MPDES Permitting Section Supervisor

State of Montana•Helena, MT

About The Position

The MPDES Permitting Section Supervisor leads the Water Protection Bureau team responsible for Montana Pollution Discharge Elimination System permitting. The supervisor helps staff address complex technical and regulatory questions and produce clear, well-supported, defensible permitting decisions. The role builds strong working relationships across the bureau and agency and requires 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 focuses review on work involving greater technical complexity or legal risk while streamlining routine work without sacrificing quality. Responsibilities also include providing meaningful feedback, constructively addressing performance concerns, and supporting staff professional growth. The successful candidate promotes a collaborative environment in which people share knowledge, ask questions, raise concerns respectfully, and work through challenges together. The position includes a career ladder for professional development and pay progression and may be eligible for occasional telework. Applications and supplemental materials must be submitted through the State of Montana Careers site by the announcement’s closing date.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent deduction.
Three years of progressively responsible experience, including demonstrated leadership or supervision; experience may include informal roles.
Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
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

Experience with business and management principles involving planning, resource allocation, setting priorities, human resources management, leadership techniques, and coordination of people and resources.
Communication skills focused on stakeholder outreach.
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.
Ability to ask questions, recognize relevant expertise, and support others with that expertise.
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 quickly as priorities change.

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, identify 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 on technical complexity and legal risk while streamlining routine work without sacrificing quality.
Provide timely, meaningful feedback, address performance concerns constructively, and support the professional growth of the team.
Promote a collaborative environment where staff share knowledge, ask questions, raise concerns respectfully, and work through challenges together.