Position Summary:
The Nevada Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) is seeking a visionary and results-oriented executive leader to serve as its first Chief Operations Officer. This newly established executive position offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of one of Nevada’s most complex human services organizations by strengthening operational excellence, advancing strategic priorities, and fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Reporting directly to the Administrator, the Chief Operations Officer serves as a key member of the DCFS Executive Leadership Team and partners closely with the Administrator and Deputy Administrators to drive organizational effectiveness, strengthen statewide and cross-program consistency, and ensure successful implementation of Division priorities. This highly visible leadership role oversees cross-functional initiatives, coordinates operational strategy, and supports a unified vision for service delivery across the Division.
Requirements:
Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a health-related field, business, law, or a related field preferred.
Experience: Five (5) to seven (7) years of professional experience in public sector leadership, government relations, public administration, human services, child welfare, behavioral health, juvenile justice, or a closely related field.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
- Demonstrated executive leadership experience in complex public sector or human services organizations.
- Strong organizational leadership, strategic planning, and operational management skills.
- Experience leading large-scale organizational improvement initiatives and cross-functional teams.
- Knowledge of government operations, regulatory compliance, grants and contracts management, and performance management.
- Excellent collaboration, communication, and relationship-building skills with internal and external stakeholders.
- Ability to manage competing priorities while driving organizational effectiveness and accountability.
Key Expectations/Responsibilities:
Executive Leadership:
- Serve as a member of the DCFS Executive Leadership Team, providing strategic leadership and operational oversight.
- Partner with the Administrator and Deputy Administrators to implement Division priorities and strengthen organizational effectiveness.
- Lead cross-functional initiatives that promote statewide consistency and operational excellence.
- Support a unified vision for service delivery across all DCFS programs.
Operations & Strategic Management:
- Provide executive oversight of division-wide grants and contracts management.
- Ensure strategic alignment, performance monitoring, operational efficiency, and cost containment initiatives.
- Lead executive-level special projects and emerging operational priorities.
- Coordinate operational strategies that support continuous organizational improvement.
Policy & Organizational Development:
- Provide leadership for policy development and implementation to ensure consistent standards and operational practices across the Division.
- Lead workforce development initiatives that strengthen employee engagement, leadership development, and organizational culture.
- Oversee the IMPACT Committee (Improving Morale, Partnership, Accountability, Climate, and Trust).
- Support the development of employee onboarding programs, leadership academies, and wellness initiatives.
Compliance & Performance Oversight:
- Ensure compliance with federal and state laws, regulations, accreditation standards, and agency policies.
- Monitor corrective action plans, audit findings, and organizational performance metrics.
- Promote accountability through continuous quality improvement and operational oversight.
Government Relations & Strategic Initiatives:
- Support legislative coordination and strategic planning activities.
- Build collaborative partnerships with government agencies, community organizations, and stakeholders.
- Advance initiatives that improve outcomes for Nevada’s children and families.
- Represent the Division in executive-level meetings, planning efforts, and strategic collaborations as assigned.
#ACH1
The above noted job description is not intended to describe, in detail, the multitude of tasks that may be assigned but rather to give the employee a general sense of the responsibilities and expectations of the position. As organizational needs evolve, so too may the essential functions of this role.
Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a health-related field, business, law, or a related field preferred.
Experience: Five (5) to seven (7) years of professional experience in public sector leadership, government relations, public administration, human services, child welfare, behavioral health, juvenile justice, or a closely related field.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
- Demonstrated executive leadership experience in complex public sector or human services organizations.
- Strong organizational leadership, strategic planning, and operational management skills.
- Experience leading large-scale organizational improvement initiatives and cross-functional teams.
- Knowledge of government operations, regulatory compliance, grants and contracts management, and performance management.
- Excellent collaboration, communication, and relationship-building skills with internal and external stakeholders.
- Ability to manage competing priorities while driving organizational effectiveness and accountability.