Oregon DEQ – Senior Air Quality Permit Writer & Inspector (Natural Resource Specialist 4)

regional associations information network; Stranraer; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional environmental organization based in Scotland is seeking an experienced environmental specialist to draft air quality permits for various sources. The role involves data analysis, compliance inspections, and interaction with government entities. Candidates should have at least 7 years of experience, preferably in environmental regulations and understanding of environmental justice. This is a full-time position with a competitive benefits package.

Benefits

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans

Paid sick leave and personal leave

Membership in Public Employees Retirement System

Qualifications

• 7 years of experience in a natural resource or environmental field required.
• Experience conducting investigations and applying laws and regulations.
• Ability to maintain Visible Emissions Certification.

Responsibilities

• Draft Title V and ACDP permits and analyze facility operations.
• Interact with regulatory agencies and the public.
• Conduct compliance inspections and analyze source emissions data.

Skills

Expert knowledge of Title V and ACDP sources

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Skill in conflict resolution

Demonstrated understanding of environmental justice

Education

Bachelor’s degree in physical science or related field

Job description

What you will do!

You will draft highly complex Title V and ACDP Air Quality permits for industrial, commercial, and municipal air quality sources. Your work will include rigorously analyzing facility operations, drafting and reviewing permits, performing compliance inspections, reviewing and analyzing source emissions data, investigating complaints, and preparing enforcement actions in response to source violation of state and federal rules, regulations, laws, and permit conditions. You will complete complex analyses and evaluations of air pollution issues and work to find solutions to those problems. You will serve as a resource on complex ACDP and Title V permitting, compliance, and enforcement activities. You will interact with and serve as a resource to local governments, regulatory agencies, interested parties, and the public.

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 in a natural resource or environmental field, with 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.

Substitutions:

• Bachelor’s degree in physical science, environmental science, natural resources, or a closely related field may substitute for 3 of the required years of experience.
• Master’s degree in physical science, environmental science, environmental engineering, natural resource engineering, natural resources, or a closely related field may substitute for 4 of the required years of experience.
• Doctorate degree in physical science, environmental science, environmental engineering, natural resource engineering, natural resources, or a closely related field may substitute for 5 of the required years of experience.

Candidates who are most competitive will also reflect the following desired attributes:

• 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.
• Expert experience and knowledge in source operations, compliance inspection methods, and source permitting, including the ability to correctly interpret and implement NSPS, state NSR/PSD, BACT, MACT, and other requirements and standards.
• Expert knowledge of Title V and ACDP industrial sources, all applicable state and federal regulations, facility processes, and pollution control equipment.
• 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.
• Experience conducting in depth research and making compliance determinations and moving forward with enforcement processes when appropriate, preferably regarding air quality regulations.
• 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.
• Demonstrated emotional intelligence and capacity to work well in a team environment and with diverse interest parties.
• Ability to maintain Visible Emissions Certification.

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 Eugene, Medford, or Salem 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 statewide to attend meetings, trainings, public hearings, conferences, and seminars, and to conduct field visits, some of which may involve extended work hours, overnight stays, and/or weekend work. During field visits, there is the potential for exposure to inclement weather, pollutants, chemicals, contaminated soil and water, fumes, and airborne contaminants.

How to Apply

(complete the application in full)

• External Applicants: Click on the Apply button and submit your application. View external candidate job aid and related video information.
• Internal Applicants: Apply through your employee Workday account. View knowledge article for assistance.

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• Allow yourself plenty of time to complete and submit the application.
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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 Equity information for more details. 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% to PERS and 0.95% for payroll taxes).

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 [e-mail] or 503-229-5107. TTY users: please use the Oregon Telecommunications Relay Service at 1-800-735-2900.