Environmental Program Specialist 1/2/3

State of Alaska; Juneau (AK); On-site; USD 82,582,000 - 109,344,000; Full time

Job summary

The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Water, is recruiting Environmental Program Specialist 1/2/3 in Juneau, AK. Position focuses on compliance and enforcement for water and wastewater operators statewide; EPS1 is entry-level, EPS2 provides general oversight, and EPS3 operates independently.

Residency for Alaska is required. Salary ranges shown at multiple levels; working in Juneau with some travel possible.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college in an environmental, physical, biological, or natural science; engineering; planning; or natural resources.
• Knowledge of state/federal environmental regulations and compliance.
• Experience in water/wastewater operations, maintenance, or management is desirable.
• Strong oral/written communication and ability to work with diverse populations.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Administrate the Operator Certification Program at EPS levels.
• Ensure compliance/enforcement activities for water/wastewater systems.
• Travel several times per year as needed.
• Interact with stakeholders to promote program objectives.

Skills

Analytical Thinking

Compliance

Organizational Awareness

Problem Solving

Writing

Education

Bachelor's degree in environmental/science field

Job description

NOTE: The recruitment period for this vacancy has been broadened and extended to allow for a larger applicant pool.

This position is open to Alaska Residents only. Please check our residency definition to determine if you qualify.

This position is being recruited for in Juneau.

Pay will be determined based on level of selected individual.

Environmental Program Specialist 1 (Range 14) salary: $28.83

Environmental Program Specialist 2 (Range 16) salary: $33.12

Environmental Program Specialist 3 (Range 18) salary: $38.16

What you will be doing:

The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Water is seeking an energetic and proactive environmental professional to serve as an Environmental Program Specialist (EPS) 1/2/3 in the Operator Certification Program, focusing on compliance and enforcement activities targeting water and wastewater systems and their operators throughout the state.

The EPS 1 is a trainee/entry-level position that is responsible for learning the basics of administering the Operator Certification Program; the EPS 2 is a journey/professional level position responsible for administering the program with general oversight; while the EPS 3 is the fully proficient professional level responsible for independently administering the program.

Our organization, mission, and culture:

The Operator Certification Program is committed to ensuring that water and wastewater systems within the state are properly maintained and operated by properly certified operators. This position will have an impact on the health and welfare of the citizens of Alaska.

The benefits of joining our team:

Our team is comprised of a dynamic group of forward-thinking professionals that consistently pursue new and innovative strategies. This position offers a chance to work as part of a team, as well as take on initiatives independently, along with the potential for a flexible work schedule and career advancement.

The working environment you can expect:

All staff in the Operator Certification Program are currently located in Juneau. This position works primarily in the office but there are opportunities for travel several times a year.

We are looking for a candidate that has experience in the following areas:

• Analytical Thinking/Problem Solving: Uses a logical, systematic, and sequential approach to address problems or opportunities or manage a situation by drawing on one’s knowledge and experience base and calling on other references and resources as necessary.
• Compliance: Knowledge of procedures for assessing, evaluating, and monitoring programs or projects for compliance with State and federal laws, regulations, and guidance.
• Organizational Awareness: Knows the organization’s mission and functions, and how its social, political, and technological systems work and operates effectively within them; this includes the programs, policies, procedures, rules, and regulations of the organization.
• Problem Solving: Identifies and analyzes problems; weighs relevance and accuracy of information; generates and evaluates alternative solutions; makes recommendations.
• Writing: Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a brief, clear, and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience.

The ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, customers, and individuals from other state or federal organizations.

Proven ability to assess and prioritize multiple tasks and demands.

Working knowledge of the cultural, political, social, and economic conditions of rural Alaska.

Working knowledge of state and federal regulations pertaining to water and wastewater, including the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Clean Water Act, 18 AAC 74 Water and Wastewater Operator Certification regulations, 18 AAC 80 Drinking Water regulations, 18 AAC 72 Wastewater Disposal regulations, and any other applicable state regulations.

Experience in the water and/or wastewater industry, including operations, maintenance, or management.

The ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

Customer service experience, especially with a clientele of diverse backgrounds and cultures.

Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

Special Notice:

• This position must obtain enforcement credential in order to implement the Compliance and Enforcement Strategy (Department of Environmental Conservation Policy and Procedure 05-04-101). (can be obtained after hire)

Competency Based Minimum Qualifications Instructions

This job class uses competency based minimum qualifications. Please ensure your application (through work history, volunteer experience (duties summary), training, education, licenses, certifications, etc.) supports how you have gained the knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors (competencies) and that you possess the minimum required competencies for the job class.

Competency Description: The competency description(s) listed below have been designed to promote a common understanding of the essential elements of the job class. They highlight the more general and customary knowledge, skills, abilities (KSAs), tasks, and behaviors used to describe the competency. They typically list expectations, as opposed to specific tasks, and are to be used only as parameters and guidelines. A competency’s description is not intended to exclusively define every KSA, task, and behavior needed to successfully meet the competency, but rather to provide the manager/agency with a broad reference of options as to how an applicant can meet the job expectation.

Environmental Program Specialist 1 (Range 14):

Any combination of education and/or experience that provides the applicant with the following competencies:

• Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.
• Research - Knowledge of the scientific principles, methods, and processes used to conduct a systematic and objective inquiry; including study design, collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; and the reporting of results.
• Oral Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.

Equivalent to those typically gained by: A bachelor's degree from an accredited college in an environmental, physical, biological, or natural science; engineering; planning; or natural resources.

Environmental Program Specialist 2 (Range 16):

Any combination of education and/or experience that provides the applicant with the following competencies:

• Environmental Science - Knowledge of the interdisciplinary concepts, principles, theories, and methods of investigating the natural and physical environment, including examination of ecology, biology, physics, chemistry, plant science, zoology, mineralogy, oceanography, limnology, soil science, geology and physical geography, atmospheric, and other related sciences in the protection and improvement of the environment and its resources.
• Scientific Research - Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories of scientific principles related to environmental, ecological, biological, or physical science and the methods, and processes used to conduct a systematic and objective inquiry; including study design, collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; and the reporting of results.
• Critical Thinking - Analyzes and evaluates data to draw logical and well-reasoned conclusions.
• Oral Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.

Equivalent to those typically gained by: A bachelor's degree from an accredited college in an environmental, physical, biological, or natural science; engineering; planning; or natural resources.
AND
Professional experience developing knowledge and skills in environmental regulations, pollution control, environmental damage recovery, or programs to improve or protect environmental quality; or learning to evaluate the potential environmental and socio-economic impacts of construction projects; prepare environmental documentation; and determine, negotiate, and monitor permitted activities.

Environmental Program Specialist 3 (Range 18):

Any combination of education and/or experience that provides the applicant with the following competencies:

• Scientific Research - Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories of scientific principles related to environmental, ecological, biological, or physical science and the methods, and processes used to conduct a systematic and objective inquiry; including study design, collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; and the reporting of results.
• Compliance - Knowledge of procedures for assessing, evaluating, and monitoring programs or projects for compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and guidance.
• Decision Making - Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change.
• Oral Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.

Equivalent to those typically gained by: A bachelor's degree from an accredited college in an environmental, physical, biological, or natural science; engineering; planning; or natural resources.
AND
Professional experience developing knowledge and skills in environmental regulations, pollution control, environmental damage recovery, or programs to improve or protect environmental quality; or learning to evaluate the potential environmental and socio-economic impacts of construction projects; prepare environmental documentation; and determine, negotiate, and monitor permitted activities.

Documents Required at the Time of the Interview

• College transcripts, if using education in lieu of experience
• Three professional references, including names, addresses, phone number and email
• A cover letter will be required at time of interview

Flexibly Staffed

This position is flexibly staffed. The level of the job offer will be based on the selected candidate’s credibly possessed and proven competencies. If hired at the lower level, you will be promoted to the higher level after completing the training plan and demonstrating competency in the work.

Legal Employment

The State’s online recruitment system, Workplace Alaska, requires applicants to certify that they have a legal right to accept employment in the United States. It is the responsibility of the employee to maintain the appropriate documentation to accept or continue legal employment. The State of Alaska does not function in the role as an employer sponsor.

THIS RECRUITMENT IS FOR DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION EMPLOYEES ONLY

Candidates must currently work in the Department of Environmental Conservation and hold permanent employment status, or have transfer rights, or, if separated, have rehire rights to this job classification.

Education

To verify education is being used to meet and/or support the required minimum qualifications/competencies, you must fill in the Education section of the application. If you have not obtained a degree, please indicate the number of units completed. Copies of transcripts are required to verify educational credentials used to meet or support the minimum qualifications/competencies for a position and are required with each application. (Unofficial is okay; please ensure the institution/URL name is listed on the transcripts). Transcripts can be attached at the time of application or provided at the time of interview; if not, transcripts will be required before employment.

Special Instructions for Foreign Education

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements, if applicable. If utilizing this education you must show that the education credentials have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and that such education has been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs; or an accredited U.S. state university reports the other institution as one whose transcript is given full value, or full value is given in subject areas applicable to the curricula at the state university. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. Omission of required documentation listed will result in an incomplete application and you will not receive further consideration.

NOTE:

The State of Alaska does not provide VISA Employer sponsorships.

Work Experience

When using work experience not already documented in your application, please provide the employer's name, your job title, dates of employment, and whether full-or part-time. Applications will be reviewed to determine if the responses are supported, and minimum qualifications are clearly met. Work experience needed to meet the minimum qualifications must be documented in the application. If the application does not support minimum qualifications, the applicant may not advance to the interview and selection phase of the recruitment. A resume will not be used to determine that minimum qualifications have been met for the position in which you are applying.

If you are currently or previously been appointed to a flexibly staffed position, please ensure your work experience within a flexibly staffed position indicates the actual dates employed at each level. Ensure your time and any subsequent flex promotion(s) are documented as a separate position. This is required as there are minimum qualifications that require experience at a particular level in which the lower level may not be considered. If this information is not accurately reflected in your application this may cause the processing of your application for consideration to be delayed.

NOTE: Attaching a resume or curriculum vitae is not an alternative to filling out the application in its entirety. Noting "see resume or CV" or any similar response on any portion of your application may lead to a determination your application is incomplete and removal from consideration for this job posting.

Multiple Vacancies

This recruitment may be used for more than one (1) vacancy. The applicant pool acquired during this recruitment may be used for future vacancies for up to ninety (90) days after this recruitment closes. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply to each recruitment notice to ensure consideration for all vacancies.

EEO Statement

The State of Alaska complies with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Individuals with disabilities, who require accommodation, auxiliary aides or services, or alternative communication formats, please call 1-800-587-0430 or [phone] in Juneau or TTY: Alaska Relay 711 or 1-800-770-8973 or correspond with the Division of Personnel & Labor Relations at: P.O. Box 110201, Juneau, AK 99811-0201. The State of Alaska is an equal opportunity employer.

For specific information about the position please contact the hiring manager:

Tammy Helms

Environmental Program Manager 2

907-269-7613

[e-mail]