REQ-150936. Application Deadline: March 24, 2024.

Salary Range: $5,747 – $8,831 / month

Job Description:

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA), Public Health Division (PHD) is recruiting for a Healthy Waters Natural Resource Specialist to support the State of Oregon’s Healthy Waters unit as the program’s lead technical resource on water-related health hazards. The primary purpose of this position is to evaluate and report on human health risks from exposure to environmental contaminants including, but not limited to, those found in domestic well water, recreational waters (fresh and marine), as well as recycled/reused water and fish tissue. This position’s work supports OHA’s domestic well safety program, beach water quality advisories, fish consumption advisories, harmful algal bloom advisories, water plan reuse review, and other state programs related to waterborne health risks.

The work includes developing and maintaining surveillance systems to detect hazards to human health, using data to make determinations about public health interventions and other courses of action, preparing and presenting risk communication messages and public health advisories to potentially affected individuals and communities, representing OHA for media requests, and making recommendations to inter-agency advisory committees.

The Healthy Waters NRS4 also provides technical assistance and methodological expertise in collaboration with partner organizations regarding data collection on environmental hazards, environmental exposures to microbial pathogens or toxins, and health effects.

OHA values service excellence, leadership, integrity, health equity and partnership and has a strategic goal to end all health inequities by 2030.

The OHA mission is helping people and communities achieve optimum physical, mental, and social well-being through partnership, prevention and access to quality, affordable health care. OHA’s work is organized into three broad goals: Improve the lifelong health of all Oregonians, increase the quality, reliability, and availability of care for all Oregonians and lower or contain the cost of care so it is affordable to everyone.

This is a full-time, permanent position and is represented by a union, SEIU Human Services.
What you will do!

• Develop program strategy, review, and inform project work completed by other program staff for Oregon Beach Monitoring, Fish Consumption, Harmful Algae Blooms, and Domestic Well Safety Program.

• Prepare or review draft interagency MOUs and agreements.

• Advise management and other staff on scope and compliance for contracts supporting domestic well laboratory testing and treatment system installation.

• Provide and interpret water quality and environmental data reports for groundwater management, cyanobacteria and toxins, and fish contaminant levels.

• Provide support to toxicologist on fish consumption calculations and develop technical memos as necessary when fish consumption advisories are issued.

• Coordinate technical aspects of program protocols and public health advisories including, but not limited to, fish consumption advisories and harmful algae bloom (HAB) advisories.

• Research literature for new data and information on HABs and emerging potential human and animal health risks from exposure.

• Participate in EPH section and center-wide activities to mutually further the mission and goals of the program, section and office; receive general calls from the public on a rotational basis (Tox Call); and performs other activities as assigned.

What’s in it for you?
The public health division is a team of passionate individuals working to promote health across the lifespan of individuals, families, and communities. We value and support unique perspectives using a trauma-informed approach and aim to reflect these values in our hiring practices, professional development, and workplace. We are committed to racial equity as a driving factor to improve health outcomes for all communities that experience inequities.

• We offer exceptional medical, vision and dental benefits packages for you and your qualified family members, with very low monthly out-of-pocket costs. Try this free virtual benefits counselor by clicking here: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/pebb/pages/alex.aspx  
• Paid Leave Days:
  • 11 paid holidays each year
  • 3 additional paid “Personal Business Days” each year
  • 8 hours of paid sick leave accumulated every month
  • Progressive vacation leave accrual with increases every 5 years
• Pension and retirement programs
• Optional benefits include short-term disability, long-term disability, deferred compensation savings program, and flexible spending accounts for health care and childcare expenses.
• Click here to learn more about State of Oregon benefits.

Most of this work may be conducted remotely at an alternate worksite with full access to the needed operating systems and technology. However, there are many times that the work will need to be conducted at the primary work location listed in this announcement, the Portland State Office Building located at 800 NE Oregon Street, Portland, OR 97232. Work location can be changed at any time at the discretion of the hiring manager.
OHA values health equity, service excellence, integrity, leadership, partnership, innovation and transparency. OHA’s health equity definition is “Oregon will have established a health system that creates health equity when all people can reach their full potential and well-being and are not disadvantaged by their race, ethnicity, language, disability, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, social class, intersections among these communities or identities, or other socially determined circumstances.

Achieving health equity requires the ongoing collaboration of all regions and sectors of the state, including tribal governments to address: the equitable distribution or redistributing of resources and power; and recognizing, reconciling, and rectifying historical and contemporary injustices.” OHA’s 10-year goal is to eliminate health inequities. Click here, to learn more about OHA’s mission, vision and core values.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

Minimum Qualifications

Three years of experience in water-related health hazards (specifically domestic wells, health-related hazards attributed to recreational use, HABs, and fish consumption, or any combination of the above). At least one year of the experience must be 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;

AND
A Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Public Health, or similar degrees, or three additional years of related (pertinent) experience.
OR

A Master’s degree in Public Health with an environmental focus will substitute for up to one year of the required experience.
OR

A Doctorate degree in Environmental Public Health will substitute for up to two years of the required experience.

Desired Attributes

• Experience in advancing health equity, addressing systemic health inequities and collaborating with diverse communities most harmed by social injustice and health inequities.
• Knowledge of the following is required: Human health effects of chemicals, microbes and other pathogens which relate to the field of health assessment; principles and procedures of environmental health investigations; relevant state and federal environmental regulations. Skill in evaluating the impact on health of pollution sources and determining appropriate environmental health strategy is required.
• Position requires knowledge and skill using numeric analytical techniques and software (e.g., spreadsheets, statistical packages, and/or GIS) to acquire, integrate, analyze and produce information relevant to policy decisions.
• Knowledge of data collection, systems and use is necessary. Requires skill with the following applications: Word processing (e.g. Microsoft Word), presentation software (e.g. Microsoft Powerpoint), analytic applications (e.g. Microsoft Excel and/or statistical packages). Must be skilled in creating, maintaining, and using files and public records.
• Person must have good communication skills (verbal, written, and interpersonal) to be used with a variety of audiences answering questions and explaining information or decisions. Must be skilled in writing investigative or narrative reports.
• Preference given to individuals with specific knowledge of principles of biology, microbiology, chemistry and/or toxicology.
• Rigorous adherence to the highest standards of confidentiality regarding patient information is required.

How to apply:

• Complete the online application
• Attach a Cover Letter, no more than 2 pages, specifically focused on your qualifications for this position as identified in the Desired Attributes section of this announcement.

Please ensure you’ve provided a thorough and updated application as it pertains to the position for which you are applying. Your application materials will be used to determine salary based on a pay equity assessment.  For further information, please visit the Pay Equity Project homepage.

Questions/Need Help?

If you need assistance to participate in the application process, including an accommodation request under the American with Disabilities Act contact: Juan McGruder at Voice: [503-302-0454] (TTY 711) or Email: Juan.A.McGruder@oha.oregon.gov. TTY users  may dial 711 or 1-800-735-2900. For Workday technical support dial 1-855-524-5627.