Human Services Director

Note: Current Employees must use the Workday Job Hubs career section to apply for this position. The mission of Yakima County Government is to provide accessible, responsive and responsible public service through leadership and teamwork committed to understanding and meeting public needs. Our Values: Integrity Common Sense Innovation Accountability Position Data: Human Services Director-S Regular Exempt (ineligible for overtime) Overview: Hiring Pay: $114,000-$150,000 per year (Direct Report pay plan) Job Closing Date: Open until filled with Weekly Reviews starting June 30 , 2026 Note: Job posting will close if candidate is found There is one Human Resources Director position open with the Yakima County Human Services Department. Over the past decade, many programs that were once administered by the County have been transitioned to community-based organizations, regional entities, and other public agencies. As a result, 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 less by the number of services delivered directly by the County and more 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. Position serves as Yakima County’s lead strategist, systems coordinator, and executive project manager for homelessness, housing, behavioral health, and community well-being. Leads implementation of the Five-Year Homeless Housing Strategic Plan, Yakima County HOME Consortium Annual Plan and coordinates cross-sector initiatives beyond direct departmental authority. 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. Responsible for all reporting requirements, ensures 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 that occur within 90 days of the closing of this position. (This excludes Yakima County Sheriff's Office and Department of Corrections) Responsibilities: Essential Duties: 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 within 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 application, inventories all grants, monitors progress and performs fiscal reviews. Education & Experience: 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. Application Requirements: Yakima County Application cover letter resume submit 3 professional references Required: Valid WA State Driver’s License and proof of insurance, if requested. Successful completion of a comprehensive financial background investigation and general employment verification. Preferred: 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. Knowledge: Principles, practices, theories and techniques in development of regional and community plans; federal, state and local laws and regulations applicable to the agency’s operations; program management, supervision, and public sector financial management, grant funding and budgeting; office practices and procedures including record keeping techniques, and team building and customer service concepts and techniques. Public sector financial management, accounting and budgeting, grant writing and fund development, computer applications and systems; and Knowledge of local, state and federal funding sources, rules and regulations for the respective programs of supervision; Knowledge of community resources for the respective programs of supervision; Federal confidentiality and HIPAA laws and their application; Knowledge of and/or training in facilitation and conflict resolution/de-escalation;§ Successfully managing multiple tasks and priorities. Skills (and abilities): Operating office equipment including personal computer and software; Determining priorities; making critical decisions; working with various interest groups by defining, evaluating, recommending and implementing alternative solutions to complex problems; Developing initiatives and long-range Supervising and facilitating an integrated team of employees and other interested parties; Researching and interpreting laws, policies and regulations, legal or ethical issues; providing public testimony, giving presentations, and facilitating meetings; Developing budgets and tracking expenditures; Establishing and maintaining effective interpersonal relationships with executive committees, staff, members jurisdictions, private organizations, legislators and the general public; Communications: oral and written, sufficient to exchange or convey information, to give and receive work direction, and to present materials in a clear and understandable manner; Awareness of when communication is failing and the ability to alter communication means or methods to improve understanding; Using effective organization and task-tracking methods and techniques; Being aware of the different communication and conflict management styles of those he/she interacts with frequently; Solving problems constructively, resolving and de-escalating conflict, and building teams; Giving presentations and facilitating meetings; Maintaining objectivity, impartiality and composure in difficult circumstances; Establishing and maintaining effective interpersonal relationships with other internal and external staff, elected officials, and appointed officials; Working independently and in stressful situations; Providing technical expertise to community partners and service providers; Providing the Financial Services Director with a draft budget for operations as well as provider contract obligations; the ability to protect additional staffing needs, future funding stability and equipment needs; supervising, teaching, coaching, monitoring and evaluating the work of staff Using a personal computer and related software applications and operating basic office equipment. “AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER” Minorities, Females, Protected Veterans and the Disabled are encouraged to apply. Yakima County ensures equal employment opportunities regardless of a person’s age, color, creed, sensory, mental or physical disability, genetic information, marital status, national origin, political belief, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and military status, or any other protected status under federal or state statute. PAY TRANSPARENCY NONDISCRIMINATION PROVISION The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish the information. Disabled applicants may request accommodation to participate in the job application and/or selection process for employment. Please contact Human Resources for further information. Yakima County is a qualified Public Service entity for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, go to https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service or contact your federal loan servicer. In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, Yakima County will hire only United States citizens and aliens lawfully authorized to work in the United States. Yakima County is an E-Verify Employer. Yakima County is one of the largest employers with over 1,000 employees providing services in all areas of law and justice, corrections, administration, public services and social services. Work locations are throughout the Valley and vary based on department. Check out the County’s website at www.yakimacounty.us for more information. Eligibility for benefits are dependent upon Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA) and if your position type is full-time, part-time, or intermittent. 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 Click here for a full list of Yakima County Benefits Located in Central Washington, Yakima County is large (4,200 square miles) and diverse. Residents enjoy 300 days of sunshine each year and four distinct seasons. Yakima County is ranked first in the state in agricultural production, and is one of the top five areas in the nation in production of specialty crops. Irrigated farmlands and rolling foothills provide a backdrop to the nearby Cascade Mountains. Around 70 percent of the County’s 226,000 residents live in its 14 cities, towns and urban growth areas. The unique blend of rural and urban lifestyle choices offers a quality of living unsurpassed in the Northwest. Learn more at www.visityakima.com Looking for an exciting career with the Yakima County Sheriff's Department? To apply as a Lateral Deputy Sheriff, Click here To apply as an Entry Level Deputy Sheriff or a Law Enforcement Dispatcher, you must go through Public Safety Testing. Apply tot his job Apply To this Job