Clean Water Services - General Manager

Raftelis • Hillsboro, OR

19d • $260,000 - $350,000

About The Position

Clean Water Services (CWS) is seeking a General Manager to guide the organization through a transformative period and continue industry leadership in water resource recovery operations and environmental stewardship. Reporting to the CWS Board of Directors, the General Manager provides executive leadership for all CWS operations, utilizing strong leadership and communication skills to ensure effective management, advance long-term sustainability, and uphold the highest standards of public service. The General Manager provides executive leadership and overall direction for CWS operations, ensuring effective governance, policy implementation, and organizational performance in alignment with Board priorities and Advisory Commission recommendations. This role oversees all programs, services, and capital initiatives while fostering collaboration with elected officials, regulators, labor representatives, community leaders, and regional partners. The General Manager leads strategic planning, monitors industry trends, evaluates service delivery effectiveness, and advances innovation, continuous improvement, and operational excellence across the organization to meet evolving environmental, regulatory, and community needs. As the chief financial steward of CWS, the General Manager is responsible for fiscal sustainability, rate stabilization, and long-term financial planning. This includes overseeing budget development, rate setting, forecasting, bond issuances, reserve management, and capital and service contracts, while ensuring strong internal controls and accountability for public funds. The General Manager works closely with the Board and executive leadership to enhance financial efficiency, protect organizational assets, and maintain affordability for ratepayers, consistently demonstrating transparency and ethical leadership in all financial decisions. Through thoughtful, intentional leadership of the executive team, the General Manager leads CWS’ workforce, environmental programs, and external relations, with a focus on regulatory compliance, infrastructure resilience, and organizational effectiveness. This role oversees labor relations, workforce planning, and talent development while cultivating an inclusive, high-performing workplace culture grounded in mentorship, accountability, and engagement. The General Manager also directs intergovernmental coordination, public communication, legislative advocacy, and environmental initiatives—including wastewater treatment, recycled water, biosolids, and water quality programs—ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements, community expectations, and long-term sustainability goals.

Requirements

• At least ten years of public agency leadership experience and ten years of management experience, including at least three years managing professional, senior-level staff, are required.
• Strong business acumen with demonstrated experience leading and managing in a complex, matrixed environment is essential.
• A sound financial background with a strong understanding of budgets and financial management is required.
• Prior experience working with elected officials is also required.
• A bachelor’s degree in business, public administration, engineering, environmental policy, or a related field is required.
• Existing knowledge of or an ability to develop an understanding of ORS 451 and ORS 198 is essential to success.
• Upon selection, the candidate must possess and maintain a valid state-issued driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

• Strong consideration will be given to direct knowledge of water, wastewater, stormwater, environmental services and operating in a highly regulated, compliance-driven environment.
• A master’s degree in business administration, public administration, or a related field is preferred.
• Executive leadership credentials, certification, or designation, including ICMA-CM, are beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership for all CWS operations.
• Ensure effective governance, policy implementation, and organizational performance.
• Oversee all programs, services, and capital initiatives.
• Foster collaboration with elected officials, regulators, labor representatives, community leaders, and regional partners.
• Lead strategic planning, monitor industry trends, and evaluate service delivery effectiveness.
• Advance innovation, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
• Ensure fiscal sustainability, rate stabilization, and long-term financial planning.
• Oversee budget development, rate setting, forecasting, bond issuances, and reserve management.
• Direct intergovernmental coordination, public communication, and legislative advocacy.
• Oversee labor relations, workforce planning, and talent development.
• Direct environmental initiatives, including wastewater treatment, recycled water, biosolids, and water quality programs.

Benefits

• Benefits include medical, dental, and vision, retirement, life insurance, voluntary supplemental coverages, HRA deposits, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, and a variety of employee discounts, such as FirstNet subscriber cell phone plan.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees