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Materials Management/Solid Waste Permitting and Compliance Specialist (Natural Resource Specialist 3)

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 a Materials Management/Solid Waste Permitting and Compliance Specialist (Natural Resource Specialist 3) in Portland, 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 Northwest Region. The Regions provide the following services: compliance inspections 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 serve as a materials management program permit writer and compliance specialist responsible for permitting and compliance for solid waste disposal facilities. Such facilities include transfer stations, composting facilities, material recovery facilities, recycling facilities, letters of authorization, and waste tire storage sites. You will provide technical assistance on solid waste disposal, management, and recycling requirements; provide information and guidance regarding rules, permit conditions, and technical requirements for the public and regulated community; conduct site visits, inspections, and investigations; verify data submittals from responsible parties; and review and draft new permits, permit modifications, and permit renewals for solid waste disposal facilities. In addition, you will respond to and resolve complaints regarding illegal disposal of solid waste, and determine appropriate compliance and enforcement action.
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 3 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:

  • Experience reviewing, drafting, modifying, and renewing environmental permits.
  • Skill in clear and effective verbal and written communication; ability to clearly and concisely communicate complex technical and policy issues with a variety of people; ability to tailor communication to the individual audiences, including when communicating complex technical information to lay people.
  • Skill in writing clear and concise technical and narrative reports that include analyses, recommendations, and conclusions.
  • Professional-level presentation acumen.
  • Knowledge regarding solid waste disposal, recycling, materials management, prevention, and education programs.
  • Experience interpreting and applying rules, regulations, laws, permit conditions, guidance, and procedures.
  • Experience conducting site visits, inspections, and investigations, including determining appropriate compliance and enforcement action.
Working Conditions:
Occasional lifting and exertion for short periods.  Statewide travel to meetings and permitted facilities to observe, inspect, and monitor disposal site planning, development and operations.  Occasional evening and weekend meetings or household hazardous waste collection events. During field activities, there may be exposure to pollutants, chemicals, contaminated soil, water, fumes, airborne contaminants, fall or tripping hazards, etc.  Such conditions may require use of personal safety equipment and protective clothing.  Employee must be trained, monitored and equipped, in accordance with applicable Health and Safety Rules. Must possess a current valid driver’s license and be able to drive state vehicles to and from inspections. Although infrequent, interactions with hostile or angry members of the public or permittees 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.
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 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 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.