Clean Water Initiative Senior Manager

at State of Vermont in Montpelier, Vermont, United States

Job Description

The Water Investment Division (WID) seeks a Clean Water Initiative Senior Manager to lead a dedicated team advancing Vermont's clean water efforts. Oversees implementation of the Clean Water Initiative Program's (CWIP) mission "to efficiently, effectively, and equitably align and coordinate clean water efforts statewide with a broad network of partners, develop and provide financial and technical resources for clean water partners to implement and sustain projects, and capture, assess, and communicate the progress and impact of clean water efforts." The ideal incumbent will foster a healthy team culture, strong partner relationships, and continuous improvement.

The position also manages administrative, managerial, and technical aspects of the interagency Clean Water Initiative established under 10 V.S.A. §1387.

The Incumbent will serve on the Water Investment Division Management Team (WIDMT), contributing to the Division's broader mission "to steward and sustain public investment in water resources and infrastructure by securing and targeting financial and technical assistance while ensuring transparency and accountability to the public and stakeholders." 

Reports to the WID Director. Potential to telework. 

Job Duties:

1. Program Management & Supervision
Lead CWIP, managing professional and technical staff. Guide strategic planning, foster positive and collaborative culture, and ensure efficient operations. Support staff development and workload prioritization. Oversee performance management.

2. WIDMT
Represent CWIP on WIDMT. Communicate CWIP priorities and needs to WIDMT and Director. Collaborate with WIDMT to build WID culture, define roles and responsibilities, and implement operational improvements across WID.

3. Interagency Coordination
Lead interagency Clean Water Initiative coordination. Support Agency of Administration, ANR/DEC leadership, and Clean Water Board in setting strategy for annual clean water budgets. Lead Interagency Clean Water Initiative Workgroup in drafting annual clean water budget recommendations and delivering public communications. 

4. Financial & Technical Program Oversight
Oversee CWIP's budgeting, funding policy, and fund management across sources and sectors. Oversee design/management of funding programs that support diverse clean water partners/projects. Deliver accessible resources/training on funding programs.

5. Tracking, Accountability & Communications
Oversee systems for tracking, reporting, and communicating clean water investment outcomes and total maximum daily load (TMDL) implementation progress. Ensure data integrity, transparency, and public accessibility. Promote adaptive management of clean water strategies based on performance data.

6. Other Duties as Assigned

• Proven leadership skills/experience fostering strong team dynamics and clear communications.
• Extensive supervision experience and commitment to employee growth/development.
• Experience budgeting, fund management, and program design for multimillion-dollar initiatives.
• Skilled public communicator capable of representing ANR/DEC in highly visible forums (e.g., legislature, public meetings, and media interviews).
• Demonstrated ability to build/sustain constructive stakeholder relationships.
• Strong knowledge and application of continuous improvement methodologies.
• Project management and conflict resolution skills. Ability to coordinate collaborative work across internal/external partners.
• Strong organizational and time management capabilities; adept at managing diverse projects, priorities, and workload pressures.
• Technical knowledge of surface water management strategies and policies, including TMDL implementation.
• Proficient in standard office software and data management tools.
• Environmental Factors

  Duties are performed primarily in a standard office setting, but with occasional travel to project sites, day or evening meetings, for which private means of transportation may occasionally be necessary, and field inspection and reviews in such locations as along river corridors and development sites. Public speaking and attendance at meetings and hearings is necessary. An incumbent must be able to represent the agency at stressful public meetings where strongly divergent opinions may be expressed.