Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
Initial Posting Date: 01/04/2023
Application Deadline: 01/25/2023
Agency: Department of Environmental Quality
Salary Range: $4,688 – $7,175
Position Type: Employee
Position Title: Asbestos Compliance Specialist (Natural Resource Specialist 3)
Job Description:
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality strives to build and sustain an inclusive environment that embraces and values diversity. Employees at all levels of the agency work together to foster fairness, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, veteran, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, or physical or mental disability. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may not meet every one of our listed preferred qualifications. Lived experience may count towards the preferred qualification. If you are excited about this position, we encourage you to apply. If you are unsure as to whether or not you meet the qualifications of this position, please contact us to discuss your application.
Are you passionate about preserving, enhancing, and protecting Oregon’s environment? If so, please consider a career with the State of Oregon at the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). At DEQ, employees have the opportunity to work with a dynamic and supportive team of mission-focused individuals tasked with maintaining, restoring, and enhancing the quality of Oregon’s air, land, and water. Here is a video about DEQ: https://youtu.be/iP3K7JoLe1k
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has a full-time opportunity for an Asbestos Compliance Specialist (Natural Resource Specialist 3) in Portland, Oregon.
Please consider joining an innovative team, and work to advance our agency’s mission to protect and improve Oregon’s environmental quality. There are 3 regions (Northwest, Western, and Eastern); this position is in Northwest Region. The Regions provide the following services: compliance inspection of regulated entities; enforcement of permit requirements and administrative rules; issuance of air, water, and solid waste permits; investigation of complaints; issuance of subsurface permits in counties; response to spills or other incidents with environmental impacts; direct contact and liaison with other governmental entities, industries, and the public; and technical assistance to regulated entities and the public.
Click here to view a map of all of the DEQ offices.
What you will do!
You will be responsible for the implementation of the agency’s regulations concerning asbestos waste management, including, but not limited to: inspecting projects to make sure that asbestos-containing waste materials are being removed, handled, and disposed of properly; ensuring that contractors and workers engaged in asbestos abatement are licensed/certified and conduct asbestos removal following Oregon rules; reviewing the curriculum of and accrediting training providers who train and certify workers and supervisors who remove asbestos waste materials; ensuring that DEQ is notified of demolition and renovation activities; making compliance determinations when violations are identified; proposing corrective action strategies for building owners, contractors, and disposal facility operators; and investigating and resolving complaints concerning asbestos. In addition, you will provide technical assistance, education, and outreach concerning asbestos; ensure federal asbestos requirements are met; use and help contractors and the public use DEQ data management systems; and assist in the development of policies, procedures, and agency rule-making.
What’s in it for you!
You will get the opportunity to protect the public and the environment by making sure that asbestos wastes are removed and disposed of properly. You will also get to work with dedicated co-workers in an organization that is continuously changing and improving! We offer a competitive benefits package that offers comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans for the employee and their qualified family members, as well as paid sick leave, vacation leave, personal leave, and 11 paid holidays a year. In addition, we offer membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), and you have the opportunity to potentially receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). If you are passionate about Oregon’s environment, apply today!
This is a full-time, AFSCME represented position.
This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies.
What are we looking for?
Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in physical science, environmental science, natural resources, or a closely related field, AND 3 years of experience in a natural resource or environmental field (an equivalent combination of education and experience is acceptable). At least 1 year of experience at a technical or professional level performing activities in a natural resource program such as researching and analyzing data, conducting investigations, applying pertinent laws and regulations, or coordinating and monitoring project activities.
Candidates who are most competitive will also reflect the following:
- Experience in asbestos related work, including interpreting rules, regulations, laws, agency guidance, and procedures regarding asbestos containing waste management and disposal.
- Experience conducting asbestos abatement as a certified worker, supervisor, or asbestos abatement contractor.
- Experience conducting field work including environmental inspections of industry and commercial businesses and making regulatory determinations for compliance with local, state, or federal regulatory requirements.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills; experience communicating complex technical information or controversial environmental issues to stakeholders and lay people; ability to communicate technical data to audiences unfamiliar with the subject matter.
- Knowledge of and experience using project management methods, techniques, and principles.
- Demonstrated ability to use Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and Access) and databases; experience creating reports and queries, and utilizing electronic filing and recordkeeping.
- Experience researching complex issues and problems and proposing solutions.
- Ability to work well with other staff members, and regulators and professionals outside the program, the agency, and outside government; ability to deal diplomatically with angry or hostile people.
- Experience and skill in writing concise and clear reports describing complex industries and regulatory determinations.
Working Conditions:
Work is in both an office and field setting. This position requires frequent travel by car for site visits. During field activities, there may be exposure to asbestos, hazardous or dangerous chemicals, contaminated soil and water, fumes, airborne contaminants, fall or tripping hazards, stairs, and ladders. Statewide travel with occasional evening and weekend work may be required. Due to the frequent exposure to asbestos, the person in this position must be able to be fit tested and wear a respirator.
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Please Note: In addition to your related work experience and education, DEQ will use the desired attributes and minimum qualifications above, under the “What are we looking for?” section to determine whom to interview. Please make sure your attributes and minimum qualifications are clearly demonstrated in your application material.
Veterans Information:
DEQ provides veterans’ preference points to all eligible veterans. For more information on veterans’ preference, please visit Veterans Resources, or call the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs at: 1-800-692-9666. For privacy reasons, please do not attach veterans’ preference documents when initially applying. You will be asked to submit those at a later time.
Pay Equity:
As an employer, the State of Oregon complies with HB 2005, the Pay Equity Bill. We do not discriminate on the basis of protected class in the payment of wages, and we do not screen applicants on the basis of their current or past compensation. Please visit http://www.oregon.gov/das/hr/pages/equity.aspx for more information. Please note: the salary listed is the non-PERS qualifying salary range. If the successful candidate is PERS qualifying, the salary range will reflect an additional 6.95% (6% goes to PERS and .95% covers payroll taxes). Please review the Classification and Compensation page for more details.
Work Authorization:
DEQ does not offer visa sponsorships. On the first day of employment, all hires will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security’s Form I-9, confirming authorization to work in the United States. In addition, hires will have three business days from their first day of employment to present documents that establish employment authorization and identity. DEQ is an E-Verify employer and will use E-Verify to confirm that hires are authorized to work in the United States.
Questions/Need Help?
If you have questions about the recruitment or need assistance to participate in the application process, please contact Maddy Ouye, Human Resources Analyst, at Samina.Baloch@deq.oregon.gov or (503) 475-0964. TTY users: please use the Oregon Telecommunications Relay Service at 1-800-735-2900.
Are you interested in an Informational Interview with DEQ to learn more about working at DEQ, how current DEQ employees got to where they are today, and what opportunities there may be for you at DEQ? Please go here and complete the form: https://www.oregon.gov/deq/about-us/Pages/humanresources.aspx. Please note that informational interviews are not tied to an open recruitment. If you complete the form above, you will be put in the queue to have an informational interview with a Hiring Manager from our Informational Interview Registry.