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 a Water Quality Program Analyst (Program Analyst 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 Water Quality Division has a critical role in achieving the Department’s mission by developing policy, implementation tools, and implementation priorities for improving and protecting the quality of water in Oregon’s waterways. The Water Quality Division works cooperatively with the Department’s three regional offices and the Laboratory to deliver programs and services that protect and enhance the quality of the waters of the state to protect public health and the environment.

This position is in the Community and Program Assistance Section of the Water Quality Division, which includes the state’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan program and the agency’s water quality grant programs. This section also includes staff providing project management and cross-program support for the Water Quality division.
 

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

What you will do!

You will provide leadership and coordination for program development and improvement efforts for the Water Quality Division on projects and activities that are complex and cross-program in nature. You will utilize your expertise related to water quality protection and pollution issues, federal and state regulatory structures, and community engagement including environmental justice. You will work with technical leads and managers to identify opportunities for program improvement, develop and implement solutions, and coordinate programmatic approaches that result in more efficient and effective program operations. You will draft reports, develop training and presentation materials, document procedures and processes, and help evaluate and establish priorities based on current needs and objectives to accomplish set goals and milestones. In addition, you will build collaborative partnerships both within the agency and externally with regulated entities, community organizations, tribal governments, and other public agencies and institutions. In this position, you will utilize skills in project management, research and writing for different audiences, analysis of complex issues that lack easy resolution, collaborative leadership, meeting planning, and facilitation.

What’s in it for you!

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: 7 years of experience coordinating or administering a program.

Substitutions:

• Bachelor’s degree in business or public administration, behavioral or social sciences, 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:

• Experience leading and coordinating water quality program development and improvement efforts including conducting in-depth evaluations of program rules, policies, and operations, and adapting or creating new procedures to solve program issues.
• High level of competence and experience using laws, procedures, principles, and regulations governing Federal and State water quality programs to address or implement trends, developments, and changes in the water quality field.
• Demonstrated experience addressing water quality issues and concerns through research, analysis, participation in work groups, writing reports, and presenting information to a variety of audiences.
• 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, collaboration, and engagement; strong interpersonal skills with an ability to break down traditional barriers that exist between programs, challenging people to take a coordinated rather than independent perspective.
• Leadership and problem-solving skills involving detailed thinking for solving complex issues; willingness to take initiative and explore innovative solutions; organizational skills to implement new initiatives or projects.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to provide clear, concise, and compelling communication of policy, program, or technical information tailored to the needs of diverse audiences; skill in writing and presenting clear and concise program briefs or reports that include analyses, recommendations, and conclusions to diverse audiences.
• Experience managing complex projects with many different parties and multiple deliverables, within resource constraints; ability to work both independently and in diverse teams of varying sizes.
• 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.

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 Headquarters office in Portland, 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.

There will be occasional travel to attend public hearings, meetings, conferences, trainings, and workshops. Some irregular work hours, such as evening work and overnight stays may 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 knowledge article for assistance.

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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.

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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.