The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality strives to build and sustain an inclusive and equitable environment that embraces and values diversity. Employees at all levels of the agency work together to foster fairness, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We strive to be a workplace where we share our authentic identities, while advancing our individual professional goals, and while collaborating to protect, preserve, and enhance the environment for current and future generations. We celebrate and appreciate diversity, champion equity, and treat each other with respect and dignity. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, or physical or mental disability.
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.
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has a full-time opportunity available for an Asbestos Compliance and Solid Waste Compliance Specialist (Natural Resource Specialist 3) in Portland, Oregon.
Please consider joining an innovative team, and work to advance our agency’s mission to protect and improve Oregon’s environmental quality.
About DEQ!
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is the primary regulatory agency of the government of the U.S. State of Oregon responsible for protecting and enhancing the state's natural resources. Here is a video about DEQ: https://youtu.be/E-Cs6M9AAlU
The Regional Divisions are responsible for implementation of Water Quality, Air Quality, and Waste Management and Cleanup Programs. 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; 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 Regions consist of Northwest, Eastern, and Western Region. This position is in Northwest Region.
Click here to view a map of all of the DEQ offices.
What you will do!
You will spend approximately 50% of your time performing work related to asbestos compliance and 50% of your time performing work related to solid waste compliance.
In terms of asbestos compliance, you will ensure that abatement is done properly during building renovation and demolition activities; ensure contractors and workers engaged in asbestos abatement are licensed or certified; inspect projects to make sure that asbestos-containing waste materials are being removed, handled, and disposed of properly; make compliance determinations, and when violations are identified, make enforcement recommendations to address compliance issues; propose corrective action strategies; provide technical assistance, education, and outreach; investigate and resolve complaints; and participate in agency rule-making and guidance development.
In terms of solid waste compliance, you will review applications and draft solid waste permits for transfer stations, material recovery facilities, waste tire storage and combo facilities, solid waste treatment facilities, waste conversion facilities, compost operations, and closed landfills; provide technical assistance and information and guidance regarding rules and technical requirements; conduct site visits, inspections, and investigations; review, collect, and compile monitoring data; respond to and resolve complaints, including investigating illegal disposal of solid waste and determining appropriate compliance and enforcement actions; and implement the program’s materials management plan.
What’s in it for you!
You will get the opportunity to protect the public and the environment by making sure that asbestos wastes are removed and disposed of properly as well as work with disposal sites that accept solid waste to make sure they are permitted and operated to prevent environmental impacts. You will also get to work with dedicated co-workers and have the opportunity to work in a productive and creative environment where no two days are ever the same! DEQ cares deeply about employee wellness and benefits. 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: 6 years of experience in a natural resource or environmental field, with 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.
Substitutions:
- Bachelor’s degree in physical science, environmental science, natural resources, or a closely related field may substitute for 3 of the required years of experience.
Candidates who are most competitive will also reflect the following desired attributes:
- 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 in solid waste related work; familiarity with federal, state, and local solid waste rules.
- Experience in asbestos related work, including interpreting rules, regulations, laws, agency guidance, and procedures regarding asbestos containing waste management and disposal.
- Experience conducting asbestos abatement as a certified worker, supervisor, or asbestos abatement contractor.
- Experience conducting field work including environmental inspections or other regulatory inspections of industry and commercial businesses and 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.
- Experience communicating complex technical information or controversial environmental issues to building contractors, homeowners, other governmental agencies and members of the public; ability to communicate technical data to diverse audiences that may be unfamiliar with the subject matter.
- Demonstrated experience building and fostering relationships with a diverse group of partners including colleagues, interested parties, communities, organizations, and businesses; skill in conflict resolution, negotiation, and collaboration.
- Knowledge of and experience using project management methods, techniques, and principles.
- Demonstrated ability to use Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and Access) and databases; experience utilizing electronic filing and recordkeeping.
- Experience researching complex issues and problems and proposing solutions.
- Ability to work well with other staff members, and regulators and professionals outside the program, the agency, and outside government; ability to deal diplomatically with angry or hostile people.
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 Portland 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 frequent travel by car for site visits, meetings, trainings, in-office work, and workshops. During site visits, there may be exposure to asbestos, hazardous or dangerous chemicals, contaminated soil and water, pollutants, fumes, airborne contaminants, fall or tripping hazards, stairs, and ladders. Statewide travel with occasional evening and weekend work may be required.
Due to the frequent potential for exposure to asbestos, the person in this position must be able to be fit tested and wear a respirator.
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.
Help Your Application Rise to the Top!
Your application materials are the perfect opportunity to highlight your interest in the position and showcase your amazing skills and experience. 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 materials.
Interested in hearing about future opportunities with DEQ? Click here to subscribe for our weekly e-mail updates.
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. Instead, you will be asked to submit those at a later time as part of a future task in Workday.
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.