On Wednesday, March 8, Commissioner Mingus Mapps announced Dawn Uchiyama, who has served as the Bureau of Environmental Services’ Interim Bureau Director for the past ten months, and previously as the Deputy Director since 2016, has accepted the position as permanent Bureau Director.
Environmental Services is the City’s sewer and stormwater utility charged with protecting public health and environment by collecting and recovering resources from the city’s wastewater, managing stormwater, and restoring and protecting Portland’s rivers, streams, and watersheds.
“After a nationwide search, I am delighted to offer Dawn the position as Director of one of the largest bureaus at the City of Portland. Her leadership, vision, and experience demonstrate to me that she is the right person in this time of great transition at the City. Dawn is a respected leader who has led the bureau through many challenging times, and she is prepared to lead us as we work to create the new Public Works Service area and elevate our focus on green infrastructure and climate resiliency. Dawn leads with compassion, collaboration, and accountability and is deeply committed to our equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility efforts. These are the very traits we need in a Portland leader at this time,” said Commissioner Mapps.
Commissioner Mapps began a competitive hiring process for the bureau director in May of last year. He and his staff met with both internal and external stakeholders, sent an internal survey out to the entire bureau, met with leadership team members together and individually, and finally invited bureau staff and partners to participate on the hiring panels.
“Portland faces a multitude of challenges and opportunities right now and I am honored to serve the brilliant hearts and minds of Environmental Services at this transformational time. I am committed to cultivating the shared ground of our humanity and investing in the healing and restoration of our people and our watersheds, where everyone belongs,” said Director Uchiyama.