Description
The Position
Clean Water Services (CWS) is seeking a General Manager to guide the organization through a transformative period and continue industry leadership in water resource recovery operations and environmental stewardship. Reporting to the CWS Board of Directors, the General Manager provides executive leadership for all CWS operations, utilizing strong leadership and communication skills to ensure effective management, advance long-term sustainability, and uphold the highest standards of public service.
The General Manager provides executive leadership and overall direction for CWS operations, ensuring effective governance, policy implementation, and organizational performance in alignment with Board priorities and Advisory Commission recommendations. This role oversees all programs, services, and capital initiatives while fostering collaboration with elected officials, regulators, labor representatives, community leaders, and regional partners.
As the chief financial steward of CWS, the General Manager is responsible for fiscal sustainability, rate stabilization, and long-term financial planning. This includes overseeing budget development, rate setting, forecasting, bond issuances, reserve management, and capital and service contracts, while ensuring strong internal controls and accountability for public funds. Through thoughtful, intentional leadership of the executive team, the General Manager leads CWS’ workforce, environmental programs, and external relations, with a focus on regulatory compliance, infrastructure resilience, and organizational effectiveness.
The General Manager sets a clear vision for the organization's future, focusing on delivering core services while leveraging innovative practices. They articulate and communicate that vision effectively to teams and stakeholders, inspiring and motivating a cohesive approach to shared goals. The General Manager is a trusted, ethical, and transparent leader who brings stability while thoughtfully guiding the organization through change. This individual demonstrates strong judgment, accountability, and fiscal prudence, with the financial management skills necessary to oversee budgets and capital infrastructure. Grounded in data, science, and operational realities, the General Manager makes clear, intentional decisions, analyzes complex problems, and evaluates diverse perspectives with objectivity and political astuteness.
The successful candidate is a mission-driven organizational leader committed to developing, empowering, and retaining talent while cultivating a positive, inclusive, and resilient workplace culture. The General Manager provides constructive feedback, delegates effectively, encourages initiative, and values diversity by leveraging differences to strengthen organizational performance. Self-aware and committed to continuous learning, the General Manager reflects on experiences, understands personal strengths and limitations, and adapts accordingly. Attentive to organizational change fatigue, this leader promotes innovation with patience and purpose, motivates others to perform at their best, and advances long-term organizational capacity, ensuring Clean Water Services continues to lead with integrity, competence, and vision.
Compensation and Benefits
Clean Water Services offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package, including a market salary commensurate with education and experience. The annual salary range for the General Manager position is $260,000 – $350,000, with an anticipated hiring range of $290,000 – $330,000. Employees are our greatest asset and play a key role in the success of Clean Water Services. In order to attract and retain a highly skilled, diverse workforce and recognize the dedication our employees demonstrate each and every day, we offer comprehensive benefits as part of a total compensation package. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision, retirement, life insurance, voluntary supplemental coverages, HRA deposits, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, and a variety of employee discounts, such as FirstNet subscriber cell phone plan. Full details can be viewed here.
How to Apply
Applications will be accepted electronically by Raftelis at raftelis.com. Applicants complete a brief online form and are prompted to provide a cover letter and resume. Please apply no later than Monday, February 16, 2026.
Requirements
Qualifications
At least ten years of public agency leadership experience and ten years of management experience, including at least three years managing professional, senior-level staff, are required. Strong business acumen with demonstrated experience leading and managing in a complex, matrixed environment is essential. A sound financial background with a strong understanding of budgets and financial management is required. Prior experience working with elected officials is also required. Strong consideration will be given to direct knowledge of water, wastewater, stormwater, environmental services and operating in a highly regulated, compliance-driven environment.
A bachelor’s degree in business, public administration, engineering, environmental policy, or a related field is required. A master’s degree in business administration, public administration, or a related field is preferred. Executive leadership credentials, certification, or designation, including ICMA-CM, are beneficial. Existing knowledge of or an ability to develop an understanding of ORS 451 and ORS 198 is essential to success. Upon selection, the candidate must possess and maintain a valid state-issued driver’s license.
