Department of Environmental Quality Deputy Director (Deputy/Chief 6)
Group: Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
Location: Portland
Salary Range: Salary Range: $9,826 - $15,221
Deadline Information: This posting closes at 11:59 PM PST on July 31,2023. First review of applications will be on July 25, 2023. The posting deadline may be extended.
Deadline Date: 07/31/2023
Posted Date: 06/23/2023
Contact Information for Applicants
Rebecca Zanskar
rebecca.zanskar@deq.oregon.gov
5038078937
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 status, 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 Deputy Director (Deputy/Chief 6). This position is based out of DEQ’s Headquarters in Portland, Oregon.
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
Please consider joining an innovative team, and work to advance our agency’s mission to protect and improve Oregon’s environmental quality. This position is located within the Director’s Office. The Director’s Office, with the Agency Leadership Team, provides policy formation and guidance, goal development, problem solving, conflict resolution, leadership, and accountability for the entire agency’s program efforts. The team balances needs, interests, and perspectives across the agency, and provides long-term strategic thinking and planning to ensure that DEQ’s priorities and core work are consistent with the agency’s mission, shared vision, and organization design principles. DEQ aspires to ground our work in anti-racist principles and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB).
Click here to view a map of all the DEQ offices.
What you will do:
You will lead and direct the administration of implementing and enforcing laws regulating air, water, and land pollution; administer authorities delegated by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) including the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Resource Conservation and Recovery Acts; administer state statutes including air, water, waste, and environmental cleanup; ensure the integration of environmental justice across agency programs; serve on behalf of the Director as an attendee of the Governor’s cabinet; and assist on behalf of the Director in efforts to coordinate Natural Resource Agencies. In addition, you will support the Director, Environmental Quality Commission (EQC), and overall effectiveness of the Agency by providing leadership and guidance to DEQ employees statewide, fostering organizational health and representing the Agency to constituent groups, interested parties, elected officials, and other partners.
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:
· 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.
· Creating an environment where diversity, equity, and inclusion are valued.
Desired Attributes/Skills:
If you have these qualities, let us know! Candidates who are most competitive will reflect the following:
· Experience working with varied and diverse groups and communities in urban and rural settings, as well as with tribal nations; ability and/or lived experience to understand and fully engage with the diverse people and communities of Oregon, especially those who have been historically marginalized by state and federal policies.
· 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 through inclusivity, equity, and kindness.
· 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.
· Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to provide clear, concise, and compelling communication of policy and technical information tailored to the needs of diverse audiences; skill in writing and presenting clear and concise reports that include qualitative and quantitative analyses, recommendations, and conclusions to diverse audiences.
· Management experience in a government agency or organization; understanding of or experience in working with labor unions, particularly in a government setting and preferably in the environmental / natural resources sector.
· Strong understanding of the principles of environmental justice; experience applying principles of environmental justice and empowering community members; experience with means beyond traditional regulatory pathways for achieving ecological stewardship and social justice.
· Knowledge of and experience in developing and implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
· Strong knowledge of and experience in the enforcement and implementation of federal and/or state environmental laws and policy; experience working with regulated entities; management experience of a natural resource program.
· Experience in strategic planning, succession planning, outcomes-based management, and change management; leading or supporting process improvement.
Minimum Qualifications:
· Progressive management experience in a government agency or organization, including experience managing multiple large, complex programs, division, and services.
· Demonstrated leadership and commitment to promoting and enhancing principles of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
· Familiarity with the development of legislation, program rules, and policies.
· Familiarity with the preparation and execution of budgets.
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, executive 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.
This position will be based out of DEQ’s Headquarters Portland 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.
There will be required travel on official State business for meetings, conferences, trainings, seminars, workshops, public hearings, and Legislative session, some of which may involve evening work and/or overnight stays, especially during Legislative session and emergencies.
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.
Helpful Tips:
· Be sure to attach a resume and cover letter.
· Allow yourself plenty of time to complete and submit the application, resume, and cover letter.
· Workday will timeout after 15 minutes of inactivity.
· Please save a copy of the job announcement for your reference, as it may not be available for you to view after the job posting closes.
· This posting closes at 11:59 PM PST on July 31,2023. First review of applications will be on July 25, 2023. The posting deadline may be extended.
· Be sure to check both your email and Workday account for updates regarding this recruitment.
· Workday performs best in Google Chrome.
· Click here for Resources and a Job Support Page.
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 minimum qualifications are clearly demonstrated in your application material.
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 Rebecca Zanskar, Human Resources Analyst, at rebecca.zanskar@deq.oregon.gov or (503) 807-8937. TTY users: please use the Oregon Telecommunications Relay Service at 1-800-735-2900.