Public Safety Deputy City Administrator

Public Safety Deputy City Administrator

City of Portland

Salary: $211,640.00 - $317,449.60 Annually

Job Type: At Will

Job Number: 2025-00559

Location: 1120 SW 5th Ave, OR

Bureau: Public Safety Service Area

Closing: 7/7/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

The Position

Job Appointment: Full-time. This position is exempt from Civil Service and is an "At Will" position. It serves at the discretion of the hiring authority, subject to the City of Portland Human Resources Administrative Rules and the Portland City Charter and Code.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8 am-5 pm. Work hours will vary to meet business needs.

Work Location: Employee will report to the Portland Building, 1120 SW 5th Ave, Portland, OR 97204, for in-person work.

Benefits: Please refer to our benefits tab for an overview of the benefits associated with this position.

Language Pay Premium: This position may be eligible for https://www.portland.gov/bhr/class-comp/language-pay-differential-overview for qualifying employees.

Application Material: Please click APPLY to submit your application via the City of Portland's online portal. You will need to attach a cover letter, resume, and an equity statement.

About the Public Safety Service Area:

The Public Safety Service Area advances safety through collaborative prevention, response, and recovery. Along with traditional services like the Portland Police Bureau, Portland Fire & Rescue, the Bureau of Emergency Communications, and the Bureau of Emergency Management, the service area includes Community Safety, which houses the Ceasefire program, the Office of Violence Prevention, the Safe Blocks Program, and Portland Street Response.

Service Area Priorities and Challenges:

Improve public safety response capabilities: This goal focuses on enhancing the efficiency, effectiveness, and appropriateness of our public safety responses. Through optimization, we aim to better serve the diverse needs of our community and ensure that every resident feels safe and protected.

Enhance collaboration internally, with partner agencies and the community: Fostering a culture of collaboration and partnership is crucial for creating a more integrated, efficient, and responsive system that better serves the diverse needs of Portland's residents. By enhancing collaboration, we aim to break down silos, improve communication and build trust.

Increase focus on the overall well-being of the public safety workforce and system: This goal includes fostering the physical, mental, and professional health of the workforce while modernizing technology, upgrading infrastructure, and ensuring long-term financial sustainability.

Strengthen prevention, recovery, and resilience capabilities: While public safety government services are traditionally associated with emergency response, overall safety involves a broad range of factors. Effective public safety systems must include upstream investment in prevention, support community resilience, and play an important role in recovery from emergencies. This goal further underscores that this vision cannot be achieved without strong community and interjurisdictional partnerships and networks.For more information, please visit? https://www.portland.gov/service-areas/public-safety

About the Public Safety Deputy City Administrator Position:

The City of Portland is seeking a collaborative, strategic, and transparent leader to serve as its Public Safety Deputy City Administrator (DCA). This is a rare opportunity to shape and implement public safety priorities grounded in racial equity, social justice, and community well-being.

Reporting directly to the City Administrator, the DCA will lead strategy, coordination, and communication across the Public Safety service area, including oversight of budgeting, personnel, operations, and risk management. This role requires a systems-level thinker who can drive citywide improvements in public safety outcomes and organizational performance.

The DCA will guide a high-performing leadership team and build strong partnerships across bureaus such as Police, Fire & Rescue, Emergency Communications, and Emergency Management, as well as with community organizations and regional stakeholders. This position plays a vital role in advancing public trust, accountability, and innovative safety solutions that center the needs of historically marginalized communities.

If you are a bold, equity-driven, and people-centered leader ready to help transform public safety in Portland, we invite you to bring your vision and leadership to this pivotal role.

As the Deputy City Administrator, you'll have the opportunity to:

• Lead transformation efforts that challenge traditional approaches to public safety and drive outcomes grounded in community trust, equity, and resilience.

• Guide strategic, systems-level planning across bureaus (Police, Fire & Rescue, 911, Emergency Management, and Community Safety) to align public safety services with City goals and ensure operational excellence and fiscal sustainability.

• Develop clear strategies and accountability systems to support continuous improvement, organizational learning, and the delivery of effective, transparent public safety services.

• Foster cross-sector collaboration by partnering with community organizations, labor unions, regional and intergovernmental agencies, and City leaders to break down silos and build a more connected public safety ecosystem.

• Strengthen workforce and infrastructure wellbeing, including the physical and mental health of public safety personnel, modernization of technology and facilities, and investment in long-term financial resilience.

• Center community voices and historically marginalized populations in public safety planning, resource allocation, and service delivery, while championing transparency, cultural responsiveness, and anti-racism.

• Develop and oversee performance frameworks for evaluating effectiveness, budgeting, and resource use across public safety bureaus, supporting evidence-based decision-making and continuous improvement.

• Represent the Public Safety Service Area in public forums, high-stakes environments, and intergovernmental conversations-building credibility, trust, and strategic alignment across diverse audiences.

Essential Competencies for Success:

• Collaborative Partnerships: Skilled in building and maintaining cross-sector and interjurisdictional relationships across public safety agencies and community organizations.

• Community Engagement & Transparency: Strong communication skills with a focus on transparent decision-making, public outreach, and building trust with Portland's diverse communities.

• Equity-Driven Leadership: Demonstrated commitment to anti-racism, cultural competency, and addressing systemic inequities in public safety through inclusive and just policies.

• Executive Leadership & Accountability: Track record of effective leadership in large organizations with a focus on ethical governance, integrity, and accountability.

• Local Government & Public Safety Knowledge: Deep understanding of public safety systems, including police, fire, 911, emergency management, and Portland's local context.

• Operational & Fiscal Management: Proven experience in managing complex public sector operations, including budgeting, resource allocation, and fiscal responsibility.

• Strategic Vision & Policy Leadership: Ability to lead long-term planning and develop innovative, equity-centered public safety policies.

City of Portland Core Values: Anti-racism | Communication | Collaboration | Equity | Transparency | Fiscal Responsibility

These values guide our actions as we serve the community and engage our workforce. To learn more about the City's core values, please click https://www.portlandoregon.gov/BHR/article/765248.

Why Work at the City of Portland?

Portland is Oregon's largest city, home to more than 630,000 residents and serving a dynamic metro region of over 2 million people. Renowned for its progressive values, environmental stewardship, and vibrant neighborhoods, Portland consistently ranks among the most livable and sustainable cities in the world. With a strong foundation in urban planning, multimodal transportation, and access to natural beauty, the city offers an exceptional quality of life for leaders who are passionate about public service and community-centered governance.

Portland values innovation, collaboration, and equitable leadership that reflects and serves its diverse communities. As a key member of the City's executive team, the Public Safety Deputy City Administrator will help guide the future of Portland's public safety systems-including police, fire, 911, and emergency management-through a strategic and administrative lens. This is a unique opportunity to lead transformative work rooted in trust-building, fiscal responsibility, transparency, and social equity. The City is seeking a thoughtful, diplomatic, and politically astute leader who can foster strong partnerships, support systemic reform, and help shape an accountable and inclusive approach to public safety in Portland.

Virtual Zoom Meet & Greet Opportunity

We'll be talking about the position's duties and responsibilities, day-to-day life in the role, reviewing the announcement, discussing how to apply, and answering any questions you may have about the position.

Date and time to be announced soon-stay tuned!

Questions? Please contact:

Amanda Hillebrecht, Senior RecruiterBureau of Human Resourcesmailto:Amanda.Hillebrecht@portlandoregon.gov

To Qualify

Applicants should specifically address and demonstrate in their cover letter and resume how their education, training, and/or experience meet each of the following minimum qualifications:

• Experience in senior leadership roles, managing complex public sector initiatives with a strong emphasis on budget development and oversight, including securing new revenue sources and ensuring fiscal responsibility in public safety.

• Experience in building and maintaining effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including community leaders, elected officials, labor unions, and intergovernmental partners, while fostering collaboration and ensuring inclusive participation in decision-making processes that advance equity, diversity, and inclusion, and community trust.

• Knowledge of municipal policy development, with the ability to navigate complex regulatory environments and ensure alignment with City priorities in public safety.

• Ability to represent the City in a variety of settings, with strong public speaking, strategic communication, and the capacity to engage diverse communities with cultural understanding, empathy, and transparency.

• Experience managing and leading high-level administrative functions, including overseeing complex operations, developing strategic plans, and ensuring the successful implementation of citywide goals while maintaining focus on equity, organizational accountability, and fiscal sustainability.

• Ability to lead public safety system innovation, including understanding of emerging models for community safety, familiarity with police, fire, 911, and unarmed crisis response systems, and capacity to challenge traditional frameworks in pursuit of equitable, community-centered outcomes.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in public administration, public policy, law, criminal justice, emergency management, or a related field

• 7-10 years of progressive leadership experience in the public sector, with a minimum of 5 years at an executive or senior management level overseeing public safety-related functions (e.g., police, fire, emergency management, 911 systems, or community safety initiatives).

• Experience working in cities with strong community engagement traditions and complex governmental structures, ideally similar in size and scope to Portland.

• Certified Emergency Manager (CEM)

• Executive Leadership or Public Safety Leadership program credentials from ICMA, FEMA, etc.

The Recruitment Process

STEP 1: Apply online between Monday, June 9, 2025 and Monday, July 7, 2025 Required Application Materials:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

• Details are key! The City uses a merit-based system, so your cover letter should be thorough and specifically address each qualification listed in the "To Qualify" section of the job announcement. Your cover letter can exceed one page to ensure you are able to provide detailed information for every qualification. Follow the instructions, as a subject matter expert will be evaluating your details to confirm that you meet the minimum requirements.

• Answer to three (3) Supplemental Questions (click on the Questions tab to preview the questions)
• Equity Statement

In addition to providing a cover letter/resume, please submit a separate equity statement outlining your commitment and track record to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Experiences may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Lived experience as a member of an underrepresented group.
• Experience living, working, and meaningfully interacting with individuals with a variety of identities.
• Track record of instilling equity and inclusion within operations.

If your experiences are different from those listed and you have a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, please explain how you will manifest that commitment in this position.

Equity Commitment:

For those applicants who meet the qualifications of this position, in accordance with the adoption of the Charles Jordan Standard and the City of Portland's commitment to equity, the highest qualified minority candidate, highest qualified woman, and highest qualified candidate who identifies as a person with a disability will be included in the final interview process. To be considered under the Charles Jordan Standard, we will be asking applicants who meet the qualifications for this position to include information identifying their status as a minority, woman, and/or identification as an individual with a disability in the required equity statement.

Please see the https://www.portlandoregon.gov/citycode/article/564587 for more information

Optional Application Materials:

• Veteran documents to request for Veteran Preference (ex, DD214-Member 4, VA Benefit Letter, etc.)
• We have recently updated our veteran preference process. Starting March 3rd, 2025, if you made the eligible list and met the eligibility to receive veteran preference, you will no longer need to submit veteran documents for future recruitments. If you need to update or remove your veteran preference for a specific recruitment or from your master profile, please contact the recruiter listed in the job announcement.

Application Tips:

• Your cover letter should include details describing your education, training, and/or experience, and where obtained, which clearly reflect your qualifications for each of the numbered items in the "To Qualify" section of this announcement.
• Your resume should support the details described in your cover letter.
• How We Determine Pay: The City of Portland is covered by the https://www.oregon.gov/boli/workers/pages/equal-pay.aspx. Your salary is determined based on the experience listed in your resume that is directly related and equivalent to the position for which you are applying. It is strongly encouraged to include any transferable experience (paid or unpaid, regardless of how recent) to ensure your offer is reflective of all your relevant experience.
• Do not attach materials not requested.
• All completed applications for this position must be submitted no later than the closing date and time of this recruitment.
• All applications must be submitted via the City's online application process. E-mailed and/or faxed applications will not be accepted.
• You can use AI tools to assist with your job application, but please make sure to personalize your responses to supplemental questions. Avoid copying and pasting; instead, use AI to generate ideas and then tailor them to reflect your own experiences and skills.

Step 2: Minimum Qualification Evaluation: Week of July 7, 2025

• An evaluation of each applicant's training and paid and unpaid experience, as demonstrated in their resume and cover letter, is weighted 100%.
• Your resume and cover letter will be the basis for our evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Incomplete or inappropriate information may result in disqualification.
• You have 14 days from the notice of the minimum qualification evaluation results to let us know if you would like to review and discuss your evaluation results. Please read the https://www.portland.gov/policies/human-resources-administrative-rules/employment/hrar-301-recruitment-processes for complete information.
• Additional evaluation may be required before the establishment of the eligible list and/or final selection.

Step 3: Establishment of Eligible List: Week of July 7, 2025

• Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be placed on the equally ranked eligible list.

Step 4: Selection (Interview): July & August 2025

• The hiring bureau will review applications, select candidates to interview, and conduct interviews.
• There are likely multiple rounds of interviews for this position.

Step 5: Offer of Employment: August 2025

Step 6: Start Date: September 2025

• A start date will be determined after all conditions of employment have been met.

*Timeline is approximate and subject to change*

Additional Information

https://www.portland.gov/bhr/career-center/recruitment-policy for additional information regarding the following:

• Veteran Preference
• ADA, Pregnancy, and Religious Accommodations
• Work Status
• Equal Employment Opportunity

To apply, please visit https://apptrkr.com/6300261

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