Initial Posting Date:
05/14/2026
Application Deadline:
06/15/2026
Agency:
Oregon Criminal Justice Commission
Salary Range:
$10,741.00 - $16,616.00
Position Type:
Employee
Position Title:
Director, Oregon Criminal Justice Commission (CJC)
Job Description:
Opportunity awaits!
Step into a pivotal leadership role as the Director of the Criminal Justice Commission (CJC), where you will serve as the chief executive guiding Oregon toward a more just, efficient, and equitable criminal and juvenile justice system. This is an opportunity to apply your strategic vision, management expertise, and strong interpersonal leadership across diverse settings and responsibilities.
In this role, you will build and sustain meaningful relationships with a wide range of partners, including legislators, judges, attorneys, public safety professionals, community‑based organizations, and the public. Your ability to foster collaboration and trust will be key to advancing the Commission’s mission.
As the Director, you will represent the Commission before the Legislature, government agencies, public safety and community partners, advocacy groups, state and local entities, and communities historically impacted by the justice system, helping to ensure that decisions are informed, inclusive, and outcome‑driven.
About The Criminal Justice Commission
The Oregon Criminal Justice Commission (CJC) was established in 1995 to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of state and local criminal justice systems by serving as a centralized and impartial forum for statewide public safety policy development, planning, and agency coordination. This responsibility includes state and local public safety issue identification, system collaboration, policy development, and system planning and implementation. This mission extends to identifying disparities within state and local criminal justice systems, and CJC routinely engages with public safety, community partners, and historically impacted groups to identify these disparities and their root-causes through data-driven research. The CJC also leads many statewide public safety planning efforts and initiatives to address the needs of state and local criminal justice systems. The primary duty of the CJC is to develop and maintain a state criminal justice policy and a comprehensive long-range plan for a coordinated state criminal justice system that encompasses public safety, offender accountability, crime reduction and prevention, and offender treatment and rehabilitation. ORS 137.656(2). Furthermore, the CJC supports the Juvenile Justice Policy Commission, a 17-member commission, tasked with providing data-driven policy recommendations to strengthen public safety and improve youth outcomes in the juvenile justice system of this state.
In 2009, the CJC became the State Administering Agency (SAA) for the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) grants. Additionally, the CJC administers several General Fund and Other Fund grant programs that include Justice Reinvestment, Treatment Courts, Improving People’s Access to Community-based Treatment, Supports, and Services (IMPACTS), and Behavioral Health Deflection, in addition to other grant programs.
The CJC also serves as Oregon’s Statistical Analysis Center (SAC), which provides the state objective research and data analysis. The SAC compiles and performs data analyses that can be critical resources for making policy recommendations and decisions as well as understanding the costs and outcomes of public safety programs and interventions within the criminal justice system. The SAC analyzes crime trends, as well as sentencing policy and outcomes, by blending data from Oregon State Police’s Law Enforcement Data System, the Oregon Judicial Department’s Odyssey system, and the Department of Corrections data warehouse to track statistical trends about the statewide criminal justice system and plan for its future.
The CJC is governed by a 12-member body. The governor appoints nine members who are subject to confirmation by the Senate. The remaining three members are nonvoting members appointed as follows: the President of the Senate appoints one Senator; the Speaker of the House appoints one Representative; and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court appoints a representative of the Judicial Department. The governor also appoints the agency’s executive director.
Summary of Duties
As the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission Director (Agency Head 6), you will:
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Supervise all programs, program staff, and the achievement of the objectives set by the Governor and Legislature.
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Oversee the preparation, development, and monitoring of the agency’s biennial budget, as well as the application and reporting process for federal grants.
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Work with and support the Commission to advance the mission of the agency including being the primary resource for commission members, assisting with the commission’s administration, operations, planning and information dissemination, and increasing the Commission’s connection with the programs it supports and communities they serve.
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Oversee activities including administering Oregon felony guidelines, analyzing criminal justice data, and developing fiscal and racial/ethnic impact estimate of crime-related legislation.
- Work towards transformative change in Oregon’s criminal justice system while addressing inequities and disparities.
- Direct the administration of federal and state funds of about $150 million to support public safety, criminal justice, and juvenile justice programs and initiatives in an evidence-based and equitable manner.
- Facilitate partnerships with policymakers and review proposed legislation to determine potential impacts to criminal justice and juvenile justice systems.
Minimum Qualifications
- A Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration, Behavioral or Social Sciences, or other related field; AND Six (6) years of increasingly responsible management-level experience that supports the duties, knowledge, skills and abilities for the position;
OR
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Any combination of education and professional experience equivalent to eight (8) to ten (10) years of experience that typically supports the knowledge, skills, and abilities for the position.
Preference may be given to candidates with a Juris Doctor (JD).
Requested Skills:
We are looking for candidates with:
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Agency Knowledge: Knowledge of the overall mission, functions, and organization of the agency, including program operations, processes, goals, and objectives.
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Equity & Inclusion Leadership: Experience and demonstrated commitment to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion while maintaining a positive, respectful, and culturally competent workplace.
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Partnership Building: 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.
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Budget Management: Experience creating, developing, communicating, and managing department or organizational budgets. Governmental budgeting experience is preferred.
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Policy & Legislative Analysis: Ability to analyze, interpret, and implement legislation, regulations, policies, and procedures.
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Criminal Justice Expertise: Background or experience in criminal justice, juvenile justice, or public safety.
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Policy Communication Skills: Ability to communicate complex criminal justice policy and research findings to decision makers and diverse public safety partners, and to navigate tensions within sensitive topic areas; demeanor and courage to share complex and sensitive information.
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Written & Verbal Communication: Skill in communicating effectively in writing and verbally, and ability to build partnerships with diverse partners such as local and tribal governments, community-based organizations, and impacted communities.
Desired Attributes:
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Legal & Regulatory Competency: Strong legal and regulatory competency to support current agency needs and reinforce organizational decision making.
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Grant Program Management: Extensive experience managing complex state and federal grant programs, including application workflows, compliance monitoring, auditing, and financial tracking.
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Government Process Understanding: Understanding of the executive and legislative decision-making process.
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Project & Time Management: Skill in planning, organizing, and managing multiple projects under tight deadlines while ensuring timely milestones and adherence to legislative intent.
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Complex Findings Communication: Exceptional ability to communicate complex findings in a clear, concise, and actionable way to diverse audiences.
Attention all candidates! A cover letter is required. Clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications, requested skills and desired attributes in your application materials. Your application materials will determine if you are selected to move forward in the selection process. Generic or vague cover letters will not be accepted. Only complete applications received by the deadline will be considered. Please include detailed work and education history.
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Please upload a resume or complete the work history profile. Note: Your resume and cover letter may be uploaded in the Resume/CV field on the online application.
- Current State of Oregon employees: Apply via your employee Workday account.
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If you are not a current State of Oregon employee, view this application instructional video.
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After you submit your application, you will have additional tasks to complete in Workday. Please continue to check your Workday account throughout the recruitment process.
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The use of outside resources such as Artificial Intelligence software during applicant skill assessments, examinations, and/or interviews is prohibited unless otherwise stated by the hiring agency. Unauthorized use of outside resources during the hiring process will result in disqualification.
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The State of Oregon does not request or require your age, date of birth, attendance or graduation dates from an educational institution during the application process.
Working Conditions
- Work occurs primarily in a standard office environment with frequent computer use and desk work.
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Requires participation in frequent meetings, hearings, and legislative or public events, both in‑person and virtual.
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Occasional statewide travel and limited out‑of‑state travel.
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May require extended or irregular hours during legislative sessions, budget periods, or emergent public safety issues.
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Physical demands include prolonged sitting, intermittent standing and walking, and occasional lifting of materials up to 20 pounds.
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Sensory demands include continuous use of sight, hearing, and verbal communication to review data, read documents, and conduct presentations or meetings.
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Work may involve high‑pressure deadlines, shifting priorities, and handling sensitive or emotionally challenging criminal justice subject matter.
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Duties may occur in varied environments such as office settings, legislative buildings, community spaces, and public meeting venues.
Background Checks and Requirements
- If selected as a finalist, we will conduct a criminal history and background check. Adverse criminal history or background check may lead to disqualification. Additional background check information.
- Agency does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, applicants will be required to complete I-9 documentation and confirm authorization to work in the United States. If your employment authorization and documentation is contingent on sponsorship now or in the future, you will not meet Agency employment eligibility standards.
Benefits
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The State of Oregon offers a competitive and affordable health and benefits package, including excellent medical, vision and dental coverage, paid holidays off, and personal business leave, as well as paid and accrued vacation and sick leave. In addition to standard medical benefits and employee leave, the state also provides additional optional benefits, such as basic life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, deferred compensation savings program, and flexible spending accounts for healthcare and childcare expenses.
Cost of Living Adjustments. -
Annual salary increases (until you reach the top of the listed salary range).
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Get There - Oregon’s easy-to-use carpool matching tool and trip planner.
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Live, work, and play in Salem, Oregon.
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Amazing benefits package.
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Possible eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Employment Preference
Veterans’ and Oregon National Guard preference:
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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.
General Information
- This is a permanent, full-time position and MEAH | Executive Head - Agency Head - Supervisory .
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This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies in the same classification.
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Employee is required to possess and maintain a valid driver’s license issued by the state where the employee resides.
- The salary listed is the non-PERS qualifying salary range. If the successful candidate is PERS qualifying, the salary range will reflect the additional 6.95%.
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Finalists will be subject to a computerized criminal history check including fingerprints. Adverse background data may be grounds for immediate disqualification.
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Veterans’ and Oregon National Guard preference: 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.
Contact Information
We invite you to contact the recruiter for accommodation requests under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), application questions or job-specific questions.
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The recruiter for this position is Surbhi Singh. If you contact the recruiter, please include the job requisition number: REQ-200163.
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