Oregon Group Leader - Water​/Wastewater Operations

Oregon Group Leader - Water/Wastewater Operations

Portland, OR, USA

Posted Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at 11:00 AM

Founded in 1919, KJ has always looked to the future. With a talented team of professionals and a culture of continuous improvement, we deliver exceptional engineering, environmental consulting, and construction management services, with a focus on innovation and sustainability. Using advanced analytics, technology, and tools, KJ improves designs, reduces risk, and finds better ways to deliver projects from planning through construction.

KJ is at the forefront of developing sustainable solutions for clients, including green infrastructure design, strategies to reduce energy use and environmental impacts, award-winning water reuse projects, and efficient construction management practices that ensure quality, safety, and on-time delivery. We are known for our dedication to industry-leading client service and tailored solutions.

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Group Leader to provide exceptional leadership to our municipal operations team in Oregon . This role is pivotal in driving the development and growth of our company s performance at the organizational level. As a Group Leader, you will play a key role in overseeing day-to-day operational activities, resource management, and staff engagement within local operational groups or teams .

The Group Leader reports to the Regional Manager and works closely with the Client Service Director, project managers , local staff, and People partners to achieve strong financial performance, project execution, effective resource management, and positive employee and client experience. It is expected that the Group Leader will reside within the Portland metropolitan area and will be in the local office a minimum of 3 days per week.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee the daily operational activities of defined groups or teams, assuring resource utilization and staff engagement.
• Identify operational, financial, or delivery risks and proactively escalate concerns to the Regional Manager.
• Work with local and regional leaders to develop and implement strategic goals that align with the firm’s strategic plan.
• Engage project delivery and client service teams to maintain visibility into current and forecasted performance for the Oregon municipal team .
• Support local business development efforts through client engagement, proposal support, and pursuit execution . Participate in proposal development, project scope definition, staffing plans, and pricing discussions as appropriate for local pursuits.
• Champion a client-focused culture, emphasizing quality delivery, responsiveness, and proactive problem-solving . Foster collaboration across disciplines and functional teams to deliver integrated solutions.
• Accountable for meeting financial and operational performance targets for the assigned geographic area , in coordination with regional performance .
• Proactively monitor and address project performance, utilization , backlog, and staffing metrics .
• Responsible for hiring, onboarding, engagement, and retention of staff within the geographic area . Set performance goals, provide coaching and feedback, support career development, and conduct performance reviews for direct reports.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, safety requirements, and applicable laws and regulations .
• Contribute to succession planning by identifying high-potential talent and supporting leadership development.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil , Environmental, or related engineering discipline required;
  Master’s degree preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in water and/or wastewater engineering consulting, demonstrating experience in project delivery, people leadership and client engagement
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills with the ability to manage staff and effectively interact with employees at all levels of the company
• Ability to adapt to change and demonstrate flexibility
• Ability to collaborate with regional leadership, peers and business support service partners

If you are an experienced leader with a passion for driving operational excellence and…