Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments

Invites You to Apply for the Position of

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

$110,000 ANNUALLY* Plus a generous benefits package

*Salary negotiable dependent upon qualifications and experience

)

About Oregon Cascades West

Council of Governments

Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments (OCWCOG) was formed in 1970 as a voluntary association of governments in Benton, Lincoln, and Linn counties. Legally, it is an ORS 190 government entity and includes the three county governments, 20 city governments, the port of Newport, and the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians. Our Board of Directors consists of elected representatives of our member governments. The Board and staff are advised by a number of committees and councils whose members include representatives of our cities and counties, non-profit organizations, businesses, professionals and advocates for those the agency serves. (Continued on last page)

Current OCWCOG Programs

Senior and Disability Services offers a number of services to residents of our region: The Long-Term Care Program helps seniors and people with disabilities access

financial, medical and care resources, emphasizing client choice, maximum independence and cost effectiveness. Related services include licensing adult foster homes, managing in-home care services and support for family caregivers.

The Aging and Disability Resources Connection is a call center that connects seniors, people with disabilities and their families to a variety of resources.

Adult Protective Services investigates alleged abuse, neglect or exploitation and works with law enforcement and human service partners to ensure safety and ongoing well-being of seniors and people with disabilities.

The Senior Meals program provides meals at eleven sites and home-delivered meals throughout the region.

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) is sponsored by OCWCOG and places nearly 400 volunteers with community programs and individuals needing assistance.

Assists Benton County Veterans and their families with health care and other benefit claims.

OCWCOG’s Transportation Services assist our member governments in planning, coordination and advocacy and travel option development: Cascades West Area Commission on Transportation, the regional forum for

transportation dialogue and coordination of transportation investments. Corvallis Area Metropolitan Planning Organization support. Cascades West Rideline, a brokerage that coordinates non-emergency medical

transportation for Medicaid clients. Cascades West Transportation Demand Management Program that supports

carpooling, vanpooling and advocates for travel options. Support to Linn County for their Special Transportation Program that provides

funding for and seeks to improve transportation for seniors, people with disabilities, and others needing transport assistance.

Community and Economic Development Services offers a wide array of assistance to our members and partners: Administration of the Cascades West Economic Development District, that develops

and works to implement the region’s economic development strategy. Business Lending to new and expanding businesses that cannot obtain adequate

bank financing. Planning and Facilities Development assistance includes help with strategic planning,

grant writing and management, land use planning studies and analysis.

The Council of Governments extends technology and administrative services to our

members and currently provides tech support to ten member governments.

The Region

The Cascades West region spans three counties

from the crest of the Cascade Mountains to the

Pacific Ocean. It has a population of approximately

250,000. The largest cities are Corvallis, home to

Oregon State University, at 56,000 residents,

historic Albany at just over 50,000, and Lebanon

with a population of 15,000 and a recently opened

medical school. All are within Oregon’s fertile

Willamette Valley. The Valley is considered the

state's economic center and is home to more than

2 million people.

The Central Oregon Coast’s largest city, Newport,

with over 10,000 residents, is also within the

Cascades West region and is a growing center for

marine research with Hatfield Marine Science

Center and the new home of the National Oceanic

and Atmospheric Administration’s Marine

Operations Center-Pacific.

The hospitality, character and diversity of our

smaller communities contribute to the vitality and

richness of the region as a fantastic place to live,

work and play.

The Ideal Candidate OCWCOG is seeking a new Executive Director. This is a dynamic opportunity to work in a

diverse organization with experienced and dedicated staff.

The ideal candidate will:

Exhibit strong collaborative leadership in working with member governments and

other organizations, as well as with agency managers and staff.

Demonstrate creativity and an entrepreneurial orientation to identify ways to better

serve the region, re-imagine and reinvent services, guide the agency and partners in

new endeavors, and diversify funding for current and new services.

Be an effective listener and communicator that will engage member governments in

a manner that demonstrates the value of their active participation in the COG and

regional initiatives.

Ensure that member governments and the broader communities served by OCWCOG

are aware of and can access the agency’s services, whether those be business loans,

in-home assistance to low-income seniors, or food stamps and financial assistance for

a person with disabilities.

Have the capacity to build coalitions with area legislators, other COGs and statewide

communities of interest to meet the needs of our constituents.

Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s Degree in public administration, business, planning

or a related field. A Master’s Degree is highly desirable. In addition, background in, or

professional familiarity with, the services currently provided by the COG is highly

desirable, (e.g. community and economic development, transportation, and human

services). The candidate must have a minimum of six (6) years of progressively

responsible managerial experience. Employment experience with intergovernmental

entities is highly desirable, as are success in supporting Boards of Directors, working with

collective bargaining units, and engaging diverse stakeholders to address public policy

issues and deliver public services.

Education and experience must provide a thorough knowledge of management principles

and practices, fiscal management and leadership skills.

Compensation and Benefits

Beginning salary for the Executive Director is dependent upon qualifications. OCWCOG offers an attractive benefits package including: Retirement – OCWCOG pays both the employer’s percentage, and the employee’s 6% contribution into the Oregon Public Employees System (PERS). In addition to PERS COG pays into Social Security. Insurance – OCWCOG currently pays 100% insurance premiums for the employee and their eligible dependents and contributes into an HSA. The insurance package includes a comprehensive medical and prescription drug plan, dental and vision coverage, alternative care, life, accidental death, as well as long-term and short-term disability. Holiday Leave – OCWCOG provides 10 ½ fixed holidays plus two personal days during each fiscal year. Management Personal Leave – Eighty (80) hours of additional personal leave is provided each fiscal year. Sick Leave – Full time employees accrue eight hours of sick leave each month.

Vacation – Vacation accrual begins at 8 hours per

month, steps up to 10 hours after 3 years, 14 hours after 6 years and 16 hours after 12 years.

Additional Benefits – Deferred Compensation, Long-Term Care Insurance, Employee Assistance Program, Credit Union memberships, direct deposit, flexible work schedules, and options to participate in tax-deferred cafeteria plans.

Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments 1400 Queen Ave., SE Suite 201 Albany, OR 97322 (541) 967-8720 (541) 967-6123 – fax

About OCWCOG (Continued) As an Oregon intergovernmental entity, OCWCOG can provide for, or on behalf of, our member governments any service that they are authorized to

provide. OCWCOG currently has three primary programs: Community and Economic Development, Senior and Disability Services including Benton

County Veteran’s Services, and Technology Services. Our programs can be thought of as special departments of OCWCOG’s member governments.

Working together through OCWCOG, local governments are able to provide services to their constituents at a lower cost, or services which otherwise

would not be offered locally. OCWCOG also provides a forum for collaboration to address issues of mutual concern from transportation to broadband

services and economic investment.

The agency’s budget for the 2013-14 fiscal year totals approximately $19 million. The largest share of the revenue, over 60%, is from federal and

state contracts. Local government and partner contracts constitute another 20% of the revenue. While member dues make up just 1% of the budget,

these dollars are critical as the agency’s “general fund” and leverage grant funds and other resources. The agency also supports three non-profit

partner foundations that generate revenue for specific services.

Currently, the agency has a staff of about 140. Non-management employees are represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

OCWCOG maintains offices within each of our counties, with the administrative staff and the majority of employees working out of the OCWCOG-

owned Cascades West Center in Albany. The OCWCOG facility in Toledo is home to our Senior and Disability Services staff that serves clients in

Lincoln County. A leased space in Corvallis houses both SDS staff and staff that support the Corvallis Area Metropolitan Planning Organization.

How to Apply

Individuals interested in applying should submit a cover letter indicating their specific interest in this position; a detailed professional

resume that identifies the relevant qualifications and experiences outlined in this position profile; and a list of five professional

references. Send the cover letter, resume and reference to Human Resources, Oregon Cascades West COG, 1400 Queen Ave., SE,

Suite 201, Albany, OR 97322, or e-mail to edrecruit@ocwcog.org

Veteran’s Preference – Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments provides qualifying veterans and disabled veterans with

employment preference in accordance with Oregon law. Veterans may claim preference by submitting an OCWCOG Veteran’s

Preference Form (available on the COG’s website at ocwcog.org and the required documentation with his/her application material.

Following the closing date, applicants will be screened according to the qualifications outlined above. The most qualified candidates

will be provided to the Executive Committee for review and selection of finalists. Reference checks will be conducted after receiving

candidates’ permission. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Lydia George at (541) 924-8408.

Application Deadline: August 5, 2013