Job Type: Permanent
Salary Details: $5,395 – $8,292 / month
Deadline: Oct 02, 2023
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 will be located in the Eastern 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. Although the position is home based in Eastern Region, the program work is statewide.
What you will do!
You will serve as one of the region’s experts for developing and implementing pollution limits (TMDLs- Total Maximum Daily Load of Pollution) on waterbodies that have complex water quality problems and require innovative and creative approaches to solving these problems. You will lead teams of scientists as they conduct long-term studies and extensive analyses of water quality issues in 4 major basins in the state: Grand Ronde, Umatilla John Day, and Harney County Closed Lakes. Much of your responsibilities will involve working with other agencies and Tribal governments with minimal to no supervision, developing complex quantitative plans that address multi-faceted interagency and natural-resource issues. You will need to coordinate with Federal, State, and Local agencies; Tribes; watershed councils; conservation districts; irrigation districts; businesses; and landowners.
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:
- 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.
- Demonstrated ability to build relationships with people of all backgrounds.
- Understanding of watershed science, health, and function.
- Experience with TMDL development and implementation.
- Experience evaluating water quality data using statistical and other analytical methods to determine impacts on water quality, and to evaluate strategies to improve water quality; ability to make recommendations based on findings.
- 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. This includes fluency with public outreach, group facilitation, presentations, correspondence, and other forms of communication.
- Experience interpreting rules, regulations, laws, agency guidance, and agency procedures; experience developing and recommending policy for water quality programs; experience and knowledge of state enforcement practices.
- Excellent computer and information technology skills.
- Excellent project management skills; experience with project management, such as overseeing and coordinating a complex statewide environmental program.
Working Conditions:
DEQ believes in a diverse and inclusive work environment. All employees are expected to contribute to a work environment that collectively values and benefits from respecting its diversity and promotes a culture of inclusiveness.
This position will be based out of the DEQ Eastern Region office of the candidate’s choosing, however, the successful candidate may be eligible for hybrid work. The logistics of hybrid work will need to be worked out with the Hiring Manager prior to your hire and may be changed at any time given specific job duties and business needs. DEQ will provide necessary hardware (laptop, monitor, keyboard, mouse, and cell phone) for an employee to successfully work from home. At DEQ sites, you will have access to a workspace, however, it may be shared with other employees.
This position requires statewide travel for fieldwork, meetings, trainings, conferences, assessments, and seminars, some of which may include long distances in a car, evening work, and overnight stays.
Physical outdoor activity involved during field activity may include exposure to adverse weather conditions, pollutants, chemicals, contaminated soil and water, fumes, airborne contaminants, fall or tripping hazards, kneeling, crouching, climbing, and substantial walking. Outside work encompasses a wide variety of terrains, stream crossing, wading, boating, and uneven and steep terrain.
HOW TO APPLY