Adaptive Planning & Source Protection Manager (Environmental Regulatory Manager)

City of Portland, Oregon; Portland (OR); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Language Pay Differential

Remote work option

Job summary

City of Portland, Oregon is seeking a senior leader to guide watershed protection programs and long‑term water planning. You will coordinate interagency efforts, manage diverse teams, and direct budgets to support resilient water supply amid a changing climate.

You will work with external partners to evaluate policy impacts, lead complex studies, and advance regulatory compliance while steering strategic investments in water infrastructure.

Qualifications

• Experience leading complex, multi‑year projects involving technical analysis and regulatory compliance.
• Clear and persuasive communicator, presenting and writing for diverse audiences.
• Experience building effective relationships through tact, diplomacy, and collaboration.
• Knowledge of watershed, water resource, environmental science, policy, and administration.
• Experience applying leadership principles, planning, budget development, and program evaluation.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams, work planning, performance management, mentoring.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the City’s Bull Run Watershed and Columbia South Shore Wellfield protection programs, including design, prioritization, implementation, interagency coordination, and regulatory compliance.
• Direct development of long‑term water supply and demand forecasts, including methodologies and consultant‑supported studies for 30‑year forecasts updated every five years.
• Provide leadership for interdisciplinary planning, coordinate budgets, resolve conflicts, and align environmental policies across the bureau and external agencies.
• Manage and supervise division staff, including hiring, onboarding, goal setting, performance reviews, and professional development.
• Develop and administer the Division budget, overseeing internal and external resources and multi‑million dollar allocations.
• Oversee the Water Bureau’s Net Zero strategy and advise on emissions‑reduction and climate‑benefit strategies.
• Oversee legislative and policy analysis related to drinking water source protection, climate resilience, and water rights; supervise staff who advise leadership on policy impacts.
• Lead development and management of consultant contracts, ensuring delivery of technical services and project implementation.

Skills

Project leadership

Communication

Stakeholder relations

Water resource knowledge

Strategic planning

Team leadership

Job description

Job Appointment: Full-Time Regular

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday Day Shift; Alternate Schedule May Be Available. This position supervises. As of April 2025, all manager and supervisor positions, are expected to report to their worksites full time. Remote workdays remain an option, to accommodate travel, or occasionally focus on major work projects.

Work Location: Portland Building, 1120 SW 5th Ave, Portland 97204. Remote work must be performed within Oregon or Washington. For more information, click here.

Benefits: Please check our benefits tab for an overview of benefit for this position

Language Pay Premium Eligible: This position may be eligible for Language Pay Differential for qualifying employees.

Union Representation: Non-Represented

Starting Pay: The City of Portland follows the Oregon Equal Pay Act. Your salary is determined based on the experience listed in your resume that is directly related and equivalent to the position for which you are applying.

This position plays a vital role in protecting Portland’s drinking water for generations to come. This role will lead efforts to safeguard both the Bull Run Watershed and the Columbia South Shore Well Field, working closely with partners across federal, state, and local agencies. You’ll guide the bureau’s climate resilience and long‑term planning work, oversee scientific studies and legislative reviews, and collaborate with national experts to stay ahead of emerging risks. By leading an interdisciplinary team and weaving resilience strategies into everyday operations, you’ll help ensure Portland’s water supply remains clean, reliable, and prepared for a changing environment.

In this position you will:

• Lead and oversee the City’s Bull Run Watershed and Columbia South Shore Wellfield protection programs, including program design, prioritization, implementation, interagency coordination, and regulatory compliance.
• Direct the development of long‑term water supply and demand forecasts, including methodologies, analyses, and consultant‑supported technical studies needed for 30‑year forecasts updated every five years.
• Provide leadership for interdisciplinary planning and problem‑solving, maintaining relationships across the bureau and with external agencies to coordinate budgets, resolve conflicts, and align environmental policies and programs. This work includes:
  • Manage the bureau’s Adaptive Planning Program, including convening cross‑bureau stakeholders, evaluating supply and demand data, facilitating annual workshops with 40+ participants, and guiding long‑term supply system investment decisions.
  • Assess and monitor climate change impacts on water supply, demand, and system resilience, and advise internal teams on integrating climate‑preparation strategies into bureau practices.
• Manage and supervise division staff, including hiring, onboarding, assigning work, establishing goals, reviewing performance, and supporting professional development.
• Develop and administer the Division budget, overseeing internal and external resources, including PCEF‑funded allocations ranging from $1–5M annually.
• Oversee the Water Bureau’s Net Zero strategy and advise executive leadership on emissions‑reduction and climate‑benefit strategies, including engagement with the Water Utility Climate Alliance.
• Oversee legislative and policy analysis related to drinking water source protection, climate resilience, and water rights, including evaluating proposed laws or regulations, and supervising staff who are advising bureau leadership on policy positions and impacts.
• Lead the development and management of consultant contracts, ensuring effective delivery of technical services and project implementation related to water resource protection, water demand analysis, and adaptive planning strategies.

About the Bureau

The Portland Water Bureau’s Resource Protection and Planning Group conducts natural resource stewardship, environmental protection, climate change analysis, and adaptive water resource planning efforts related to Portland’s drinking water system. The group contains seven divisions of science, technical, policy, and regulatory compliance staff working to ensure that the natural conditions contributing to Portland’s outstanding drinking water sources are protected and maintained. Its work focuses on the environmental regulations governing endangered species, aquatic habitat, and cultural resources; water supply planning; legislative and regulatory review; and the management and staffing for the Regional Water Providers Consortium.

The Portland Water Bureau (PWB) serves almost a million people in the Portland area, about a quarter of Oregon's population. PWB employs over 600 people providing responsive service to build and maintain a water system that enhances public health and safety and contributes to the economic vitality and livability of the Portland metropolitan region. To learn more about us visit our website https://www.portland.gov/water/about-us

Virtual Zoom Meet & Greet Opportunity

Come meet the hiring manager and the senior recruiter! We'll be talking about the position duties and responsibilities, day to day life in the role, review the announcement, discuss how to apply, and answer questions you may have about the position.

November 16, 2026, 5:30 PM, Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Zoom Meeting Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88629186553

*Please note: AI Notetaking apps will not be allowed into virtual sessions hosted by the Bureau of Human Resources Recruitment Team. If you need accommodations as defined by the American Disabilities Act, then please contact the Recruiter for assistance.

Applicants must demonstrate how their education, training, and experience meet each of the minimum qualifications listed below:

1. Experience leading complex, multi-year projects involving technical analysis and regulatory compliance.
2. Clear and persuasive communicator, presenting and writing for a variety of diverse audiences.
3. Experience building effective relationships by demonstrating tact, diplomacy, and patience, and by gaining cooperation through discussion and collaboration.
4. Knowledge of watershed, water resource, environmental and natural resource science, policy and administration.
5. Experience applying leadership principles, strategic and operational planning, public administration, program evaluation, budget development and management.
6. Experience leading and supervising multidisciplinary teams, including work planning, performance management, mentoring, and professional development of staff.

Applicants must also possess:

• A valid state driver’s license and acceptable driving record.

What to Expect:

1. Application Review - (Week of November 30th): We'll review your application materials to ensure you meet the minimum qualifications listed above.
2. Notice/Feedback - (Week of December 7th): You will receive an email when the minimum qualification review is complete. If you disagree with the evaluation results, you may request a review within 14 days of the email notice, per City Administrative Rule 3.01.
3. Selection Process - Mid December): The hiring bureau will review qualified applications, conduct interviews, and check references.
4. Conditional Job Offer - (January 2027): Final candidates may undergo a background or driving record check, depending on the position.

*Timeline is approximate and subject to change.

We’re committed to providing a fair, inclusive, and accessible hiring process. If you need assistance with your application or would like to request a reasonable accommodation due to a disability, pregnancy, or religious belief, please contact the recruiter listed below.

Questions? We're here to help!

If you have questions about this recruitment or need assistance, contact:

Tami Larison, Senior Recruiter
[e-mail]
Bureau of Human Resources