
Since 1993, The Pathfinder Network (TPN) has been providing justice-system impacted individuals and their families the tools and support they need to be safe and thrive in our communities. We serve individuals experiencing incarceration, those reentering the community, those on forms of community supervision, their families, and their children, within 9 of Oregon’s 11 corrections facilities and in the community in Multnomah, Jackson, Marion, and Clackamas Counties. We develop and deliver a comprehensive scope of evidence-based, trauma-, gender- and culturally-responsive cognitive behavioral-based programs, including our proprietary, evidence-based curriculum Parenting Inside Out, which is the highest-rated parenting skills curriculum for parents involved with the criminal justice system. Our community programs feature holistic wraparound individual and group support and services. We serve an average of 4,000 people a year agency-wide.
We show up for our employees by providing support and resources in six key areas that make up our total package, and we always strive to expand on what we offer: compensation, development, wellness, benefits, recognition and service. This includes:
We are intentional about building a healthy and thriving organizational culture and envision a community of staff, partners, volunteers, and donors who are deeply committed to equitable, just and anti-racist practices in every facet of our organization. We engage in continual learning and seek ways to operationalize equitable and inclusive practices. We believe every member on our team enriches our diversity by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and to discover, design and deliver solutions.
At TPN, we envision communities that welcome all people, provide second chances, and create pathways to change. We believe all people have the capacity to change. We honor the dignity and worth of every individual, engage our clients and employees with compassion, and bring excellence to all we do. To learn more, go to https://www.thepathfindernetwork.org/about/.
We admit that there is no such thing as the perfect candidate. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t meet each and every position requirement – instead, use your application to let us know what excites you about the role and what transferable skills or other qualities you would like to bring to TPN!
If reasonable accommodation or an alternative form of this application are needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact our Director of People and Culture at ewatson@thepathfindernetwork.org or 503.892.5396.
TPN hires a workforce representative of the communities we serve, understanding that a diverse workforce strengthens our organization. We value diversity and support a positive and welcoming environment where all employees can thrive.
In practice, this means we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a parent, marital status or political affiliation. We also take seriously the idea that our work benefits from a genuine commitment to diversity, by considering applications from individuals representing all kinds of backgrounds.
Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications as described in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background.
As the Director of People and Culture, you are a key strategic leader shaping the vision, strategy, and systems that strengthen The Pathfinder Network’s culture, workforce, and capacity to deliver on our mission. You drive and carry out a people strategy that strengthens organizational health, sustainability, equity, and belonging; grows leadership at every level; and connects our people practices to our mission, vision, and values. You lead by example, modeling and driving a culture of accountability and support, and lead in shaping a workplace where people feel valued, supported, and inspired to do their best work. Partnering closely with the Senior Leadership Team, you drive organizational development and decision-making through a people-centered lens, ensuring that our policies, practices, and culture reflect our values.
People Operations Management and Strategy
Culture and Community Building
Senior Leadership
Participation in Shared Leadership (=5% of your time)
This position supervises the People and Culture team, currently consisting of People Operations Administrator.
Required Cultural Values: Staff are expected to embody certain cultural values to support TPN’s mission: communicate effectively, value one another, show respect, demonstrate accountability, display a high level of self-awareness, participate in shared leadership and continuous growth and learning, live values of diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and belonging and engage in personal work to further DEIJB values and impact.
Commitment to Racial Justice. Staff are expected to interact effectively across racially diverse teams, partners, and experiences, apply a racial equity lens in their work and commit to the ongoing work required to move TPN toward a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive and just organization.
Working Conditions/Travel Requirements
The Pathfinder Network follows public health guidance for any public health emergencies and will remain in compliance with any vaccination or isolation requirements from partner agencies.
This job operates primarily within an office and community service delivery setting. This is largely a sedentary role and routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines.
This is a full-time, exempt position. Typical days of work are Monday through Friday. Some evening and weekend work is required to meet the needs of the agency, partners, and the communities we serve. This position is on-site based in Portland. Travel is required between TPN work locations across the State of Oregon, which may require overnight stay and can be without advance notice.
Work includes periodic entry into correctional institutions, county jails, and other secure facilities, which requires passing and maintaining facility clearance and complying with partner security protocols, including restrictions on personal items, electronics, and clothing.
This position involves regular exposure to accounts of trauma, violence, incarceration, and loss through supervision of staff and review of incidents. TPN provides supervision structures, benefits, and confidential supports intended to address the cumulative effect of this exposure.
Please note this position description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Compensation and Benefits: This is an exempt, full-time position. The hiring rate for this position is $95,280 - $98,139 per year, DOE. Salary offers are determined in conjunction with an internal pay equity assessment.
For more information on our total compensation and benefits, visit The Pathfinder Network • Work With Us

The Pathfinder Network provides justice system-impacted individuals and families with the tools and support they need to be safe and thrive in our communities. We offer programs and services for incarcerated individuals through the Oregon Department of Corrections (ODOC) and for parents, children and families in the community.
Since its founding in 1993, The Pathfinder Network has expanded from its initial work as contractor with ODOC to a multifaceted agency offering evidence-based programs that are culturally-, gender- and trauma- responsive in corrections and community settings. Collectively, our programs have served more than 40,000 justice-involved individuals and their families.
- Corrections -
We provide evidence-based, cutting-edge programming focused on supporting positive changes and reducing recidivism. The programs we offer through ODOC include:
• Parenting Inside Out®
• Cognitive-behavioral interventions:
- Free Your Mind-CORE
- Moving On: a gender-responsive
curriculum for women
- Free Your Mind in Prison and Free
Your Mind in Segregation prevention
and intervention programming
• Trauma coping skills groups
- Community Corrections -
We offer programs and services for individuals transitioning out of prison and on parole and probation in partnership with community corrections agencies around Oregon:
• Cognitive-behavioral programs for Transition
from Jail to Community (TJC) Program at the
Marion County Transition Center
• Resilience & Recovery Project Peer Mentor
Program in Jackson County
- Community Programs -
At our Center for Family Success in East Multnomah County, we deliver no-cost,
holistic, community-based services for systems-impacted adults and their children. The programs we offer at the Center include:
• Parenting classes
• Early childhood home visiting
• Advocacy
• Youth mentoring
• Trauma coping skills groups
• Adult peer mentoring
• Reentry support
• Family engagement activities