Job Type: Permanent
Salary Details: $4,688 – $7,175 / month
Deadline: Aug 29, 2023
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has a full-time opportunity available for a 401 Water Quality Certification Specialist (Natural Resource Specialist 3) in Bend, Eugene, or Medford, Oregon (candidate may choose work location).
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). 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.
What you will do!
You will review and evaluate applications for dredge and fill permits, under the US Army Corps of Engineers and Oregon Department of State Lands coordinated permitting programs, for compliance with Oregon’s water quality standards, including water quality criteria, antidegradation policy, and protection of designated beneficial uses. You will evaluate applications from Federal agencies prior to a license or permit being issued for compliance with the State’s water quality standards. In cases where wetland impacts are expected, you will also determine appropriate mitigation measures and stormwater Best Management Practices (BMP) implementation. In addition, you develop conditions to protect water quality and beneficial uses, inspect and review compliance of projects with their water quality certification, and initiate enforcement when violations are discovered.
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:
- Demonstrated understanding of environmental justice and the historical impacts for marginalized and underrepresented communities; ability to take personal responsibility for increasing their knowledge of environmental justice and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
- Experience in aquatic ecology, environmental science, wetland ecology, soil and water chemistry, limnology, field sampling, laboratory analysis, and data analysis.
- Experience with 401/401 evaluations and water quality permitting programs.
- Experience in inspections of regulated facilities.
- Experience reading maps and engineering specifications, and an ability to learn stormwater treatment technologies.
- Experience with water quality related modeling.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to provide clear, concise, and compelling communication of policy and technical information tailored to the needs of diverse audiences; skill in writing and presenting clear and concise reports that include qualitative and quantitative analyses, recommendations, and conclusions to diverse audiences.
- Experience with database manipulation and software (ex: Microsoft Excel, Access, Word, and PowerPoint, as well as GIS).
HOW TO APPLY