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Multnomah County commissioner beat out more experienced candidates to land division director job

The article from OregonLive discusses how Multnomah County Commissioner Susheela Jayapal appointed her former chief of staff, Serena Cruz, to the position of director of the county's Department of County Human Services, despite Cruz having less experience than other candidates. Cruz, who has a background in policy and community engagement, was chosen over candidates with more direct experience in managing large-scale human services operations. The decision has sparked controversy, with critics arguing that the appointment might reflect favoritism rather than merit. The article highlights the debate over whether Cruz's skills in policy and advocacy are sufficient for the demands of the role, which oversees a significant budget and numerous critical services for the county's most vulnerable populations. Jayapal defended the choice by emphasizing Cruz's understanding of the community's needs and her potential to bring innovative changes to the department.

Read the Full Oregonian Article at:
[ https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2024/12/multnomah-county-commissioner-beat-out-more-experienced-candidates-to-land-division-director-job.html ]