Human Services Director

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 Services 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

Benefits included in position:
Health Care Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, Basic Life and Basic LTD)
Retirement Benefits
Paid Vacation
Paid Holidays
Paid Sick Leave

Note: This is a Non-bargaining Unit Position

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.