Deputy Regional Director- Water Resources- Southeast Region - (260005EU)

Who We Are:

The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) seeks to protect, preserve, and enhance Massachusetts’ environmental resources and create a clean energy future for all residents. Through the stewardship of open spaces, the protection of environmental resources, and the advancement of clean energy, EEA works tirelessly to make Massachusetts a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family.   Our commitment to environmental justice ensures that every resident, regardless of background or location, can live in a safe, clean environment and shares equally in the benefits of the clean energy transition.

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is the state agency responsible for ensuring clean air, land, and water. Our work impacts every aspect of people's lives and is critical to the health and wellbeing of our residents and visitors. MassDEP is the lead agency for safe management of toxic and hazardous materials, promotion of waste reduction and recycling, preservation of the state's wetlands and coastal resources, air quality monitoring and pollution reduction, and so much more.

Who We Are as an Employer:

At EEA, we create meaningful, inclusive opportunities that empower our employees to make a real difference in shaping the environmental future of Massachusetts. We foster a workplace culture where diversity is valued, innovation is encouraged, and collaboration thrives. Our employees play a vital role in advancing sustainability, environmental justice, and clean energy solutions, ensuring a positive and lasting impact on Massachusetts and its residents.

Description:

MassDEP is seeking a dynamic and experienced individual for the role of Deputy Regional Director (Administrator VIII) for the Bureau of Water Resources (BWR) at our Southeast Regional Office (SERO), located in Lakeville. This office serves 84 cities and towns in Southeastern Massachusetts, including Cape Cod and the Islands.

The Deputy Regional Director for Bureau of Water Resources (DRD/ BWR) will support the Regional Director by managing regulatory programs related to wetlands protection, drinking water supply management, wastewater, and waterways/Chapter 91 licensing. This includes overseeing permitting, compliance, and enforcement activities. The DRD/ BWR will manage and mentor a team of over 40 environmental professionals, including engineers, scientists, and administrative staff.

This role demands exceptional leadership and management skills, coupled with a thorough understanding of water resource policies and implementation and a willingness to consider and evaluate new technologies and approaches to environmental and public health protection and a willingness to consider and evaluate new technologies and approaches to environmental and public health protection. The ideal candidate will be a proactive problem solver with a strong commitment to environmental protection, team building, and public service.

Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assist the Regional Director in overseeing daily operations of the Bureau of Water Resources.
• Oversee compliance assurance, enforcement, and permitting activities, ensuring alignment with MassDEP statutes, regulations, and policies.
• Lead Watershed Permitting and related work in the region.
• Coordinate with federal, state, and local agencies to address water resource issues and ensure adherence to environmental laws.
• Engage with stakeholders, including community organizations, industry representatives, and the public, to advance water resource conservation and management.
• Prepare briefings on current topics for MassDEP Senior Leadership.
• Provide expert advice on complex projects
• Collaborate with senior managers across MassDEP, including Boston and other regional offices.
• Design and implement systems for evaluating environmental protection efforts and staff performance.
• Direct the efforts of Section Chiefs and ensure that decision-making, recordkeeping, data management and fee tracking associated with permitting activities is conducted in accordance with MassDEP statutes, regulations, and policies
• Work with staff from the environmental justice program to develop public outreach strategies.
• Collaborate with other members of the regional management team to cultivate a productive and positive work environment.
• Represent the Southeast Regional Office at statewide BWR staff meetings and participate in BWR policy, regulation and program development activities.
• Manage personnel activities, including performance evaluations, hiring, disciplinary actions, work assignments, and staff development.
• Responsible for ensuring staff follow all Department personnel policies and procedures in accordance with state and federal rules.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proven leadership abilities and supervisory experience.
• Strong knowledge of water resource regulations, including drinking water, wetlands protection, wastewater management, and waterways licensing.
• Demonstrated ability to make sound judgments and decisions within a large, multi-bureau department.
• Excellent interpersonal and public speaking skills, with the ability to clearly explain complex regulations and technical information.
• Experience working effectively with outside stakeholders and regulated entities.
• Advanced problem-solving, negotiation, and mediation skills.
• Ability to rapidly adjust priorities to meet evolving program requirements.
• Experience in setting and achieving goals, holding staff accountable, and fostering professional growth.
• Knowledge of management principles, including planning, organizing, directing, problem-solving, and employee relations.
• Understanding of state laws, rules, and regulations related to environmental protection and public health.
• Creative thinking to develop innovative approaches to compliance, enforcement, and environmental protection.

Qualifications

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must have at least (A) six (6) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, public management, clinical administration or clinical management of which (B) at least two (2) years must have been in a supervisory or managerial capacity or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below.

Substitutions:

• A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required (A) experience.
• A Bachelor's degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required (A) experience.
• A Graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required (A) experience.
• A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the required (A) experience.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.  Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.  Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements.  We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.

Official Title: Administrator VIII

Primary Location: United States-Massachusetts-Lakeville-20 Riverside Drive

Job: Environmental and Energy

Agency: Department of Environmental Protection

Schedule: Full-time

Shift: Day

Job Posting: Aug 18, 2026, 9:06:43 AM

Number of Openings: 1

Salary: 111,961.20 - 173,020.79 Yearly

If you have Diversity, Affirmative Action or Equal Employment Opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator: Chris Mendez / EEADiversity@mass.gov - 6178727730

Bargaining Unit: M99-Managers (EXE)

Confidential: No

Potentially Eligible for a Hybrid Work Schedule: Yes