Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, veteran, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, or disability, and is committed to workplace diversity.

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 Underground Storage Tank Inspector (Natural Resource Specialist 3) in Medford, 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 three DEQ regions (Northwest, Western, and Eastern); this position is in Western 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!

The Underground Storage Tank Program, which is a part of the Land Quality Division, handles issues related to regulated tank registration and compliance, and cleanup of leaking petroleum Underground Storage Tanks (USTs). You will provide technical and regulatory assistance; perform education and/or information dissemination duties; assist with the identification of non-permitted tanks; maintain and update the UST database; perform tank installation inspections, review tank designs, monitor tank tests, perform tank inspections, and perform tank decommissioning inspections; investigate leaking tank complaints; and initiate appropriate follow-up actions, including enforcement, as necessary.

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 10 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 a physical science, environmental science, or closely related field, AND three (3) years of experience in a natural resource or environmental field (an equivalent combination of education and experience is acceptable). At least one (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 with underground storage tanks (USTs), including inspection of new installations, audits of service providers, compliance inspections, and investigation of leaks and petroleum discharges.
• Experience with UST equipment operation and inspection procedures.
• 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.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; skill in writing concise and clear reports describing complex industries and regulatory determinations.
• Experience working with various contractors: construction, equipment sales/installation, equipment repair, and engineering services.
• Experience enforcing or issuing penalties for Federal, State, and/or local government regulations.

Working Conditions:

Regular field visits to sites to observe, inspect, and evaluate UST systems, new installations, and removals will be required. During field activities, there may be exposure to contaminated soil, water, fumes, and airborne contaminants

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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, please go here: https://www.oregon.gov/jobs/Pages/Veterans.aspx. 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.

Work Authorization:

DEQ does not offer visa sponsorships. Within three days of hire, all applicants will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security’s Form I-9, confirming authorization 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 madeline.ouye@deq.state.or.us or (503) 347-5759. TTY users: please use the Oregon Telecommunications Relay Service at 1-800-735-2900.