Criminal Justice Programs Director

State of Oregon; Salem (OR); Hybrid; USD 99,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Comprehensive health coverage

Generous paid time off

Job summary

The Oregon Criminal Justice Commission (CJC) is recruiting a Criminal Justice Programs Director to lead the Programs Division, supervise staff, set policy direction, and manage grants to advance equity, efficiency, and effectiveness across Oregon’s criminal justice systems.

Based in Salem with a hybrid work arrangement, the role reports to the agency Executive Team and influences operations across multiple state agencies and community partners.

Qualifications

• Seven years of supervision, management, or progressively related experience; OR
• Four years of related experience and a bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• Degree focus in Criminal Justice, Legal, Public Administration, Behavioral or Social Sciences or closely related fields and experience in criminal justice or juvenile justice sectors, or intersections with behavioral health systems.

Responsibilities

• Direct, manage, and evaluate Programs Division personnel, projects, policies, and budget.
• Oversee administration of federal and state grant programs including program direction, scope, and resource requirements.
• Oversee Programs Division to inform and support development, implementation, and evaluation of related law, policy, practice, and appropriation.

Skills

Relationship building

Public safety collaboration

Communication

Policy analysis

Grant management

Public relations

Education

Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice or related field

Job description

Salem, Oregon – Hybrid
The mission of the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission (CJC) is to improve the legitimacy, efficiency, and effectiveness of Oregon’s state and local criminal justice systems by providing a centralized and impartial forum for statewide policy development and planning.

Initial Posting Date
10/06/2026

Application Deadline
10/20/2026

Agency
Oregon Criminal Justice Commission

Salary Range
$8,299 - $12,835

Position Type
Employee

Position Title
Criminal Justice Programs Director

Job Description

Criminal Justice Programs Director

Salem, Oregon – Hybrid

The mission of the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission (CJC) is to improve the legitimacy, efficiency, and effectiveness of Oregon’s state and local criminal justice systems by providing a centralized and impartial forum for statewide policy development and planning.

The CJC supports their mission through a diverse range of activities including research, data analysis, grant administration, and collaborative policy leadership. This creates a unique atmosphere of 35 professionals working to advance a future in Oregon where every aspect of the criminal justice system is equitable, efficient, and worthy of confidence.

McGilchrist House

What You’ll Do

As the Criminal Justice Programs Director, you will direct, manage, and evaluate Programs Division personnel, projects, policies, and budget, and oversee the administration of federal and state grant programs including the identification of program direction, scope, and resource requirements. You are a member of the agency Executive Team and oversee the Programs Division, whose work informs and supports the development, implementation, and evaluation of related law, policy, practice, and appropriation, and impacts Oregon’s entire public safety system including local criminal and juvenile legal systems, the Oregon Judicial Department, the Oregon Department of Corrections, the Oregon Youth Authority, and community-based partners.

Review the full position details, duties and working conditions here.

This Is What You Need To Qualify

• Seven years of supervision, management, or progressively related* experience; OR
• Four years of related* experience and a bachelor’s degree in a related* field.
• Qualifying related experience and education: Degree focus of Criminal Justice, Legal, Public Administration, Behavioral or Social Sciences or closely related fields and experience in criminal justice or juvenile justice sectors, or intersections between these systems and the behavioral health system.

The ideal candidate will possess the following desired skills and attributes:

• Professional experience building relationships with internal and external public safety and community partners, with an emphasis on working cooperatively with parties that may have competing priorities and perspectives.
• Ability to apply research regarding effective interventions, as well as practical experience in criminal justice or juvenile justice sectors, or intersections between these systems and behavioral health systems, to improve criminal justice policy and practice through local and state level collaborative efforts;
• Professional-level knowledge in the principles of criminal law, sentencing policy, and criminal justice systems;
• Professional-level knowledge of grant management principles, including process development and implementation, evaluation techniques, and compliance monitoring;
• Experience and knowledge of Oregon legislative process, public administration, and how to apply statutory and regulatory frameworks to the operations and compliance outcomes of an executive branch, public-facing agency;
• Demonstrated strong public relations skills; excellent listening, verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to understand varying needs and perspectives.

Benefits Of Joining Our Team

We believe hiring highly skilled, diverse employees is key to cultivating positive results, well-informed outcomes, and value the unique skill set and perspective of all our team members. Additionally, the CJC campus is in the North Capitol Mall Heritage Park in three historic Salem houses. Natural light and a park outside your office door is a nice perk of working at CJC.

Our Amazing Benefits Include

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Low-cost medical, vision, and dental plans for you and your family. Additional benefits include term life insurance, short- and long-term disability, deferred compensation savings plans, and flexible spending accounts for health and childcare. Optional benefits including life insurance, disability, FSA, and more
• Generous Paid Time Off: 11 holidays, 3 personal business days, monthly sick leave and vacation leave that increases with years of service.
• Career Development: Opportunities for professional growth and advancement.
• Get There - Oregon’s easy-to-use carpool matching tool and trip planner.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: You may qualify for the PSLF program.
• Hybrid Work Opportunity: This position supports a hybrid work schedule. You can expect to work in the office 2-3 days per week. Additional days in the office, nights and weekends especially during legislative and grant selection processes is required. In state travel will be required based on program needs. Work arrangements are periodically reviewed to ensure business needs are met.

Additional Details

• This announcement is for one, full-time, Permanent, Management Service- Supervisory, Criminal Justice Programs Director (Business Operations Manager 3) position and may be used to fill future vacancies.
• The salary listed is the non-PERS qualifying salary range. If the successful candidate is PERS qualifying, the salary range will reflect an additional 6.95%. Review the Classification and Compensation page for more details on the classification, or you may visit our website for information on the job offer process following pay equity.
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. Applicants who require VISA sponsorship will not be considered at this time.
• Employee will be required to possess and maintain a valid driver’s license issued by the state where the employee resides.
• Finalists will be subject to a computerized criminal history check. Adverse background data may be grounds for immediate disqualification.
• The successful candidate for this position must pass a Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) fingerprint-based background check and maintain CJIS eligibility.
• Due to CJIS requirements related to system access, there may be some felony convictions that could disqualify you for this position. However, having a felony record does not exclusively restrict you from being considered as an applicant.
• CJIS clearance is done at the conditional job offer.
• Eligible veterans and Oregon National Guard servicemembers (current and former) who meet the qualifications of the position will be awarded candidate preference. For more information, please visit Veterans Resources. Be sure to submit your documentation prior to the close date of this posting in order to have the preference considered.

Helpful Links & Resources

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Oregon Job Opportunities Webpage

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (EDI&B) is embedded in the Criminal Justice Commission core values. The agency strives to be a model employer committed to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Ensuring legal compliance, efficiency, and exceeding expectations to deliver the best public services. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran or protected veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics