Deputy Director of Administration

Are you a legislative and budget expert looking to join a small agency making big impacts? Look no further than the Department of State Lands! Apply to be our next Deputy Director of our Administrations Division (Business Operations Administrator 1) by September 28th, 2025! This position is eligible for a hybrid schedule reporting to our Salem office 2-3 times per week.

Make a Difference for Oregon. The Department of State Lands (DSL) manages the lands that help fund our public schools and protects the state’s waterways and wetlands for the many benefits they provide. Our stewardship ensures vital natural and financial resources contribute to a vibrant, healthy Oregon now and forever. The DSL team makes a difference for Oregonians every day. As our Deputy Director, you will too.

In this position, you will provide leadership and direction for the activities of the Administration Division by formulating strategic plans, determining policy and program priorities, allocating resources to carry out the goals and objectives of the agency and maintaining a quality management team to ensure management practices are consistent with agency values. This is a full-time, permanent position and is not represented by a union.

What’s in it for you?

• Serve as the lead on all agency budget and Common School Fund finance related legislative activities.
• Receive 1-on-1 mentoring and support from natural resource experts.
• Join an organization with smart, driven, co-workers who care about Oregon’s economy, environment, and communities, and their co-workers.
• Gain full benefits with 95% to 99% of medical insurance premiums paid by the agency for full-time employees, including mental health and alternative care coverage.
• Accrue 8 hours of sick leave and at least 8 hours of vacation leave per month, with your vacation leave accruals increasing every 5 years.
• Receive 11 paid holidays, 1 floating holiday, 3 personal business days and other employee benefits such as optional insurances and flexible spending plans.
• Automatically enroll into the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) after 6 months of full-time service.
• Earn the initial monthly salary range for this position starting at $10,021.00 – $15,502.00 for current PERS participating members; employees new to PERS/Oregon state service start at $9,370.00 – $14,494.00.

Working Conditions:

Your work as our Deputy Director is expected to provide leadership and recommendations on policy and financial issues and be able to work collaboratively within the agency and with its numerous stakeholders, special interest groups and partnership agencies. Extended work hours may be required, especially during legislative session. This position may have frequent overnight travel and some out-of-state travel. DSL provides agency-maintained vehicles and reimbursement for travel expenses for authorized, on-the-job travel.

The person in this position must be able to perform efficiently, effectively, and professionally in a variety of working environments, including office, private settings, meetings and in the public arena. The position requires a consistent ability to balance and plan for many competing, complex, and politically sensitive demands while completing required work on schedule and meeting deadlines. 

What you will be doing:

As our Deputy Director, you will have the opportunity to:

• Develop and sustain overall vision, leadership, and strategic direction for the division.
• Serve as a member of the agency’s executive management team to review, develop, and implement agency policies and strategies.
• Direct development of plans, policies, procedures, studies, and administrative rules relating to the division programs.
• Serve as lead agency budget liaison with legislators, legislative and CFO budget analysts, represent the agency at the State Legislative Assembly, and act independently as an agency spokesperson with authority to make policy commitments to the Legislature.
• Direct the preparation and review of agency reports and other materials related to Finance, Budget, Information Technology, and Support Services.
• Attend and participate in Land Board meetings; prepare staff reports and documents for State Land Board actions and information.
• Provide information to legislative and other committees on agency proposals and programs.
• Develop a biennial legislative budget strategy for the agency prior to each legislative session and coordinate legislative contacts with field staff during the interim as needed.
• Make presentations to the Legislature, Ways and Means, and when necessary, to the Emergency Board.
• Perform human resources management functions for the division and provide a safe and supportive work environment.
• Support the agency’s goals for a diverse workforce and provide opportunities for staff to participate in diversity training and multi-cultural events.

For a full description of the duties and working conditions, please email Tricarico.schwartz@dsl.oregon.gov to request the position description.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS- to be considered for this position, please ensure you have one of the following combinations of education and/or experience:

Five years of management experience.

OR

Two (2) years of management experience and a bachelor’s degree in a related field.

DESIRED ATTRIBUTES- tell us which of the following skills, experiences, and related talents you have by highlighting them in your application materials:

• Effectively communicate with the State Land Board, Legislature, executives, staff, and community groups
• Make independent and sound judgement based on analysis and critical thinking
• Use knowledge in state finance to establish and guide the development of financial reporting requirements and agency budget
• Promote and foster a diverse and qualified workforce with demonstrated commitment to inclusivity, equity, and anti-racism, and strive for a discrimination and harassment free work environment
• Experience with alternative funding and/or revenue sources such as conservation finance and markets
• Lead in public service with a focus on work-life balance where all employees are supported and thriving
• Incorporate public engagement into policy and day-to-day practices to ensure meaningful opportunities for participation and access to services and information
• Partner with government agencies, interested parties, Tribes, communities large and small, organizations, businesses, and groups underrepresented in government decision-making
• Facilitate and negotiate complex issues among multiple organizations with conflicting, overlapping, or inconsistent requirements or objectives
• Supervision, including planning and assigning work according to the nature of the job to be accomplished, the capabilities of subordinates and available resources, through periodic reviews and evaluations
• Manage complex projects with many stakeholders and multiple deliverables within resource constraints
• Determine employee training needs and arranging training and development opportunities

The Oregon Department of State Lands is committed to seeking and sustaining a culturally, racially, ethnically, and linguistically diverse working environment. The Department hires staff interested in supporting environmental justice by including communities traditionally underrepresented in public processes. We encourage members of these communities to apply, even if they do not meet 100% of the desired attributes. The Oregon Department of State Lands understands that an authentic focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace will in turn create a workforce aligned to meet the challenge of serving all Oregonians.