Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
Initial Posting Date: 07/11/2022
Application Deadline: 07/24/2022
Agency: Department of Environmental Quality
Salary Range: $5,233 – $8,043
Position Type: Employee
Position Title: Drinking Water Protection Technical Assistance (Natural Resource Specialist 4)
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 a Drinking Water Protection Technical Assistance (Natural Resource Specialist 4) position 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. The Water Quality Division has a critical role in achieving the Department’s mission by developing policy, implementation tools, and implementation priorities for improving and protecting the quality of water in Oregon’s waterways. The Water Quality Division works cooperatively with the Department’s three regional offices and the Laboratory to deliver programs and services that protect and enhance the quality of the waters of the state to protect public health and the environment.
What you will do!
You will provide technical assistance to internal staff and the public for understanding drinking water sources and issues regarding pollutants, sources of contamination, and risks to public water systems sources of water. You will coordinate DEQ’s Drinking Water Protection Program source water protection efforts with other state and federal agency water quality improvement programs, such as Nonpoint Source Program Plan, Water Quality Management Plans, TMDLs, Healthy Streams Partnership work, Coastal Salmon Restoration, Sole-Source Aquifers, Forest Practices Act, State Forest Management Plans, Habitat Conservation Plans, land use issues, etc. In addition, you will work with non-governmental partners, such as non-profits, land trusts, and landowners, to implement drinking water source protection practices. You will also represent the department as necessary at hearings and meetings with the legislature, local government officials, other state agencies and the public.
What’s in it for you!
The opportunity to work in a productive and creative environment where no two days are ever the same! 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 4 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 working in a water quality improvement program providing technical expertise.
- Understanding of the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act.
- Experience with gathering, analyzing, and communicating technical information.
- Ability to develop and maintain a thorough understanding of existing water quality, land quality, toxics, and lab DEQ programs.
- Experience evaluating the effects of point and nonpoint source management actions on water quality and developing best management practices needed to address impacts
- Ability to develop and maintain knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation practice, land management, and natural resource preservation.
- Experience with Geographic Information System (GIS), database query programs, and statistical analysis of environmental data.
- Ability to communicate effectively and professionally through email and in-person with DEQ staff, the regulated community, public water systems, and the public.
Working Conditions:
Work is mostly in an office setting. This position requires travel by car, including overnight stays, for coordination of program, meetings, and presentations at conferences and for occasional field work.
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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 Willa Wilbanks, Human Resources Analyst, at willa.wilbanks@deq.state.or.us or (503) 229-5021. 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.