The Department of Environmental Quality’s mission is to be a leader in restoring, maintaining and enhancing the quality of Oregon’s air, land and water. As a regulatory agency whose job is to protect the quality of Oregon’s environment, DEQ works collaboratively with Oregonians for a healthy, sustainable environment.

The Environmental Solutions Division is responsible for collecting environmental information, analyzing environmental information and developing sound and effective environmental strategies. The Division ensures that the technical and scientific expertise is available to inform and carry out these responsibilities. In partnership with others, the Division takes a comprehensive and holistic view of environmental impacts and seeks to create solutions that enable actions that can reduce those impacts.

The Environmental Solutions Air Planning Section is responsible for developing new programs needed to protect and enhance air quality in coordination with Technical Services, Program Operations, the regions and the laboratory. This includes development of air quality plans for attainment, maintenance, prevention, visibility protection and regional haze  along with  supporting point, area and mobile source regulations. This section also develops strategies to reduce air toxics and greenhouse gas emissions.The GHG emissions work focuses primarily on clean fuels, electric vehicles and economic policy drivers. This section is also responsible for new air quality strategies and oversight of smoke management and conformity programs.

The purpose of this position is to manage the day-to-day operation of the Environmental Solutions, Air Planning Section; this includes, but is not limited to, supervising staff and overseeing management of section priorities and core work. Additionally, this position is responsible for coordinating planning activities across the statewide Air Quality program. These duties include: strategic planning; strategy/program implementation design and execution; building and maintaining relationships with stakeholders, citizen groups, elected officials, state and federal agencies, tribal nations and others; participating in the state legislative process; building, maintaining, and supporting internal DEQ teams; strategic communications planning; working with the governor’s office; collaborating with other DEQ programs; budget development; representing the agency on Boards or other in organizations; overseeing new policy/program development; and rulemaking.

Staff Planning, Performance and Supervision

• Hires staff, giving consideration to disabled, affirmative action and injured worker applicants.
• Plans, assigns, documents and maintains assigned work in position descriptions and work agreements.
• Consistently applies the principles of the Performance Management System to support employees in their personal growth and contributions to the program and agency.
• Investigates, responds and attempts to resolve step one grievances.

Operations and Continuous Improvement

• Implements and uses the problem solving process to improve effectiveness and efficiency of the programs deliverables.
• Encourages and supports employee collaboration to improve work processes.
• Implements techniques and ideas that contribute to program improvement.
• Determines and re-evaluate program priorities by evaluating the needs and assessing the availability of human, financial and time resources needed to implement current deliverables, and short and long term changes.
• Authorizes the expenditure of staff and financial resources to accomplish deliverables.
• Collaborates with counterparts when engaged in cross program utilization and needs assessment.

Policy, Procedure and Communication

• Manages program by overseeing, authorizing, developing and implementing policies, procedures and program priorities consistent with key goals of the program, agency, state and federal funders.
• Determines the most effective utilization of resources in order to carry out agency goals and objectives for providing services to both internal and external customers.
• Inspires and influences staff and stakeholders by providing direction and outlining common purpose while fostering a commitment to the vision and values of the agency and the state.
• Cultivates an environment of open sharing about ideas, listens and provides meaningful feedback.

Working Conditions
Generally an office environment. Monthly in-state travel to meet with local governments, advisory committees and regulated entities to address issues relating to developing and implementing materials management strategies. Occasional out of state travel to attend meetings and conferences. Extended work hours periodically.

Three years of management experience in a public or private organization that included responsibility for each of the following:

a) Development of program rules and policies.
b) Development of long- and short-range goals and plans.
c) Program evaluation, AND
d) Budget preparation.

OR

Two years of management experience in a public or private organization that included responsibility for each of the following:

a) Development of program rules and policies.
b) Development of long- and short-range goals and plans.
c) Program evaluation AND
d) Budget preparation.

AND 45-48 quarter hours (30-32 semester hours) of graduate level coursework in management.

OR

Three years of professional experience as a program/project leader,

a)  Assigning and reviewing work of professional staff (e.g., engineers, etc.).
b)  Project responsibility for developing goals and objectives.
c)  Project evaluation AND
d)  Monitoring and controlling or preparing a budget.

In the work history section on your application, you must clearly describe your experience in each of the a), b), c), d) areas listed. Failure to provide this information may result in eliminating your application from further consideration.

Requested Skills – Preference may be given to applicants who can demonstrate experience or knowledge in the following areas:

• Using effective management skills in the areas of planning and project management including organizing, directing, motivating, and evaluating both represented and non-represented employees; monitoring and controlling budget and financial resources; and providing good stewardship in the delivery of services to accomplish the strategic goals of the program.
• Guiding organizational progress by defining the critical issues, establishing a vision, setting measurable objectives, and prioritizing strategies.
• Using critical thinking skills and strategies to evaluate information, understand problems, and develop appropriate solutions.
• Ability to build coalitions internally and externally to achieve common goals.
• Ability to support staff and stakeholders in a continuously changing environment.
• Facilitating, negotiating and building consensus, especially for needed innovations, among diverse stakeholders with competing and differing needs.
• Developing and implementing effective short and long-term strategies to achieve goals.
• Tailoring messaging or selecting communication mechanisms that best fit the individual or audience. The ability to listen, read body language, ask questions, provide feedback and generate effective two-way communication.
• Building diverse teams and maintaining professional and respectful work environments.
• Managing projects or portfolios.
• Representing an agency or organization in matters of high stakeholder interest.
• Understanding of the Clean Air Act.

• To apply for this position, follow the “Apply” link above and complete the Oregon employment application online.
• All application materials must be received by the closing date and time posted on this announcement.

Complete Application
The application must include work experience that supports how you meet the minimum qualifications and requested skills. A resume (attached or text) will not replace the work experience section of the application.

Work experience
Work experience is based on a 40 hour work week. (Example: 20 hours a week for one year would equal six-months of work experience.)

Transcripts
If you are using education (a degree or coursework) to qualify for this position, transcripts must be submitted for all required or related courses. (A copy of your diploma will not substitute for the required transcripts.) Transcripts can be official or unofficial at time of application. If you are using your education to meet the minimum qualifications and do not attach your transcripts your application may be removed from consideration.

For application purposes, scanned copies are acceptable. Transcripts must be from an accredited institution and clearly show (1) your name, (2) the name and address of the institution, (3) the degree received and date conferred, and (4) required courses completed with a passing grade. The official or original degree documentation may be requested for education validation.

Work Authorization
The Department of Environmental Quality does not offer visa sponsorships. Within three days of hire, all applicants will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security’s Form I-9, confirming authorization to work in the United States.

Veterans’ Preference
Eligible veterans who meet the qualifications will be given veterans’ preference. To receive preference you MUST attach appropriate documentation as outlined by the Department of Administrative Services at the following website or you may call the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs at 1-800-692-9666.

Protect Your Confidential Information
To protect your confidential information, please redact (black out) your social security number on all documents before attaching them to your application.

Email Address
You must have a valid email address to apply for jobs with the Department of Environmental Quality. All communication regarding your application and status will be done by email.

Contact Information
For additional information about this opening you may contact Carrie Adams at (503) 229-5963 or adams.carrie@deq.state.or.us.

If you need an alternate format in order to complete the application process, please contact Carrie at (503) 229-5963 or adams.carrie@deq.state.or.us. Be prepared to describe the alternate format needed.

Special Information

• Note: All application materials will be reviewed for communication at a professional level with attention to proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Only candidates who meet the qualifications for this position and with work experience most closely meeting the desired attributes (requested skills) of this position will be invited to an interview.
• Be sure to attach all required documentation listed above. Failure to attach the required documentation may result in your application being removed from further consideration.
• Job posting reference number DEQ17-0072.

The Department of Environmental Quality is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer Committed to Workforce Diversity

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