Initial Posting Date: 06/11/2024
Application Deadline:07/11/2024
Agency:Department of Environmental Quality
Salary Range:$5,746 - $8,831
Position Type:Employee
Position Title:Soil Scientist (Natural Resource Specialist 4)
Job Description: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
Soil Scientist (Natural Resource Specialist 4). This position may be based in Bend, Pendleton, Portland, or The Dalles, Oregon (finalist may choose work location).
Please consider joinin g an innovative team, and work to advance our agency's mission to protect and improve Oregon's environmental quality. There are 3 regions (Northwest, Western, and Eastern). 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.
This position is in the Statewide Groundwater Protection Program (SGPP), which is located in the Eastern Region and supports the department's Land and Water Quality permitting and Groundwater Protection sections. This section completes hydroreviews for landfill, NPDES, and On-Site Septic permits, and occasionally supports Stormwater and Underground Injection Permits. This section also oversees the Groundwater Management Areas (GWMA) and other areas of Groundwater concern, and it is supported by the Water Quality Division at Headquarters.
Click here to view a map of all of the DEQ offices.
What you will do!You will serve as the statewide agronomy expert for land application activities, providing technical assistance for water and land quality programs, as well as solid waste programs. You will be the soil science subject matter expert for both National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and Water Pollution Control Facility (WPCF) permitting staff, and others, such as landfill and on-site septic as needed. You will serve on State taskforces and advisory committees, and you will represent the agency in litigation, negotiation, and settlement of conflicts for crop, soil, fertilizer, and irrigation management in association with land application activities as they connect with water quality issues under DEQ's authority. You will independently investigate major sites or complex facilities determining the approvability of treatment wastewater disposal or beneficial use applications and whether the systems are adequate to protect public health and waters of the state. In addition, you will provide technical assistance, compliance assurance, and enforcement for both industrial and domestic sewage sources, and you will respond to complaints concerning water pollution.
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 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 in agronomy (crops, soils, fertilizer, irrigation management climate, and growing conditions) with the ability to identify soil conditions and crop suitability; the demonstrated understanding of hydraulic loading and nutrient balance; and the knowledge and skill in the classification, characteristics, and behavior of soils and the transport of water and wastewater through soils.
- Comprehensive knowledge of complex NPDES, WPCF, biosolids, and recycled water regulations and guidance documents; experience developing and implementing NPDES and WPCF permits.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, analytical skills, and time management 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.
- Demonstrated experience building and fostering relationships with a diverse group of partners including colleagues, interested parties, communities, organizations, and businesses; ability to build strong and trusting working relationships with local governments, businesses, and industries in Eastern Oregon.
- Experience conducting site investigations and inspections, preferably at wastewater sites.
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 the Bend, Pendleton, Portland, or The Dalles DEQ 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 by car for inspections, site visits, fieldwork, meetings, conferences, public hearings, and trainings, some of which may include evening work, weekend work, and/or overnight stays. During inspections, site visits, and field work, there may be exposure to adverse weather conditions, contaminated soil and water, fumes, airborne contaminants, chemicals, pollutants, fall or tripping hazards, stairs, and substantial 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.
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 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.