Deputy Director - Department of County Human Services (DCHS)

The Opportunity:

Overview

Multnomah County is seeking a Department of County Human Services (DCHS) Deputy Director that will be responsible for assisting the Department Director with the leadership, vision, direction and accountability for activities and operations of the department’s divisions. You will assist the Director in leading a dedicated workforce of approximately 1,140 employees, currently organized into four main divisions, and manage a budget of approximately $559 million. This position provides support to the Department Director and the four Divisions of DCHS: Aging, Disability, and Veterans Services; Intellectual and Development Disabilities Services; Youth and Family Services; and Preschool and Early Learning. This position also provides support to the areas of Business Services, Human Resources, and the Director’s Office. It directs the daily administrative operations of the department and leads day-to-day functions, the Strategic Engagement Team (SET), Trauma Informed Practice, Emergency Management & Mass Care Coordination, and any other functions as assigned by the Department Director. It provides leadership and policy direction as DCHS liaison to Central County services such as IT, Facilities, Talent Development, Privacy/HIPAA, Government Relations and Communications.

Department Administration

• Direct the daily business and administrative operations of the department by managing and coordinating operational activities and leading day-to-day functions that are carried out by the DCHS divisions, as assigned by the department director.
• Provide leadership and policy direction as DCHS liaison to central County services such as IT, Facilities, Fleet, Records, Communications, Distribution services and others.
• Participates in committees both internal and external as the DCHS Director's representative.
• Direct the daily administrative operations of the department and lead day-to-day functions performed by Performance and Data Management, The Strategic Engagement Team (SET), Trauma Informed Practice, Emergency Management, and any other functions as assigned by the department director.
• Direct the centralized leadership for emergency preparedness, severe weather response, and federal action emergency activations.
• Oversee the execution of Mass Care (Emergency Support Function 6 / ESF-6) services, including shelter, food, water, and life-safety distribution systems for unhoused and vulnerable populations.
• Ensure the Department Strategic Plan is embedded and implemented across each Division and intersects with the Countywide Strategic Plan.

Budget Administration

• Provide oversight and direction in the development, administration and ongoing management of the DCHS $559 million budget in partnership with the Department Director and Finance Director.
• Provide policy direction for determining priorities for the department in contracted services and staffing.
• Review, monitor and approve expenditures in partnership with the Finance Director.
• Implement related budget modifications.
• Serves as Departmental management liaison to the DCHS Citizen Budget Advisory Committee.

Department Leadership

• Guide internal teams to engage in department-wide high priority initiatives and work collaboratively with senior leaders to identify process improvement opportunities addressing efficiency, effectiveness, customer focus, data driven and with equity lens.
• Guide and provide oversight to ensure enterprise-wide initiatives are realistically scoped, fiscally responsible and operationally sustainable.
• Oversee and implement the department’s Strategic Plan and framework to align with the DCHS North Star, the DCHS Work Force Equity Strategic Plan and the County's Strategic Plan and mission and equity goals.
• Work with division leadership to identify mission critical initiatives and priorities that central services can support.
• Establish a multi-dimensional approach to delivering services and achieving mission using Quality Improvement tools, Innovation practices, Equity centered, and Human centered Design and research.
• Designs, aligns, and evaluates cross-divisional human-centered service systems across the Department of County Human Services (DCHS); Guides programmatic equity and innovation for core divisions; Leads programmatic and funding alignment across the Department.
• Provide leadership and oversight for all special projects that come from the Board of Commissioners and the Chair’s Office.
• Provide executive direction over the centralized Data and Evaluation Services team to improve transparency, track outcome metrics, and advance continuous quality improvement. Oversee research designs, gap analyses, and community-centered evaluations (e.g., Decline Studies, focus groups) to align program hours and services with family preferences.

Finance and Personnel Management

• Create and support talent management strategies to support diversity and backfill requirements.
• Develop department-wide staff performance management that ties to department goals and its strategic plan.
• Assist Department Director in reviewing recruitment strategies and processes.
• Develop grant/foundation strategy for each fiscal year.
• Oversee the Leadership development and training initiative for the department.
• Provide oversight and policy direction for DCHS fiscal systems development and planning. Lead, coordinate and participate in the development of departmental work plans, strategic plans, goals and objectives.
• Direct and approve through subordinate managers the planning, prioritizing, assigning, supervising, training, review, and the daily administrative and transactional business workflows of the department, ensuring strict compliance with all County procurement and contracting policies. Act as a resource, and provide direction, guidance, and leadership to staff; advise on the more complex and sensitive concerns and issues; may select, direct, and manage the work of consultants.
• Develop, administer, assist, and monitor budgets in partnership with the Finance Director; develop justifications for budgetary recommendations and/or adjustments; participate in forecasting additional funds for staffing and resources; identify, obtain, and manage funding from grants and community partners; participate in the interpretation, negotiation, management, and enforcement of contracts; coordinate the finalization of budgets to ensure timely submission of the department budget.

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.
• Innovate internal policies and practices to ensure strong financial stewardship of public funds, contracts, and resources.
• Serve as a primary liaison and authorized representative for DCHS to public officials, Board Commissioners, government relations bodies, and media outlets.

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
• Minimum of 6 years experience managing and working in a public sector unionized (represented) environment.

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 (i.e., $300 Million +) departmental budgets, forecasting personnel costs, and overseeing capital expenditures.
• Public Sector/Governmental Experience: Direct, substantial experience in a large county (i.e., 5,000 + employees), state, or municipal government or other comparable complex public-sector entity.
• 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
• Experience in promoting a culture of respect, inclusiveness, and appreciation of diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and values.