State of Utah

Compensation

Full Description

The Department of Environmental Quality is looking for a Director for the Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control (WMRC). The Director of the Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control (WMRC) leads the division's functions to protect Utah's air, land, water, and communities from waste and radiation hazards. This executive leadership role is essential to ensuring that, as the state grows, DEQ protects Utah’s air, land, and water in a way that supports both economic prosperity and vibrant communities. The Director is a key member of the DEQ executive leadership team, responsible for aligning WMRC's operational activities with the department’s mission and strategic goals of fostering a strong workplace culture, strengthening meaningful relationships, solving problems, protecting Utah’s air, land, and water, and enhancing operational efficiency. The Director is appointed by the DEQ Executive Director. Principal Duties Strategic Leadership and Environmental Protection The Director provides vision and direction for programs managing the full lifecycle of waste and radiation control in Utah. This includes: • Growth and Energy Strategy: Position the division as a partner in Utah's growth by engaging in forward-thinking conversations about land use and energy, including supporting energy development such as nuclear energy and critical mineral extraction, while safeguarding air, land, and water. • Policy Implementation and Direction: Translate state and federal laws and guidelines into actionable strategies and policies that protect the environment and inform operational decisions. • Radiation Safety: Ensure the safe and beneficial use of radioactive materials and devices, and manage regulatory aspects of uranium mills as well as oversee the creation of a Utah Nuclear Regulatory Office. • Waste Management Oversight: Direct programs covering hazardous waste cleanup, low-level radioactive waste, solid waste, waste tires, used oil, and the X-Ray Program. Operational Excellence and Process Improvement The Director drives efficiency and consistency to deliver broad benefits to Utahns. This involves: • Modernization: Lead the modernization of WMRC systems, policies, tools, forms, and databases to prioritize customer needs, eliminate redundancies, and strengthen data-driven decision-making. • Streamlining Processes: Expedite and streamline permit, certification, and license issuance processes to ensure timely and predictable outcomes. • Accountability and Transparency: Clearly articulate the rationale and legal authority behind any new standard, rule, or enforcement action to stakeholders. Relationships and Collaboration The Director is responsible for building trust and meaningful relationships with all stakeholders. This involves: • Stakeholder Engagement: Proactively strengthen relationships and foster collaboration with all stakeholders including industry and state, federal, tribal, and municipal governments. • Public Communication: Act as the division’s chief communicator, and represent the department in discussions and coordination with state and federal agencies, the legislature, and the public. • Interagency Coordination: Actively engage and collaborate with other state agencies on matters of mutual interest and impact, including water, energy, transportation, housing, and land use, to identify where growth can simultaneously safeguard and enhance Utah's environment. Team and Culture Development The Director fosters a culture of problem-solving, collaboration, service, and innovation. This includes: • Mentorship: Supervise and mentor managers and staff while cultivating a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and accountability. • Empowerment: Empower WMRC staff to act as trusted public servants and solutions-finders, embracing teamwork and innovation. • Leadership Development: Facilitate skills development and knowledge transfer among employees to foster the next generation of leaders in the agency. Ideal Candidate The ideal candidate is a leader who embodies DEQ’s core values and strategic priorities: • Strategic Thinker: Possesses a deep understanding of environmental regulation and how resources drive outcomes in the public sector. • Change Agent: An advocate for operational modernization who embraces process improvement, systems-thinking approaches, and works to enhance efficiency and consistency. • Collaborative Leader: Builds partnerships across divisions and agencies and actively engages in forward-thinking conversations about Utah's growth. • Creative Problem-Solver: Balances innovation with a commitment to rigorous compliance, accuracy, and transparency in managing critical programs. • Exceptional Communicator: Has a proven ability to translate complex environmental data and regulations into strategic, actionable information for diverse audiences. • Culture-Builder: A mentor with experience managing cross-functional teams and promoting a mindset that learns from failure to empower improvement. Minimum Qualifications • Education: Bachelor's degree in engineering, environmental science, public administration, business, or a related field. • Experience: 8+ years of progressive experience in environmental management, regulatory enforcement, public administration, or operational leadership, with significant experience leading large, complex teams. Why You Should Join Our Team As a benefited employee of the Department of Environmental Quality, you will receive great health and retirement benefits. Click here (Download PDF reader) to view a summary of the benefits we offer. We also provide generous paid time off so you can spend more time with your family and have a positive work-life balance. The Agency For more information about the Department of Environmental Quality and the Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control, click here. • Division director shall hold one of the following degrees from an accredited college or university: (i) a four-year degree in physical or biological science or engineering (ii) a related degree; or (iii) a degree in law Utah Code 19-1-1-105-3 • Risks found in the typical office setting, which is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated, e.g. safe use of office equipment, avoiding trips and falls, observing fire regulations, etc. • Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to perform the work; however there may be some walking, standing, bending, carrying light items, driving an automobile, etc. Special physical demands are not required to perform the work.