DIRECTOR OF HUMAN SERVICES

Salary: $193,211.20 - $270,504.00 AnnuallyLocation : Reno, NVJob Type: Full TimeJob Number: 60009316 (03/2026)Department: Human Services AgencyOpening Date: 03/27/2026Closing Date: 4/17/2026 11:59 PM Pacific Position InformationThis position plans and directs the activities and functions of the Washoe County Human Services Agency including the development and administration of social services programs; represents the department on a variety of matters at the state and County level; and performs related work as required.This is an Open Competitive/Countywide Promotional recruitment being conducted to fill a current full-time vacancy in the Human Services Agency. The list established from this recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies as they occur.For more information on this position, please see the Job Specification at ABOUT THE POSITION Washoe County is seeking a strong, visionary, and seasoned leader with executive level management experience in the Human Services field including extensive work with children, adults, and senior populations. The new Human Services Agency Director must have significant experience managing large and complicated programs and leading organizations and shall possess strength and experience in strategic visioning and planning as well as program and policy analysis and implementation. The candidate will have the ability to interpret, and apply the provisions of diverse federal, state, and local legislation and regulations.This mission-critical position ensures quality service to the County's most vulnerable populations; long-term visioning, effective leadership, teambuilding, leading large-scale systems change, and role-modeling the County's values (Integrity, Communication and Quality Public Service) are foundational. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience leading teams and projects related to human and social services in addition to a proven track record of successful collaboration with appointed and elected officials at all levels of an organization. S/he is approachable, engaging, and dedicated to a team-oriented environment where sharing information, ideas, and feedback is modeled by leadership and supported. The successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to the County's established vision, mission, and organizational priorities and will collaborate with other department heads to strategize, prioritize, and execute programs and services. This individual will be a creative problem-solver with proven community relationships and will be motivated by meeting the needs of individual clients and the community as a whole.The Human Services Agency Director represents the County on a variety of human service-related matters and will possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills, the ability to engender trust and establish highly effective working relationships with staff at all levels of the organization including employees, elected officials, peers, stakeholder organizations, and the public. The successful candidate will have demonstrated ability to make effective and high-profile presentations to a variety of audiences including state and local elected officials, non-profit and related stakeholder organizations, and the members of the community.This is an unclassified position appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the Board of County Commissioners pursuant to NRS 260.010(5) and Washoe County Code 5.439(2) and serves at the pleasure of the Board of County Commissioners.Minimum QualificationsSix years of full-time senior level management experience in the delivery of social services programs which included program administration and supervisory experience AND a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in social work, public administration, psychology, education, or other closely related field OR an equivalent combination of education and experience. LICENSE OR CERTIFICATEA valid driver's license is required at the time of appointment and must be maintained for continued employment in this classification. Conditions of EmploymentBackground checks will be conducted on selected applicants through the State of Nevada and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).Per the Washoe County Background and Reference Checks Policy, new and rehired employees are required to submit to a fingerprint based background investigation. Effective January 1, 2025, the $39.00 fee associated with this background investigation will be paid by the employee (if applicable) and deducted automatically from the first paycheck. Employment is contingent upon the results of the background check, although a record of conviction will not necessarily bar an applicant from employment.Washoe County requires its employees to reside in the state of Nevada or neighboring California communities such as Truckee, South Lake Tahoe or Susanville as of their first day of work.Washoe County hires all new employees at the minimum rate of the salary range and eligible employees may receive an annual merit increase of 5% until they reach the maximum salary for the classification. Upon promotion, current Washoe County employees are placed at the minimum rate of the salary range for the higher classification of the new position OR a promotional calculation, whichever is greater. What Happens NextTO BE CONSIDERED: Submit the required application at: In addition to the application, the following documents must be included with the application before the filing deadline in order to be considered: Compelling cover letterComprehensive resume which includes how the applicant meets the Ideal Candidate criteria Three professional references Three letters of recommendation TENTATIVE TIMELINE March 27, 2026 - April 17, 2026 Applications Accepted. Week of April 20, 2026 Screening Committee reviews candidate materials to identify top candidates with the most potential for success. Top candidates will be contacted for an interview and top candidates backgrounded. Week of May 11, 2026 First round of interviews with top candidates will take place and recommendation of top candidates to the County Manager. Week of May 18, 2026Final interview. Panel includes the County Manager and District Commissioner per recruitment policy established by the Board at the February 23, 2023 meeting.Week of May 25, 2026 Chair and Vice Chair of the Board meet the top candidate. June 16, 2026Recommendation to the Board for formal appointment. June 29, 2026Estimated hire date. Please note that this recruitment will be managed in accordance with Nevada's Open Meeting/Public Records law. Applicant information will remain confidential until such time as the candidate is selected as a finalist in the selection process. At that time, applicant information including candidate name, application, cover letter, resume, and other submitted information (with personal identification information redacted) may be provided to the Washoe County Board of County Commissioners as part of the Commission Meeting Agenda. Please be advised you can log in to your NeoGov account and click on "Applications" to view a list of the recruitments which you have applied for, your submitted application for each recruitment, a copy of the job listing as well as your applicant history for each recruitment. In addition, you can also click on "Inbox" to view the notices which have been sent to you for each recruitment. If you have any updates to your contact information after your application is submitted, please contact If you have any questions regarding the Online Application Process you can find additional information at the following link: Questions: Julie Paholke775-328-2089Washoe County is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce that creates a sense of belonging for all employees and citizens, thereby encouraging persons from all backgrounds and experiences to apply for employment.Washoe County will recruit, hire, train and promote into all job levels without regard to race, religion or belief, gender, marital status or domestic partnership, familial status, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, genetic information (GINA), veteran status, political affiliation, membership in an employee association or union or any other protected class under applicable federal or state law.Nevada PERS Retirement - Washoe County pays 100% of the PERS contribution for each benefit eligible employee.Health, Dental, Life and Vision Insurance - Washoe County contributes 100% of the premium for each employee. Washoe County also contributes 50% of the premium for dependent coverage. Note: New employees are automatically enrolled in the High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a Health Savings Account. Washoe County contributes up to $2,500 annually (based on benefit effective date and coverage tier) into the employee's Health Savings Account (HSA). Newly hired employees become eligible for health benefits after 30 days of employment. Benefits Link - Deferred Compensation plans available12 Paid HolidaysVacation Accrual (120 hours per year, increasing with continued employment)Sick Leave (120 hours per year, increasing with continued employment)Longevity PayMerit Increases - Full-time employees eligible to receive an annual merit increase of 5% until the position classification's maximum salary is reached.Cost-of living adjustments - historical annual COLA increases for 2017-2025 have ranged from 2.5% - 5.0%There are no Social Security deductions (although a 1.45% deduction for Medicare is required)Nevada does not have state or local income tax*

Created: 2026-04-02