Chief Operations Officer - Unclassified

Job Summary

DCFS is seeking a visionary and results-oriented executive leader to serve as its first Chief Operations Officer. This newly established unclassified position represents a unique opportunity to help shape the future of one of Nevada's most complex human services organizations by strengthening operational excellence, advancing strategic priorities, and fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

The Chief Operations Officer role offers an exceptional opportunity to influence statewide policy, strengthen organizational performance, and improve outcomes for Nevada's children and families. The successful candidate will lead complex initiatives, build collaborative partnerships, and help position DCFS to meet current and future challenges while advancing its mission of protecting children and strengthening families.

Five (5) to seven (7) years of professional experience in public sector leadership, government relations, public administration, human services, child welfare, behavioral health, juvenile justice, or a closely related field.

Preferred Education:

A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in health related field, business, law or equivalent.

Reporting directly to the Administrator, the Chief Operations Officer will serve as a key member of the DCFS executive leadership team and will partner closely with the Administrator and Deputy Administrators to drive organizational effectiveness, strengthen statewide and cross-program consistency, and ensure successful implementation of Division priorities. This highly visible position will lead cross-functional initiatives, coordinate operational strategy, and support a unified vision for service delivery across the Division.

The Chief Operations Officer will provide executive leadership and oversight in the following areas:

• Division-wide grants and contracts management, including strategic alignment, performance monitoring, efficiency improvements, and cost containment initiatives.
• Policy development and implementation to ensure consistent application of standards, procedures, and operational expectations across all DCFS programs and service areas.
• Workforce development and organizational culture initiatives, including leadership of the new IMPACT Committee (Improving Morale, Partnership, Accountability, Climate, and Trust), employee engagement strategies, wellness initiatives, and the development of a DCFS-wide on-boarding and leadership academy.
• Legislative coordination and strategic planning.
• Regulatory compliance and performance oversight, ensuring adherence to federal and state requirements, accreditation standards, corrective action plans, and audit findings.
• Executive-level management of special projects, organizational improvement initiatives, and emerging operational priorities.

The State of Nevada is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to building diverse, inclusive, and innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. All applicants are considered without regard to race, color, national origin, religion or belief, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, domestic partnership, genetic information (GINA), or compensation and/or wages.

Please send direct Inquiries or correspondence to the recruiter listed on this announcement.

Benefits include:

• Health Insurance:
  Medical, dental, life, and disability insurance programs for employees and their dependents/family are offered through the Public Employees' Benefits Program (PEBP).
• Vacation:
  Accrual of three weeks of annual leave each year.
• Sick Leave:
  Accrual of three weeks of sick leave each year.
• Holidays: 12 paid holidays per year.
• Retirement:
  Participation in the Nevada Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). Employees do not contribute to Social Security but will contribute to PERS if their position is at 50% or more full-time equivalency. For more information on how PERS service may impact Social Security benefits, visit the SSA publication.
• Deferred…