The Opportunity:
Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson’s Office is seeking a strategic leader to coordinate, convene, and drive the goals of the Homelessness Response System (HRS), in partnership with County departments, City bureaus, regional jurisdictions, healthcare partners, state agencies, housing and shelter service providers, and other community partners.
Working closely with the Joint Office of Homeless Services (JOHS), the Homelessness Response System Director increases the commitment of County leadership to developing meaningful, sustainable, long-term solutions to the housing crisis in our communities.
If you are a leader with proven track records of exceptional public service, collaboration with homelessness response system partners, and appreciation of using organizational development strategies to solve systemic problems, we invite you to apply!
Job Responsibilities:
Project Leadership ~
- Champion and lead the Homelessness Response System (HRS) operations; build on existing task force and advisory recommendations, support the implementation of short and long term HRS strategies that will bring greater effectiveness and efficiency to efforts, such as improved data and performance, governance structures, communication strategies, and operations.
- Lead the development and implementation of long-range strategic planning and budgeting projects; direct, oversee and evaluate project policies, procedures, and business practices.
- Oversee, direct, and provide final review on high profile/critical reports, policy reviews and studies; present information regarding the project's business status, goals, objectives, operations, successes and challenges; executes special projects and studies.
- Cultivate and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, community organizations and leaders and with colleagues across projects to align strategies around shared services and goals.
- Direct and approve planning, prioritizing, assigning, supervising, training, and review of the work of a diverse workforce, including the implementation of workforce equity initiatives.
Project Management / Budget and Metrics ~
- Provide leadership and guidance for HRS project budget development, strategy, and oversight.
- Participate as a Multnomah County leader and subject matter expert in the budget and program development for HRS work.
- Participate as a project leader in the budget development, exercises, and presentations of HRS programs and operations funded by the City of Portland in alignment with intergovernmental agreements and agreed-upon outlined jurisdictional expectations. This includes budget update meetings with and budget presentations to the Portland City Council.
Regional Coordination and Leadership ~
- Executive level responsibility in ensuring the implementation and accountability of the HRS initiative and future potential initiatives of this scope.
- Facilitate partnership development with community based organizations, businesses, and governmental entities.
- Assist the County Chair and Steering and Oversight Committee in determining, implementing, managing, and administering the HRS strategic plan, annual goals and objectives, and their active engagement in regional and statewide housing actions and advocacy.
- Represent the County to the public, elected officials, other agencies, governments, and organizations including making presentations, participating in meetings, and conducting community outreach.
To Qualify:
We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific about how your background is relevant. For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection process page.
Minimum Qualifications/Transferable Skills*:
- Bachelor's degree (in lieu of degree, equivalent years of relevant experience will be considered)
- Five (5) years of experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position with two (2) of those years in progressively increasing management experience.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated ability to effectively communicate technical concepts with a diverse range of stakeholders.
- Expert knowledge and experience of:
- The ability to identify and address personal biases.
- Advancing racial justice, understanding how systems of oppression intersect, and applying an equity lens in policy and programming processes.
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.
- Experience working with an elected official and/or in a policy making arena
- Expert knowledge and experience of:
- Providing support to homelessness service programs designed with a focus on communities of color.
- The needs of and barriers faced by people of color experiencing homelessness.
- Best and promising practices in ending homelessness, including effective service delivery, housing first, trauma-informed care, assertive engagement, motivational interviewing, stages of change.
- Advanced experience in management of complex organizations.
- Demonstrated success in developing strategic plans.
- Experience in change management and culture change.
- Experience in integrating diversity, equity and inclusion practices into work processes and practices.
- Demonstrated significant fiscal responsibility in a complex organization managing budgets, which include multiple sources of funds.
*Transferable skills: Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience (including the military) or life experiences 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.
Screening and Evaluation:
Application Packet: Your completed application must include the following items:
- A completed online application.
- 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.
- A cover letter that expands on your resume and demonstrates how your experience and skills align with the minimum and preferred qualifications listed above.
Note: The application packet should demonstrate your work experience/skills and how it is related to those shown in the Overview and To Qualify sections of the job announcement. Please be thorough, as these materials may be used and determine your eligibility for an interview.
Veterans’ Preference: Under Oregon Law, qualifying veterans may apply for veterans’ preference for this recruitment. Review our veterans’ preference page for details about eligibility and how to apply. The recruiter as listed on the job announcement must receive all required documentation by the closing date of the recruitment.
The Selection Process and Timeline: For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection process page. We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows:
- 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: This may include panel interview(s), a hiring interview, and/or additional testing to determine the best candidates for a position.
- Professional reference checks: All finalists must pass reference checks.
Note: Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice.
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 benefits website.
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.
Serving the Public, Even During Disasters: Everyday, Multnomah County staff work together to serve as a safety net for our communities. During a disaster, this safety net becomes even more critical. 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, while typically there begins with a call for volunteers, County employees may ultimately be reassigned from their current position to a role in the emergency response in order to support the critical needs presented by our communities. For more information, please visit the Disaster Service Worker Information page.
Additional Information:
- This position is classified as a Staff Assistant and is an Executive/Unclassified position and serves at the pleasure of the Elected Official and may be subject to discharge at any time.
- This is a salary, executive position that is not eligible for overtime.
- This position will be a hybrid of telework and in office; the onsite work location for this position is at the Multnomah Building: 501 SE Hawthorne Blvd., Portland, OR 97214.
- All employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; the County cannot support ongoing telework from other locations.
- Occasional evenings and weekends will be required.
- This recruitment may be used to fill full-time, part-time, temporary, limited duration and on-call positions.