About the Department

DCFS is seeking a visionary and results-oriented executive leader to serve as its first Chief Operations Officer. This newly established unclassified position represents a unique opportunity to help 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. 

The Chief Operations Officer role offers an exceptional opportunity to influence statewide policy, strengthen organizational performance, and improve outcomes for Nevada's children and families. The successful candidate will lead complex initiatives, build collaborative partnerships, and help position DCFS to meet current and future challenges while advancing its mission of protecting children and strengthening families.

Position Duties

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. 

Preferred Education: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in health related field, business, law or equivalent. 

Minimum Qualifications

Reporting directly to the Administrator, the Chief Operations Officer will serve as a key member of the DCFS executive leadership team and will partner 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 position will lead cross-functional initiatives, coordinate operational strategy, and support a unified vision for service delivery across the Division.

Other Qualifications

The Chief Operations Officer will provide executive leadership and oversight in the following areas:

• Division-wide grants and contracts management, including strategic alignment, performance monitoring, efficiency improvements, and cost containment initiatives.

• Policy development and implementation to ensure consistent application of standards, procedures, and operational expectations across all DCFS programs and service areas.

• Workforce development and organizational culture initiatives, including leadership of the new IMPACT Committee (Improving Morale, Partnership, Accountability, Climate, and Trust), employee engagement strategies, wellness initiatives, and the development of a DCFS-wide on-boarding and leadership academy.

• Legislative coordination and strategic planning.

• Regulatory compliance and performance oversight, ensuring adherence to federal and state requirements, accreditation standards, corrective action plans, and audit findings.

• Executive-level management of special projects, organizational improvement initiatives, and emerging operational priorities.

Benefits

Benefits include:

• Health Insurance: Medical, dental, life, and disability insurance programs for employees and their dependents/family are offered through the Public Employees’ Benefits Program (PEBP).

• Vacation: Accrual of three weeks of annual leave each year.

• Sick Leave: Accrual of three weeks of sick leave each year.

• Holidays: 12 paid holidays per year.

• Retirement: Participation in the Nevada Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). Employees do not contribute to Social Security but will contribute to PERS if their position is at 50% or more full-time equivalency. For more information on how PERS service may impact Social Security benefits, visit the SSA publication.

• Deferred Compensation: The State offers a voluntary Deferred Compensation Program.

• No Nevada state income tax.

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: Eligible due to public sector employment.

• Longevity Payments Eligibility:  Employees who have received a performance rating of “standard” or better and have completed eight (8) or more years of continuous service are eligible for longevity pay.

Additional benefits may apply to employees covered under a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), depending on their designated bargaining unit. For more information, visit the Labor Relations Unit (LRU).

For more details about your rights and responsibilities as a State of Nevada employee, please review the State of Nevada Employee Handbook (PDF).

***State Holidays The holiday schedule for State employees is established by the Legislature. 

The following are legal holidays: 

January 1.............................................. New Year's Day 

Third Monday in January.................. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday 

Third Monday in February................ Washington’s Birthday 

Last Monday in May........................... Memorial Day 

June 19................................................ Juneteenth Day 

July 4.................................................... Independence Day 

First Monday in September.............. Labor Day 

Last Friday in October....................... Nevada Day 

November 11........................................ Veterans' Day 

Fourth Thursday in November........ Thanksgiving Day 

Friday following the Fourth Thursday in November...................... Family Day 

December 25........................................ Christmas Day 

When January 1, June 19, July 4, November 11, or December 25 falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday is the observed legal holiday. If these days fall on Sunday, the following Monday is the observed holiday. Eligibility for holiday pay is covered by the provisions of NAC 284.255 

Agency Information

Employer

State of Nevada (NV)

Address

See Above for Agency Information








See Above for Posting Location, Nevada, 89701

Website

https://nvjobs.nv.gov