Air Quality Specialist (Natural Resource Specialist 1)
- Initial Posting Date: 11/12/2021
- Application Deadline:12/05/2021
- Agency: Department of Environmental Quality
- Salary Range: 3348.00 - 5105.00
- Position Type: Employee
- Position Title: Air Quality Specialist
- Job Description:
- Air Quality Specialist (Natural Resource Specialist 1)
- 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 (DEQ) currently has a full-time opportunity for an Air Quality Specialist (Natural Resource Specialist 1) in Portland, Oregon.
- The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is a regulatory agency whose job is to protect the quality of Oregon's environment. DEQ’s Mission is to be a leader in restoring, maintaining, and enhancing the quality of Oregon’s air, land, and water.
- The Air Quality Division’s mission is to preserve, protect and enhance the quality of Oregon’s air. This is achieved through Air Quality Planning, Program Operations, Vehicle Inspection, Technical Services, Laboratory support, and regional Divisions, in accordance with the federal Clean Air Act and applicable state and federal laws.
- This position is located in the Northwest Region, The Regional Divisions preserve, protect and enhance the quality of Oregon’s air by performing field investigations, issuing air quality permits, performing compliance inspections of permitted facilities, enforcing permit conditions, enforcing air quality regulations and investigating complaints. Click here to view a map of all the DEQ offices.
- What you will do!
- You will protect public health and the environment by:
- Process air quality permits for well-defined industrial, commercial, and municipal air quality sources where the permit templates need minimal technical input.
- Providing assistance to facilities and performing on-site inspections of these sources. When deviations are noted, you will assist in determining compliance with air quality statutes and regulations of those sources.
- Investigating routine and redundant air quality complaints with clear directions provided for resolving situations using clear directions or specific follow-up actions.
- Recommending compliance assurance and enforcement actions to the Northwest Region Air Quality program manager when violations of statutes, permits, or rules are observed and documented.
- 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 11 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 environmental sciences, natural resources, or a closely related field, OR 3 years of experience in an environmental science or natural resources field.
- Candidates who are most competitive will also reflect the following:
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills; demonstrated ability to write reports and letters that are easily understood by the public.
- Ability to deal diplomatically with upset or adversarial individuals in person and on the phone.
- Experience in reviewing and interpreting environmental regulations, laws and technical guidance.
- Experience in providing technical assistance to industry, the public, and governmental agencies on environmental laws, procedures, and issues.
- Experience investigating complaints, documenting violations, writing inspection reports, and writing enforcement referrals.
- Demonstrated proficiency in MS Excel; demonstrated experience using and maintaining databases.
- Experience and knowledge in industrial source operations, compliance inspection methods, and air quality permitting.
- Working Conditions:
- Work is performed primarily in a professional office setting. There will be some physical outdoor activity involved during field activities, inspection, and investigations at industrial, commercial, and private residential sites. Outdoor work may include adverse weather conditions; exposure to pollutants, chemicals, airborne contaminants, and contaminated soil, water, and fumes; fall and tripping hazards; climbing of stairs to gain access to multi-level facilities; and substantial walking. Occasional lifting of 25 pounds and occasional standing/walking for periods of greater than 4 hours will occur. This position requires occasional travel on State business for fieldwork, assessments, meetings, inspections, conferences, investigations, and public hearings, including some overnight stays. Meetings and public hearings are often held in the evenings. Must possess a current 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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- This posting closes at 11:59 PM on the close date listed.
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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 their first day of work. 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 Department of Homeland Security’s Form I-9, confirming authorization to work in the United States. In addition, hires will have three business days from their first day of employment to present documents that establish employment authorization and identity.
- Questions/Need Help?
- If you have questions about the recruitment or need assistance to participate in the application process, please contact Rebecca Zanskar, Human Resources Analyst, at rebecca.zanskar@deq.state.or.us or (503) 807-8937. TTY users: please use the Oregon Telecommunications Relay Service at 1-800-735-2900.