In partnership with the communities we serve, Northwest Regional ESD improves student learning by providing equitable access to high quality services and support.
Chief of Staff Vacancy Announcement
About Us
Northwest Regional ESD is the largest of Oregon\xe2\x80\x99s 19 education service districts. We serve students, educators, child care providers and families living in Clatsop, Columbia, Tillamook and Washington counties. Our region includes the large, urban school districts of Washington County and the smaller, rural districts located along the Columbia River, the Coastal Range and the North Oregon coast.
Our regional office is located in Hillsboro, about 12 miles west of Portland. We also operate service centers in St. Helens, Astoria and Tillamook. Within our region, there are 20 school districts with nearly 104,000 students. Our staff members work collaboratively with school districts in the four counties we serve to deliver quality, cost-effective programs and services including special education, technology,professional development and school improvement. We also provide operational support such as business services and human resources.
Our central goal is to cultivate a supportive, positive and welcoming work environment where all staff can successfully thrive. We value and celebrate equity, diversity and inclusion. Our vision of equity includes a continuous commitment to becoming an antiracist, multicultural organization. We lead with racial equity in order to eliminate racial inequalities that impact student achievement and we implement strategies that result in racially equitable outcomes.
These values are interwoven into the fabric of our organizational culture at all levels.
Learn more about our organizational culture by visiting:
At NWRESD, we value representation, and we are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job. We know that sometimes that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. We encourage you to apply, even if you don\'t believe you meet every one of the qualifications described in the vacancy announcement below or in the linked job description.
The Position - What you\xe2\x80\x99ll do
The Chief of Staff acts as an executive leader in the district, working at the direction of the Superintendent as well as providing direction to all facets of the organization. The Chief of Staff is a key liaison to the Board of Directors in implementing the strategic goals of both the Board and Superintendent. The position can navigate through all areas of district operations and serves to assist the Superintendent in monitoring and facilitating the progress of district-led projects and initiatives. The Chief of Staff serves as the Superintendent\'s liaison for innovative, strategic and novel projects, to community and state organizations, and with internal leadership structures. The Chief of Staff also acts as the primary advocate for the ESD with all government partners (local, state and federal) and advocacy groups. In supervising the general business processing operations of the NWRESD, you\xe2\x80\x99ll manage a team of three to five staff and will:
Provide leadership and support to the Superintendent and various leadership teams towards ensuring that the ESD\xe2\x80\x99s strategic goals and objectives are met and that expectations and deadlines are clearly communicated throughout the organization.
Serve as a key liaison between the Superintendent and component school district leaders.
Serve as a key liaison to ESD departments, staff, and community members, collaborating with administrators and key stakeholders in the development and support of strategic initiatives and priorities.
Collaborate with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders to solve problems and facilitate conversations that lead to consensus, buy-in, and course correction as needed.
Develop and coordinate a government relations strategy with relevant stakeholders, including the Board, local stakeholders, including associations, and other state associations, advocates and agencies.
Coordinate and manage District strategy for strengthening relationships with elected officials and government agencies (state, local, and federal) and expanding their understanding and support for the ESD mission and goals.
Serve as key liaison between the ESD, state and federal policymakers, including state legislators, members of Congress and key agency staff.
Manage special assignments and projects on a short-term basis and provide effective intervention in complex situations; initiate and lead inter-departmental teams in analyzing specific issues or problems and in developing strategies and recommendations to effectively address them.
Skills and Talents - What you\xe2\x80\x99ll bring to the role We are looking for a Leader who is...
Strong manager of people and budgets
Empathetic and focused on building relationships
Visionary and able to lead system change
Innovative and strategic thinker
An anti-racist leader for equitable access and outcomes
Adept and skilled at building and facilitating relationships across many entities and agencies
Successful in advocating for students and programs at the ESD
We are looking for a Leader who has...
Strong facilitation skills with various groups including families, staff, and partners
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Superb analytical skills
We are looking for a Leader who can...
Facilitate and promote collaborative decision making
Plan, organize and prioritize work to meet multiple schedules and deadlines
Work independently and as a member of the executive leadership team
For the full list of other qualifications and responsibilities for this position, please review the Position Description attached.
Compensation and Benefits - What\xe2\x80\x99s in it for you
From Mt. Rainier to Mt. Hood, living and working in the Pacific Northwest is a dream for many. With it\xe2\x80\x99s vast geographic region, residents enjoy beautiful coastlines, green interiors, rainy weather, amazing summers, and spectacular mountain scapes \xe2\x80\x94 there\xe2\x80\x99s literally something for everyone to enjoy.
At NWRESD, we understand that our employees are people \xe2\x80\x94 people with lives outside of their careers. Our work culture encourages wellness, supports balance, and empowering actions so that our employees not only live, but thrive.
Northwest Regional ESD provides a generous benefits package which includes:
Employee Assistance Plan (Reliant Behavioral Health)
Professional Development funds
3 Personal Leave days per year
For additional benefit information please review our
The salary range for this position is $160,775.92 - $173,201.33 and includes an additional $15,000 TSA, bringing the salary range to $175,555.92 - $188,201.33, based on professional experience and a twelve-month work year (235 working days), and 11 paid holidays.
How to Apply
To complete an application please visit our Careers webpage. Click "show/hide" to review the full job description. Salary, collective bargaining agreement and more position description information is included in the attachment links on the bottom-right side of the position announcement. If you need assistance completing the application, please email us.
The position start date is as soon as reasonably available with August 1, 2023 preferred. This will be discussed further in interviews.
NWRESD believes that every individual makes a significant contribution to our success. The administration reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties as necessary that still reflect the essential functions of the department. It is our expectation that every employee will offer their services wherever and whenever necessary to ensure the success of the ESD\xe2\x80\x99s goals.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Northwest Regional Education Service District is an equal opportunity employer; committed to building an inclusive community and an environment free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. We are proud to be an We work to understand how racial ideology is manufactured and how it impacts the lives of our staff and those we serve.
Northwest Regional Education Service District is proud to be an antiracist, Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We are committed to ensuring diversity and inclusion in all aspects of recruitment, selection, and employment without regard to race, disability, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, religion, veteran or military status, or any other category protected under the law.
Northwest Regional Education Service District is committed to providing reasonable accommodations in our recruitment procedures for individuals experiencing a disability. If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at humanresources@nwresd.k12.or.us. Speech/Hearing impaired persons may contact the district for assistance through the Oregon telecommunications Relay Service at 1-800-735-2900.