Waste Prevention and Environmental Services Deputy Director

Hello, we're Metro! Metro is dedicated to shaping a better future for the greater Portland region. The work the people of Metro do every day benefits the lives of the people who live here, today, and tomorrow.

The Waste Prevention and Environmental Services (WPES) Department is seeking an experienced and strategic leader to serve as Deputy Director. In this role, you will provide executive leadership and operational oversight across a complex, regionally significant garbage and recycling system. You will act as the principal deputy to the Department Director and serve as the Director in their absence, ensuring continuity of leadership and decision-making across the organization.

As the Deputy Director you will:

• Provide executive leadership, supervision, and management of assigned operational programs and services, including site-based operations, and internal policies and procedures.
• Monitor the planning and execution of cross-divisional/team systems, performance measures, and service delivery standards.
• Translate Council and executive policy direction into operational plans and oversees implementation to ensure safe efficient, safe, and compliant service delivery.
• Assist the Director and Finance Manager with department-wide budget preparation, forecasting, and monitoring of expenditures and revenues.
• Maintain expertise in the department's fee structures and budget and represents the department in public meetings and presentations.
• Provide oversight of the department's Capital Improvement Program, ensuring alignment of project planning, funding, and execution with operational and strategic goals.
• Lead and oversee the development, documentation, and governance of department policies, procedures, and internal controls to ensure compliance with Metro, state, and federal requirements.
• Represent the department with internal partners, union representatives, and external agencies; communicates operational performance, risks, and opportunities to the Director.
• Assist with department-wide short- and long-range planning. Identifies and implements improvements in operational systems, technology, data use, performance metrics and program evaluation to enhance service delivery and accountability.

Attributes for success:

• Strong leadership and organizational management skills, with the ability to guide teams and drive alignment across programs.
• Experience translating policy direction into operational implementation.
• Knowledge of budgeting, financial management, and performance monitoring.
• Knowledge of management theory and principles of supervision.
• Knowledge of regulations and laws applicable to area of assignment.
• Ability to develop and implement policies, procedures, and operational frameworks.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with experience working across diverse stakeholder groups.
• A commitment to public service, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Knowledge of solid waste systems or similar public infrastructure and regulatory environments.

Minimum qualifications

• Seven to ten years of specialized experience or operational management in area of responsibility, and
• A Bachelor's degree in the assigned program area or a related field, or
• Any combination of education, professional, volunteer and lived experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the classification duties and responsibilities.

Like to have qualifications

You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider them when identifying the most qualified candidates. Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience, including the military, or life experience that are relevant for this position.

• Experience leading large, complex operational programs, utilities, public works, environmental services, infrastructure systems, or similar public sector operations.
• Experience developing and administering operating and capital budgets, financial forecasts, fee-supported programs, or enterprise funds.
• Experience leading organizational change, operational improvement initiatives, or business transformation efforts.
• Experience overseeing capital improvement programs, asset management programs, facility operations, or infrastructure investments.
• Experience working with elected officials, governing boards, advisory committees, community stakeholders, or regulatory agencies.
• Knowledge of solid waste systems, recycling systems, environmental services, utility operations, transportation systems, or other regulated public infrastructure systems.
• Experience implementing performance management systems, operational metrics, data analytics, or continuous improvement programs.
• Experience developing policies, procedures, governance systems, and internal controls across complex organizations.
• Experience translating strategic plans, policy direction, or regulatory requirements into operational implementation.
• Master's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Engineering, Environmental Management, Organizational Leadership, or a related field.
• Professional certification related to leadership, public administration, project management, asset management, finance, emergency management, or continuous improvement.

The application packet: The application packet consists of the following required documents. Please ensure that you upload these documents in your online application. Make sure your application is complete, missing any part of these items could result in an incomplete application and will not be moved forward in the recruitment.

• A completed Resume that includes the details for each employer
• A cover letter outlining your interest in the position and how your experience aligns with the role.

Application closing Date: 6/25/2026 11:59 PM Pacific