Water Reuse Program Developer (Natural Resource Specialist 4)

Apply Here: https://oregon.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/SOR_External_Career_Site/job/Portland--DEQ--Multnomah-Street/Water-Reuse-Program-Developer--Natural-Resource-Specialist-4-_REQ-153724

Initial Posting Date:

04/22/2024

Application Deadline:

05/12/2024

Agency:

Department of Environmental Quality

Salary Range:

$5,746 - $8,831

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Water Reuse Program Developer (Natural Resource Specialist 4)

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 available for a Water Reuse Program Developer (Natural Resource Specialist 4) in Portland, Oregon. This position is limited duration through June 30, 2025, and may be extended or made permanent pending Budget and Legislature approval.

Please consider joining an innovative team, and work to advance our agency’s mission to protect and improve Oregon’s environmental quality. The Water Quality Division has a critical role in achieving the Department’s mission by developing policy, implementation tools, and implementation priorities for improving and protecting the quality of water in Oregon’s waterways. The Water Quality Division works cooperatively with the Department’s 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.

The Water Quality Permit and Program Development Section provides oversight, technical assistance, and support for the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and Water Pollution Control Facilities (WPCF) permit programs. These programs protect Oregon’s water by regulating pollutant discharges from wastewater (domestic and industrial) and stormwater (municipal, industrial, and construction). The Section also supports or implements programs for industrial pretreatment, groundwater protection, Underground Injection Control, biosolids, water reuse, and hydropower 401 certification. Through various activities such as program and policy development, rulemaking, regional coordination and stakeholder involvement, the Section supports permit programs designed to ensure that groundwater and surface water achieve federal and state water quality standards.

Click here to view a map of all of the DEQ offices.

What you will do!

This limited duration position was established by the state legislature to develop recommended changes to the state’s policy and regulatory framework in support of the expansion of water reuse in Oregon while ensuring water quality and beneficial use.  To carry out this legislative directive, you will work closely with DEQ staff, other state agencies and external stakeholders to continue and complete the following efforts currently underway:

• Characterize recycled water and land application projects that support water quality and environmental protection;
• Identify impediments to expanding water reuse in Oregon;
• Identify successfully employed programs in other states and extract their regulatory approaches that could be implemented in Oregon;
• Identify potential regulatory/policy changes and propose a schedule for implementing them;
• Develop resources for technical assistance and guidance for municipalities and industries; and
• Develop reports to the legislature.

If this position is extended beyond June 30, 2025, you will help lead the processes necessary to implement the recommended changes. In implementing the updated program, you will serve as a subject matter expert on water reuse policy for DEQ. You will be responsible for developing state regulations and policies while ensuring they align with federal law. You will develop and maintain professional relationships with EPA, regulators in other states, other Oregon state agencies, and interested parties. This will require evaluating and solving problems with rule development and program implementation, and responding to complex technical questions related to wastewater and water reuse. You will integrate water reuse program issues with wastewater treatment and permitting issues by working with DEQ water quality permitting staff in the regions and in the Water Quality Division at Headquarters. In addition, you will help to manage the graywater reuse program, including statewide implementation, permitting, and compliance.

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 a physical science, environmental science, natural resources, engineering or 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.

Candidates who are most competitive will also reflect the following:

• 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.
• 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.
• General technical knowledge and experience with contaminant fate and transport associated with domestic (municipal) and industrial wastewater systems.
• General knowledge of soils and their chemical, physical, and biological characteristics.
• Knowledge and experience with both domestic and industrial wastewater treatment processes.
• Knowledge of wastewater reclamation and reuse strategies, their objectives, functions, and beneficial purposes.
• Extensive knowledge of laws, procedures, principles, and regulations governing Federal and State water quality programs and subprograms; extensive knowledge of the trends, developments, and technological challenges with water reuse.
• Experience with project management, including time constrained projects, and program development and implementation, preferably in an environmental program setting.
• Demonstrated experience building and fostering relationships with a diverse group of partners including colleagues, interested parties, communities, organizations, and businesses.
• Skilled at leading a team and the ability to analyze, appreciate, and synthesize multiple perspectives, backgrounds, and priorities; flexibility, patience, and good facilitation skills.

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 Headquarters 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 requires periodic travel by car to wastewater treatment facilities, water reuse project sites, and DEQ regional offices. Travel will be for site visits, meetings, conferences, public hearings, and workshops, some of which may involve extended work hours, overnight stays, and /or weekend work. During site visits, there may be exposure to adverse weather conditions, pollutants, chemicals, contaminated soil and water, fumes, airborne contaminants, fall or tripping hazards, stairs, and extensive walking.

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 knowledge article 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 Taylor Hanson, Human Resources Assistant at taylor.hanson@deq.oregon.gov or (503) 347-5759. TTY users: please use the Oregon Telecommunications Relay Service at 1-800-735-2900.