The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality currently has a full-time opportunity for a Water Quality Standards Specialist (NRS4) in Portland, Oregon.

Initial Posting Date: 11/18/2019

Application Deadline:12/02/2019

Agency:Department of Environmental Quality

Salary Range:$5,300 – $7,747

Position Type:Employee

Position Title:Water Quality Standards Specialist

Job Description:

Water Quality Standards Specialist (NRS4)

With more than 30,000 employees who are dedicated to making Oregon a fantastic place to live, work, and play, the State of Oregon enterprise is comprised of a diverse group of employees who are passionate about public service. At the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, 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 for all to enjoy.

The Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ’s) mission is to be the leader in restoring, maintaining and enhancing the quality of Oregon’s air, land and water.

Please consider joining an innovative team, and work to advance our agency’s mission to protect and improve Oregon’s environmental quality.

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality currently has a full-time opportunity for a

Water Quality Standards Specialist (NRS4) in Portland, Oregon.

The Water Quality Division works cooperatively with the three Regional Divisions and the Laboratory to develop and implement programs to protect and enhance the quality of the waters to ensure public health and the environment are protected by setting water quality standards. The Division has a critical role in achieving DEQs mission by developing policy, implementations tools and implementation priorities for improving and protecting the quality of water in Oregon’s waterways.

The Water Quality Standards and Assessment Section is responsible for developing, revising and providing implementation guidance for Water Quality Standards, which are the foundation of the state’s Water Quality Program.

What you will do!

As a member of DEQ’s water quality standards team, you will lead and coordinate  projects on complex water quality standards revisions, which includes serving as a Scientific, Technical and Policy Expert. You will use in-depth working knowledge of regulations and policies to propose water quality standards regulations that must be carried out through various regulatory programs. You will write reports regarding the scientific basis for the proposals, engage with stakeholders and manage the rulemaking administrative process, including public hearings.

What’s in it for you!

The opportunity to join a dynamic synergistic team of professional, mission focused individuals tasked with maintaining, restoring, and enhancing the quality of Oregon’s air, water, and land for all to enjoy.  We offer medical, dental, and vision health benefits with paid sick leave, vacation, personal leave, and 10 paid holidays a year. Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program: If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, you may be able to receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). Learn more to see whether you qualify at PSLF Program. If you are passionate about Oregon’s environment, apply today!
 

This is a full-time, AFSCME represented position.

What are we looking for?

• 3 years of experience in a physical science, environmental science, or closely related natural resource field, and a Bachelor’s degree in a physical science, environmental science, or closely related natural resource field (or an equivalent combination of education and experience).
• 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.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, organizational skills, and time management skills, with an ability to pay attention to detail and an ability to work under tight deadlines with shifting priorities.

• Extensive knowledge of laws, procedures, principles, and regulations governing Federal and State water quality standards programs and subprograms.
• Extensive knowledge of the trends, developments, and technological changes in the water quality standards field.
• Ability and skill to manage complex projects with many stakeholders, multiple deliverables, and resource constraints.
• Ability to facilitate and negotiate solutions to complex regulatory issues among multiple organizations with conflicting, overlapping, or inconsistent requirements or objectives.
• Ability to explain complex environmental/legal problems and solutions to a variety of audiences; ability to synthesize a variety of technical and legal viewpoints into a coherent description of the problem presented.
• Ability to serve as an Interdisciplinary expert on complex water quality standards issues.
• Skill serving as a research project leader who manages complex projects, identifies resources, and schedules the steps of the project.

How to Apply:

To apply for this position, please follow the “Apply” link and complete the online application and all supplemental questions.

Please be sure to attach a resume. Please enter your work experience in your application; a resume will not substitute for a completed application.

**Please be sure to check both your e-mail and Workday account for updates regarding this recruitment.**

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.

Questions/Need Help?

If you have questions about the recruitment or need assistance to participate in the application process, please contact Patrick Atonna, Human Resources Analyst, at Atonna.Patrick@deq.state.or.us or (503) 229-5021.

DEQ strives to create inclusive environments that welcome and value the diversity of the people we serve. DEQ fosters fairness, equity, and inclusion to create workplace environments where everyone is treated with respect and dignity regardless of race, color, religion, sex, disability, physical stature, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, political affiliation, and any other factor applicable by state or federal law.