Human Services Deputy Director

Division: Business and Finance | Management Level: Deputy Director | Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40

About the Role

The Deputy Director of Human Services provides high-level strategic leadership and operational oversight for the Jefferson County Human Services Department, advancing the Department’s mission, vision, guiding principles, and Employer of Choice model. The position provides executive oversight for the Case Management Agency Division, Head Start Division, and Child Support Services program, ensuring effective service delivery and alignment with federal, state, and county requirements.

The Deputy Director serves as a primary advisor and thought partner to the Executive Director, leads community engagement and partnership development, prepares and participates in Board of County Commissioner presentations and briefings, state meetings and committees with other Colorado county leadership, and serves as Acting Department Head in the Executive Director's absence.

The successful candidate is a passionate, experienced, and transparent executive leader who builds trusting, collaborative relationships with Division Directors, managers, and employees across the Department. This position leads and coordinates cross-Division programs, initiatives, and projects with a strategic vision for the Department as a whole, aligning people, resources, and priorities to achieve meaningful outcomes. The ideal candidate demonstrates strong political acumen, sound independent judgment, and the ability to interpret and analyze policy, leverage data to drive decisions, navigate complex environments, and serve as a trusted thought partner to leaders across the agency and County.

Schedule

The county operates primarily on a 4-day/10-hour work week (Monday–Thursday); Human Services works a mix of 4-day/10-hour or 5-day work weeks (Monday–Friday). This position is hybrid, with a 5-day-a-week schedule, combining remote work and in-office work as determined by team and agency needs.

Note: This position may require work outside normal business hours as needed to meet operational demands, such as providing support for disaster recovery operations, including natural events such as floods and fires, as part of the department’s mass care responsibilities.

Pay

Hiring Range: $145,000 – $175,000 USD Annual. Compensation will be determined based on education, experience, and skills.

Benefits

Jefferson County offers a generous benefits package that supports your personal and professional life. Benefits include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off and holidays (starting bank of 40 hours of PTO for new hires)
• Retirement matching
• Wellness programs
• Tuition reimbursement
• Flexible schedules and remote work options

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership and Operational Oversight: Collaborates with the Executive Director, Division Directors, and executive leadership team to develop, validate, and implement the department's strategic direction. Provides leadership for assigned divisions and ensures high-quality service delivery, program efficacy, and compliance with federal, state, and county regulations. Leads department-wide initiatives that improve organizational effectiveness, customer outcomes, and cross-divisional collaboration.
• Management and Supervision: Provides direct supervision to the Division Directors responsible for the Case Management Agency, Head Start, and Child Support Services program. Collaborates with Department leaders to develop others, strengthen succession planning, and lead an agency culture of belonging. Supervises staff in areas of responsibility; administers and makes recommendations on routine personnel matters including recruiting, interviewing, hiring, training, assigning, scheduling, leave approval, performance appraisals, and corrective action.
• Community Partnerships and External Representation: Leads the department's efforts to cultivate and evolve community, intergovernmental, and cross-sector partnerships. Represents Jefferson County Human Services at national and state forums, regional committees, the Board of County Commissioners, county Departments, and other collaborations and settings as assigned.
• Policy, Executive Leadership, and Department Direction: Participates in legislative affairs and collaborates with executive leadership to analyze, present, discuss, revise, and create policies and procedures. Actively engages in decisions involving the overall leadership, management, and direction of the department, including state and regional policy areas that affect assigned divisions and department-wide operations. Monitors policy developments, assesses their potential impact, and recommends appropriate responses.
• Performance Management and Accountability: Establishes and monitors key performance indicators, service level metrics, and other accountability measures to evaluate departmental performance, service quality, and program efficacy. Provides guidance in the development and uses of data, program reports, and strategic priorities to recommend operational improvements and resource alignment.
• Fiscal Oversight and Resource Management: Collaborates with the Executive Director and Division Directors to develop, monitor, and align departmental budgets, contracts, staffing, grants, and resource allocations with strategic priorities. Identifies operational, regulatory, and financial risks and develops mitigation strategies.
• Regulatory Compliance and Department Continuity: Ensures assigned divisions comply with applicable federal, state, and county regulatory requirements, policies, procedures, and standards. Oversees the implementation of required policy and procedural changes within assigned areas and monitors progress toward compliance. Maintains continuity of department operations during executive leadership transitions and serves as Acting Department Head when designated.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Human Services, or a closely related field. Master's degree preferred.
• Experience: Minimum of seven (7) years of work experience, plus at least five (5) years of supervision experience; experience in human services, public administration, policy, law, organizational leadership, community partnerships, or a related field. Experience in executive-level management, supervision, strategic planning, regulatory compliance, and cross-system collaboration.
• Note: An equivalent combination of education and experience is acceptable.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree and experience in human services, public administration, policy, organizational leadership, community partnerships, or a related field.
• Significant progressively responsible executive or senior leadership experience in human services, public administration, or a related governmental organization.
• Experience leading large, multidisciplinary teams and complex organizational initiatives.
• Experience working with elected officials, governing boards, community partners, and state agencies.

Skills

• Comprehensive knowledge of human services programs, public administration principles, and organizational leadership.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and county laws, regulations, and funding requirements affecting human services programs.
• Ability to develop and execute strategic initiatives aligned with organizational priorities.
• Strong executive-level communication, presentation, and relationship-building abilities.
• Ability to build productive partnerships with elected officials, community organizations, state agencies, and other governmental entities.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex issues, evaluate risks, and develop practical solutions.
• Strong financial and operational management skills, including budget oversight and resource allocation.
• Ability to foster a positive organizational culture focused on accountability, collaboration, innovation, and employee engagement.

Leadership Competencies

Successful candidates will demonstrate the ability to:

• Foster trust and open communication by creating an inclusive, respectful, and supportive work environment where employees feel empowered to share ideas, ask questions, and raise concerns.
• Communicate clearly and transparently by sharing information in a timely and honest manner, setting clear expectations, explaining decisions, and adapting communication styles to meet the needs of different audiences.
• Act with integrity and accountability by making ethical decisions, following through on commitments, applying expectations consistently, and taking responsibility for actions and outcomes.
• Engage in collaborative problem-solving by building strong working relationships, seeking input from others, managing conflict professionally, and working across teams to achieve shared goals.
• Develop and coach others by providing constructive feedback, supporting employee growth and learning, recognizing individual strengths, and helping team members build skills for current and future opportunities.

A valid Colorado driver’s license is required for positions that drive on County Business in either a county or personal vehicle within 30 days of hire or beginning to serve as an intern or volunteer. Offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion of criminal history, motor vehicle report, education verification, and/or references for all positions.