Associate Environmental Compliance Specialist

Hello, we’re Metro! Metro is dedicated to shaping a better future for the greater Portland region. The work the people of Metro do every day benefits the lives of the people who live here, today, and tomorrow. 

Metro is seeking an Associate Environmental Compliance Specialist to support environmental compliance activities in the Asset and Environmental Stewardship division, within the Waste Prevention & Environmental Services department.  

Metro’s Waste Prevention and Environmental Services (WPES) plans and oversees the region's garbage and recycling system – working with local communities, government and industry partners to protect the environment, conserve resources, and ensure that our garbage and recycling system works for everyone. Metro owns and operates two garbage and recycling transfer stations and hazardous waste facilities and provides waste related community services such as paint recycling and cleaning up dumped garbage. 

WPES is committed to leading with equity in everything we do. We are guided by the 2030 Regional Waste Plan, which is focused on advancing racial equity, reducing the environmental and health impacts of products, maintaining and improving our garbage and recycling system, and rectifying the historic and ongoing inequities of that system on communities of color and others in our region. 

The Associate Environmental Compliance Specialist position is an in-person position that will be based out of the St. Johns Landfill maintenance office. This position supports WPES operations and the environmental compliance group with environmental compliance activities at Metro’s WPES’s facilities, but primarily focuses on work at the former St. Johns Landfill and the transfer stations. The environmental compliance activities assigned to this role will vary as needed to support operations and permit compliance but will generally include operation and maintenance of equipment and systems, and permit-required observation, environmental monitoring, documentation, and sampling.

As the Associate Environmental Compliance Specialist, you will

• Perform and support landfill permit compliance activities including, methane well monitoring; surface emission monitoring; groundwater monitoring; seep inspections; leachate and condensate operations; flare operation and maintenance; cover system inspection, maintenance and repairs; vegetation management; litter removal; security system checks and maintenance; and field observation and field documentation.
• Provide backup to the Environmental Specialist and assist the Environmental Specialist with various landfill work tasks such as landfill gas pipeline repairs, flare troubleshooting, operating leachate pumps, and daily flare reads.
• Perform and support transfer station permit compliance activities including field observation, dry-weather inspections, monitoring, sampling of environmental media, stormwater treatment system operation and maintenance, and equipment calibration and cleaning.
• Observe and document contracted stormwater line/system cleaning and repairs, during and occasionally outside of normal work hours.
• Support the environmental compliance team with permit-related plan updates, permit reporting, and other regulatory permit reporting activities.
• Tabulate and evaluate chemical analytical laboratory data and communicate results to the Environmental Compliance Manager and summarize the results in a technical memorandum or letter report.
• Perform historical and environmental database research and prepare written research summaries. 
• Support or perform pollution prevention plan training of onsite operations staff. Perform other training to site staff as assigned.
• Provide environmental investigation and observation support for Metro construction projects.
• Respond to spills and other incidents or emergencies requiring environmental oversight and regulatory reporting and notification.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Attributes for success

• Passionate about the environment and providing excellent public service.
• Enjoy problem solving and collaborating with diverse teams and finding solutions to unique environmental problems.
• Excellent at communicating ideas and operational procedures to diverse audiences.
• Excellent computer skills including Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Understand general soil and water environmental chemistry, chemical analytical testing methods and proficient at interpreting laboratory chemical analytical reports.
• Ability to identify, analyze, and document environmental compliance deficiencies through applying knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations including the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA); Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA); Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-know Act (EPCRA); the Clean Water Act (CWA) and other regulatory rules and regulations. 

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

At Metro, we strive to cultivate diversity, advance equity, and practice inclusion in all of its work. This means attracting and empowering a workforce that is inclusive of a broad range of human qualities. Workplace diversity is both a moral imperative and a business strength, essential to providing quality support and services to our region. Metro’s goal is to hire, develop and retain highly skilled and talented individuals across all departments and programs who best reflect the diversity of our community.   

Learn more about Metro’s Diversity Action Plan

TO QUALIFY

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific in your application materials on how your background is relevant. 

Minimum qualifications

• Two years of experience including environmental-related field monitoring, sampling, research, analysis, environmental compliance and/or report writing and 
• A Bachelor's degree in environmental science, or related field; or
• Any combination of education and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license 

Working Conditions 

• This position requires both in-person office work and work outdoors. Outdoor work may need to be performed during inclement weather and outside normal business hours. Site visits may require work near and around hazardous chemicals. Walking over uneven terrain and through areas of heavy industrial operations, heavy vehicle traffic, and areas of loud noise is routine. This position may also require occasional reaching, feeling, repetitive motions of the hands/wrists, kneeling, climbing, standing for prolonged periods of time and the ability to lift/carry up to 50 pounds. Metro provides the personal protective equipment (PPE) required for the position and vehicles to travel between WPES facilities. 

If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply

If you were terminated for cause during any employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, you may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years.

Like to have qualifications

You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider them when identifying the most qualified candidates. Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience, including the military, or life experience that are relevant for this position.

• Experience with industrial stormwater and wastewater compliance issues.
• Experience with hazardous waste handling and disposal requirements.
• Trained in 24- or 40-Hour Hazardous Waste Operations (HAZWOPER) preferred.
• Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) building inspector certification.
• Experience with environmental media sample collection, and chemical analytical data interpretation.
• Experience with the use and maintenance of gas-powered landscaping equipment, agricultural equipment, and environmental field monitoring instruments.

SCREENING AND EVALUATION

The application packet: The application packet consists of the following required documents. Please ensure that you upload these documents in your online application. Make sure your application is complete, missing any part of these items could result in an incomplete application and will not be moved forward in the recruitment.

• A completed resume that includes the details for each employer
  1. Name of employer, working title  
  2. Dates of employment; including if the work was full-time or part-time, 
  3. Number of employees supervised (if any), 
  4. Summary of your responsibilities
• A cover letter addressing your experience and qualifications as they relate to the duties of this position and why you are interested in working for Metro.

The selection process: We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows. The selection process is subject to change.

• Initial review of minimum qualifications
• In-depth evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
• Consideration of top candidates/interviews
• Testing/assessments (if applicable)
• Reference check 
• Background, driving records check for finalist candidate (if applicable)

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS AND REPRESENTATON

The full-salary range for this position is step 1. $76,835.20 to step 7. $103,064.00. However, unless a candidate’s qualifications justify, based on the Oregon Pay Equity Act requirements and Metro’s internal equity review process, the appointment will likely be made between step 1. $76,835.20 to the equity range step 4. $ 89,024.00. 

This position not eligible for overtime and is represented by AFSCME 3580. It is classified as an Associate Solid Waste Planner. Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions. View the classification description.

Questions?

Recruiter: Carrie Gundermann

Email: carrie.gundermann@oregonmetro.gov

Equal employment opportunity

All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability for which a reasonable accommodation can be made, or any other status protected by law.

Accommodation

Metro will gladly provide a reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.

Veterans' preference

Under Oregon Law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans' preference when applying for Metro positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veterans' preference for this job, please provide qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.

Hybrid Telework 

Positions designated as “hybrid telework,” meaning you will have the option to work away from the office, although there may be times that coming into the office will be required. The designation of Hybrid Telework may be subject to change at a future time. All employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; Metro cannot support ongoing telework from other locations.   

Pay equity at Metro

No matter who you are or where you work at Metro, you deserve to be paid fairly for the work you do. Every worker must get equal pay for equal work regardless of your gender, race, age, or other protected characteristics. Metro has established processes and conducts routine pay equity reviews as part of the hiring process to ensure compliance with the 2017 Oregon Pay Equity Act.

Online applications

Metro accepts job applications online. If you need assistance or accommodation with your application, or access to a computer, please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance. 

How to Apply

For tips on how to apply and more information on what the application process looks like, visit Metro’s “How to apply” page. 

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Metro 

Led by an elected council, this unique government gives all residents of greater Portland a voice in shaping the future and provides parks, venues, services, and tools at a regional scale. We find solutions for our area’s garbage and recycling that protect clean air and water; help plan land use and development to provide jobs and safe transportation; manage local venues that provide a connection to arts and culture and help keep the economy growing; protect 17,000 acres of parks and natural areas, and run the Oregon Zoo, to keep nature close to home. 

Salary : $76,835 - $103,064