Director - Department of County Human Services
Multnomah County, Portland, Oregon, United States, 97204
is seeking a **Department of County Human Services (DCHS) Director**that 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.
* 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.* 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* 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.* 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.* 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.* 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.**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**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 #J-18808-Ljbffr
* 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.* 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* 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.* 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.* 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.* 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.**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**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 #J-18808-Ljbffr