Department of Environmental Quality

Lead and manage the Operations & Policy section to support agency functions and staff effectiveness. | 6 years of management experience or 3 years plus a Bachelor's degree, with skills in equity, team leadership, policy, and operational management. | Initial Posting Date: 05/26/2026 Application Deadline: 06/07/2026 Agency: Department of Environmental Quality Salary Range: $7,537 - $11,657 Position Type: Employee Position Title: Central Services Division Policy & Operations Manager (Business Operations Manager 2) Job Description: 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 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. Opportunity: The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has a full-time opportunity available for a Central Services Division Policy & Operations Manager (Business Operations Manager 2). This position is based out of DEQ’s Headquarters in Portland, Oregon. The Agency: 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. 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 Central Services Division (CSD) is a collaborative, mission driven team that supports every part of the agency. We partner with DEQ programs across Oregon to make sure staff have the tools, systems, and guidance they need to serve communities effectively. Our work spans accounting and budgeting, information systems, human resources, health and safety, training, policy and organizational development, purchasing, and facilities management. Together, we support headquarters, regional offices, the Vehicle Inspection Program, and the Laboratory and Environmental Assessment Division. Our services touch more than 800 positions across the state and help ensure that DEQ can show up for local governments, sovereign Tribal Nations, community partners, and the people of Oregon we serve every day. For a visual representation of DEQ’s offices and their locations, view our DEQ Offices and Vehicle Inspection Testing Stations map. What you will do! You will lead the Operations & Policy section within the Central Services Division. You will guide a team that supports essential agency functions, including data governance, public records management and coordination, facilities operations, fleet services, agency reception, emergency management and continuity of operations, and agency‑wide policy management and development. Your leadership will bring clarity, coordination, and consistency to these services so staff across DEQ have what they need to do their work effectively and to serve communities well. You will set the vision and direction for Operations & Policy by developing goals and objectives, tracking progress, and helping staff prioritize work. You will coach and empower a diverse team of professional and technical staff, creating a supportive environment where people feel valued and are encouraged to grow. This includes hiring and onboarding, providing regular feedback, and helping staff build confidence and skills in their areas of responsibility. You will also help resolve complex operational or administrative challenges; support the development of clear and responsive statewide rules, procedures, and guidance; and ensure the division’s work is timely, service oriented, and aligned with DEQ’s commitments to equity, accessibility, and high-quality customer service. As a manager and people-centered leader, you will be expected to demonstrate, and model for others, the following competencies: proactive communication, innovation, intentional engagement, mentoring and developing others, stewardship, and business acumen. These competencies show up in your day-to-day work through: Supporting staff with the tools, resources, and information they need to succeed. Coaching, mentoring, and motivating staff through regular check-ins, thoughtful guidance, and opportunities for skill development and career growth. Setting clear work objectives, goals, and expectations, and addressing performance with timeliness, care, and accountability. Creating belonging by fostering team cohesion, encouraging collaboration, and helping ensure staff understand each other’s roles and can step in to support one another when needed. Your leadership will help strengthen CSD’s culture of service, collaboration, and continuous improvement, and ensure that our internal operations reflect the values of our Strategic Plan and DEI Plan: fairness, transparency, accessibility, trust, and a commitment to serving all communities in Oregon. Desired Attributes/Skills: If you have these qualities, let us know! Candidates who are most competitive will reflect the following: Demonstrated ability to apply equity and inclusion principles to policy, operations, and supervision. Proven skill in building healthy team culture through coaching, mentorship, accountability, and conflict navigation. Demonstrated ability to lead diverse operational functions by guiding subject-matter experts, making informed decisions without being the technical expert, and ensuring coordinated, customer-focused service delivery. Experience leading policy development, overseeing policy implementation and change management, and advising executives on operational or organizational impacts. Ability to manage complex operational functions with a focus on outcomes, metrics, and continuous improvement. Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across diverse teams, roles, and perspectives. Clear, effective communicator with demonstrated skill in written and verbal communication, especially when advising executives or explaining complex information. 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 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. 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 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. At DEQ sites, you will have access to a workspace, however, it may be shared with other employees. Most work is performed in a professional office setting with multiple demands on time. There is frequent work under tight deadlines with changing priorities. This position requires occasional travel on official State business for meetings, conferences, trainings, and public hearings, some of which may involve evening work, weekend work, and/or overnight stays. There may be extended working hours during Legislative session, inclement weather events, and other emergency situations. This job involves the occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds. 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 account. For step-by-step resources on how to apply, review the Jobs, search & apply knowledge article. Helpful Tips: Allow yourself plenty of time to complete and submit the application, resume, and cover letter. The State of Oregon does not request or require your age, date of birth, attendance, or graduation dates from an educational institution during the application process. Workday will timeout after 15 minutes of inactivity. This posting closes at 11:59 PM on the close date listed. 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. Be sure to check both your email and Workday account for updates regarding this recruitment. Workday performs best in Google Chrome. Check out our Resources and Job Support Page for other helpful tips. 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. Interested in hearing about future opportunities with DEQ? Subscribe to our weekly e-mail updates. 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 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, including an accommodation request under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact DEQ’s Recruitment Team at jobs@deq.oregon.gov or 503-229-5107. TTY users: please use the Oregon Telecommunications Relay Service at 1-800-735-2900. Oregon state government is a large organization by nearly any standard. With over 40,000 employees working all over the state, in small communities and large, we are proving that government can be innovative. We work as a team, challenging ourselves to be better, faster and more efficient with taxpayer dollars. After all, when every day we are responsible for caring for the needs of a diverse population and thriving business community, we simply must have the best and brightest workforce. If you take responsibility for your actions, are passionate about helping others succeed, and have a reputation for excellence and honesty, why not make Oregon state government your next career move? Joining our team means you open the door to many possibilities. From entry level to executive, outdoor work to policy setting, we have a role for nearly every calling, expertise and background. If you’re looking at us from across the country (or beyond!), know that Oregon is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Made up of seven diverse regions, Oregon has the ocean, mountains, valleys, high desert, cities, small towns, and almost everything in between. Oregon “flies with her own wings.”

Manage agency communications and outreach, lead staff, and serve as principal advisor on communication strategies. | Supervisory management experience, strong communication skills, and ability to lead diverse teams in public sector settings. | Initial Posting Date: 04/06/2026 Application Deadline: 04/19/2026 Agency: Department of Environmental Quality Salary Range: $7,537 - $11,657 Position Type: Employee Position Title: Communications Manager (Communications Manager 2) Job Description: Are you interested in applying your communications 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 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. Opportunity: The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has a full-time opportunity available for a Communications Manager (Communications Manager 2). This position is based out of Portland, Oregon. Please consider joining an innovative team, and work to advance our agency’s mission to protect and improve Oregon’s environmental quality. The Agency: 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. 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. This position serves within the Office of the Director’s Office of Policy and External Relations. The Office of Policy and External Relations ensures that the legislative agenda and budget are effectively developed and implemented, and that DEQ is connected to and collaborating with communities across Oregon and other interested parties. This office has lead responsibility for liaison work with the Legislature and Environmental Quality Commission; communication with and outreach to Oregon communities; media and public relations; coordination with the Governor’s office and other state agencies; and development of budget policy packages and legislative concepts for the agency request budget and operating budget. For a visual representation of DEQ’s offices and their locations, view our DEQ Offices and Vehicle Inspection Testing Stations map. What you will do! You will manage the Agency’s Office of Communications and Outreach section which includes developing program goals and objectives and monitoring progress; identifying, prioritizing, and scheduling work; and hiring, managing, leading, and coaching staff in the fulfillment of the objectives and goals of the Office of Communications and Outreach. You will direct DEQ’s statewide communication and outreach efforts, including design and implementation of public information and education programs, internal and external communication and websites, and content management of the agency’s internal document management and storage platform; oversee media relations, as well as internal and external branding efforts; act as a spokesperson for DEQ; and serve as the principal advisor to the director and executive team on communication and outreach. In addition, you will represent the agency before the commission, the Governor’s Office, local governments, tribal governments, interested parties, and local and national media. 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 and 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. 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 communicating about public policy and process, including experience with public boards, committees, councils, and/or commissions. Experience as a supervisory manager of a communications section and team. Familiarity with a wide variety of communication tools, including press releases, email list serves, web and social media, as well as community engagement techniques. An understanding of how to work with news media on a wide variety of topics, both proactively and reactively. Experience communicating complex technical information and data to audiences who may be unfamiliar with the subject matter. Experience leading teams or organizations in crisis and emergency communications efforts. Experience leading the development of comprehensive and strategic communication planning and messaging efforts. Experience advising, briefing, staffing, and preparing executive leadership to engage in high-profile and contentious public relation environments (e.g. media interviews, press briefings, public meetings). Experience representing an agency or organization in meetings with government officials, commissions, advisory committees, interested parties, local and national media, and the public, sometimes in urgent, contentious, or high profile situations. 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 direct-report employees; experience coaching, mentoring, and motivating direct-report employees and peers through inclusivity, equity, and kindness. Supervisory management experience in the public sector (ex: local, state, or federal government, school districts, etc.); understanding of or experience in working with labor unions, particularly in a government setting. Skill in cultivating positive relationships across diverse teams while addressing workplace dynamics with professionalism and cultural sensitivity. Experience in strategic planning, plan implementation, succession planning, outcome-based management, and change management; champions process improvement. Excellent verbal and written communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills. Ability and experience managing human, financial, and informational resources in a manner that instills employee and public trust and accomplishes the organization's mission. 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 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. 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 office in Portland, 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. Most work is performed in a professional office setting with multiple demands on time. There is frequent work under tight deadlines. This position requires some travel on official State business for meetings, conferences, 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. This position may be on-call during crisis or sensitive situations. 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 account. For step-by-step resources on how to apply, review the Jobs, search & apply knowledge article. 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. The State of Oregon does not request or require your age, date of birth, attendance, or graduation dates from an educational institution during the application process. Workday will timeout after 15 minutes of inactivity. This posting closes at 11:59 PM on the close date listed. 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. Be sure to check both your email and Workday account for updates regarding this recruitment. Workday performs best in Google Chrome. Check out our Resources and Job Support Page for other helpful tips. 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. Interested in hearing about future opportunities with DEQ? Subscribe to our weekly e-mail updates. 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 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, including an accommodation request under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact DEQ’s Recruitment Team at jobs@deq.oregon.gov or 503-229-5107. TTY users: please use the Oregon Telecommunications Relay Service at 1-800-735-2900. Oregon state government is a large organization by nearly any standard. With over 40,000 employees working all over the state, in small communities and large, we are proving that government can be innovative. We work as a team, challenging ourselves to be better, faster and more efficient with taxpayer dollars. After all, when every day we are responsible for caring for the needs of a diverse population and thriving business community, we simply must have the best and brightest workforce. If you take responsibility for your actions, are passionate about helping others succeed, and have a reputation for excellence and honesty, why not make Oregon state government your next career move? Joining our team means you open the door to many possibilities. From entry level to executive, outdoor work to policy setting, we have a role for nearly every calling, expertise and background. If you’re looking at us from across the country (or beyond!), know that Oregon is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Made up of seven diverse regions, Oregon has the ocean, mountains, valleys, high desert, cities, small towns, and almost everything in between. Oregon “flies with her own wings.”