Transportation Director

Overview

Multnomah County Department of Community Services recruiting for a highly motivated, confident and strategic leader to oversee and lead the Transportation Division as the next Director of Transportation.

The Transportation Director manages a dedicated workforce of over 100 union represented and non-represented employees. With an annual budget of $, this Division oversees a diverse transportation system, including rural roads in unincorporated Multnomah County, the iconic county-owned Willamette River Bridges, and urban arterials in East County.

The successful Director will be a systems thinker who can lead multifaceted operations, from planning and road maintenance to engineering and capital construction. They will be able to develop a strong vision, have the ability to look upstream, and be proactive in managing the budget. You must be a champion for an inclusive workforce and be comfortable making decisive moves while maintaining a collaborative spirit.

• Strategic Planning: Coordinates and orchestrates the implementation of long‑range transportation plans, including the County transportation system plan and safety action plan, asset management plan, the capital improvement plan (CIP); implements applicable aspects of the Multnomah County Strategic Plan and DCS Strategic Plan. This position serves as a bridge between high‑level policy and operations by integrating core values objectives into division workflows.
• Leadership: Hires, trains, and supervises staff, including engineers, planners, surveyors and maintenance staff. Provides feedback, training and opportunities for growth, mentorship and leadership.
• Financial Management: Oversees the $114M+ budget, manages state and federal grants, collaborates with Finance on long‑term transportation forecasting, and prepares and monitors the Transportation Division Budget, including all capital projects.
• Compliance & Safety: Ensures all operations comply with state, federal, and local laws, including design manuals, American Disability Act regulations, workplace safety (OSHA) standards and other applicable standards and regulations.
• Operations Oversight: Responsible for the day‑to‑day operations of county road maintenance, bridge maintenance, construction, and bridge operations, and demonstrates good judgement during emergency situations.
• Stakeholder Relations: Represents the Division to the Board of County Commissioners, community organizations, and government agencies.

The Multnomah County Transportation Division includes eight programs plus an Administration group:
Transportation Planning and Development, Road Capital, Road Maintenance, Bridge Capital, Bridge Operations, Bridge Maintenance, Survey Office, and Water Quality. The Division maintains 30 bridges, including six large bridges on the Willamette River, four of which open and close for river traffic, and 270 miles of roads in various municipalities and unincorporated areas of Multnomah County.

• A Culture of Excellence: You will be challenged to innovate, encouraged to excel, and empowered to build a legacy within a high‑performing organization.
• Collaborative Innovation: Manage a leadership team that prizes collaborative problem‑solving and continuous improvement.
• Equity in Action: Operate a workplace where every voice is heard and every employee belongs through the Workforce Equity Strategic Plan.
• 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 more.

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Transportation, Urban Planning, Public Administration or a similar field. A master’s degree preferred.
• Experience: Six or more years of progressive management experience, including supervising staff, managing large‑scale budgets, and overseeing multi‑year projects or programs in transportation or a related field.

• Experience working in local or state government with familiarity in public…