Waste Prevention and Environmental Services Deputy Director

Oregon Metro•Metro Regional Center, OR

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

Metro is seeking an experienced and strategic leader to serve as Deputy Director for the Waste Prevention and Environmental Services (WPES) Department. This role provides executive leadership and operational oversight for a complex garbage and recycling system. The Deputy Director acts as the principal deputy to the Department Director, ensuring continuity of leadership and decision-making. This position translates Metro Council priorities, regional plans, and environmental goals into effective service delivery, overseeing programs, facilities, and staff for safe, efficient, and compliant operations. The role involves guiding the department's strategic direction, balancing operational performance with long-term planning, financial sustainability, and public accountability. The Deputy Director leads and supports division directors and managers, ensuring alignment with departmental goals, and maintains a comprehensive understanding of WPES programs and services, identifying risks and opportunities. Key responsibilities include ensuring strong operational systems and governance, overseeing policy and procedure development, managing incident and emergency response, and contributing to budget development and financial oversight. The role also involves stewardship of public assets, including the Capital Improvement Program, and collaboration with internal teams and external partners. Success requires strong leadership, sound judgment, and the ability to navigate competing priorities in a complex public sector environment, with a focus on service, safety, and public trust.

Requirements

Seven to ten years of specialized experience or operational management in area of responsibility.
A Bachelor's degree in the assigned program area or a related field, or Any combination of education, professional, volunteer and lived experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the classification duties and responsibilities.
Strong leadership and organizational management skills, with the ability to guide teams and drive alignment across programs.
Experience translating policy direction into operational implementation.
Knowledge of budgeting, financial management, and performance monitoring.
Knowledge of management theory and principles of supervision.
Knowledge of regulations and laws applicable to area of assignment.
Ability to develop and implement policies, procedures, and operational frameworks.
Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with experience working across diverse stakeholder groups.
A commitment to public service, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Knowledge of solid waste systems or similar public infrastructure and regulatory environments.

Nice To Haves

Experience leading large, complex operational programs, utilities, public works, environmental services, infrastructure systems, or similar public sector operations.
Experience developing and administering operating and capital budgets, financial forecasts, fee-supported programs, or enterprise funds.
Experience leading organizational change, operational improvement initiatives, or business transformation efforts.
Experience overseeing capital improvement programs, asset management programs, facility operations, or infrastructure investments.
Experience working with elected officials, governing boards, advisory committees, community stakeholders, or regulatory agencies.
Knowledge of solid waste systems, recycling systems, environmental services, utility operations, transportation systems, or other regulated public infrastructure systems.
Experience implementing performance management systems, operational metrics, data analytics, or continuous improvement programs.
Experience developing policies, procedures, governance systems, and internal controls across complex organizations.
Experience translating strategic plans, policy direction, or regulatory requirements into operational implementation.
Master's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Engineering, Environmental Management, Organizational Leadership, or a related field.
Professional certification related to leadership, public administration, project management, asset management, finance, emergency management, or continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

Provide executive leadership, supervision, and management of assigned operational programs and services, including site-based operations, and internal policies and procedures.
Monitor the planning and execution of cross-divisional/team systems, performance measures, and service delivery standards.
Translate Council and executive policy direction into operational plans and oversees implementation to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant service delivery.
Assist the Director and Finance Manager with department-wide budget preparation, forecasting, and monitoring of expenditures and revenues.
Maintain expertise in the department’s fee structures and budget and represents the department in public meetings and presentations.
Provide oversight of the department’s Capital Improvement Program, ensuring alignment of project planning, funding, and execution with operational and strategic goals.
Lead and oversee the development, documentation, and governance of department policies, procedures, and internal controls to ensure compliance with Metro, state, and federal requirements.
Represent the department with internal partners, union representatives, and external agencies; communicates operational performance, risks, and opportunities to the Director.
Assist with department-wide short- and long-range planning.
Identifies and implements improvements in operational systems, technology, data use, performance metrics and program evaluation to enhance service delivery and accountability.