Environmental Program Administrator (Division Director)

Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Division of Air Pollution Control in Nashville, seeks an Executive Service Director to provide statewide leadership for air permitting, compliance, enforcement, planning, modeling, monitoring and regulatory development.

The role leads staff across Tennessee, reports to the Deputy Commissioner, and serves as Technical Secretary of the Air Pollution Control Board.

Qualifications

• Provide strategic leadership across statewide air permitting, compliance, enforcement, planning, modeling, monitoring and regulatory development programs.
• Lead and develop high-performing teams through effective communication, collaboration, coaching and accountability.
• Manage the Division's finances to ensure compliance with federal and state requirements.
• Serve as Technical Secretary of the Air Pollution Control Board per applicable law.
• Engage with state leadership and legislators to support rule making and priorities.
• Act as the Division’s primary public representative, including media engagement and stakeholder relations.

Responsibilities

• Provide statewide leadership for air quality programs and regulatory development.
• Lead teams to deliver in a collaborative, accountable work environment.
• Represent the Division in public and government stakeholder engagements.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Budget oversight

Education

MS or higher in environmental/science/engineering/law

Job description

Where: Division of Air Pollution Control - Nashville, TN

Closing Date: 09/21/2026

Looking for an opportunity to work with a collaborative team at the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC)? The Division of Air Pollution Control (APC) is pleased to offer a leadership opportunity that supports the division’s mission to maintain the purity of Tennessee’s air resources in a manner consistent with the protection of human health, general welfare, and physical property of Tennessee’s citizens. The Division Director serves as the program administrator for APC, providing strategic, administrative, and programmatic leadership in furtherance of the agency’s statutory mission. The position is in Nashville, TN.

As the APC Director, this Executive Service position leads staff across the state in implementing the mission of the Division and works with diverse stakeholders – including regulated entities, state and federal agency partners, and members of the public – from the Nashville Central Office. The Division Director reports directly to the Deputy Commissioner of TDEC’s Bureau of Environment (BOE) and serves as the Technical Secretary of the Air Pollution Control Board. Candidates must meet the minimum qualifications (MQs) for this position.

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for statewide air permitting, compliance, enforcement, planning, modeling, monitoring and regulatory development programs.
• Lead, develop, and support high-performing teams through effective communication, collaboration, coaching and accountability.
• Manage the financial performance of the Division to ensure compliance with federal and state requirements.
• Serve as the Technical Secretary of the Air Pollution Control Board in accordance with Tennessee Code Annotated (T.C.A.) § 68-201-107.
• Engage with state leadership and legislators, as needed, to support rule making efforts, provide expert guidance on air-quality and air-pollution matters, and communicate the Division’s regulatory and program priorities.
• Serve as the Division’s primary public representative, including media engagement and stakeholder relations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (MS or higher) in environmental science, physical science, ecology, sustainability, life sciences, environmental health, engineering, or law.
• At least 8–10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience.
• Demonstrated experience managing budgets, grants, and complex programs.
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Experience working with public agencies, boards, and legislative bodies.

Pursuant to the State of Tennessee’s Workplace Discrimination and Harassment policy, the State is firmly committed to the principle of fair and equal employment opportunities for its citizens and strives to protect the rights and opportunities of all people to seek, obtain, and hold employment without being subjected to illegal discrimination and harassment in the workplace. It is the State’s policy to provide an environment free of discrimination and harassment of an individual because of that person’s race, color, national origin, age (40 and over), sex, pregnancy, religion, creed, disability, veteran’s status or any other category protected by state and/or federal civil rights laws.