Policy Section Chief

Initial Posting Date:

09/15/2025

Application Deadline:

10/06/2025

Agency:

Department of Human Services

Salary Range:

$7,353 - $11,373

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Policy Section Chief (Business Operations Manager 2)

Job Description:

The Oregon Department of Human Services is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are guided by our Equity North Star and our vision for a positive RiSE organizational culture that advances equity and diversity. We encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQIA2S+ community members, and others to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.

Opportunity awaits! Are you passionate about public service and skilled at navigating complex policies? The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) is seeking a dynamic and strategic leader to serve as Policy Section Chief (Business Operations Manager 2) in our Office of Resilience and Emergency Management (OREM). In this pivotal role, your leadership will help shape and strengthen Oregon’s preparedness and response to emergencies and disasters, making a tangible difference in the lives of Oregonians.

The Office of Resilience and Emergency Management leads ODHS efforts to prevent, protect, mitigate, respond to, and recover from natural, technological, and human-caused threats and hazards. OREM is the lead state agency for mass care and human services recovery, oversees business continuity across ODHS programs, and coordinates the development of cleaner air shelters, cooling centers, and warming centers during extreme weather events.

Summary of Duties

This position reports to the OREM director, is part of the executive leadership team, and provides specialty expertise, oversight, and direction on legal and legislative issues, policy, program development, grants management, and related functions.

Informational Session

If you're interested in learning more about this position, we invite you to join us for an informational meeting to learn more about the position and address any questions you may have.

This virtual session will be held via Zoom on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm PST.

Please note, this is not part of the interview process and is open to everyone.

Join ZoomGov Meeting

https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1601388883?pwd=xeGumKurV9dMYbNwT5ehOBzXmoWY0D.1 

Meeting ID: 160 138 8883
Passcode: 614871

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Meeting ID: 160 138 8883
Passcode: 614871

As a Policy Section Chief, you will:

• Coordinate comprehensive studies of policy issues for the purpose of improving services to Oregonians and communities before, during, and after disasters.

• Coordinate with local governments, elected officials, and others to ensure awareness of how policies and processes impact real-world situations and to gain input for improvement.

• Ensure legal rules and other parameters are assessed and addressed in studies and other work.

• Manage the design and analysis of the collection of data to evaluate and identify trends and prepare recommendations for policy development and interpretation, and ensure statutory compliance.

• Monitor other states and the federal government to determine if there are new programs, services, or policies that can improve outcomes for the people, communities, and organizations OREM supports. 

• Interpret and maintain knowledge of relevant federal, state, and administrative rules and regulations.

• Coordinate periodic review of existing policies, administrative rules, and regulations; evaluate for alignment with current policy strategies.

• Recommend policy strategies, options, and legislative positions to executive leadership, and formulate plans to change policy direction based on the results of research, evaluation, and analysis.

• Coordinate public notices, meeting schedules, and appropriate coordination with community partners on administrative rule development and related functions.

• Explain policy issues and the effect of proposed legislation to state legislators, legislative committee members, legislative staff, lobbyists, and task forces.

• Draft legislative proposals; review and track state and federal legislation; prepare testimony; analyze bills and propose amendments to pending bills.

• Collaborate with OREM Finance and Administration Chief to prepare and submit legislative documents to the Legislative Fiscal Office.

• Review and monitor federal legislation in matters of state or agency concern; recommend action to executive managers on methods of effective federal representation.

• Coordinate efforts to streamline federal processes affecting OREM’s work.

• Collaborate with the Finance and Administration Chief to design strategies to maximize federal funding to state programs.

• Interview, select, and provide training for new employees, volunteers, and interns; provide formal reviews of performance; counsel staff and initiate personnel actions, as needed; and resolve grievances.

• Organize and assign work activities and projects; manage programs, monitor workflow, and review and evaluate work products, methods, and procedures.

• Participate in the preparation of OREM’s budget and in forecasting additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies.

• Work with the ODHS government relations team, the Oregon Department of Justice, and others to identify and resolve barriers to successful incident response.

• Liaise with and facilitate internal and external community partners to communicate goals and objectives, resolve issues of concern, and educate and inform regarding program activities.

Minimum Qualifications

A valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record are required for this position.

• Six years of supervision, management, or progressively related experience;

OR

• Three years of related experience and a bachelor’s degree in a related field.

Essential Attributes

We are looking for candidates with:

• Advanced Education: Master’s degree in public administration, social work, emergency management, or a juris doctor (JD) in Law

• Legislative Expertise: Proven experience navigating the legislative process, including drafting and successfully passing legislation.

• Policy Development: Skilled in creating, implementing, and reviewing administrative rules and public policies to ensure effectiveness and compliance.

• Emergency Management Experience: Direct experience in disaster response, emergency preparedness, and navigating public policy processes related to human services and resilience.

• Community Engagement: Strong background in collaborating with community partners to identify risks, address service gaps, and co-create solutions. This is a forward-facing role requiring extensive experience in public engagement and community partner collaboration.

Attention all candidates! A cover letter is required. Clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications and essential attributes in your application materials. Your application materials will determine if you are selected to move forward in the selection process. Please include detailed work and education history.

• Please make sure your application materials, resume, and job history are clearly outlined, as this information will be used to determine your starting salary range. If selected as the top candidate for this position, and education is a requirement in the minimum qualifications, please be prepared to provide verification of your college/university degree with the month/year of completion for further consideration. Note: Your resume and cover letter may be uploaded in the Resume/CV field on the online application.

• The use of outside resources, such as Artificial Intelligence software, during applicant skill assessments, examinations, and/or interviews is prohibited unless otherwise stated by the hiring agency. Unauthorized use of outside resources during the hiring process will result in disqualification.

• The State of Oregon does not request or require your age, date of birth, attendance, or graduation dates from an educational institution during the application process.

Working Conditions

• This is a hybrid position based at OREM’s Salem office.

•  The successful candidate must be available to deploy within 24 hours to the ODHS Joint Department Operations Center or other designated locations as needed. During the legislative session, daily on-site presence in Salem may be required.

• Duties are performed in an environment of independence and require minimal supervision.

• Generally, this position works regular business hours; however, during emergency response and recovery efforts, extended hours in the evenings and weekends are required, as well as on-call responsiveness.

• Routine travel in-state and occasional out-of-state travel to attend meetings, conferences, make presentations, participate in regional working groups, and support incident response.

• Uses computers/video teleconferencing and satellite telephones as well as other office equipment.

• This position involves frequent contact with representatives of associations, partners, local governments, state and federal agencies, Tribal Nations, and elected officials and their staffs.

Background Checks and Requirements

• If selected as a finalist, we will conduct a criminal history and background check. An adverse criminal history or background check may lead to disqualification. Additional background check information.

• The Oregon Department of Human Services does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security’s I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. ODHS will use E-Verify to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States.

Benefits

• ODHS Employee Resource Group communities that promote shared learning.

• Cost of Living Adjustments.

• Annual salary increases (until you reach the top of the listed salary range).

• Amazing benefits package.

• Possible eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Employment Preference

Veterans’ preference:

• Veterans’ preference information.
• How to submit your Veteran documents for preference. Please do not attach your Veterans’ preference documentation in the Resume/CV field of your application.

General Information

• This is a permanent, full-time position and is a Management Service, Supervisory position, and is not represented by a union.  

• This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies in the same classification.

Contact Information

We invite you to contact the recruiter for accommodation requests under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), application questions, or job-specific questions.

• The recruiter for this position is Teresa Camacho De La Torre. If you contact the recruiter, please include the job requisition number: REQ-186653.

• Email: [email protected]

• Phone (call or text): 971-286-0701