Water Resource Protection & Adaptive Planning Lead

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

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.