Human Services Director

Yakima County•Yakima County Courthouse, WA

1d•$114,000 - $150,000•Onsite

About The Position

Yakima County Government's mission is to provide accessible, responsive, and responsible public service through leadership and teamwork committed to understanding and meeting public needs. This Human Services Director position is a regular exempt role, ineligible for overtime, with a hiring pay range of $114,000-$150,000 per year. The job closing date is open until filled, with weekly reviews starting June 30, 2026. The posting may close early if a candidate is found. There is one position open within the Yakima County Human Services Department. The department's role has evolved from operating programs to providing strategic leadership, system coordination, community planning, and oversight of public investments. Success is measured by the department's ability to align partners, leverage resources, strengthen community capacity, and advance collective outcomes across multiple organizations and service systems. This position requires the aptitude and business acumen to manage and build collaboration, trust, and partnership between Yakima County departments, the state, business owners, law enforcement, school districts, private landlords, and all service agencies providing housing, homeless services, veteran services, and mental health services within Yakima County, regardless of funding. The position serves as Yakima County’s lead strategist, systems coordinator, and executive project manager for homelessness, housing, behavioral health, and community well-being. It leads the implementation of the Five-Year Homeless Housing Strategic Plan and the Yakima County HOME Consortium Annual Plan, and coordinates cross-sector initiatives beyond direct departmental authority. The role provides direct assistance to the Board of County Commissioners and plans, develops, organizes, and administers a long-range program to implement the Board’s policies, goals, and objectives. The Director is responsible for all reporting requirements, ensuring contract compliance of sub-recipients, all performance measures of the programs, audits of sub-recipients using public funds, and the overall success of the program. This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies within 90 days.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Education, Human Services or any Human Services related disciplines AND Seven (7) years of progressively responsible work experience related to public agency administration including one year of supervision/management experience; OR any equivalent combination of education and experience to perform the essential duties of the job.
Yakima County Application
cover letter
resume
submit 3 professional references
Valid WA State Driver’s License and proof of insurance, if requested.
Successful completion of a comprehensive financial background investigation and general employment verification.

Nice To Haves

Minimum of four (4) years of progressively responsible leadership experience in homelessness, housing, behavioral health, community development, public administration, healthcare, criminal justice, or related community well-being initiatives.
Demonstrated experience leading complex, multi-agency initiatives involving diverse stakeholders and organizations.
Experience developing and implementing strategic plans, managing large-scale projects, and coordinating efforts across organizations where direct supervisory authority may not exist.
Experience convening community partners, facilitation collaboration among competing interests, building consensus, and advancing measurable outcomes.

Responsibilities

Develops and implements public information and participation strategies; funding strategies; and interagency communication strategies.
Coordinates operations and services with other local, state, and federal agencies, community groups, and citizens at-large; provides technical advice and promotes program services awareness.
Plans, develops, and implements strategies to accomplish the goals, priorities, and objectives described in the current and future initiatives associated with the programs of the Human Services Department.
Provides oversight for the staffing of the Yakima County Homeless Coalition and Yakima County Mental Health Coalition.
Works with respective Program Coordinators, Coalitions, and State representatives to develop annual drafts of Yakima County 5-Year Homelessness Plan and Yakima County Mental Health Plan for Commissioner approval.
Acts as an advisor/member to state, regional, and local committees as assigned by the Board of County Commissioners.
Determines implications for the immediate welfare and future of the agency/committee and prepares recommendations on regional-wide policies and agency procedures related to all Human Services programs.
Serves as countywide convener and systems leader for homelessness, housing, behavioral health, healthcare, criminal justice, and community well-being initiatives.
Provides strategic oversight of system performance, project implementation, partner accountability, and outcome measurement.
Provides direct management and supervision of all Community Services staff and functions including: employee supervision, public relations, policy development, budget preparation, grant and contract administration, financial and meeting record keeping, and legal compliance.
Provides overall management and direction to all programs that fall under the authority of the Human Services Program.
Ensures that critical services are being provided to the Community as outlined by charters, contracts, and/or service level agreements.
Focuses on strategic outcomes and implementation.
Researches grant revenues, requests applications, works with County departments to complete applications, inventories all grants, monitors progress, and performs fiscal reviews.

Benefits

Medical, Dental, Prescription and Vision Coverage
Basic Life and Long-Term Disability Insurance Coverage
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Health Reimbursement Account (HRA- VEBA)
Health Savings Account (HSA)
Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
Voluntary Benefits – vision, term life, critical illness, disability and other insurance plans
Washington State Retirement Plan (DRS)
457 Deferred Compensation Program (DCP)
Paid Vacation, Paid Holidays and Sick Leave