Oregon Department of Human Services Recruitment Team brings in results using innovative, inclusive actions

Gone are the days of just posting jobs online and having each Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) program responsible for its hiring.

Now, ODHS Human Resources recruiters go out to Free Food Markets, Farmers Markets, college classes, community events such as Armed Forces Day, Portland Pride, the Great Circle Recovery Resource Fair, Goodwill Job Connection events and many other locations throughout Oregon spreading the word, sharing information and assisting people looking for jobs. There are recruiters assigned to each ODHS-designated district. This means that recruiters can better connect with staff and community because they are part of the community and can go to local events, engage with community partners and local colleges.

"One of our Recruitment Team's major goals this year has been to strengthen community engagement across Oregon. From January 2026 to current, they have participated in 62 major events statewide as well as numerous smaller appearances in partnership with ODHS District offices and community partners," Wednesday Calhoun, Human Resources Recruitment Manager, said.

Creating cultural awareness

This work is done with cultural awareness. They have Inclusive Hiring Advocates, agency volunteers skilled in recognizing and interrupting implicit or unconscious bias that may arise during interviews.

"We tell people about the culture we have, our new onboarding guidelines which ensure they have all the information needed to be a success. We also talk about our 13 Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), our RiSE culture and our Equity North Star. As far as equitable hiring practices, my team is genuinely interested in helping folks. How we do this work really make an impact on how we bring people in," Calhoun said.

Innovative work in recruiting and assisting people

The Recruitment Team has created a handbook, called the Career Application Guide, that walks people through the application and hiring process step by step.

"We're so different from the private sector that people often have questions, and this guide can really help people from the application to the interview and after," Calhoun said.

Career Advocates and all recruiters meet one-on-one with external, as well as internal employees, to go over how to write a resume, essential attributes needed for a job, and the process of finding a career that matches that person's interests.

"Our recruitment efforts are making a measurable difference in our ability to attract candidates. While the number of open positions being recruited for have decreased compared to the previous year, we have seen a significant increase in the number of applications received. This growth reflects the recruitment team's continued focus on expanding outreach, strengthening recruitment strategies, building relationships with communities and candidates, and increasing awareness of career opportunities across the agency. The result is a broader and stronger pool of applicants for the positions we are filling.

Our recruiters have been out in communities building relationships, increasing awareness of ODHS career opportunities, and representing the agency with pride. This work has made a meaningful impact, and I'm incredibly proud of their dedication," Calhoun said.