Integrated Water Resources Specialist (Natural Resource Specialist 3)
Job Description:
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality strives to build and sustain an inclusive environment that embraces and values diversity. Employees at all levels of the agency work together to foster fairness, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, veteran, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, or physical or mental disability. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may not meet every one of our listed preferred qualifications. Lived experience may count towards the preferred qualification. If you are excited about this position, we encourage you to apply. If you are unsure as to whether or not you meet the qualifications of this position, please contact us to discuss your application.
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 Integrated Water Resources Specialist (Natural Resource Specialist 3) in the Eastern Region Division. This position will be located in Bend 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 3 regions (Northwest, Western, and Eastern); this position is 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. Click here to view a map of all of the DEQ offices.
What you will do!
You will support local integrated water resource efforts by providing technical assistance and water quality information as needed during the development of place-based planning efforts, water rights reviews, and water supply development grant/loan programs plans. You will work closely with DEQ staff and with other agencies, tribal and local officials, community members, watershed councils, and other stakeholders to strategically align DEQ programs and activities with state and federal agencies and other partners. You will leverage resources and implement projects that achieve multiple environmental objectives, and design and implement monitoring plans to measure progress toward meeting those objectives. In addition, you will collaborate with other natural resource agencies on the development and implementation of salmon recovery plans, water quality improvement plans, and other natural resource protection and restoration initiatives.
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 physical science, environmental science, natural resources, or a 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:
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to communicate effectively with staff, many sectors of the public, and other natural resource agencies; professional level writing and presentation acumen.
- Experience working with stakeholder engagement; ability to work with diverse stakeholders.
- Experience using computer modeling and/or data analysis techniques to evaluate study results.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills; skill and experience interpreting and communicating complex technical natural resource information to a variety of audiences.
- Experience reading, understanding, interpreting, and applying water quality regulations or other environmental regulations.
- Experience analyzing and interpreting water quality monitoring data, morphology and stream characteristics, climate, and remote sensing from electronic databases.
- Proficiency in MS Excel and Word.
- Experience conducting field work or inspections.
- Experience reviewing water rights applications.
Working Conditions:
Work is conducted in both an office setting and outside. Outside work encompasses a wide variety of terrains in various weather conditions (wind, rain, and snow), uneven and steep terrain, stream crossing and wading, boating, and strenuous hiking. Outside work is mostly confined to the monitoring season (summer months), however, fall and winter monitoring does occur regularly. Exposure to contaminated water and toxic substances may occur. Statewide travel will be required, and long, varied working hours with occasional weekend work will occur. Must possess a valid driver’s license.
How to Apply: (complete the application in full)
- External Applicants Click on the “Apply” button and submit your application. Click this link for the External Candidate job aid, and view this video for additional information.
- Internal Applicants (current State of Oregon employees): Apply through your employee Workday account. View this job aid for assistance.
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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.
COVID-19 Vaccination Information:
The State of Oregon is requiring all executive branch employees to complete their COVID-19 vaccination series by October 18, 2021, unless the employee receives a medical or religious exception. New employees must submit vaccination documentation or be approved for an exception by October 18, 2021. For more information, visit our policy listed here.
Veterans Information:
DEQ provides veterans’ preference points to all eligible veterans. For more information on veterans’ preference, please visit Veterans Resources, or call the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs at: 1-800-692-9666. 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. Please note: the salary listed is the non-PERS qualifying salary range. If the successful candidate is PERS qualifying, the salary range will reflect an additional 6.95% (6% goes to PERS and .95% covers payroll taxes). Please review the Classification and Compensation page for more details.
Work Authorization:
DEQ does not offer visa sponsorships. On the first day of employment, all hires will be required to complete the US Citizenship and Immigration Services Form I-9, confirming authorization to work in the United States. The hiring manager will have three business days from their first day of employment to examine documents that establish employment authorization and identity, and complete the employer’s section of the I-9.
Questions/Need Help?
If you have questions about the recruitment or need assistance to participate in the application process, please contact Jack Duncan, Human Resources Analyst, at jack.duncan@deq.state.or.us or (503) 229-5021. TTY users: please use the Oregon Telecommunications Relay Service at 1-800-735-2900.