Waste Prevention and Environmental Services Deputy Director
Salary
$133,700.00 - $193,877.00 Annually
Location
Portland, OR
Job Type
Full Time
Department
Waste Prevention and Environmental Services
Job Number
2022-1451-WPES
Closing
Continuous
Position summary
This announcement has been reopened but may close at anytime so those interested should apply without delay.
Hello, we’re Metro! We strive to be an employer of choice by being human-centered, authentic and support a welcoming environment where all of our employees can thrive. We offer a highly competitive compensation and benefits program.
Are you an enthusiastic, positive, results-oriented leader with a proven record of inspiring, motivating, and empowering others to develop, learn and grow? Do you have a good understanding of the region’s solid waste system, and a demonstrated commitment to centering racial equity throughout your work? If so, we may have the position just for you.
Metro’s Waste Prevention and Environmental Services Department is seeking a human-centered self-aware leader who is transparent, authentic and adaptable to serve as our deputy director. The person selected for this position will play a key role in advancing the 2030 Regional Waste Plan (RWP), which is focused on advancing racial equity, reducing the environmental and health impacts of products, and maintaining and improving our regional garbage and recycling system.
The deputy director will focus on internal operations including culture, accountability, policy and plan administration, critical operation response, process improvement throughout the department, and work on cross-collaboration among the four divisions within the department and across Metro. In this role, you will also coordinate and advance efforts to reopen/restart/adjust departmental operations, in response to COVID, in a safe, equitable and reliable way. This position reports to the Waste Prevention and Environmental Services Department director.
Waste Prevention and Environmental Services plans and oversees the region's garbage and recycling system – working with local communities, government and industry partners to protect the environment, conserve resources, and ensure that our garbage and recycling system works for everyone. e. Metro owns and operates two garbage and recycling stations and hazardous waste facilities and provides waste related community services such as paint recycling and cleaning up dumped garbage. Education and grant programs offer resources and tools for reducing waste and building community capacity for local clean up needs. Planning and partnership work focused on reducing impacts of products and waste through policy and regulation.
As the Deputy Director you will:
Promote respect for diversity, equity, and inclusion as a key organizational values through leadership and decision-making processes.
Provide work planning direction and develop policies, procedures, and performance standards to align and coordinate implementation of the RWP and the WPES DEI plan; facilitate and execute department’s strategic direction.
Lead department budget preparation, and monitoring expenditures and revenue.
Establish policies, procedures, systems, and standards to ensure accountability for efficient and effective department operations that align with the organization's goals and promote diversity, equity and inclusion in all decision-making processes.
Direct short and long-range work plan coordination to ensure effective and efficient operations, assess needs and prioritize resources to move the department forward to meet its goals.
Provide full supervision over management, professional, administrative and technical positions; hire, promote, transfer.
Direct diversity, equity, and inclusion functions and activities and applying a racial equity framework to program work
Direct internal communication strategies to improve coordination and collaboration across the department, and among divisions and teams.
Coordinate utilization of cross-divisional personnel and contracted resources
Oversee workforce planning and culture development across the department.
Support development of policies, practices and resources necessary to advance the department’s workforce equity goals including employee wrap-around services and career pathways.
Oversee continuous improvement in research, measurement and program evaluation.
Coordinate work with other Metro departments and oversee working agreements with shared services.
Actively participate on committees and/or attend meetings as assigned.
Attributes for success:
Equity:
A strong and demonstrated commitment to improving access for communities of color, low-income communities and others who have historically faced barriers to our programs and services, including frontline workers.
Experience applying a racial equity framework to operations, policy and programs
Ability to meet people where they are and grow their capacity to understand and apply a racial equity framework.
Experience in dismantling systems of oppression, especially for communities of Black, indigenous and people of color.
Strong verbal and written skills and the ability to communicate effectively with a diverse group of stakeholders, including the ability to facilitate open discussions and foster honesty and transparency.
Leadership and management:
Experience implementing practices of effective leadership and collaborative culture building.
Ability to analyze and evaluate operations; develop and implement corrective actions; continuously seek ways to improve efficiencies and service to the public; and strategically weigh risks and benefits of actions, prior to acting.
Demonstrated ability to support an overall department vision and guide a department through change management and supporting policy and procedure development, refinement and accountability.
Skill in resolving conflicting interests and in demonstrating respect for competing views while moving divergent groups forward.
Tact, diplomacy, and the proven ability to build trust and relationships; this role requires someone who is approachable and team-oriented, with good active listening skills and a high degree of emotional intelligence.
Understanding of the importance of transparency in decision making; commitment to seeking input and thoughts from a variety of team members to help guide decisions.
Commitment to cultivating leadership skills in team members throughout the department through messages and actions.
Political acumen and relationship building:
Proven ability to think and lead strategically and manage effectively in a political environment.
Skill in cultivating and maintaining positive and effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders, such as Metro staff, elected officials, the public, the media and various community groups, even when working on sensitive and complex issues.
Ability to communicate effectively and appropriately, both orally and in writing, with individuals and groups regarding complex or sensitive issues or regulations, including demonstrated comfort and effectiveness in public speaking.
Tolerance for and comfort with navigating complex organizational structures and nuanced political relationships.
Diversity and Inclusion: At Metro, we strive to hire a workforce representative of the communities we serve, understanding that a diverse workforce strengthens our organization. We value diversity and support a positive and welcoming environment where all of our employees can thrive.
TO QUALIFY
We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific in your application materials on how your background is relevant.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in public administration, public policy, regional planning or a related field; AND
Seven to ten years of progressively responsible management experience in a complex organization with responsibility for strategic planning, budgeting, personnel management and operational management; OR
We will consider any combination of education and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties and responsibilities of this position.
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement:
Metro is committed to ensuring the health and safety for our employees and our community. As a part of this commitment, Metro has implemented a vaccine requirement policy for employees, paid and unpaid interns and volunteers.
Proof of full COVID-19 vaccination is considered a minimum qualification requirement for Metro job applicants and this proof will be requested during the hiring process. View: Metro COVID-19 Vaccination policy (Download PDF reader) (Download PDF reader)
If you require an accommodation under this policy for a medical condition or disability, or sincerely held religious belief, please email benefits.help@oregonmetro.gov.
If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply:
If I was terminated for cause during any of my employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, I understand I may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years.
Like to have:
You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider some or all of the following 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.
At least five years of experience advancing racial equity through leadership and management practices.
Based on our internal equity review and candidates qualifications the appointment will be made between $133,700.00 - $166,628.00. The salary range for this position is $133,700.00 - $193,877.00 annually.
This position is non- represented and is classified as a Deputy Director (click to read the full classification). Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions.
SCREENING AND EVALUATION
The Application Packet: The application packet consists of the following 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 Resume
A cover letter outlining your experience advancing racial equity through leadership and management practices.
The Selection Process: We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows. The selection process is subject to change.
Initial review of minimum qualifications
In-depth evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
Consideration of top candidates/interviews
Testing/Assessments (if applicable)
Reference Check
Background, driving records check for finalist candidate (if applicable)
Additional Information
Additional Information Related to COVID-19: The health and safety of our employees and community is a top priority for Metro. Employees will be required to follow all Metro COVID-related policies and procedures, which may meet or exceed guidelines set forth by the CDC, Oregon Health Authority, and other federal, state and local jurisdictions. Learn more at oregonmetro.gov/COVID-19.
Diversity and Inclusion: At Metro, we strive to hire a workforce representative of the communities we serve, understanding that a diverse workforce strengthens our organization. We value diversity and support a positive and welcoming environment where all of our employees can thrive.
Equal employment opportunity: All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability for which a reasonable accommodation can be made or any other status protected by law. Assistance will be gladly provided upon request for any applicant with sensory or non-sensory disabilities.
Online applications: Metro accepts job applications online. If you need assistance or accommodation with your application, or access to a computer, call 503-797-1570.
Accommodation: Reasonable accommodation is available to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in this process. To obtain confidential assistance please contact Human Resources 503-797-1570.
Public Employees Retirement System (PERS): Metro pays the employee and employer portion of the PERS contribution. New (LIUNA) employees will pay the employee portion of the PERS contribution.
Veterans' Preference: Under Oregon Law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans' preference when applying for Metro positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veterans' preference for this job, please provide qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.