NPDES Permit Writer (Natural Resource Specialist 3)

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The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality strives to build and sustain an inclusive and equitable environment that embraces and values diversity. Employees at all levels of the agency work together to foster fairness equity inclusion and belonging. We strive to be a workplace where we share our authentic identities while advancing our individual professional goals and while collaborating to protect preserve and enhance the environment for current and future generations. We celebrate and appreciate diversity champion equity and treat each other with respect and dignity.

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on race color national origin ethnicity veteran status gender gender identity sexual orientation religion marital status age or physical or mental disability in the administration of our programs and activities. Visit DEQsCivil Rights and Environmental Justice page.

Are you passionate about preserving enhancing and protecting Oregons 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 Oregons air land and water.

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has a full-time opportunity available for a NPDES Permit Writer (Natural Resource Specialist 3) in Portland Oregon.

Please consider joining an innovative team and work to advance our agencys mission to protect and improve Oregons environmental quality.

About DEQ!

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is the primary regulatory agency of the government of the U.S. State of Oregon responsible for protecting and enhancing the states natural resources.

The Water Quality Division has a critical role in achieving the Departments mission by developing policy implementation tools and implementation priorities for improving and protecting the quality of water in Oregons waterways. The Water Quality Division works cooperatively with the Departments three regional offices and the Laboratory to deliver programs and services that protect and enhance the quality of the waters of the state to protect public health and the environment.

This position sits within DEQs Northwest Regions Water Quality Source Control section. 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.

For a visual representation of DEQs offices and their locations view our DEQ Offices and Vehicle Inspection Testing Stations map.

What you will do!

You will develop National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for major and minor sources that originate in any part of Oregon. You will solve difficult NPDES permit-related problems such as developing strategies for compliance with water quality standards or discharges to water quality limited water bodies.

Whats in it for you!

The opportunity to work in a productive and creative environment where no two days are ever the same!DEQ cares deeply about employee wellness and benefits. 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 11 paid holidays a 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 Oregons 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: 6 years of experience in a natural resource or environmental field with 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.

Substitutions:

• Bachelors degree in physical science environmental science natural resources or a closely related field may substitute for 3 of the required years of experience.
• Masters degree in physical science environmental science environmental engineering natural resource engineering natural resources or a closely related field may substitute for 4 of the required years of experience.
• Doctorate degree in physical science environmental science environmental engineering natural resource engineering natural resources or a closely related field may substitute for 5 of the required years of experience.

Candidates who are most competitive will also reflect the following desired attributes:

• Demonstrated understanding of environmental justice and the historical impacts for marginalized and underrepresented communities; ability to take personal responsibility for increasing their knowledge of environmental justice and diversity equity inclusion and belonging.
• Experience developing and/or implementing NPDES permits.
• Experience using computer modeling and statistical tools to analyze study results.
• Demonstrated experience building and fostering relationships with a diverse group of partners including colleagues interested parties communities organizations and businesses; experience collaborating with varied and diverse groups of communities in urban and rural settings and experience with initiatives involving tribal nations.
• Knowledge of laws procedures principles regulations governing Federal and State water quality programs and subprograms; ability to learn laws regulations and permit procedures applicable to the technology and industry under review.
• Excellent project management skills; ability to plan schedule and coordinate large complex projects.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to provide clear concise and compelling communication of policy and technical information tailored to the needs of diverse audiences; skill in writing and presenting clear and concise reports that include qualitative and quantitative analyses recommendations and conclusions to diverse audiences.

Working Conditions:

DEQ believes in a diverse and inclusive work environment. All employees are expected to contribute to a work environment that collectively values and benefits from respecting its diversity and promotes a culture of inclusiveness.

This position will be based out of DEQs Northwest Region office in Portland however the successful candidate may be eligible for hybrid work. The logistics of hybrid work will need to be worked out with the Hiring Manager prior to your hire and may be changed at any time given specific job duties and business needs. DEQ will provide necessary hardware (laptop monitor keyboard mouse and cell phone) for an employee to successfully work from home. At DEQ sites you will have access to a workspace however it may be shared with other employees.

This position requires regular statewide travel to attend meetings trainings public hearings conferences and seminars and to conduct field visits some of which may involve extended work hours overnight stays and/or weekend work. During field visits there is the potential for exposure to inclement weather pollutants chemicals contaminated soil and water fumes airborne contaminants stairs kneeling stooping substantial walking and crouching.

How to Apply: (complete the application in full)

• External Applicants Click on the Apply button and submit your application. For resources and support related to applying view our External Candidate job aid and Workday Recruitment for External Job Applicants video.
• Internal Applicants (current State of Oregon employees): Apply through your employee Workday step-by-step resources on how to apply review the Jobs search & apply knowledge article.

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Help Your Application Rise to the Top!

Your application materials are the perfect opportunity to highlight your interest in the position and showcase your amazing skills and experience. 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 materials.

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Veterans Information:

DEQ provides candidate preference points to all eligible veterans and Oregon National Guard servicemembers (current and former). For more information on candidate preference please visit Veterans Resources. For privacy reasons please do not attach candidate preference documents when initially applying. Instead you will be asked to submit those at a later time as part of a future task in Workday.

Equal Pay Analysis:

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. All finalists have an equal pay analysis completed to determine their placement on the salary scale. 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 Department of Homeland Securitys Form I-9 confirming authorization to work in the United addition hires will have three business days from their first day of employment to present documents that establish employment authorization and identity. DEQ is an E-Verify employer and will use E-Verify to confirm that hires are authorized 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 including an accommodation request under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) please contact DEQs Recruitment Team at or . TTY users: please use the Oregon Telecommunications Relay Service at 1-.