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

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**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 DEQsCivil Rights and Environmental Justice page.

Are you interested in applying your leadership skills to protect and enhance Oregons 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 Oregons 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 agencys mission to protect and improve Oregons 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 states natural resources.

The Water Quality Division has a critical role in achieving the Departments mission by developing policy implementation tools and implementation priorities for improving and protecting the quality of water in Oregons waterways. The Water Quality Division works cooperatively with the Departments 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.

For a visual representation of DEQs offices and their locations view our DEQ Offices and Vehicle Inspection Testing Stations map.

What you will do!

You will lead and manage the Western Regions 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.

Whats in it for you!

DEQ cares deeply about employee wellness and benefits. You will receive a comprehensive competitive and affordable benefits leave and wellness package including:

• 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
  

This is a full-time management service supervisory position.

This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies.

What are we looking for

Minimum Qualifications: 6 years of supervision management or progressively related experience or 3 years of related experience and a Bachelors degree.

Candidates who are most competitive will also reflect the following desired attributes:

• 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 organizations 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.

Working Conditions:

DEQ believes in a diverse and inclusive work environment. All employees are expected to contribute to a work environment that collectively values and benefits from respecting its diversity and promotes a culture of inclusiveness.

This position will be based out of DEQs Coos Bay Eugene Medford or Salem office; however the successful candidate may be eligible for hybrid work. The logistics of hybrid work will need to be worked out with the Hiring Manager prior to your hire and may be changed at any time given specific job duties and business needs. DEQ will provide necessary hardware (laptop monitor keyboard mouse and cell phone) for an employee to successfully work from home. At DEQ sites you will have access to a workspace however it may be shared with other employees.

Please note: new hires must report in-person a minimum of 3 days per week for at least their first 6 months of employment with DEQ for training purposes and relationship building.

Most work is performed in a professional office setting with multiple demands on time. There is frequent work under tight deadlines. There will be frequent in-state travel between regional offices and to headquarters in Portland for meetings to ensure efficient effective operation of the Western Region Water Quality program and to successfully supervise employees located throughout the region. This position also requires occasional travel on official State business for seminars workshops conferences site visits trainings and public hearings some of which may involve evening work weekend work and/or overnight stays. There will be extended working hours during legislative sessions and emergencies. During site visits there is the potential for exposure to adverse weather conditions pollutants chemicals contaminated soil and water fumes airborne contaminants fall or tripping hazards stairs kneeling crouching climbing and substantial walking.

How to Apply: (complete the application in full)

• External Applicants Click on the Apply button and submit your application. For resources and support related to applying view our External Candidate job aid and Workday Recruitment for External Job Applicants video.
• Internal Applicants (current State of Oregon employees): Apply through your employee Workday step-by-step resources on how to apply review the Jobs search & apply knowledge article.

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Help Your Application Rise to the Top!

Your application materials are the perfect opportunity to highlight your interest in the position and showcase your amazing skills and experience. In addition to your related work experience and education DEQ will use the desired attributes and minimum qualifications above under the What are we looking for section to determine whom to interview. Please make sure your attributes and minimum qualifications are clearly demonstrated in your application materials.

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Veterans Information:

DEQ provides candidate preference points to all eligible veterans and Oregon National Guard servicemembers (current and former). For more information on candidate preference please visit Veterans Resources. For privacy reasons please do not attach candidate preference documents when initially applying. Instead you will be asked to submit those at a later time as part of a future task in Workday.

Equal Pay Analysis:

As an employer the State of Oregon complies with HB 2005 the Pay Equity Bill. We do not discriminate on the basis of protected class in the payment of wages and we do not screen applicants on the basis of their current or past compensation. All finalists have an equal pay analysis completed to determine their placement on the salary scale. Please note: the salary listed is the non-PERS qualifying salary range. If the successful candidate is PERS qualifying the salary range will reflect an additional 6.95% (6% goes to PERS and .95% covers payroll taxes). Please review the Classification and Compensation page for more details.

Work Authorization:

DEQ does not offer visa sponsorships. On the first day of employment all hires will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Securitys Form I-9 confirming authorization to work in the United addition hires will have three business days from their first day of employment to present documents that establish employment authorization and identity. DEQ is an E-Verify employer and will use E-Verify to confirm that hires are authorized to work in the United States.

Questions/Need Help

If you have questions about the recruitment or need assistance to participate in the application process including an accommodation request under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) please contact DEQs Recruitment Team at or . TTY users: please use the Oregon Telecommunications Relay Service at 1-.