Environmental Restoration Council Program Manager (Natural Resource Protection & Sustainability Manager 3)

Initial Posting Date:

05/08/2024

Application Deadline:

05/29/2024

Agency:

Watershed Enhancement Board

Salary Range:

$7,599 - $11,752

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Environmental Restoration Council Program Manager (Natural Resource Protection & Sustainability Manager 3)

Job Description:

The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board is seeking a transformative Natural Resource leader who is dedicated to leading through passion and purpose to spearhead environmental restoration funding efforts, collaborate with state leaders, and build partnerships with communities disproportionately affected by environmental challenges. If you are a steward for environmental justice and have experience in building teams and programs that are charged to support complex and highly critical natural resource laws, policies and procedures- then we want to hear from you!

Working title: Environmental Restoration Council Program Manager

Classification: Natural Resource Protection & Sustainability Manager 3

Position Type: Permanent, Full-Time

Representation: Management Service Supervisory, unrepresented

FLSA Status: Exempt, not eligible for overtime or compensatory time

Monthly compensation: $7,599.00-$11,752.00 before PERS*, $8,126.00-$12,569.00 after PERS

Work Location: Hybrid, primarily onsite with frequent travel and some opportunities for remote work

About the Environmental Restoration Program and the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board

The Environmental Restoration Program is a new area of responsibility for the State of Oregon that will be housed at the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB). Senate Bill 1561 (2024) created the Environmental Restoration Council to oversee the investment of the Monsanto Settlement Fund and interest generated from the fund. The legislative intent for this fund is that earnings are used to supplement efforts by recognized tribal governments, executive branch agencies and disproportionately impacted communities for environmental remediation or restitutionary projects or purposes having a nexus with environmental harms to air, water, soil or other natural resources or human health caused by environmental contamination, particularly the presence of PCBs.

OWEB is a state agency that administers a variety of funding programs that support watershed health. OWEB administers funds from the Oregon Lottery, federal dollars, general funds, and salmon license plate revenue, among other funding sources. OWEB's existing structure includes fiscal and accounting staff, as well as staff with significant restoration funding program development and project management expertise.

In order to leverage existing state fiscal and grant administration expertise and maximize efficient use of state resources, OWEB will staff the Environmental Restoration Council and act as the fiscal agent. The Environmental Restoration Council will oversee OWEB's activities to support the Environmental Restoration Council, including staff support of the council and fiscal administration of the Environmental Restoration Fund. As established in SB 1561, up to .25 percent of the annual fund balance may be transferred to support administrative costs of the Council.

Interest earnings from the fund will be distributed as follows: 50 percent will be transferred to a State Agency Program Fund; 25 percent will be transferred to a Tribal Nation Natural Resource Program Fund; and 25 percent will be transferred to a Disproportionately Impacted Communities Grant Fund. The council may select OWEB to administer the grant program created under the Disproportionately Impacted Communities Grant Fund, or may select a third party to administer the grant program.

About the Program

This critical position is charged to lead the implementation of a new area of responsibility for the State related to the interest from the State of Oregon vs Monsanto settlement fund. This fund was created through legislation (SB 1561) passed in the February 2024 regular legislative session. The legislative intent for this fund is that earnings are used to supplement efforts by recognized tribal governments, executive branch agencies and disproportionately impacted communities for environmental remediation or restitutionary projects or purposes having a nexus with environmental harms to air, water, soil or other natural resources or human health caused by environmental contamination, particularly the presence of PCBs.

About the Position

The Environmental Restoration Council Program Manager is responsible for overseeing the state's (through OWEB) responsibilities to establish and lead programs overseen by the Environmental Restoration Council as set forth in Senate Bill 1561. The position will lead efforts to conduct broad-based outreach and engagement during the establishment of the council and development of rules that the council is responsible for adopting. The position will oversee and lead implementation of the council's responsibilities in collaboration with the Governor's Office and ensure that legislatively established deadlines for fund distribution are met consistent with administrative oversight responsibilities of OWEB established in the legislation.

The position is part of the agency's leadership team which is responsible for internal development and resolution of agency-wide issues, establishing priorities and ensuring an agency culture that calls for high standards of performance, values diversity and aligns employees with the agency's mission and values. This position will also work closely with the Governor's Office and agencies in the Natural Resources Cabinet to coordinate development of proposals ultimately submitted to those agencies to the Council for consideration.

This includes but is not limited to:

• Staffing the newly established Environmental Restoration Council, supporting the Council in rulemaking and implementing fiscal agent and grant administration responsibilities related to the State of Oregon vs Monsanto settlement fund;

• Working closely in collaboration and coordination with the OWEB Executive team and the Governor's Office to establish interagency agreements, service contracts, policy goals, council recommendations, administrative rules, program priorities and grant distribution timelines;

• Overseeing the distribution and management of $20-$50 million per year in interest from the settlement fund to State Agencies, tribes, and disproportionately impacted communities. This includes the monitoring and community engagement to ensure transparent and effective investment of grant funds;

• Overseeing the coordination with other agencies and providing subject matter expertise related to issues of environmental remediation and other intentions of the settlement fund;

• Supporting and leading staff in community engagement during program development, as well as effective grant management, including grant agreement development, grantee relations, amendments, and reporting;

• Developing and recommending other new laws, rules, policies, or procedures to address emerging trends in the agency programs, including changes to scope of operations and recommended changes to policies and procedures.

Minimum Qualifications

We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may not meet every one of our listed preferred qualifications. Lived experience may count towards the preferred qualifications.

If you are excited about this position, we encourage you to apply. If you are unsure as to whether you meet the preferred qualifications of this position, please contact us to discuss your application.

Seven years of supervision, management, or progressively related experience; OR four years of related experience and a bachelor's degree.

Related experience can include leadership and management, managing a government program, public policy development, grant implementation and distribution, natural resource, environmental restoration and environmental justice leadership.

Preferred Qualifications

• Leadership Experience: High proficiency in leading and managing teams, preferably in environmental restoration or natural resource management;

• Grant Program Administration: Experience with implementing and overseeing a large public funding source and/or grant program while ensuring compliance with statutes, rules, and policies;

• Community Engagement: Strong commitment to engage with the community and seek diverse perspectives to ensure decision making processes and incorporate feedback into adaptive management strategies;

• Strategic Relationship Building: Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with internal/external partners, local governments, tribes, non-profit organizations and disproportionately impacted communities to communicate goals and objectives, resolve issues of concern, educate and inform;

• Operational Experience: Developing or recommending new laws, rules, policies, or procedures as it relates to business operations;

• Natural Resource Experience: Experience with natural resources subject matter areas such as fish and wildlife habitat enhancement, watershed health, water quality, and environmental remediation;

• Environmental Justice Experience: Experience with navigating environmental justice issues and disproportionately impacted communities.

Note:  In addition to your related work experience and education, we will use both the minimum and desired qualifications above to determine whom to interview.

Please make sure all your relevant qualifications are clearly demonstrated in your application materials. Your application materials may be evaluated on spelling, grammar, punctuation, attention to detail, and presentation.

Working Conditions

This role is office-based, requiring the ability to sit or stand for extended periods. Tasks include operating office equipment and computers, which involves repetitive arm, wrist, and hand movements.

Occasionally, lifting and moving objects up to 35 pounds may be required, with assistance for heavier items. There may be meetings or duties outside of regular hours. The role involves moving between facilities and on-site locations, sometimes driving a vehicle.

Travel to other locations or agencies for training or meetings, including overnight stays, may be necessary. There is a possibility of exposure to hostile or offensive behavior, so appropriate safety and protective equipment must be used, following established safety policies and procedures.

Application Requirements

• Please ensure to provide your resume and cover letter for full consideration.

• Provide a brief (no more than 1 page) cover letter indicating why you are interested in and qualified for this position.

• Provide a brief (no more than 2 page) resume indicating your experience pertinent to the required and desired qualifications in this announcement.

Current State of Oregon employees must apply through your employee Workday account.

Please monitor both your email and Workday account for updates regarding this recruitment. You may be asked to submit additional information after initial application. If you have questions about this job posting, please contact Human Resources at WRD_DL_HR@water.oregon.gov.

Important Information

PERS Salary Information

• NON-PERS ELIGIBLE- Includes most new hires to state government. Employees typically gain PERS eligibility after six months of state service.
  
  The salary listed will state base monthly salary, which is BEFORE PERS.  PERS ELIGIBLE- Typically current or former employees of Oregon state or local government, public schools, universities, etc.

Future Vacancies

This applicant pool may be used to fill additional vacancies as they occur over the next three (3) months.

Work Authorization

The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board does not offer visa sponsorships. Within three days of hire, all applicants will be required to complete the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Form I-9, confirming authorization to work in the United States.

Veterans

If you are an eligible veteran and you meet the qualifications, veterans' preference points will be added to your score. For more information on veterans' preference points visit www.oregonjobs.org and select Veterans resources under Resources. Please do not attach veteran documentation to your initial application, after you have applied you will be sent a task in your Workday account to provide your veteran documentation at that time.

The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer Committed to Workforce Diversity.