Transportation Division Deputy Director

Multnomah County; Portland (OR); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 164,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer-funded retirement savings

Health and dental insurance

Paid parental leave

Wellness programs

Work-life balance

Job summary

Multnomah County is seeking a Transportation Division Deputy Director to lead in partnership with the Director, County Engineer, and Maintenance Manager. The role focuses on strategic plans, budget oversight, and cross-section coordination to deliver top-tier transportation services for residents.

The incumbent will guide planning, development, admin, and survey efforts, drive KPI tracking, and ensure program compliance while fostering a safe, inclusive, and productive work environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Transportation/Infrastructure/Urban Planning, Public Administration or a similar field that would provide the required experience.
• A Masters Degree is preferred
• 3-6 years of relevant management experience in public works or transportation
• A valid driver license

Responsibilities

• Assisting in the development of, and evaluating work plans to achieve service level goals for each section you oversee
• Estimating staffing requirements based on those work plans and assisting with hiring, discipline, evaluation, training, coaching, succession planning, inclusiveness and diversity
• Creating a culture of safety, trust and belonging in the division that recognizes not just physical safety as a primary goal but also emotional safety and mental well being
• Collaborating and working with the leadership team to develop goals and priorities for County transportation assets
• Overseeing the Transportation budget development and continuing to develop processes for tracking and reporting on budget performance

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Budget management

Communication

Diversity & inclusion

Education

Bachelor's degree in Transportation/Infrastructure/Urban Planning or Public Administration

Master's Degree preferred

Job description

Pay Range: $109,557.81 - $164,337.02

Annual Department: Department of Community Services (DCS)

Job Type: Regular Non-Represented

Exemption Status: United States of America (Exempt)

Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified): November 15, 2026

OVERVIEW

The Multnomah County Department of Community Services is looking for a motivated, confident and strategic leader to join our transportation team as a Transportation Division Deputy Director! In this role, you will join the Transportation Leadership Team, which includes the Director, County Engineer, and Maintenance Manager. In this role you will partner in managing, developing and implementing strategic plans for all of the Transportation Division, developing short and long range financial plans, managing the Transportation Division Budget, integrating the work of all of the Transportation sections, and promoting cross section partnerships and support to provide the highest level of service to the residents of Multnomah County. The Deputy Director is the lead on aligning business practices with the DCS Strategic Plan, developing, implementing, and monitoring division-wide process improvements, tracking performance on program key performance indicators (KPIs), and ensuring the division program compliance. The Deputy Director oversees Transportation Planning, Development, Admin, and Survey. Coming into this role, you will bring practical experience from working in the Public Administration, Planning, Engineering or Asset Management field. You will bring experience in program management, transportation, and project delivery. You will also have the soft skills that allow you to effectively manage teams of planning, survey, and admin managers and staff and create a healthy and productive work environment. You’ll have a strong commitment to the community we serve and you value and promote diversity, equity and inclusion and a safe systems approach in all of your work.

Other duties include:

• Assisting in the development of, and evaluating work plans to achieve service level goals for each section you oversee
• Estimating staffing requirements based on those work plans and assisting with hiring, discipline, evaluation, training, coaching, succession planning, inclusiveness and diversity
• Creating a culture of safety, trust and belonging in the division that recognizes not just physical safety as a primary goal but also emotional safety and mental well being
• Collaborating and working with the leadership team to develop goals and priorities for County transportation assets
• Overseeing the Transportation budget development and continuing to develop processes for tracking and reporting on budget performance

WHO WE ARE

The Multnomah County Transportation Division includes eight programs plus our Administration group: Transportation Planning and Development, Road Capital, Road Maintenance, Bridge Capital, Bridge Operations, Bridge Maintenance, Survey Office, and Water Quality. We maintain 30 bridges, including six large bridges on the Willamette River, four of which open and close for river traffic. We also maintain 270 miles of roads in Fairview, Troutdale and Wood Village and in unincorporated areas of Multnomah County including Sauvie Island, the West Hills and the Corbett area. We are responsible for the design, construction, maintenance, operation and planning for these roads and bridges, and we are also home to the County Surveyor’s office. More information can be found on our website: Multnomah County Transportation Division

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

Multnomah County is dedicated to maintaining an effective, respectful, and inclusive workplace. We strive to reflect the community we serve and invite leaders who share our passion for workforce equity and public service. The Department of Community Services (DCS) comprises unique and essential government services, including Elections, Land Use Planning, Animal Services and Transportation. What ties these unique services together is our commitment to serving the public and operational excellence.

In DCS we strive for:

• A Culture of Excellence: You will be challenged to innovate, encouraged to excel, and empowered to build a legacy within a high-performing organization.
• Collaborative Innovation: Manage leadership team that prizes collaborative problem-solving and a relentless drive for continuous improvement.
• Equity in Action: We don’t just talk about diversity; we operationalize it. At the County, our Workforce Equity Strategic Plan (WESP) serves as our roadmap for creating a workplace where every voice is heard and every employee belongs.

Multnomah County offers an exceptional benefits package, including employer-funded retirement savings; health and dental insurance at very low cost to full-time employees and their dependents; paid parental leave; wellness programs; a focus on work-life balance; and much more. Find more details

TO QUALIFY

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific about how your background is relevant. For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection process page.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS/TRANSFERABLE SKILLS*

• Bachelor's degree in Transportation/Infrastructure/Urban Planning, Public Administration or a similar field that would provide the required experience.
• A Masters Degree is preferred
• 3-6 years of relevant management experience in public works or transportation
• A valid driver license

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS/TRANSFERABLE SKILLS*

You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider some or all of the following when identifying the most qualified candidates. Please clearly explain on your application how you meet any of the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills.

• Knowledge of leadership tools and resources and the ability to select and use appropriate methods to get results with direct reports and their staff
• Skills to manage section managers holding staff accountable while promoting an environment of safety trust and belonging.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally, in writing, via presentations, to audiences ranging from the County board of commissioners and state legislators to regional partners, peers, and staff.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other department staff, other County employees, vendors, contractors, community partners, elected officials and the public.
• Knowledge of and the ability to interpret and apply federal, state and local laws and policies and plans as they relate to transportation planning, road design, road proceeding and regulations, traffic control; general knowledge of planning concepts.
• Ability to negotiate complex issues having broad public policy implications with a wide variety of stakeholders.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with various interest groups.
• Knowledge of Transportation Planning and the Safe Systems approach to build transportation systems.
• Understanding of state laws, regulations, and statutes that govern transportation, land use, and surveying activities in Oregon.

*Transferable skills: Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience (including the military) or life experience that are relevant for this position. Be sure to describe any transferable skills on your application and clearly explain how they apply to this position.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Type of Position: This exempt, non-represented position is not eligible for overtime

Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. There may be some flexibility with the regular start and end times.

Location: 1600 SE 190th Avenue, Portland, OR 97233 or 1403 SE Water Avenue, Portland OR 97214

Telework: This role is hybrid, with three days in the office and two days working from home. Please note that other in-person attendance for team meetings, performance coaching, and key events. Currently, all employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; the county cannot support ongoing telework from other locations.

Disclaimer: This announcement is intended as a general descriptive recruitment guide and is subject to change. It does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract. In accordance with Oregon Law, Multnomah County is not collecting school attendance dates in the initial application process; please do not include these dates in your resume, cover letter and other application materials.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

Diversity and Inclusion: At Multnomah County, we don't just accept difference; we value and support it to create a culture of dignity and respect for our employees. 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. The EEO Know Your Rights poster is available for your reference. Multnomah County is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We request priority protected veteran referrals.

Veterans’ Preference: Under Oregon Law, qualifying veterans may apply for veterans’ preference. Review our veterans’ preference page for details about eligibility and how to apply.

Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act: We gladly provide reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing an application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter below in advance to request assistance. Individuals with hearing or speech impairments may contact the recruiter through the Telecommunications Relay Service by dialing 711.

Job Profile: 9365 - Manager Senior

We're glad you are considering a career that gives back and supports the community.

Working for Multnomah County means having the opportunity to make a real difference in the community, no matter what position you hold.

We provide a wide array of essential services including health, community justice, roads, elections, libraries, jails, bridges, tax and assessment, marriage licenses, animal services, mental health and addiction services and more. Our organization’s top priority is to meet the many needs of our residents. Learn more about who we are, what we do, and why it matters.