Built Environment Specialist (Natural Resource Specialist 4)
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/E-Cs6M9AAlU
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has a full-time opportunity available for a Built Environment Specialist (Natural Resource Specialist 4) in Portland, Oregon. This position is limited duration for 2 years, however, it may be extended or made permanent depending on budget and Legislature approval.
This position sits within DEQ’s Materials Management Program, which is focused on reducing impacts of materials and products throughout their full life cycle, from design and production through distribution, consumption and use, and management at end-of-life. Within Materials Management, the Built Environment work is in the Life Cycle Programs section, which supports this mission through innovative, collaborative, and research-based work. We work with partners statewide and beyond to pursue Oregon’s 2050 Vision for Materials Management and Framework for Action in order to conserve resources, protect the environment and enhance well-being.
Please consider joining an innovative team, and work to advance our agency’s mission to protect and improve Oregon’s environmental quality. The Materials Management program is part of the Land Quality Division. Click here to view a map of all of the DEQ offices.
What you will do!
Your focus will be on enhancing the wellbeing of people and place through reducing the lifecycle impacts of materials and products used in the built environment. You will co-lead the work of the Built Environment program within DEQ’s Materials Management Program, developing program strategies, goals, policy directions, and action plans in alignment with the Strategic Plan for the Built Environment as well as the 2050 Vision and Framework for Action mentioned above. You will manage and support both ongoing and new projects, which will involve conducting research, hiring and directing consultants, managing contracts, serving as a subject matter expert, providing technical assistance and consultation, resolving complex implementation issues, building and/or fostering relationships with new and existing partners, and working collaboratively with partners both inside and outside of DEQ.
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 physical science, environmental science, natural resources, or a closely related field, AND 4 years of experience in a natural resource or environmental field (an equivalent combination of education and experience is acceptable).
- 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.
A closely related field could include a degree related to the built environment, such as architecture and/or interior design, urban planning, infrastructure, design and/or manufacture of building materials and products, building and zoning codes, etc., with a specific focus and work experience in sustainability.
Candidates who are most competitive will also reflect the following:
- Demonstrated understanding of diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice and the historical and current impacts for marginalized and underrepresented communities; ability to take personal responsibility for increasing their knowledge of environmental justice and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging and incorporating this into daily work.
- Experience and knowledge in built environment and/or building materials which may include, but is not limited to construction, architecture and/or interior design, urban planning, infrastructure, design and/or manufacture of building materials and products, and building and zoning codes - with a specific focus and work experience in sustainability.
- Knowledge of life cycle impacts of materials and products used in the built environment and experience working toward the reduction of those impacts.
- Inclusive leadership and collaboration skills.
- Ability to envision alternative futures for reducing the life cycle impacts of materials, and ability to collaborate with partners to identify actionable strategies leading to these.
- Demonstrated experience building and fostering relationships with a diverse group of partners including colleagues, interested parties, communities, organizations, and businesses.
- Knowledge of regulatory and non-regulatory options for influencing business and consumer decisions regarding production, consumption, reuse, and recovery of materials.
- 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.
- Excellent project management skills; experience with project management, such as overseeing and coordinating a complex statewide environmental program.
- Experience representing an agency or organization in meetings with the public, regulated community, and/or other organizations.
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 DEQ’s Portland office, 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 will require occasional travel to DEQ offices and sites on an as-needed basis for meetings, trainings, seminars, conferences, workshops, public hearings, public meetings, and conferences may occur. Occasional site visits to businesses involved with materials management may occur. Occasional extended working hours, evening work, weekend work, and overnight stays may occur.
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.
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. 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, please contact Maddy Ouye, Human Resources Analyst, at maddy.ouye@deq.oregon.gov or (503) 347-5759. TTY users: please use the Oregon Telecommunications Relay Service at 1-800-735-2900.
Are you interested in an Informational Interview with DEQ to learn more about working at DEQ, how current DEQ employees got to where they are today, and what opportunities there may be for you at DEQ? Please go here and complete the form: https://www.oregon.gov/deq/about-us/Pages/humanresources.aspx. Please note that informational interviews are not tied to an open recruitment. If you complete the form above, you will be put in the queue to have an informational interview with a Hiring Manager from our Informational Interview Registry.