Juvenile Services Director

Multnomah County • Portland, OR

1d • $122,874 - $196,598 • Onsite

About The Position

The Multnomah County Department of Community Justice (DCJ) is seeking a visionary, human-centered leader to serve as the Director of the Juvenile Services Division (JSD). Reporting directly to the Department Director, the JSD Director oversees an annual operating budget of $26 million and a large workforce. The division provides juvenile detention and community supervision services for nearly 700 justice-involved youth each year, as well as support for nearly 2,500 parents annually through domestic relations mediation and parent orientation. DCJ is seeking a trauma informed Director who leads with presence, transparency, and operational expertise, demonstrating high emotional intelligence, interpersonal agility, and an authentic, trusted leadership reputation. The successful candidate will be a credible, unifying leader and strategic thinker who fosters a supportive, compassionate, safe, respectful, and motivating work environment. The incoming Director will be tasked with building trust, bridging detention and community supervision staff, while supporting frontline safety and management. This role requires an executive who balances strategic engagement in the juvenile justice system, including a focus on racial equity and diversion, with firm support for the daily operational realities, safety, and well-being of frontline personnel.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, administration of justice, psychology, sociology, social work, or a related field, AND;
• Six (6) years experience of progressive responsibility in program leadership, supervisory or lead work which demonstrates the capacity to provide leadership in the following areas:
• Providing programming for at risk youth (12-21)
• Working with criminal justice agencies and partners.
• Developing collaborative relationships with community partners.
• Working and managing in a union environment
• Management experience within a large organization.
• Must pass a thorough background investigation which includes, but is not limited to, a review of applicant’s criminal, civil, driving, military, educational and employment history prior to employment
• Valid driver's license

Nice To Haves

• A Masters Degree
• Five (5) years of experience in a Senior or Executive-level role in criminal justice or a related field
• A minimum of (6) years of increasingly responsible professional experience working with at-risk youth (12-21) in one of the following environments:
• Detention or youth correctional facility
• Youth residential setting
• Setting that provides programming for at-risk youth
• Substantial experience in budget planning, financial management, and resource optimization, including direct oversight of budgets of at least $20 million, forecasting personnel costs, and monitoring capital expenditures.
• A demonstrated history of promoting an organizational culture of respect, inclusion, and appreciation of diverse perspectives and values
• Demonstrated experience of establishing collaborative relationships with key external system partners

Responsibilities

• Oversee the division's programs that respond to the needs of justice involved youth, families and victims.
• Aligning division priorities with DCJ's strategic pillars; delivering operational excellence, ensuring our impact, and maximizing resources.
• Oversee the implementation of evidence-based and trauma-informed reform frameworks, including Transforming Juvenile Probation, Intentional Case Management, Family Engaged Case Planning, Restorative Practices, and the Juvenile Detention Alternative Initiative.
• Apply an equity lens to all divisional operations, policy development, and programming, while providing authentic support and advocacy for staff, leading with cultural humility, self-awareness, and a commitment to recognizing privilege in cross-cultural environments.
• Conceptualize innovative services and implement procedures for new or changing regulatory requirements and state laws, continuously evaluating benchmarks, simplifying processes, and improving operational outcomes.
• Manage the senior management team that oversees daily operational functions across community supervision and the 24/7 secure youth detention facility, maintaining close oversight of shift dynamics, unit culture, and crisis de-escalation.
• Oversees the management of detention services, managing facility capacity, and reducing overall reliance on detention.
• Direct the juvenile management team to support staff physical safety alongside youth accountability; reform internal safety monitoring practices and maintain consistent policies.
• Respond to and resolve confidential/sensitive inquiries, investigate complaints, and recommend corrective action.
• Maintain regular visibility and engagement through regular communication with frontline employees and leadership, using clear, empathetic dialogue to build trust, mutual respect, and unit cohesion.
• Direct through a trauma-informed approach to ensure staff and youth’s well-being is prioritized and their physical and psychological safety is addressed.
• Partner with County Facilities Property Management to maintain and upgrade the physical environment of the Juvenile Justice Complex and secure detention facility.
• Direct Juvenile leadership in providing consistent direction, clear communication and supervisory support.
• Direct and approve through managers the planning, prioritizing, assigning, supervising, training, and reviewing of staff work, articulating expectations with clarity, composure, and strategic awareness across all channels.
• Direct the division with youth and staff input and maintaining a workplace culture rooted in safety, trust, belonging, active listening, and high emotional intelligence.
• Support division leadership to foster mutual respect, open communication, and information sharing.
• Collaborate with Human Resources for recruitment, internal investigations, and promoting long-term staff health, safety, and retention.
• Directs continuous improvement methods that optimize performance and service quality for public safety and better outcomes for youth and families.
• Serve as a principal advisor on the DCJ Executive Management Team, participating in department-wide policy, budget, and operational decision-making.
• Participate as an active member in public safety forums including the Local Public Safety Coordinating Council and Juvenile Justice Steering Committee.
• Strategically communicate with key partners, policy makers, and media to advance department initiatives, while representing the County, department, and division to elected officials, public agencies, and key interest holders.
• Maintain and develop relationships with external system partners, including court members, law enforcement, local and state agencies, school districts, associations, and community-based organizations, fostering collaborative partnerships.
• Foster positive relationships and collaborate with union leadership (AFSCME Local 88 / Local 88-6) by interpreting collective bargaining agreements fairly and resolving grievances through proactive dialogue.
• Build relationships with state and national juvenile justice organizations to incorporate evidence-based practices into the public safety continuum.
• Oversee the division’s $26 million annual operating budget, state funding streams (e.g., Oregon State Juvenile Crime Prevention funds), capital expenditures, and grant resources.
• Partner with Government Relations to advocate for operational resources and guide the organization through public-sector budget discussions before the Board of County Commissioners and state legislature.
• Establish administrative controls and collaborate with DCJ Research and Planning (RAP) to build data tools and dashboards to monitor outcomes without overwhelming staff during periods of crisis or budget reductions.

Benefits

• 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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive