Water Quality Regional Manager (Natural Resource Protection and Sustainability Manager 2)

State of Oregon

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Note: Effective Feb. 1, 2026, the compensation plan for this position will be increased to reflect a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) of 2.5%. The salary listed in this posting does not reflect the COLA. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality strives to build and sustain an inclusive and equitable environment that embraces and values diversity. Employees at all levels of the agency work together to foster fairness, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We strive to be a workplace where we share our authentic identities, while advancing our individual professional goals, and while collaborating to protect, preserve, and enhance the environment for current and future generations. We celebrate and appreciate diversity, champion equity, and treat each other with respect and dignity. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, age, or physical or mental disability in the administration of our programs and activities. Visit DEQ’s Civil Rights and Environmental Justice page. Are you interested in applying your leadership skills to protect and enhance Oregon’s environment? If so, please consider a career with the State of Oregon at the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). At DEQ, employees have the opportunity to work with a dynamic and supportive team of mission-focused individuals tasked with maintaining, restoring, and enhancing the quality of Oregon’s air, land, and water. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has a full-time opportunity available for a Water Quality Regional Manager (Natural Resource Protection and Sustainability Manager 2). This position is based out of Coos Bay, Eugene, Medford, or Salem, Oregon (finalist may choose work location). Please consider joining an innovative team, and work to advance our agency’s mission to protect and improve Oregon’s environmental quality. About DEQ! The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is the primary regulatory agency of the government of the U.S. State of Oregon responsible for protecting and enhancing the state's natural resources. The Water Quality Division has a critical role in achieving the Department’s mission by developing policy, implementation tools, and implementation priorities for improving and protecting the quality of water in Oregon’s waterways. The Water Quality Division works cooperatively with the Department’s three regional offices and the Laboratory to deliver programs and services that protect and enhance the quality of the waters of the state to protect public health and the environment. The Regional Divisions are responsible for implementation of Water Quality, Air Quality, and Waste Management and Cleanup Programs. The Regions provide the following services: compliance inspection of regulated entities; enforcement of permit requirements and administrative rules; issuance of air, water, and solid waste permits; investigation of complaints; issuance of subsurface permits; response to spills or other incidents with environmental impacts; direct contact and liaison with other governmental entities, industries, and the public; and technical assistance to regulated entities and the public. The Regions consist of Northwest, Eastern, and Western Region. This position is in Western Region and focuses on the Water Quality Program.

Requirements

6 years of supervision, management, or progressively related experience or 3 years of related experience and a Bachelor’s degree.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity; proven experience developing and implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
Experience working with diverse groups and communities; skill and experience in communication and outreach to underrepresented communities; ability to build partnerships across diverse community and partner groups and interests.
Experience building and supporting high-performing, collaborative, and inclusive teams that appreciate and encourage diverse thinking and foster an inclusive culture of belonging; proven experience fostering teamwork among subordinates; experience coaching, mentoring, and motivating subordinates and peers through inclusivity, equity, and kindness.
Supervisory management experience in a natural resource or environmental program; supervisory management experience in a government agency or government organization; understanding of or experience working with labor unions, particularly in a government setting.
Experience managing a department with water quality responsibilities, including program and strategic planning; knowledge of the federal and state laws governing water quality and natural resources management; familiarity with regulatory programs involving permitting, inspections, and compliance; familiarity with TMDLs and nonpoint sources.
Skill in cultivating positive relationships across diverse teams while addressing workplace dynamics with professionalism and cultural sensitivity.
Ability and experience managing human, financial, and informational resources in a manner that instills employee and public trust and accomplishes the organization's mission.
Experience in strategic planning, plan implementation, succession planning, outcome-based management, and change management; champions process improvement.
Demonstrated ability to evaluate emerging environmental programmatic priorities with both statewide and national implications; public policy and program development experience in leading discussions with external parties and agency responsibilities to protect human health and the environment.
Demonstrated skill in advising executives and other decision-makers; political awareness; ability to communicate clearly and effectively in stressful situations, such as with permittees and internal and external partners; excellent verbal and written communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
Demonstrated ability to lead both technical and program development teams using data collection, goal setting, measure design, and report development to address statewide environmental challenges and opportunities.

Responsibilities

You will lead and manage the Western Region’s environmental programs related primarily to TMDL and nonpoint source water quality activities and regional stormwater permitting and compliance activities.
Your work will include contributing to, and collaborating on, development of statewide program goals and objectives and development of regional and staff-specific goals.
You will identify, prioritize, and schedule work; hire, manage, lead, and coach technical and professional staff; resolve difficult technical and/or administrative problems; monitor goal progress; and track and ensure timeliness and responsiveness to the public and regulated community.
As a State supervisory manager, you will be expected to develop proficiency in, as well as model to others, the State of Oregon Enterprise Values and Competencies: Business Acumen, Communication, Innovation, Intentional Engagement, Mentoring & Developing Others, and Stewardship.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance
11 paid holidays
10 hours of vacation per month, eligible to be used as accrued
8 hours of sick leave per month, eligible to be used as accrued
24 hours of personal business leave per fiscal year, eligible to be used after 6 months of service
Optional life insurance packages
Flexible spending accounts
Membership in the Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)
Optional deferred compensation retirement program
Opportunity to potentially receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
Continuous growth and development opportunities
Opportunities to serve your community and make an impact through meaningful work
A healthy work/life balance, including flexible schedules and hybrid work options for many positions