Director – Department of County Human Services

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

Pay Range

$ – $ Annual

Non-Departmental

Regular Non-Represented

United States of America (Exempt)

March 16, 2026

Multnomah County 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.

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.

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).

• 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 utilize continuous improvement practices to adapt to community needs and changing funding landscapes.
• Identify and operationalize 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.
• Lead with operational visibility and communication and meet 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…