Environmental Program Specialist 1/2/3

Alaskajobs; Juneau (AK); On-site; USD 40,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Water, is seeking an energetic Environmental Program Specialist (EPS) 1/2/3 in Juneau to oversee the Operator Certification Program, focusing on compliance and enforcement for water and wastewater systems statewide.

EPS 1 is a trainee, EPS 2 is journey level, and EPS 3 is fully proficient; roles require strong analytical thinking, communication, and the ability to work independently or as part of a team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental, physical, biological, or natural science; engineering; planning; or natural resources.
• Experience in the water or wastewater industry, including operations, maintenance, or management.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

Responsibilities

• Administer the Operator Certification Program.
• Ensure compliance and enforce program requirements.
• Occasional travel to support state-wide activities.

Education

Bachelor's degree in environmental, physical, biological, or natural science; engineering; planning; or natural resources

Job description

Job Description

THIS RECRUITMENT IS FOR DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION EMPLOYEES ONLY

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)

Minimum Qualifications

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 cl