Environmental Cleanup / Brownfield Project Manager (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 has an exciting, full-time opportunity available for an Environmental Cleanup / Brownfield Project Manager (Natural Resource Specialist 3) in Bend, Pendleton, or The Dalles, Oregon.

This position is limited duration through December 31, 2029, and may be extended or made permanent pending Budget and Legislature approval.

Please consider joining an innovative team in DEQ’s Eastern Region Cleanup Program and work to advance our agency’s mission to protect and improve Oregon’s environmental quality. The Environmental Cleanup Program serves DEQ’s mission through ensuring that releases of hazardous substances do not endanger public health or the environment. This includes identifying contaminated sites, comprehensively investigating and monitoring the extent of contamination, and ensuring site cleanup and restoration so that there is no unacceptable risk to human health or the environment. The program regulates past and present owners and operators of sites that handled, generated, or are affected by hazardous substances that were released into the environment. DEQ’s Cleanup Program is required by law to recover oversight costs from responsible parties for work on cleanup projects and there are other funding sources to support brownfields redevelopment, orphan sites, and other needed cleanups.

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What you will do!

You will serve as a project manager during the site investigation, design, construction, and operation phases of cleanup actions at hazardous substance sites, particularly sites that are eligible for assessment and cleanup actions using Brownfield funding sources with the goal of community revitalization. You will have overall project responsibility to ensure that contaminated sites are characterized and cleaned up in a manner that is cost effective, timely, and protective of public health, welfare, and the environment. You will develop, implement, and manage task orders with DEQ environmental consultants (under an existing price agreement) to complete work using EPA cooperative agreement funding. In addition, you will coordinate with DEQ Headquarters’ Brownfield program and other regions regarding Brownfield funding, site prioritization, project planning, community outreach and engagement, and other issues and/or opportunities.

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 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:

• 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 project management and emotionally intelligent leadership skills, analytical skills, and organizational skills; prior regulatory experience in a project manager role, including experience planning, leading, and implementing projects and programs.
• Project management experience directing all phases of environmental cleanups (investigation, risk assessment, feasibility study, and remedy selection) of sites contaminated with hazardous substances and petroleum contaminants.
• Technical and regulatory experience in environmental protection and restoration, including researching and analyzing data, conducting investigations, applying pertinent laws and regulations, managing projects, and coordinating with other state and federal agencies.
• 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.
• Demonstrated emotional intelligence and capacity to work well in a team environment and with diverse interest parties.

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 Bend, Pendleton, or The Dalles office, however, the successful candidate is 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 statewide travel by car for site visits, meetings, conferences, trainings, 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 DEQ’s Recruitment Team at jobs@deq.oregon.gov or 503-229-5107. TTY users: please use the Oregon Telecommunications Relay Service at 1-800-735-2900.