Hazardous Waste Specialist (Natural Resource Specialist 4)
https://oregon.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/SOR_External_Career_Site/job/Bend--DEQ/Hazardous-Waste-Specialist--Natural-Resource-Specialist-4-_REQ-116130
Hazardous Waste 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 for a Hazardous Waste Specialist (Natural Resource Specialist 4). The finalist can choose their work location: Bend, The Dalles, Klamath Falls, or Pendleton.
Please consider joining 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). This position is in Eastern Region. The Eastern Region consists of the following counties: Baker, Crook, Deschutes, Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Hood River, Jefferson, Klamath, Lake, Malheur, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, Wasco, and Wheeler.
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 in counties; 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 Hazardous Waste program is responsible for administering and enforcing state rules at highly complex hazardous waste generators and treatment, storage, and disposal (TSD) sites. The rules encompass extremely technical and complex federal regulations and technical guidance documents which include a multi-media approach overseeing RCRA cleanups at hazardous waste management sites and responding to public concerns and public complaints on toxic waste management practices. These activities and others are conducted to better serve the citizens of Oregon and to be an active leader in restoring, maintaining, and enhancing the quality of Oregon’s air, water, and land.
View a map of all of the DEQ offices.
What you will do!
You will assist businesses and government entities with properly managing their hazardous waste as well as reducing their toxic chemical use and hazardous waste generation. You will provide technical assistance (e.g., group trainings, site visits, phone calls) on hazardous waste regulatory requirements to waste generators. You will help businesses to develop and implement toxics use reduction and hazardous waste reduction (TUHWR) plans and report their progress as required in Oregon's Toxics Use Reduction and Hazardous Waste Reduction Act. You will also work with program policy staff on program analysis, policy development, and implementation as well as a hazardous waste technical liaison to other DEQ programs, state agencies, federal agencies, and other external organizations
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 engineering, environmental science, natural resources, 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:
- Excellent project management, analytical, and organizational skills; prior regulatory experience in a project manager role, including experience planning, leading, and implementing projects and programs.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to work with diverse stakeholders and communicate effectively with staff, many sectors of the public, other natural resource agencies, and farmers; professional level presentation acumen.
- Experience researching and analyzing data, conducting investigations, and applying pertinent laws and regulations; skill in writing clear and concise reports describing complex industries and regulatory determinations.
- High proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, and Access), as well as computer programs such as Google Earth and Acrobat.
- Proven leadership, listening and synthesis, and problem-solving skills; ability to make quick, confident decisions.
- Ability to operate independently and without direct supervision, particularly in identifying, contacting, and interacting businesses, governments, and other entities requiring hazardous waste technical assistance.
- Ability and comfort with developing and providing (in-person and virtual) technical training on hazardous waste regulations to diverse audiences.
- Experience developing technical materials and presentations for diverse audiences.
- 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.
- Demonstrated knowledge and experience with hazardous waste; planning, leading, and implementing a hazardous waste compliance program.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, project management skills, analytical skills, and organizational skills.
- Ability to communicate effectively with staff, business, many sectors of the public, and natural resource agencies; professionally communicates technical information; possesses presentation acumen.
- Excellent written communication skills, including skill in writing clear and concise reports as well as describing complex policy and regulatory determinations.
- Experience developing hazardous waste technical policy and guidance.
Working Conditions:
Work is performed in both an office setting and field setting. Position requires regular and extensive statewide travel. Field work includes site visits to oversee, inspect, evaluate, or conduct investigations for businesses, industries, governments, and other entities that generate hazardous waste. During field activities, there may be exposure to contaminated soil and water, fumes, airborne contaminants, pollutants, chemicals, inclement weather conditions, and fall or tripping hazards. Driving for several hours at a time will occur.
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 job aid 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 Rebecca Zanskar, Human Resources Analyst, at rebecca.zanskar@deq.oregon.gov or (503) 503-807-8937.
Are you interested in an Informational Interview with DEQ to learn more about working at DEQ, how current DEQ employees got to where they are today, and what opportunities there may be for you at DEQ? Please go here and complete the form: https://www.oregon.gov/deq/about-us/Pages/humanresources.aspx. Please note that informational interviews are not tied to an open recruitment. If you complete the form above, you will be put in the queue to have an informational interview with a Hiring Manager from our Informational Interview Registry.
About Us
Oregon state government is a large organization by nearly any standard. With over 40,000 employees working all over the state, in small communities and large, we are proving that government can be innovative.
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After all, when every day we are responsible for caring for the needs of a diverse population and thriving business community, we simply must have the best and brightest workforce. If you take responsibility for your actions, are passionate about helping others succeed, and have a reputation for excellence and honesty, why not make Oregon state government your next career move?
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