Environmental Specialist - Generalist

The Environmental Specialist position is a lead worker, project manager, and upper-level specialist position in the area of environmental resource science, watershed planning, and project management. Employees in this position use analytic skills and professional judgment to independently develop, evaluate and/or select environmental or natural resource science techniques, procedures and criteria; analyze data; design sampling and monitoring plans; assess watershed impacts and restoration actions, programs, and plans; and write regulatory reports. Some positions function as an expert on issues related to developing and implementing programs, plans and policies to comply with City, Regional, State and Federal regulations. The Environmental Specialist is responsible for directing the work of professional staff and performing and overseeing all phases of assigned projects.

This classification is represented by Professional & Technical Employees Local 17. To view this labor agreement, please go to https://www.portlandoregon.gov/bhr/27840  and click on the appropriate link.

 

Lauded as one of the best places to live in America, Portland is a city with a vibrant downtown, diverse neighborhoods, natural beauty, good schools and friendly people. Home to about 650,000 residents within 145 square miles, Portland maintains deep ties to the Pacific Northwest's natural beauty. Portland is listed among the top 25 arts destinations in the United States, named one of the best cycling cities in North America, and one of America's best walking towns. Mount Hood, the Cascade Mountain Range and the renowned Oregon Coast are all just over an hour away. There are 37,000 acres of parks and green spaces within the metropolitan area including the largest urban wilderness in the U.S.: the 5,000-acre Forest Park located within the city limits. Average temperatures range between 34° in winter to 80° in summer and Portland receives 37" of rain annually, less than Seattle, Houston, Baltimore, Boston and Atlanta.

The City of Portland workforce serves a population of over 650,000. We are culture- and solutions-driven, viewing every challenge as an opportunity to learn, improve, and share our expertise. We are committed to removing systemic barriers to resources, access, and opportunity. The City is a believer in ALL people and continues to actively recruit and retain diverse top talent every day. We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to medical, dental, vision, basic life, short- and long-term disability coverage to eligible employees and their families. If you are open-minded, motivated, community-focused, and self-aware, please apply yourself at the City of Portland today.

 TO QUALIFY:

 THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS:

An evaluation of each applicant's training and experience, as demonstrated in their resume and answers to supplemental questions, weighted 100%. Do not attach materials not requested. Only candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be placed on the equally ranked eligible list. You have 14 days from the notice of the examination results to let us know if you disagree with your results. Please read the City of Portland Administrative Rule 3.01 for complete information. Additional evaluation may be required prior to establishment of the eligible list and/or final selection.

 

 

All completed applications for this position must be submitted online no later than 11:59 pm, on the closing date of this recruitment.  E-mailed and/or faxed applications will not be accepted.

 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Work Status: Non-citizen applicants must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of application.

 

Veterans' Preference: If you are requesting Veterans' Preference, attach a copy of your DD214/DD215 and/or Veterans Administration letter stating your disability to your profile, as well as checking the box identifying yourself as a Veteran. You must request Veterans' Preference AND include a copy of your documentation for each recruitment to which you apply. Veterans' Preference documentation must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM on the closing date of this recruitment.

 

ADA Accommodations: If you identify as a person with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation when applying for this job, please contact the Recruiter below for assistance.

 

Equal Employment Opportunity: It is the policy of the City of Portland that no person shall be discriminated against based on race, religion, color, sex, marital status, family status, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or source of income. The City values diversity and encourages everyone who is interested in employment with the City to apply.

One vacancy exists in the Watershed Programs Division. One in the Columbia Watersheds Section and one in the Eastside Watersheds Section.

 

The Watershed Programs Division provides geographically-based watershed planning, protection, and restoration throughout Portland's watersheds: Willamette River, Fanno Creek, Tryon Creek, Columbia Slough, Johnson Creek, and the Columbia River. Protecting and restoring urban watersheds requires an integrated and collaborative approach. The division works closely with the Stormwater System Planning Division on watershed planning and project prioritization efforts, Engineering Services on the implementation of capital projects, Science Integration Division on monitoring project performance and watershed conditions, with Pollution Prevention on NPDES regulatory compliance and source control, and other City bureaus and local, regional, state and federal agencies to protect and restore our rivers, streams and watersheds.

 

The Watershed Programs Division also fosters community stewardship of watersheds and partners with organizations and agencies to leverage resources and protect the Bureau's investments in green and grey infrastructure. More specifically, this division:

The Eastside Watersheds Team works to improve the ecological conditions of Johnson Creek watershed and other watersheds east of the Willamette River, in collaboration with public and private partners. The team leads projects and programs that reduce impacts from flooding; improve surface water quality and hydrologic function; and enhance habitat for fish and wildlife.

There is one vacancy in the Water Quality section of the Operations Group within the Portland Water Bureau.

The Water Quality Environmental Specialist is a lead worker, project manager, and upper level specialist in the area of drinking water quality. The core function of the Water Quality group is to support the bureau in providing safe drinking water and meeting all federal and state drinking water regulations. Environmental Specialists in the Water Quality group work on a variety of source water, distribution system and premise plumbing water quality issues, including designing monitoring programs, conducting data analysis and reporting results to a variety of audiences. Environmental Specialists function as experts on issues related to developing and implementing regulatory compliance programs, plans and policies to comply with State and Federal drinking water regulations; use analytic skills and professional judgment to analyze data, design sampling and monitoring plans; develop regulatory reports and are responsible for directing the work of professional subordinates and performing and overseeing all phases of assigned projects.

The PWB is currently seeking an Environmental Specialist to function as a key member of an interdisciplinary team tasked with implementing a regulatory program to maintain compliance with the Interim Measures of Portland Water Bureau's Bilateral Compliance Agreement with the Oregon Health Authority regarding Cryptosporidium. Requirements include ongoing field inspections, source water quality and wildlife monitoring in the Bull Run watershed and reporting to track the occurrence of the protozoan parasite Cryptosporidium. In addition to contributing to the Water Quality workgroup's core function, this Environmental Specialist will be the lead technical staff working on the Cryptosporidium program to ensure that water quality and environmental monitoring, field investigations and other activities are carried out to maintain compliance. This Environmental Specialist will coordinate with laboratories and manage contracts, manage and validate data, coordinate sampling, oversee training of staff and development of program SOPs; and will also produce monthly, quarterly and annual compliance reports, write/review technical reports and perform data analyses, as well as research and develop ongoing monitoring programs, special studies and watershed protection enhancements and protocols.

 

John DiGrazia, Senior Recruiter

Bureau of Human Resources

(503) 823-4034