Materials Management Permit Writer 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/E-Cs6M9AAlU

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has a full-time opportunity available for a Materials Management Permit Writer and Compliance Specialist (Natural Resource Specialist 3) in Bend, Klamath Falls, Pendleton, or The Dalles, Oregon.

Please consider joining an innovative team, and work to advance our agency’s mission to protect and improve Oregon’s environmental quality. The mission of DEQ is to be a leader in restoring, maintaining, and enhancing the quality of Oregon’s air, land, and water. DEQ has a centralized policy and planning component and regional offices to accomplish this mission. There are 3 regions (Northwest, Western, and Eastern); this position is in Eastern Region. The Regions provide the following services: compliance inspection 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.

The Eastern Region’s Materials Management Program is responsible for oversight of non-hazardous solid waste management practices, including the planning, administration, and coordination of permit programs for solid waste disposal facilities; technical review of plans for construction, operation, and monitoring of solid waste disposal sites; review and evaluation of disposal site operating and monitoring data; technical support and policy analysis for local government and industries; administration and enforcement of solid waste permits, solid waste disposal, reduction, and recycling laws; and acting as a liaison with EPA and other federal and state agencies.

What you will do!

You will serve as a materials management program permit writer and compliance specialist, as well as provide policy analysis and technical assistance on solid waste disposal, solid waste reduction, and recycling options to local governments and individuals in assigned counties, including: Deschutes, Gilliam, Grant, Hood River, Jefferson, Klamath, Morrow, Sherman, Wasco, and Wheeler.

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 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 communities; ability to take personal responsibility for increasing their knowledge and understanding of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Experience reviewing, drafting, modifying, and renewing environmental permits, preferably in a materials management setting.
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge on solid waste disposal, solid waste reduction, and recycling options.
• Experience conducting fieldwork, including environmental inspections or other regulatory inspections of industry and commercial businesses, including making regulatory determinations for compliance with local, state, or federal environmental or other regulatory requirements.
• 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.
• Ability to build strong and trusting working relationships with local governments, businesses, and industries in Eastern Oregon; demonstrated experience building and fostering relationships with a diverse group of partners including colleagues, interested parties, communities, organizations, and businesses.
• Experience writing or interpreting rules, regulations, laws, agency guidance, and procedures regarding materials management, recycling, solid waste, waste prevention, and recycling policy, operations, and permitting.
• Experience enforcing state and federal regulations, interpretations, and determinations, including ones that may result in civil penalties.
• Knowledge of Subtitle D of RCRA – Federal Solid Waste Regulations, as well as Oregon materials management codes, rules, and policies.

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 a DEQ Eastern Region 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 regular travel for meetings, trainings, conferences, workshops, site visits for field activities, and public hearings, some of which may include evening work, weekend work, and/or overnight stays. During site visits, there is the potential for exposure to pollutants, chemicals, contaminated soil and water, fumes, airborne contaminants, fall or tripping hazards, and inclement weather.

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.

Equal Pay Analysis:

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.