Water Quality Certification and Hydropower Specialist (Natural Resource Specialist 4)

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 Water Quality Certification and Hydropower Specialist (Natural Resource Specialist 4). It is expected that this position will be located in Bend or Eugene, Oregon (finalist may choose work location).

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.

This opportunity is within the team that implements Section 401 of the Clean Water Act, with special emphasis on working with hydropower dam owners and operators throughout Oregon, to maintain compliance with state and federal regulations, including Federal Energy and Regulatory (FERC) licenses. The Section 401 Hydropower Certification team reviews complex applications and specifications for a variety of proposed projects to assess the potential effects on water quality, the ability to meet state water quality standards, and the compliance with water-related requirements of state law. In addition to cross-program collaboration within DEQ’s Water Quality Division, the 401 Hydropower Certification team works closely with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Water Resources Department, and hydropower dam owners and operators to evaluate aquatic enhancement opportunities and actions to project fish, recreation, habitat, and other important uses of Oregon’s rivers.  

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

What you will do!

You will work with the 401 Hydropower Program Coordinator and other water quality program staff to evaluate projects seeking authorization from DEQ under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act. You will provide technical expertise in water quality data analysis and evaluation for the Section 401 Water Quality Certification program. In addition, you may coordinate the decommissioning of hydropower projects or surrender of licensing under FERC procedures and may lead or support the evaluation of Section 401 certification applications for other Federal agency activities, including US Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau or Ocean Energy Management, and/or US Forest Service.

In this position, you will:

• Evaluate 401 Certification application materials, water quality data, and other environmental documents submitted by hydroelectric facility owners and operators, or other entities, for adequacy and consistency and compliance with applicable state water quality requirements.
• Prepare routine written correspondence, reports, and presentations that present conclusions and information clearly.  
• Coordinate both virtually and via in-person settings with other state agencies, federal agencies, Tribes, local governments, and other interested parties on issues related to hydropower and water quality.
• Advise hydropower facility operators on implementation of adaptive management plans, best management practices, or other measures to prevent or address water quality impairments or violations.
• Conduct annual or seasonal site visits to hydropower facilities to ensure compliance with certification conditions, including monitoring plans.
• Review and approve water quality monitoring plans and compliance reports for consistency with required Section 401 Water Quality Certification conditions.
• Collaborate and consult with other DEQ water quality program staff to ensure Section 401 Water Quality Certification and facility compliance with water quality standards and water quality improvement plans, also known as Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs).

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 a 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.
• Experience working with hydropower or energy sector facilities.
• Knowledge of regulations and permitting requirements for wetlands, threatened and endangered species, stormwater, erosion & sediment control, cultural resources and architectural history, the National Environmental Policy Act, and/or FERC Filings.
• Experience working with state requirements and federal basis for Clean Water Act Section 401 certification.
• Demonstrated experience conducting inspections or conducting data analysis to determine facility compliance with permit requirements or conditions; knowledge and skills for performing data analysis, research, drafting regulatory findings and writing certification-related documents.
• Experience or training in the development, design, and implementation of water quality sampling plans.
• Experience in negotiations with applicants or regulators pertaining to environmental permitting requirements. 
• Experience planning, leading, and implementing projects and programs; specific project management experience directing all phases of environmental permitting or planning projects (developing or reviewing complex data sets and reports, development of limits, findings, and conditions through analysis and negotiations with regulators or applicants).
• 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 relate technical issues to policies for water quality protection, and an ability to present complex technical information and controversial environmental issues to audiences unfamiliar with the subject matter.
• Experience representing an agency or organization in meetings with the public, the regulated community, and/or other organizations.
• Possess self-motivation, attention-to-detail, and interest and skills to work in a team-oriented setting.

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 office in Eugene or Bend, however, the successful candidate may be eligible for hybrid work. The logistics of hybrid work must 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. Travel outside of normal working hours may be required, 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.

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 [email protected] or 503-229-5107. TTY users: please use the Oregon Telecommunications Relay Service at 1-800-735-2900.