division director

Position Information
Under administrative direction, is responsible and accountable for the programs of a major service division of the Human Services Agency; 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 and family populations. The new Human Services Agency Division Director must have significant experience managing large programs and shall possess strength and experience in strategic visioning and planning as well as program and policy analysis and implementation. The ideal 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 planning, effective leadership, teambuilding, and role-modeling the County's values (Integrity, Communication and Quality Public Service) are foundational.

The Human Services Agency Division Director represents the County and will possess the interpersonal skills and ability to develop trust and establish highly effective working relationships with staff at all levels of the organization including employees, officials, peers, stakeholder organizations, and the public.

This position will specifically oversee several Human Services programs, including but not limited to the management of the continuum of Housing and Homeless Services within Washoe County.

Minimum Qualifications
Five years of full-time management and leadership experience administering a social services program with multiple functions AND a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in social work, public administration, business administration, psychology or closely related field; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

License Or Certificate
A valid driver's license is required at the time of appointment and must be maintained for continued employment in this classification.

The Ideal Candidate Will

• Have demonstrated success with a proven record of guiding large-scale human services programs and initiatives.
• Have extensive executive-level management experience in human services, particularly with programs serving children, families, or vulnerable populations.
• Be skilled in strategic planning, policy development, and program implementation, with the ability to align organizational goals with community needs.
• Be a collaborative communicator who can build partnerships across public agencies, community organizations, and stakeholders to advance housing and homelessness initiatives.
• Have experience analyzing program outcomes to guide continuous improvement and drive performance accountability.
• Be experienced in managing and coaching large and diverse staff groups.

Conditions of Employment
The Division Director Human Services is a Confidential position and is therefore not covered by a bargaining unit.

Background 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.

Certain positions in the Human Services Agency have access to criminal justice agency systems including NCIC and CJIS. All felony convictions, gross misdemeanor and certain misdemeanors will prohibit that employee from working with NCIC and CJIS criminal justice systems. Additionally, the Human Services Agency will run a background check via the Child Abuse and Neglect Registry.

Human Services Agency employees will be required to have a tuberculosis test. The cost of the test will be borne by the selected applicant(s).

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 Next
TO 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 letter
• Comprehensive cv/resume which includes how the applicant meets the Ideal Candidate criteria
• Three Professional references
• One Letter of Recommendation

TENTATIVE TIMELINE
November 7, 2025, through December 1, 2025
Applications Accepted.

Week of December 1, 2025
Screening Committee reviews candidate materials to identify candidates with the most potential for success in the position to be invited to interview.

Week of December 8, 2025
Backgrounds process on those candidates moving forward.

Week of January 5, 2026
First round of interviews.

Week of January 19, 2026
Second round of interviews.

February 2, 2026
Estimated Hire Date.

If you have questions regarding this position, please contact Alma Parel at or e-mail .

Washoe 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.