MPDES Permitting Section Supervisor

State of Montana; Helena (MT); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Montana, Department of Environmental Quality, Water Protection Bureau is seeking an MPDES Section Supervisor who will lead the permitting team, mentor staff, and translate complex regulatory requirements into clear decisions. You will set priorities, manage timelines, provide constructive feedback, and collaborate across the bureau to balance technical complexity with legal risk.

The successful candidate will learn quickly, exercise sound supervisory judgment, and promote

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent.
• Three years of progressively responsible leadership or supervision experience.
• Experience managing multiple priorities and meeting deadlines.
• Preferred education in water quality.
• May require current valid Driver's License.

Responsibilities

• Lead the MPDES permitting team and provide guidance on complex questions.
• Set clear priorities, expectations, and timelines; track progress.
• Provide timely feedback and support professional growth.
• Collaborate across the bureau and agency to promote cross-agency collaboration.
• Turn complex requirements into clear priorities and practical steps.

Skills

Team leadership

Curiosity and learning

Communication skills

Relationship-building

Decision making

Prioritization

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Water quality education preferred

Job description

We are looking for an MPDES Section Supervisor who brings strong leadership, curiosity, and a commitment to helping people succeed. As part of the Water Protection Bureau, you will lead the team responsible for MPDES (Montana Pollution Discharge Elimination System) permitting; help staff navigate complex technical and regulatory questions and produce clear, well-supported, defensible permitting decisions; and build strong working relationships across the bureau and agency. You do not need to arrive as a permitting expert. You do need the ability and commitment to learn the program's technical and legal requirements quickly enough to exercise sound supervisory judgement, recognize when additional expertise is needed, and make timely decisions. We are looking for someone who asks thoughtful questions, listens to different perspectives, and helps a team turn complex requirements into clear priorities and practical next steps.

As the section supervisor, you will set clear priorities, expectations, and timelines; track progress; and resolve barriers to completing permitting work. You will help the team focus review where technical complexity and legal risk warrant it and streamline routine work without sacrificing quality. You will provide timely, meaningful feedback to the team, address performance concerns constructively, and support the professional growth of your team. The Water Protection Bureau values a collaborative environment where people share knowledge, ask questions, raise concerns respectfully, and work through challenges together. The successful candidate will be a person who shares and promotes these values.

We are looking for someone who can lead people while learning a complex program.

The strongest candidates will bring:

• Experience leading a team, setting direction, and helping others succeed
• Curiosity, sound judgment, and the ability to learn unfamiliar technical and regulatory material quickly
• The confidence to ask questions and the humility to recognize and support others with relevant expertise
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, including the ability to surface concerns, explain decisions, and navigate disagreement constructively
• The ability to organize and prioritize work, make timely decisions, follow through, and adapt quickly as priorities change

The Water Protection Bureau is comprised of a passionate team of individuals who work on complex challenges at the intersection of Montana law, environmental protection, and economic development. At the Department of Environmental Quality, our ultimate goal is to champion a healthy environment for a thriving Montana. DEQ employees are the heart of our organization. We value the people and invest in their professional growth, promoting a culture of cross-agency collaboration as we find solutions to the environmental challenges we face. DEQ values - leadership, accountability, customer service, efficiency, excellence, and decision making - are fundamental to our work. Come be a part of the Department of Environmental Quality.

The MPDES Section Supervisor position includes a career ladder for professional development and pay progression. This position may be eligible for occasional telework.

Effective February 23, 2026, this agency participates in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. After accepting a job offer and completing Form I-9, your information will be submitted to the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration for verification. For more information about E-Verify, please visit the E-Verify website found here, https://www.e-verify.gov/ .

Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent deduction.

Three years of progressively responsible experience including demonstrated leadership or supervision, may include experience from informal roles, and proven ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.

Preferred experience with business and management principles involved in planning, resource allocation, setting priorities, human resources management, leadership techniques, coordination of people and resources, and communication skills focused on stakeholder outreach.

Preferred education in water quality.

May require current valid Driver's License and clean driving record in accordance with State of Montana Vehicle Use Policy.

Alternative combinations of education and experience may be considered on a case-by-case basis.