Central Services Division Policy & Operations Manager; Business Operations Manager

Position Title

Central Services Division Policy & Operations Manager (Business Operations Manager
2)

Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, age, or physical or mental disability in the administration of our programs and activities.

You will lead the Operations & Policy section within the Central Services Division, guiding a team that supports essential agency functions, including data governance, public records management and coordination, facilities operations, fleet services, agency reception, emergency management and continuity of operations, and agency-wide policy management and development. Your leadership will bring clarity, coordination, and consistency to these services so staff across DEQ have what they need to do their work effectively.

• Supporting staff with the tools, resources, and information they need to succeed.
• Coaching, mentoring, and motivating staff through regular check-ins, thoughtful guidance, and opportunities for skill development and career growth.
• Setting clear work objectives, goals, and expectations, and addressing performance with timeliness, care, and accountability.
• Creating belonging by fostering team cohesion, encouraging collaboration, and helping ensure staff understand each other’s roles and can step in to support one another when needed.

• Demonstrated ability to apply equity and inclusion principles to policy, operations, and supervision.
• Proven skill in building healthy team culture through coaching, mentorship, accountability, and conflict navigation.
• Demonstrated ability to lead diverse operational functions by guiding subject‑matter experts, making informed decisions without being the technical expert, and ensuring coordinated, customer‑focused service delivery.
• Experience leading policy development, overseeing policy implementation and change management, and advising executives on operational or organizational impacts.
• Ability to manage complex operational functions with a focus on outcomes, metrics, and continuous improvement.
• Strong relationship‑building skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across diverse teams, roles, and perspectives.
• Clear, effective communicator with demonstrated skill in written and verbal communication, especially when advising executives or explaining complex information.

6 years of supervision, management, or progressively related experience OR 3 years of related experience and a Bachelor’s degree.

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 11 paid holidays
• 10 hours of vacation per month, eligible to be used as accrued
• 8 hours of sick leave per month, eligible to be used as accrued
• 24 hours of personal business leave per fiscal year, eligible to be used after 6 months of service
• Optional life insurance packages
• Flexible spending accounts
• Membership in the Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)
• Optional deferred compensation retirement program
• Opportunity to potentially receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
• Continuous growth and development opportunities
• Opportunities to serve your community and make an impact through meaningful work
• A healthy work/life balance, including flexible schedules and hybrid work options for many positions

This position will be based out of DEQ’s Portland office; the successful candidate may be eligible for hybrid work. DEQ will provide necessary hardware for an employee to successfully work from home. Most work is performed in a professional office setting with multiple demands on time and frequent tight deadlines. The position requires occasional travel for meetings, conferences, trainings, and public hearings, some of which may involve evening, weekend or overnight work.

It may involve extended hours during Legislative sessions or emergency situations, and occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds.