the development of department policies and business practices.
• Cultivate and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials and community leaders to align strategies around services and goals.

Budget Oversight

• Oversee the annual department budget, ensuring justifications for funding align with community needs and legislative requirements.
• Forecast and advocate for department needs with local, state, and federal officials for stable, multi-year funding, particularly for State and Federal funded services.
• Convene stakeholders, both internally and externally, to provide input on fiscal planning and budget development.
• Oversee the contracting of services with over 100 community-based organizations and the interpretation, negotiation, and enforcement of contracts and grants.
• Maintain a deep, technical understanding of audits, contracting, and compliance from both a financial and programmatic standpoint to ensure department integrity

Workforce Management

• Direct and approve through subordinate director(s) and managers the planning, prioritizing, assigning, supervising, training, and review of the work of a diverse workforce.
• Leads with operational visibility and communication and meets staff and community partners where they are at - whether that be site visits, town halls or frequent listening sessions.
• Promote inclusive leadership of a diverse workforce that includes all identities and abilities.
• Maintain regular visibility and engagement through regular communication, updates, and open two-way communication with leadership and frontline employees.
• Provide direction and guidance to staff and review the performance of high-level managers.
• Clear communication skills through a variety of mediums to be able to explain difficult decisions with internal teams and external partners.
• Lead through a trauma-informed approach to ensure staff’s well-being is prioritized and their physical and psychological safety is addressed.
• Direct safe work practices and participate in initiatives designed to promote a safe work environment.

Equity, Partnerships & Innovation

• Apply an equity lens to all decision-making, actively identifying and dismantling policies and practices that create unnecessary barriers and perpetuate unlawful discrimination.
• Enforce policies that protect marginalized employees and ensure equitable service delivery for the community.
• Cultivate deep partnerships with specialized housing providers and advocacy groups to design and implement residential programs that specifically support individuals with diverse needs
• Strengthen data privacy to ensure DCHS safeguards client information.
• Cultivate deep partnerships with city officials, school districts, and community groups to create a functional system of care.
• Develop and conceptualize new enterprises or joint ventures among various agencies, both internal and external to the County, to create innovative, or more efficient or effective services.

To Qualify

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific about how your background is relevant in your cover letter.

Minimum Qualifications/Transferable Skills:

• A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent related work experience
• Minimum of 6 years of increasingly responsible professional experience in Human Services
• Experience managing and working in a public sector unionized (represented) environment.
• Demonstrated experience communicating complex human capital strategies and organizational data clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences, ranging from frontline employees and union representatives to executive leadership and the Board of Commissioners

Preferred Qualifications/Transferable Skills: You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider some or all of the following when identifying the most qualified candidates. Please clearly explain on your application how you meet any of the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills.

• Master’s Degree
• 6 years of Experience in Senior Level role focused on Human Services
• Substantial experience in budget planning, financial management, and resource optimization. Examples include managing multi-million dollar departmental budgets, forecasting personnel costs, and overseeing capital expenditures.
• Public Sector/Governmental Experience: Direct, substantial experience in a large county, state, or municipal government or other comparable complex public-sector entity.

*Transferable skills:Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience (including the military) or life experience that are relevant for this position. Be sure to describe any transferable skills on your application and clearly explain how they apply to this position.

Screening and Evaluation

Your completed application must include the following items:

• Required: A completed online application.
• Required: A resume covering relevant experience and education. Please be sure your resume includes the following for each employer: name of employer, location, dates of employment, your title, a brief summary of your responsibilities, the number of employees under your supervision.
• Required: A cover letter that expands on your resume, addresses why you are interested in this position and demonstrates how your experience and skill set are relevant and align with the minimum and preferred qualifications listed.

Note: The application, resume and cover letter should demonstrate your work experience/skills and how it is related to those shown in the Overview and To Qualify sections of the job announcement. Please be thorough, as these materials may be scored and determine your eligibility for an interview.

The Selection Process: For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection process page. We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows:

• Initial review of minimum qualifications: We may do an additional preferred review and/or send out additional supplemental questions to identify those highest qualified.
• Consideration of top candidates: We will consider qualified candidates in order of rank and score from the list of eligible candidates. This may include but is not limited to panel interview(s), a hiring interview, meet and greet, and/or additional testing to determine the best candidates for a position.
• Background check and reference checks: All finalists must pass a thorough background and reference check. Finalists will also be required to fill out the County’s Code of Ethics Disclosure Form that lists any ongoing outside employment or other income producing activities and potential or actual conflicts of interest.

Additional Information:

This recruitment may be used to fill full-time, part-time, temporary, limited duration and on-call positions.

Type of Position: This is an Unclassified Executive position that is at-will, salaried, FLSA Exempt, and not eligible for overtime pay.

Multnomah County offers an exceptional benefits package, including employer-funded retirement savings; health and dental insurance at very low cost to full-time employees and their dependents; paid parental leave; wellness programs; a focus on work-life balance; and much more. Find more details on our benefits website.

Equal Pay Law: Please be advised that the pay range listed for this position is intended to provide general guidance on the earning potential for the role. However, actual compensation will be determined in accordance with the Oregon Equal Pay Law and will take into account factors such as the candidate's relevant experience, education, seniority, training, and/or tenure. Candidates should expect that initial offers will be made within the listed pay range and may not be at or near the top of the range.

Work Location:This position works onsite at the Five Oak Building 209 SW 4th Ave Portland, OR 9720. All employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; the county cannot support ongoing telework from other locations.

Serving the Public During Disasters: All County employees have a role in serving the public during inclement weather, natural disaster, or other types of community emergency response. During these emergency responses, county employees may ultimately be reassigned from their current position to a role in the emergency response to support the critical needs presented by our communities.

In accordance with Oregon Law, Multnomah County is not collecting school attendance dates in the initial application process; please do not include these dates in your resume, cover letter and other application materials.

Diversity and Inclusion: At Multnomah County, we don't just accept difference; we value it and support it to create a culture of dignity and respect for our employees.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran or protected veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics. The EEO Know Your Rights poster is available for your reference. Multnomah County is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We request priority protected veteran referrals.

Veterans’ Preference: Under Oregon Law, qualifying veterans may apply for veterans’ preference. Review our veterans’ preference page for details about eligibility and how to apply.

Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act: We gladly provide reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing an application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter below in advance to request assistance. Individuals with hearing or speech impairments may contact the recruiter through the Telecommunications Relay Service by dialing 711.

Questions?

Recruiter:

Cole Whitehurst

Email:

cole.whitehurst@multco.us

Phone:

+1 (971) 2713709

Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice.

Disclaimer: This announcement is intended as a general descriptive recruitment guide and is subject to change. It does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

Job Profile:

9613 - Department Director 2