Organics Recovery 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 sustainable food waste management? Are you interested in supporting Oregon’s approach to improving organics recovery statewide? If so, please consider applying for the Organics Recovery Specialist (Natural Resource Specialist 3) with the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

The Organics Recovery Specialist will play an important role in DEQ’s Materials Management Program, which is focused on reducing the environmental and social impacts of materials and products throughout their full life cycle. We work with partners statewide and beyond to advance Oregon’s 2050 Vision for Materials Management and Framework for Action in order to conserve resources, protect the environment, and enhance well-being. This full-time opportunity is based in Portland, OR and sits within the Life Cycle Programs section, which supports the 2050 Vision through innovative, collaborative, and research-based work.

The Materials Management Program is part of DEQ’s Land Quality Division. Land Quality programs support DEQ’s mission through a wide range of environmental work, such as assessing and managing environmental cleanups, safely managing the disposal of solid and hazardous wastes, and responding to spills of oil and hazardous materials. Consider joining a dedicated team and helping advance our agency’s mission to protect and improve Oregon’s environmental quality.

Here is a video about DEQ: https://youtu.be/E-Cs6M9AAlU. Click here to view a map of all of the DEQ offices.

What you will do!

You will develop and coordinate strategies to increase and improve sustainable food waste management and organics recovery (collection and management of food waste to retrieve its remaining value as a soil amendment or renewable energy) across the State of Oregon, in alignment with the 2050 Vision for Materials Management. You will make and implement recommendations to more effectively manage and recover unavoidable food waste and organics, based on research, analysis, outreach, and collaboration. You will work with DEQ colleagues, local governments, and others working in organics recovery to reduce the impacts of food waste through state policy and programs. You will serve as an agency representative and the Materials Management Program’s go-to expert on issues related to organics recovery and sustainable food waste management. You will evaluate the impacts of new policies, programs, and processes, and develop and apply recommendations for continuous improvement. All of your work will be based on a foundation of equity, inclusion, and environmental justice.

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:

• Environmental Justice and DEI: Demonstrated understanding of environmental justice and the historical impacts for marginalized communities; ability to take personal responsibility for increasing your knowledge and understanding of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Sustainable Food Waste Management: Significant knowledge of and experience working with sustainable food waste management and organics recovery systems, practices, and alternatives. Knowledge of community-based and alternative approaches such as small-scale composting, vermiculture, etc. a plus.
• Life Cycle Thinking: Significant knowledge of the life cycle impacts of materials and the reduction of those impacts, especially food and food waste, and ability to envision alternative futures and strategies.
• Project Management: Knowledge of project management methods, techniques, and principles, and experience managing complex projects and developing new programs.
• Collaboration and Leadership: Skill in engagement, collaboration, negotiation, and coalition-building; strong interpersonal skills and proficiency leading effective teams of diverse collaborators.
• Communication and Storytelling: Ability to deliver compelling, concise, and accurate policy and technical information tailored to the diverse needs of different audiences; exceptional skill composing and presenting clear reports and recommendations that include qualitative and quantitative analyses, evidence, and conclusions.
• Partnerships: Demonstrated experience building, fostering, and maintaining reciprocal relationships with diverse groups of partners.
• Research: Ability to review, conduct, and evaluate research related to sustainable food waste management and organics recovery issues.

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, belonging, and psychological safety.

This position will be based out of DEQ’s Headquarters Portland office, however, the successful candidate may be eligible for hybrid work. The logistics of hybrid work will be worked out with the Hiring Manager prior to your hire and may be changed 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 that may be shared with other employees.

There will be occasional travel to attend meetings, seminars, public hearings, workshops, conferences, and trainings, some of which may involve evening work and/or overnight stays.

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 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.