Salary Range: $11,429 – $17,704
Agency: Department of Environmental Quality
Position Type: Employee, full time, hybrid optional
Location: Portland | DEQ | Multnomah Street
Position Title: Deputy Director (Deputy/Chief 6)
Initial Posting Date: 09/14/2026
Application Deadline: 10/05/2026
See full job posting here
Job Description:
Are you interested in applying your 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 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 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 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. These efforts are grounded in anti-racist principles and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB).
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 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.
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.