The deputy director of the Utah Department of Environment Quality will head the agency temporarily.
Scott Baird will serve as interim director until a permanent replacement can be found. He succeeds Alan Matheson, who is stepping down July 1.
Gov. Gary Hebert announced Baird's appointment Wednesday. Hebert says Baird is familiar with the department and the legislative process, and has a good relationship with employees.
Baird has worked for the Department of Environmental Quality since 2014. The department has about 390 employees and a $56 million annual budget.
Matheson is moving on to oversee redevelopment of the state prison site in Draper. A new state prison is being built near the Salt Lake City airport.