Water Quality Confined Animal Feeding Operations Program 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/iP3K7JoLe1k

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has a full-time opportunity available for a Water Quality Confined Animal Feeding Operations Program Specialist (Natural Resource Specialist 4) in Portland, Oregon. This position is limited duration through June 30, 2025, and may be extended or made permanent pending Budget and Legislature approval.

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.

The Water Quality Permit and Program Development Section provides oversight, technical assistance, and support for the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and Water Pollution Control Facilities (WPCF) permit programs. These programs protect Oregon’s water by regulating pollutant discharges from wastewater (domestic and industrial) and stormwater (municipal, industrial, and construction). The Section also supports or implements programs for industrial pretreatment, groundwater protection, Underground Injection Control, biosolids, water reuse, and hydropower 401 certification. Through various activities such as program and policy development, rulemaking, regional coordination and stakeholder involvement, the Section supports permit programs designed to ensure that groundwater and surface water achieve federal and state water quality standards.

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

What you will do!

You will serve as an agency expert on Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) policy for DEQ. You will lead DEQ’s efforts and coordinate with the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) to develop program policy and implement federal and state regulations and policies affecting the statewide implementation of CAFO policy and permits. You will evaluate and solve problems and respond to complex technical questions as it relates to CAFO operations and the protection of water quality. In addition, you will integrate CAFO program work within DEQ’s water quality permitting program and other related water quality sub-programs, as well as with ODA’s CAFO and water quality staff.

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 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.
• 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.
• Extensive technical knowledge and experience with contaminant fate and transport associated with Confined Animal Feeding Operations systems.
• General knowledge of soils and their chemical, physical, and biological characteristics.
• General knowledge of domestic and industrial wastewater systems, and Confined Animal Feeding Operations treatment processes.
• Extensive knowledge of laws, procedures, principles, regulations governing Federal and State water quality programs and subprograms; extensive knowledge of the trends, developments, and technological changes in the water quality field.
• Experience with program development and implementation, preferably in an environmental setting.
• Demonstrated experience building and fostering relationships with a diverse group of partners including colleagues, interested parties, communities, organizations, and businesses.
• Skilled at leading a team and the ability to analyze, appreciate, and synthesize multiple perspectives, backgrounds, and priorities; flexibility, patience, and good facilitation skills.

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 Headquarters 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 periodic travel by car to CAFO facilities, meetings with interested parties, land application sites, and DEQ regional offices. Travel will be for site visits, meetings, conferences, public hearings, 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.

Helpful Tips:

• Allow yourself plenty of time to complete and submit the application.
• Workday will timeout after 15 minutes of inactivity.
• This posting closes at 11:59 PM on the close date listed.
• Please save a copy of the job announcement for your reference, as it may not be available for you to view after the job posting closes.
• Be sure to check both your email and Workday account for updates regarding this recruitment.
• Workday performs best in Google Chrome.
• Click here for Resources and a Job Support Page. 

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 [email protected] or (503) 347-5759. TTY users: please use the Oregon Telecommunications Relay Service at 1-800-735-2900.