Waste Prevention and Environmental Services Deputy Director

JOB

Hello, we’re Metro! Metro is dedicated to shaping a better future for the greater Portland region. The work the people of Metro do every day benefits the lives of the people who live here, today, and tomorrow.

The Waste Prevention and Environmental Services (WPES) Department is seeking an experienced and strategic leader to serve as Deputy Director. In this role, you will provide executive leadership and operational oversight across a complex, regionally significant garbage and recycling system. You will act as the principal deputy to the Department Director and serve as the Director in their absence, ensuring continuity of leadership and decision-making across the organization.

This position plays a central role in translating Metro Council priorities, regional plans, and environmental goals into effective, service delivery. You will oversee programs, facilities, and staff to ensure services are delivered safely, efficiently, and in compliance with Metro Code and applicable regulations. At the same time, you will help guide the department’s strategic direction—balancing operational performance with long-term system planning, financial sustainability, and public accountability.

As Deputy Director, you will lead and support division directors and managers, providing direction, coaching, and performance oversight to ensure alignment with departmental goals. You will be responsible for maintaining a comprehensive understanding of WPES programs and services, identifying risks and opportunities, and keeping the Director informed on operational performance and emerging issues.

A key component of this role is ensuring strong operational systems and governance. You will oversee the development and implementation of policies, procedures, and internal controls, ensuring consistency and compliance across the department. You will provide oversight to department-wide incident and emergency response efforts, ensuring coordinated, effective responses to service disruptions and other operational challenges.

In partnership with the Director and Finance leadership, you will contribute to budget development, financial forecasting, and oversight of revenues and expenditures. You will bring a strong understanding of fee structures and financial drivers, helping to align operational decisions with the department’s financial framework and long-term sustainability.

You will also stewardship and maintenance of public assets, including oversight of the department’s Capital Improvement Program, ensuring that planning and project delivery are aligned with operational needs and regional priorities. In this capacity, you will work closely with internal teams and external partners to support effective implementation and continuous improvement.

Success in this role requires a leader who can operate effectively in a complex public sector environment—someone who is equally comfortable managing day-to-day operations and contributing to long-term strategy. You will bring strong leadership, sound judgment, and the ability to navigate competing priorities while maintaining a focus on service, safety, and public trust.

As the Deputy Director you will:

• Provide executive leadership, supervision, and management of assigned operational programs and services, including site-based operations, and internal policies and procedures.
• Monitor the planning and execution of cross-divisional/team systems, performance measures, and service delivery standards.
• Translate Council and executive policy direction into operational plans and oversees implementation to ensure safe efficient, safe, and compliant service delivery.
• Assist the Director and Finance Manager with department-wide budget preparation, forecasting, and monitoring of expenditures and revenues.
• Maintain expertise in the department’s fee structures and budget and represents the department in public meetings and presentations.
• Provide oversight of the department’s Capital Improvement Program, ensuring alignment of project planning, funding, and execution with operational and strategic goals.
• Lead and oversee the development, documentation, and governance of department policies, procedures, and internal controls to ensure compliance with Metro, state, and federal requirements.
• Represent the department with internal partners, union representatives, and external agencies; communicates operational performance, risks, and opportunities to the Director.
• Assist with department-wide short- and long-range planning. Identifies and implements improvements in operational systems, technology, data use, performance metrics and program evaluation to enhance service delivery and accountability.

Attributes for success:

• Strong leadership and organizational management skills, with the ability to guide teams and drive alignment across programs.
• Experience translating policy direction into operational implementation.
• Knowledge of budgeting, financial management, and performance monitoring.
• Knowledge of management theory and principles of supervision.
• Knowledge of regulations and laws applicable to area of assignment.
• Ability to develop and implement policies, procedures, and operational frameworks.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with experience working across diverse stakeholder groups.
• A commitment to public service, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Knowledge of solid waste systems or similar public infrastructure and regulatory environments.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

At Metro, we strive to cultivate diversity, advance equity, and practice inclusion in all of its work. This means attracting and empowering a workforce that is inclusive of a broad range of human qualities. Workplace diversity is both a moral imperative and a business strength, essential to providing quality support and services to our region. Metro’s goal is to hire, develop and retain highly skilled and talented individuals across all departments and programs who best reflect the diversity of our community.

Learn more about Metro’s Diversity Action Plan

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

• Seven to ten years of specialized experience or operational management in area of responsibility, and
• A Bachelor's degree in the assigned program area or a related field, or
• Any combination of education, professional, volunteer and lived experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the classification duties and responsibilities.

If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply

If you were terminated for cause during any employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, you may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years.

Hybrid Telework

This position is designated as “hybrid telework.” You will be required to work onsite and at times have the option to work away from your assigned work location. The specific schedule and balance of onsite and telework will be discussed with the hiring manager at the time of offer. Employees must reside in Oregon or Washington to work at Metro. Please note, the designation of hybrid telework may be subject to change at a future time.

Like to have qualifications

You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider them 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.

• Experience leading large, complex operational programs, utilities, public works, environmental services, infrastructure systems, or similar public sector operations.
• Experience developing and administering operating and capital budgets, financial forecasts, fee-supported programs, or enterprise funds.
• Experience leading organizational change, operational improvement initiatives, or business transformation efforts.
• Experience overseeing capital improvement programs, asset management programs, facility operations, or infrastructure investments.
• Experience working with elected officials, governing boards, advisory committees, community stakeholders, or regulatory agencies.
• Knowledge of solid waste systems, recycling systems, environmental services, utility operations, transportation systems, or other regulated public infrastructure systems.
• Experience implementing performance management systems, operational metrics, data analytics, or continuous improvement programs.
• Experience developing policies, procedures, governance systems, and internal controls across complex organizations.
• Experience translating strategic plans, policy direction, or regulatory requirements into operational implementation.
• Master's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Engineering, Environmental Management, Organizational Leadership, or a related field.
• Professional certification related to leadership, public administration, project management, asset management, finance, emergency management, or continuous improvement.

SCREENING AND EVALUATION

The application packet: The application packet consists of the following required 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 completed Resume that includes the details for each employer
  • Name of employer, working title
  • Dates of employment; including if the work was full-time or part-time your title,
  • Number of employees supervised
  • Summary of your responsibilities
• A cover letter outlining your interest in the position and how your experience aligns with the role.

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
• Reference check
• Background records check for finalist candidate

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS AND REPRESENTATON

The full-salary range for this position is step 1. $175,499.66 to step 6: $223,987.31. However, unless a candidate’s qualifications justify, based on the Oregon Pay Equity Act requirements and Metro’s internal equity review process, the appointment will likely be made between step 1: $175,499.66 to the equity range step 4: $213,321.04.

This position is not eligible for overtime and is non-represented. It is classified as a Deputy Director position. Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions. View the classification description.

Questions?

Recruiter: Carrie Gundermann

Email: carrie.gundermann@oregonmetro.gov

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

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.

Non-discrimination?in hiring decisions

Metro is committed to equal employment?opportunity?and?complies with?all applicable federal, state, and local civil rights laws. Metro employment decisions – including recruitment, screening, interviewing, selection, promotion, compensation, and separation – must not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected class.??

Accommodation

Metro will gladly provide a reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.

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.

Hybrid Telework

Positions designated as “hybrid telework,” meaning you will have the option to work away from the office, although there may be times that coming into the office will be required. The designation of Hybrid Telework may be subject to change at a future time. All employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; Metro cannot support ongoing telework from other locations.

Pay equity at Metro

No matter who you are or where you work at Metro, you deserve to be paid fairly for the work you do. Every worker must get equal pay for equal work regardless of your gender, race, age, or other protected characteristics. Metro has established processes and conducts routine pay equity reviews as part of the hiring process to ensure compliance with the 2017 Oregon Pay Equity Act.

Online applications

Metro accepts job applications online. If you need assistance or accommodation with your application, or access to a computer, please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.

How to Apply

For tips on how to apply and more information on what the application process looks like, visit Metro’s “How to apply” page.

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Metro

Led by an elected council, this unique government gives all residents of greater Portland a voice in shaping the future and provides parks, venues, services, and tools at a regional scale. We find solutions for our area’s garbage and recycling that protect clean air and water; help plan land use and development to provide jobs and safe transportation; manage local venues that provide a connection to arts and culture and help keep the economy growing; protect 17,000 acres of parks and natural areas, and run the Oregon Zoo, to keep nature close to home.