Job Description

Posting expires: September 8, 2026

Salary range: $129,798 - $165,000

General Description and Classification Standards:

The Deputy Commissioner of Watershed Protection serves as a key member of the Department of Watershed Management's executive leadership team and reports directly to the Commissioner of Watershed Management. This position provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and administrative direction for the Office of Watershed Protection, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local environmental regulations while protecting public health, water quality, and natural resources throughout the City of Atlanta.

The Deputy Commissioner directs all Watershed Protection programs through subordinate directors, managers, and professional staff and is responsible for planning, organizing, and administering regulatory compliance, environmental protection, stormwater management, stream protection, industrial pretreatment, fats, oils and grease (FOG) compliance, environmental monitoring, watershed investigations, consent decree obligations, public education, and related environmental initiatives.

The position develops strategic initiatives, establishes operational priorities, oversees budgets and personnel, coordinates intergovernmental partnerships, and ensures the efficient and effective delivery of watershed protection services that support the Department's mission and regulatory responsibilities.

Supervision Received:

Works under the general administrative direction of the Assistant Commissioner of Watershed Management. Exercises considerable independent judgment and decision-making authority. Guidance received is primarily strategic in nature, with collaboration among executive leadership regarding departmental goals, regulatory compliance, and operational priorities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

These are typical responsibilities for this position and should not be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive.

These are typical responsibilities and should not be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive.

• Provides executive leadership and strategic direction for the Office of Watershed Protection, including all environmental compliance, stormwater, stream protection, watershed assessment, industrial pretreatment, FOG, environmental monitoring, and regulatory programs.
• Directs the development and implementation of policies, procedures, strategic plans, and operational initiatives that support watershed protection objectives and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Ensures compliance with applicable regulations administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD), Clean Water Act, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permits, Consent Decree requirements, and other environmental mandates.
• Oversee the administration and enforcement of watershed protection ordinances, environmental regulations, and compliance programs throughout the City of Atlanta.
• Provides leadership for stormwater management programs, stream protection initiatives, illicit discharge detection and elimination efforts, watershed assessments, and environmental restoration projects.
• Directs industrial pretreatment and Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) compliance programs to protect wastewater infrastructure and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Oversee environmental investigations, inspections, monitoring, enforcement activities, and compliance reporting.
• Develops and administers annual operating and capital budgets for the Office of Watershed Protection and ensures responsible stewardship of public resources.
• Establishes performance measures, operational objectives, and key performance indicators to evaluate program effectiveness and organizational performance.
• Collaborates with Engineering, Consent Decree, Infrastructure Operations, Water Reclamation Centers, Customer Service, and other DWM offices to support departmental goals and initiatives.
• Provides executive oversight for emergency response activities involving environmental incidents, sanitary sewer overflows, stormwater emergencies, and water quality concerns.
• Represents the Department before the Mayor, City Council, regulatory agencies, community organizations, neighborhood groups, business stakeholders, and the public.
• Builds and maintains effective working relationships with federal, state, regional, and local regulatory agencies and environmental organizations.
• Leads organizational development efforts, workforce planning, succession planning, and professional development initiatives for Watershed Protection staff.
• Oversee procurement, contracts, grants, intergovernmental agreements, and consultant services related to watershed protection programs and projects.
• Directs the preparation and presentation of technical reports, regulatory submissions, environmental assessments, and executive briefings.
• Evaluates organizational effectiveness and implements continuous improvement initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and customer service.
• Makes executive decisions impacting environmental compliance, public safety, watershed protection, and departmental operations.
• May work beyond forty (40) hours per week as necessary
• Performs other related duties as assigned

The above statements reflect the general duties, responsibilities, and competencies considered necessary to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the job and should not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements of the position. COA may change the specific job duties with or without prior notice based on the needs of the organization.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

This is a partial listing of the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job successfully; it is not an exhaustive list.

• Knowledge of watershed management principles, environmental compliance, stormwater management, water quality protection, and natural resource conservation.

• Knowledge of federal, state, and local environmental regulations, including EPA and Georgia EPD requirements.

• Knowledge of NPDES permitting, MS4 compliance, industrial pretreatment, FOG management, and environmental enforcement programs.

• Knowledge of watershed assessment methodologies, environmental monitoring, stream restoration, and green infrastructure practices.

• Knowledge of public administration, strategic planning, budgeting, procurement, and organizational management.

• Knowledge of Consent Decree requirements and environmental compliance reporting.

• Knowledge of municipal government operations and public policy development.

• Executive leadership and organizational management skills.

• Ability to perform strategic planning and program development.

• Skills in building collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

• Ability in budget development, financial oversight, and resource management.

• Negotiation, conflict resolution, and consensus-building skills.

• Public speaking, technical presentations, and stakeholder engagement skills.

• Skills in developing high-performing teams and future leaders.

• Ability to lead complex environmental and regulatory programs.

• Ability to interpret and apply environmental laws, regulations, and policies.

• Ability to analyze technical, operational, and regulatory information and make sound decisions.

• Ability to communicate effectively with elected officials, regulatory agencies, community stakeholders, and employees.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a highly regulated environment.

• Ability to foster innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.

• Ability to build partnerships that advance the City's environmental and watershed protection goals.

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Bachelor's degree in Civil/Environmental Engineering required.
2. Twelve (12) or more years of leadership experience within a large utility, public works agency, environmental organization, regulated water utility, or related field.
3. Georgia registered Professional Engineer (P.E.) required.

Licenses and Certifications

Possession of a valid Georgia Driver's License.

Depending upon assignment, professional certifications may be required or preferred, including:

• Professional Engineer (PE)
• Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM)
• Certified Environmental Professional (CEP)
• Georgia Erosion and Sedimentation Control Certification
• Other applicable environmental or regulatory certifications

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Environmental Management, Public Administration (MPA), Business Administration (MBA), Engineering, Environmental Science, or a related discipline.
• Executive leadership experience within a large municipal utility, public works agency, environmental organization, or regulated water utility.
• Experience managing EPA Consent Decree programs and regulatory compliance initiatives.
• Experience overseeing large-scale environmental, stormwater, or watershed protection programs.
• Demonstrated success in organizational transformation, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement.

Work Environment:

Work is primarily performed in an office environment with frequent visits to field locations, construction sites, treatment facilities, watersheds, streams, and other operational areas. Position may require attendance at public meetings, emergency response activities, and after-hours events.

Physical Requirements

Sedentary to Light Work:
Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.

It is the policy of the City of Atlanta (“COA”) that qualified individuals with disabilities are not discriminated against because of their disabilities regarding job application procedures, hiring, and other terms and conditions of employment. It is further the policy of the COA to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in all aspects of the employment process. The COA is prepared to modify or adjust the job application process or the job or work environment to make reasonable accommodations to the known physical or mental limitations of the applicant or employee to enable the applicant or employee to be considered for the position he or she desires, to perform the essential functions of the position in question, or to enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment as are enjoyed by other similarly situated employees without disabilities, unless the accommodation will impose an undue hardship. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the Human Resources Director for your department.

The City of Atlanta is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, ender identity, marital status, veteran’s status or national origin, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law. We value and encourage diversity in our workforce.