What are the responsibilities and job description for the Water Permit Manager (Agency-Only) position at Virginia Department of Environmental Quality?
Hiring Range: $100,000 - $145,000
Full Time or Part Time: FULL TIME
Additional Detail
Job Description
This position provides leadership and strategic direction for the Office of VPDES Programs. The role is responsible for managing, planning, and overseeing the implementation of the agency’s VPDES programs, ensuring statewide consistency through strong policy guidance and technical support. The position manages program resources and delivers program expertise, guidance, and oversight across the VPDES program throughout the Commonwealth. It ensures the issuance of consistent, accurate, and technically and legally defensible water permits. In this position you will be expected to: Lead: Direct the Office of VPDES Programs, providing strategic leadership and oversight to a multidisciplinary team responsible for implementing VPDES permitting and compliance programs. Program Oversight: Ensure consistent, effective statewide implementation of VPDES programs in alignment with state and federal laws, regulations, policy, and the agency’s mission, including evaluating program operations and performance to maintain high-quality and defensible outcomes. Strategic Direction: Establish program priorities and lead the development, establishment, and maintenance of regulations, policies, procedures, and technical guidance that strengthen regulatory consistency and program effectiveness. Problem Solving: Address emerging programmatic and technical challenges with sound judgment, providing timely and defensible solutions that protect water quality and support compliance. Collaboration: Promote strong internal and external partnerships, encouraging coordination, communication, and shared problem‑solving across programs and regions. Continuous Improvement: Mentor and support staff, cultivating a culture of professionalism, accountability, innovation, and continuous learning. Stakeholder Engagement: Represent the agency as a subject matter expert, fostering constructive engagement with EPA, permittees, consultants, and community partners. This recruitment is an agency-only posting and is open exclusively to current Department of Environmental Quality employees. Please note this position follows a hybrid work schedule to include both in-office and telework. Candidates must be able to work from the assigned work location in Virginia.
Responsibilities
The primary responsibilities of this position are to ensure that permits are issued in accordance with established timeframes, that staff expertise is utilized effectively and efficiently, and that customer service to the regulated community and the public is maintained.
Qualifications
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is the primary environmental permitting agency in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It is responsible for administering laws and regulations related to air quality, water quality, water supply, renewable energy, and land protection. Through the dedication and work of over 800 employees across six regional offices and the Central Office in Richmond, DEQ issues permits, conducts monitoring and inspections, and enforces the law.
Full Time or Part Time: FULL TIME
Additional Detail
Job Description
This position provides leadership and strategic direction for the Office of VPDES Programs. The role is responsible for managing, planning, and overseeing the implementation of the agency’s VPDES programs, ensuring statewide consistency through strong policy guidance and technical support. The position manages program resources and delivers program expertise, guidance, and oversight across the VPDES program throughout the Commonwealth. It ensures the issuance of consistent, accurate, and technically and legally defensible water permits. In this position you will be expected to: Lead: Direct the Office of VPDES Programs, providing strategic leadership and oversight to a multidisciplinary team responsible for implementing VPDES permitting and compliance programs. Program Oversight: Ensure consistent, effective statewide implementation of VPDES programs in alignment with state and federal laws, regulations, policy, and the agency’s mission, including evaluating program operations and performance to maintain high-quality and defensible outcomes. Strategic Direction: Establish program priorities and lead the development, establishment, and maintenance of regulations, policies, procedures, and technical guidance that strengthen regulatory consistency and program effectiveness. Problem Solving: Address emerging programmatic and technical challenges with sound judgment, providing timely and defensible solutions that protect water quality and support compliance. Collaboration: Promote strong internal and external partnerships, encouraging coordination, communication, and shared problem‑solving across programs and regions. Continuous Improvement: Mentor and support staff, cultivating a culture of professionalism, accountability, innovation, and continuous learning. Stakeholder Engagement: Represent the agency as a subject matter expert, fostering constructive engagement with EPA, permittees, consultants, and community partners. This recruitment is an agency-only posting and is open exclusively to current Department of Environmental Quality employees. Please note this position follows a hybrid work schedule to include both in-office and telework. Candidates must be able to work from the assigned work location in Virginia.
Responsibilities
The primary responsibilities of this position are to ensure that permits are issued in accordance with established timeframes, that staff expertise is utilized effectively and efficiently, and that customer service to the regulated community and the public is maintained.
Qualifications
- Knowledge, gained through education and/or experience, of environmental engineering principles and practices, water pollution control practices and water quality science.
- Knowledge of state Water Quality Standards and federal and state water control laws and regulations.
- Knowledge, skills and abilities in personnel management, program management, project management, and personal computer operations (including word processing, spreadsheets, and database management).
- Ability to read, interpret and properly apply complex policies, guidelines, and regulations.
- Ability to communicate and negotiate effectively, both orally and in writing.
- Ability to both lead and work collaboratively in a team environment.
- Effective public relations and stakeholder management skills.
- Must be sensitive to public attitudes and concerns while effectively carrying out the agency mission.
- Must be able to work with multiple stakeholders as necessary to resolve issues while being efficient, transparent, fair and consistent.
- Demonstrated knowledge of DEQ Leadership and Management Competencies: demonstrates self-awareness, develops others, thinks strategically, and cultivates work relationships; and understands the business, achieves results, communicates proficiently, and applies technical skills.
- Combination of education or training with major coursework in environmental engineering and/or natural science or a combination of work experience and education demonstrating an equivalent technical background.
- Prior supervisory or program management experience is a plus.
- This position may require you to operate a state owned or leased vehicle. Therefore, a valid driver's license is required.
- Must complete an annual Statement of Economic Interest and Virginia State and Local Conflict of Interest Act Training (bi-annually).
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is the primary environmental permitting agency in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It is responsible for administering laws and regulations related to air quality, water quality, water supply, renewable energy, and land protection. Through the dedication and work of over 800 employees across six regional offices and the Central Office in Richmond, DEQ issues permits, conducts monitoring and inspections, and enforces the law.
Salary : $100,000 - $145,000