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

Pay Range:

$167,876.79 - $268,604.58 Annual

Department:

Non-Departmental

Job Type:

Regular Non-Represented

Exemption Status:

United States of America (Exempt)

Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified):

January 19, 2026

The Opportunity:

*Please note, internal and external applicants should not apply here. If you wish to be considered, please submit your application materials at Karras Consulting.

 

*For full details regarding the Homeless Services Department Director position, please view the announcement here.

The Opportunity:

The Homeless Services Department (HSD) Director leads a diverse workforce of 123 FTEs, who alongside dozens of community partner organizations, are responsible for serving those experiencing or at risk of homelessness throughout Multnomah County. The Director provides leadership, vision, direction, and accountability for the work of the department, including:  contracted services, ongoing reporting and evaluation, and community planning for a continuum of homeless and housing services, including outreach, shelter, housing placement, and permanent supportive housing.

In addition to leading HSD staff, this position provides leadership in the County’s implementation of the Metro Supportive Housing Services Measure; its work with regional, state, and federal partners; and its partnerships within the County’s Homelessness Response System, federal housing authority, and East County cities. As a department within Multnomah County, the HSD Director reports to a Deputy Chief Operating Officer.

As the HSD Director’s direct supervisor and strategic partner, Deputy COO Sara Morrisey shares her personal commitment to this critical work, the challenge, and the support you will receive. https://youtu.be/QFRGi7j18Ww
 

Key areas of responsibility include:

• Homelessness Response: Leading the County's overall response to homelessness and coordinating the Homelessness Response System.

• Department Leadership & Strategy: Directing long-range strategic planning, overseeing the development and implementation of department policies, procedures, and business practices, and providing leadership to the HSD Executive Team.

• Equity & Budget: Supporting the implementation of an equity framework across policies, funding, and contracts, and working in partnership with the budget director on budget development and oversight.

• Partnerships & External Relations: Cultivating and maintaining collaborative partnerships with community organizations, elected officials, and leaders across departments; acting as the senior spokesperson on homelessness for community and media engagements.

• Oversight & Reporting: Overseeing and providing final approval on high-profile reports, policy reviews, and studies; presenting information on the department's status and executing special projects.

• Emergency Response: Serving as a member of Unified Command during a Severe Weather Activation.

• Supervision:  Directly supervising key executive positions (e.g., Finance Manager Senior, Program Director, Equity Manager, and Deputy Director).

This is a high-profile position that requires interfacing with internal and external leaders. To be successful candidates should possess the following key characteristics:

 

Equity & Change Management

• Champion equity, diversity and inclusion: Ensure that the HSD operational designs and practices are centered on equity and designed to better serve people of color both inside and outside of the organization.

• Drive and Manage Organizational Change: Oversee the change management process, including developing successful communication strategies, ensuring inclusive implementation, and fostering a work environment that encourages original and innovative solutions.

Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Provide Visionary and Strategic Direction: Translate high-level vision and goals into comprehensive, actionable long- and short-range plans. Drive organizational effectiveness by identifying key opportunities to break down bureaucratic silos - including using the Homelessness Response System Action Plan as a tool for change - and foster a culture of high-performance and inclusion.

• Inspiring, Courageous Leadership: Lead through inspiration and persuasion, addressing complex homelessness issues directly. Demonstrate the ability to make tough, data-driven decisions informed by wisdom, experience, and perspective.

Partnerships & External Relations

• Cultivate Strategic Partnerships: Build and maintain critical alliances and collaborative relationships across all levels of government, private interests, and other departments to resolve complex homeless issues. Inspire action and perceive situational complexity quickly.

• Lead External Communications and Engagement: Develop and nurture mission-critical relationships with political leaders, labor, business, providers, neighborhood groups, and—most importantly—individuals with lived experience of homelessness.

• Inspire Trust and Integrity: Maintain an atmosphere of integrity, consistency, and respect by communicating honestly, fulfilling commitments, and serving as a trusted organizational representative.

Desirable Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree and at least five (5) years experience in a senior leadership role within a large and complex publicly accountable organization. 

• The preferred candidate will have knowledge of the fields of homelessness and housing and experience successfully leading high-priority and highly visible projects. 

• A master’s degree is preferred.

 

Application Process

If you wish to be considered, please submit your application materials at Karras Consulting or directly at this link

If you have questions regarding this announcement, please call Marissa Karras at 360-956-1336. This position will remain open until filled but the screening process will move quickly. In order to be considered for the first round of interviews please submit your application materials at karrasconsulting.net no later than January 19, 2026.

In accordance with Oregon Law, Multnomah County is not collecting school attendance dates in the initial application process; please do not include these dates in your resume, cover letter and other application materials.

Diversity and Inclusion: At Multnomah County, we don't just accept difference; we value it and support it to create a culture of dignity and respect for our employees.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran or protected veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics. The EEO Know Your Rights poster is available for your reference. Multnomah County is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We request priority protected veteran referrals.

Veterans’ Preference: Under Oregon Law, qualifying veterans may apply for veterans’ preference. Review our veterans’ preference page for details about eligibility and how to apply.

Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act: We gladly provide reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing an application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter below in advance to request assistance. Individuals with hearing or speech impairments may contact the recruiter through the Telecommunications Relay Service by dialing 711.

Questions?

Recruiter:

Dale Cornelius

Email:

dale.cornelius@multco.us

Phone:

+1 (503) 9395990

Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice.

Disclaimer: This announcement is intended as a general descriptive recruitment guide and is subject to change. It does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

Job Profile:

9613 - Department Director 2