Ken Harris, an assistant deputy director at the State Water Resources Control Board, has been named interim executive officer for the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board.

The position is a temporary one; the regional board continues to search for a permanent executive officer to replace Roger Briggs, who retired Wednesday.

Harris brings a background in water-quality issues to the job, including serving as interim assistant executive officer at the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board for six months starting in June 2010. He has served as assistant deputy director of the Division of Water Quality since September.

His duties as assistant deputy director include managing the Surface Water Branch, which oversees water discharge permits, wastewater and storm water programs, the state’s ocean plan, dredging and filling of wetlands, and basin planning programs.