MPDES Permitting Section Supervisor

State of Montana•Helena, MT

About The Position

The MPDES Permitting Section Supervisor leads the team responsible for Montana Pollution Discharge Elimination System (MPDES) permitting within the Water Protection Bureau. The supervisor helps staff navigate complex technical and regulatory questions and supports clear, well-supported, defensible permitting decisions. The role involves building strong working relationships across the bureau and agency and learning the program’s technical and legal requirements well enough to exercise sound supervisory judgment, recognize when additional expertise is needed, and make timely decisions. The supervisor sets priorities, expectations, and timelines; tracks progress; and resolves barriers to completing permitting work. The role helps the team focus review where technical complexity and legal risk warrant it while streamlining routine work without sacrificing quality. It also includes providing timely, meaningful feedback, constructively addressing performance concerns, and supporting professional growth. The position may be eligible for occasional telework and includes a career ladder for professional development and pay progression.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent education.
Three years of progressively responsible experience, including demonstrated leadership or supervision; experience from informal roles may count.
Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
Ability and commitment to learn technical and regulatory material quickly enough to exercise sound supervisory judgment.
Strong communication and relationship-building skills, including surfacing concerns, explaining decisions, and navigating disagreement constructively.
Ability to organize and prioritize work, make timely decisions, follow through, and adapt as priorities change.
May require a current valid Driver's License and clean driving record in accordance with the State of Montana Vehicle Use Policy.
Alternative combinations of education and experience may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Nice To Haves

Preferred experience with business and management principles, including planning, resource allocation, setting priorities, human resources management, leadership techniques, coordination of people and resources, and stakeholder outreach communication skills.
Preferred education in water quality.
Experience leading a team, setting direction, and helping others succeed.
Curiosity, sound judgment, and ability to learn unfamiliar technical and regulatory material quickly.
Confidence to ask questions and humility to recognize and support others with relevant expertise.

Responsibilities

Lead the team responsible for MPDES permitting.
Help staff navigate complex technical and regulatory questions and produce clear, well-supported, defensible permitting decisions.
Build strong working relationships across the bureau and agency.
Learn program technical and legal requirements to exercise sound supervisory judgment, recognize when additional expertise is needed, and make timely decisions.
Set clear priorities, expectations, and timelines; track progress; and resolve barriers to completing permitting work.
Focus review where technical complexity and legal risk warrant it, and streamline routine work without sacrificing quality.
Provide timely, meaningful feedback, address performance concerns constructively, and support team members’ professional growth.
Promote collaboration, respectful discussion, knowledge-sharing, and constructive handling of challenges.