Apply Here: https://oregon.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/SOR_External_Career_Site/job/The-Dalles--DEQ/Materials-Management-Specialist--Natural-Resource-Specialist-3----Two-Openings_REQ-149894?q=materials%20management%20specialist 

Initial Posting Date:04/15/2024

Application Deadline:05/02/2024

Agency:Department of Environmental Quality

Salary Range:$4,993 - $7,641

Position Type:Employee

Position Title:Materials Management Specialist (Natural Resource Specialist 3) – Two Openings

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 status, 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 two exciting, full-time opportunities available for a Materials Management Specialist (Natural Resource Specialist 3). One position will be in Eastern Region out of Bend, Klamath Falls, Pendleton, or The Dalles, Oregon, and one position will be located in Western Region out of either Eugene, Medford, or Salem, Oregon.

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). 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.

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

What you will do!

You will implement materials management programs and projects to reduce the environmental and human health impacts of materials produced, used, and discarded in Oregon by providing technical support and technical assistance to local governments, the public, and Producer Responsibility Organizations. You will play a regional role in conducting research and providing support and coordination to help reduce the environmental impacts from the creation, use, and disposal of materials. Your work will include an effort to mitigate both the upstream and downstream impacts of materials (ex: better purchasing decisions, reuse, recycling, composting, etc.) You will inspect facilities and collection points for materials covered through product stewardship programs such as the Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act, and you will work closely with regional, county, and municipal governments to ensure compliance with the materials management laws and regulations. You will integrate an awareness of equity considerations in your work and integrate principles of environmental justice.  In addition, you will support long-range planning and education related to sustainable materials management at the local, regional, and state level, as well as at the EPA, business, and non-government organization level where opportunities arise.

What’s in it for you!

You will get the opportunity to protect the public and the environment by promoting waste prevention, and proper recycling disposal of residual wastes. You will also get to collaborate with dedicated co-workers in an organization that is continuously changing and improving. You will have 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!

These are full-time, AFSCME represented positions.

This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies.

What are we looking for?

Minimum Qualifications:

• Six years of experience in a natural resource or environmental field of which at least 1 year of experience is 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; OR
• Bachelor’s degree in a physical science, environmental science, natural resources, engineering, or closely related field, AND 3 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 attributes and skills:

• Environmental Justice and DEI: Demonstrated understanding of environmental justice and the historical impacts for marginalized communities; ability to take personal responsibility for increasing their knowledge and understanding of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Materials Management: Knowledge of and experience working with materials management practices and alternatives, including the life cycle impacts of products and materials.
• Communication: 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.
• Inspections: Experience conducting fieldwork, including environmental inspections or other regulatory inspections of industry and commercial businesses, including making regulatory determinations for compliance with local, state, or federal environmental or other regulatory requirements.
• Collaboration and Partnerships: Skill in engagement, collaboration, negotiation, and coalition-building; strong interpersonal skills and proficiency leading effective teams of diverse collaborator; demonstrated experience building and fostering relationships with a diverse group of partners including colleagues, interested parties, communities, organizations, and businesses.

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 DEQ office within the assigned region of the candidate’s choosing (see above for possible office locations),  however, the successful candidate is eligible for hybrid work. The logistics of hybrid work will need to be worked out with the Hiring Manager before your hire and may be changed at any time given specific job duties and business needs. DEQ will provide the 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 statewide travel by car for fieldwork (site visits and inspections), meetings, conferences, trainings, public hearings, and workshops, some of which may involve extended work hours, overnight stays, and/or weekend work. During fieldwork, 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.

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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) 807-8937. TTY users: please use the Oregon Telecommunications Relay Service at 1-800-735-2900.