Cleaner Air Oregon Program Manager (Natural Resource Protection and Sustainability Manager 2)

Are you interested in applying your operations leadership skills to protecting and enhancing Oregon’s environment? If so, please consider a career with the State of Oregon at the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality strives to build and sustain an inclusive 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, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, or physical or mental disability.

Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may not meet every one of our listed preferred qualifications. Lived experience may count towards the preferred qualification. If you are excited about this position, we encourage you to apply. If you are unsure as to whether or not you meet the qualifications of this position, please contact us to discuss your application.

Opportunity:

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has a full-time opportunity available for a Cleaner Air Oregon Program Manager (Natural Resource Protection and Sustainability Manager 2). This position is based out of DEQ’s Portland, Oregon office.

The Agency:

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is chief regulatory agency of the government of the U.S. State of Oregon responsible for protecting and enhancing the state's natural resources. 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. Here is a video about DEQ: https://youtu.be/E-Cs6M9AAlU

The Air Quality Division is responsible for protecting the air resources of the state through program

planning and development, industrial source control, asbestos control, motor vehicle inspections, and

control of other sources of air pollution.  The Air Quality Division administers the federal air quality program, by delegation and approval from EPA, and state requirements.

The Cleaner Air Oregon program has lead responsibility for the accurate assessment and the

reduction of air toxics using health-based standards. This section is responsible for overseeing completion of risk assessment and the determination of permitting and reporting requirements for sources covered under program rules.  The Cleaner Air Oregon section completes this work in coordination with the Oregon Health Authority and permitting staff in the Regions. The Section responsibilities also includes ongoing policy and guidance development, training, rule revisions, performance monitoring and oversight of the air toxics program.

Click here to view a map of all the DEQ offices.

What you will do!

In this position you will manage the day-to-day operation of the Cleaner Air Oregon Section. Your primary focus will be to supervise staff, participate in the management of air quality issues and actively engage in DEQ's organizational health efforts to ensure that DEQ is an employer of choice. This includes an emphasis on supporting staff to effectively achieve the responsibilities of the Cleaner Air Oregon section.

As a State supervisory manager, you will be expected to develop proficiency in, as well as model to others, these competencies: Proactive communication, Innovation, Intentional Engagement, Mentoring & Developing Others, Stewardship, and Business Acumen. 

These competencies are demonstrated by:

• Directing a major agency program by developing and implementing policies, procedures and program priorities consistent with policy established by higher-level officials and by determining the most effective utilization of resources in order to carry out agency goals and objectives for providing services to target populations.
• Developing policy of the program by analyzing all pertinent issues and information regarding the impact of proposed policy on the provision of services to target populations and determining the resources necessary to implement such policy in order to ensure the efficient and effective provision of services.
• Determines program priorities by evaluating the needs of target populations and assessing the availability of human, fiscal and equipment resources needed to implement policy effectively.
• Ensuring staff are supported and have the tools, learning, and equipment necessary to perform their duties.
• Coaching, mentoring, and motivating staff; meeting regularly with staff to provide leadership, guidance, and feedback, and to encourage skill development and career growth.
• Setting clear work objectives, goals, and expectations for staff; evaluating performance and addressing performance in a timely manner.
• Building team cohesion; encouraging collaboration and ensuring staff are cross-trained.

Desired Attributes/Skills:

If you have these qualities, let us know! Candidates who are most competitive will reflect the following:

• 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 managing a department with natural resources responsibilities, including program and strategic planning; knowledge of the federal and state laws governing natural resources management; familiarity with regulatory programs involving permitting and compliance.
• Experience building and supporting high-performing, collaborative teams that appreciate and encourage diverse thinking; proven experience fostering teamwork among subordinates; experience coaching, mentoring, and motivating subordinates.
• Experience working with air quality regulations and knowledge of the Clean Air Act.
• Management experience in a government agency or organization; management experience with a union represented employer.
• Ability to be resourceful and pay attention to detail; ability to switch priorities or projects seamlessly; excellent project management skills.
• Experience in strategic planning, plan implementation, succession planning, outcomes-based management, and change management, champions process improvement.
• Ability and experience managing human, financial, and informational resources in a manner that instills employee and public trust and accomplishes the organization's mission.
• Demonstrated skill in advising executives and other decision-makers; political awareness; excellent verbal and written communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.; ability to communicate clearly and effectively in stressful situations.
• 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.
• 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 partners and agency responsibilities to protect human health and the environment.

Minimum Qualifications:

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

What’s 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 after 6 months of service
• 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.

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.

There is frequent in-state travel to meet with local governments, advisory committees, agency personnel or other regulated entities to address issues relating to developing and implementing air quality control strategies and occasional out of state travel to attend meetings and conferences or to meet with EPA on issues relating to implementing Clean Air Oregon requirements. Some meetings are held in the evenings requiring occasional irregular work hours or visits to industrial source inspections with staff to help resolve issues.

How to Apply: (complete the application in full)

• External Applicants Click on the “Apply” button and submit your application. Click this link for the External Candidate job aid, and view this video for additional information.
• Internal Applicants (current State of Oregon employees): Apply through your employee Workday account.  View this knowledge article for assistance.

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Help Your Application Rise to the Top!

Your candidate profile, cover letter, and resume are the perfect opportunity to highlight your interest in the position and showcase your amazing skills and experience. Candidates whose training and/or experience most closely match the requirements and needs of the position and who attach all necessary documents will be eligible for an interview. Submissions will be screened for consistency of information and communication skills at the professional level (attention to detail, spelling, grammar, etc.). Please make sure your attributes and the minimum qualifications are clearly demonstrated in your application materials.

Veterans Information:

DEQ provides veterans’ preference points to all eligible veterans. For more information on veterans’ preference, please visit Veterans Resources, or call the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs at: 1-800-692-9666. For privacy reasons, please do not attach veterans’ preference documents when initially applying. You will be asked to submit those later.

Pay Equity:

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. Please visit http://www.oregon.gov/das/hr/pages/equity.aspx for more information. 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 Security’s Form I-9, confirming authorization to work in the United States. In 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, please contact Grecia Lora Motz, Human Resources Analyst, at grecia.loramotz@deq.oregon.gov or (503) 863-0621. TTY users: please use the Oregon Telecommunications Relay Service at 1-800-735-2900.