EPS I - SWAP Data/Program Coordinator - 2280

State of Colorado; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Colorado, CDPHE is seeking an Environmental Protection Specialist I to lead the Source Water Assessment and Protection (SWAP) program within the SEC Unit. The role coordinates program activities, manages grants, tracks performance, and provides technical and financial assistance to public water systems statewide to safeguard drinking water.

The position requires five years of relevant experience or a bachelor’s degree plus one year, with preferred Master’s degree.

Qualifications

• Five years of professional work experience in managing water quality improvement projects.
• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, natural resources, biology, geology, hydrology, chemistry or a closely-related field.
• One year of professional experience in managing water quality improvement projects.
• Note: qualifications may be met by experience alone or a combination of education and experience.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate SWAP program activities and grants.
• Provide training and technical support to stakeholders.
• Develop program materials, policies and guidance for SWAP.
• Assist in reporting, data management and GIS data requests related to SWAP and PFAS.

Skills

Project coordination

Water quality

Stakeholder engagement

Data analysis

GIS/ArcGIS

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in environmental science / natural resources / biology / geology / hydrology / chemistry

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

ArcGIS

Excel

Job description

This position is only open to current residents of the State of Colorado.

At the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, we are charged with protecting Colorado’s health and environment – a responsibility that affects every person and every community in the state. CDPHE is distinctive because we bring public health and environmental protection together under one agency, recognizing that healthy people depend on healthy places. Our teams prevent diseases and injury, respond to emergencies ranging from E.coli outbreaks to global pandemics, reduce air pollution, protect water quality, regulate health facilities, manage environmental hazards, perform advanced laboratory testing, provide birth and death records, and implement health promoting programs. We turn science and data into action, set statewide standards, and work alongside local public health agencies and community partners to meet Colorado’s most pressing health and environmental challenges. Working at CDPHE means applying your expertise to complex, consequential work that can improve lives across the state.

Our mission captures this broad portfolio of work: to advance Colorado’s health and protect the places we live, learn, work, and play. Our vision is a healthy and sustainable Colorado where current and future generations can thrive. Achieving the mission and vision takes bold action, talented people, broad partnerships, and a commitment to serving every Coloradan.

CDPHE offers a comprehensive benefits package and the opportunity to build a meaningful career in public service. Benefits include:

• Medical and dental plans.
• Colorado PERA retirement options, including defined benefit plan or defined contribution plan.
• Optional 401(K) and 457 retirement plans.
• Employer-paid life insurance.
• Short- and long-term disability coverage.
• Potential flexible working arrangements
• 11 paid holidays per year and generous paid time off.
• Free parking and access to RTD bus lines.
• Tuition assistance.
• Employee wellness programs.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Career opportunities throughout Colorado state government.

Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

The Work Unit:

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is the agency delegated primary enforcement authority by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. The Safe Drinking Water Program implements the Safe Drinking Water Act through the Colorado Primary Drinking Water Regulations. The program is in the Department's Water Quality Control Division under the Safe Drinking Water Program in the Community Development and Partnership Section. The purpose of the Safe Drinking Water Program is to provide compliance oversight, technical assistance, financial support and training to public water systems so they can always supply safe drinking water to the public. The Safe Drinking Water Program implements Source Water Protection as one of the multiple barrier approaches to assist in the prevention of known and emerging contaminants from entering the drinking water supplies in Colorado.

The Source Water and Emerging Contaminants (SEC) Unit reports to the Community Development and Partnership (CDAP) Section Manager. The purpose of the Source Water and Emerging Contaminants Unit is to provide training, technical assistance, and management support services to public water systems so they can strengthen their ability to supply safe drinking water to the public. The unit also performs significant program, department, and division-wide support activities, including budget and workplan management, Source Water Assessment and Protection (SWAP) and PFAS/Emerging Contaminants programs, and grant management. Additionally, the unit is responsible for providing technical and financial assistance to public water systems, local health departments, counties, and other governmental entities to facilitate drinking water, emerging contaminants, and source water protection activities. The core functions of the SWAP and Emerging Contaminants (SEC) Unit is to manage source water protection and emerging contaminant risks by administering grant funds in accordance with state and federal requirements and providing technical and policy guidance to public water systems and local governmental entities. Other core functions include:

• Educating and informing all entities interested in source water quality of the potential contaminant risks to the many and varied drinking water sources in use across the state
• Providing technical and financial support to facilitate protection of watersheds, source water assessment areas, and drinking water resources
• Pro-active policy and guidance development for emerging contaminants and outreach to public water systems to implement a multiple barrier approach for drinking water protection

The position is required to assist in operationally managing, reporting, and distributing/mapping Source Water and/or PFAS/Emerging Contaminant data (as applicable). This position will perform SWAP database and mapping updates, emergency coordination efforts on drinking water issues, other database coordination efforts, public water system data reporting and website support, and general technical/financial assistance for public water systems in addressing source water protection issues and compliance issues with the new EPA PFAS rule. These activities will require a coordinated and detailed procedural/data analysis effort with technical and/or financial assistance to impacted public water systems and other entities.

What You Will Do:

The Program Coordinator (EPS I) will work in collaboration with the SEC Unit manager and other SEC staff to make recommendations and implement the Source Water Assessment and Protection (SWAP) program. This position will coordinate and administer the Division’s efforts on the SWAP Program and other drinking water needs. The activities included in the coordination efforts will include (but not be limited to) administration and implementation of the SWAP Program, grant tracking, management, and reporting, and providing technical and financial assistance to communities and water systems on the SWAP Program.

The position will be responsible for the overall program coordination, implementation, and tracking, which includes developing program materials, developing policies and procedures necessary to implement the programs, managing the website content, direct communication and outreach efforts with eligible entities, local health departments, and public water systems, soliciting program participation by eligible entities, program participation tracking, grant contracting and tracking, contract development and monitoring, program reporting preparation and technical and financial assistance to program participants.

The Program Coordinator will work under the Department and Water Quality Control Division direction to conduct all activities related to implementing the SWAP program. The following activities demonstrate the responsibilities of the coordinator:

• direct outreach and communication with eligible grant program participants
• solicit engagement and entity participation for any of the grant program activities
• providing training and technical support to stakeholders and program participants
• assist with identifying SWAP and protection planning project areas
• technical and financial assistance for eligible grant program participants
• assist in developing program materials and guidance and recommendations on SWAP programs and inter-agency coordination
• coordinate and support efforts on the SWAP programs
• develop tracking and reporting mechanisms related to the SWAP programs and PFAS rule implementation
• coordinate required reporting on the SWAP program
• complete any SWAP data and Geographic Information System (GIS) requests that come to the programs

Key Responsibilities:

• direct outreach and communication with eligible grant program participants
• solicit engagement and entity participation for any of the grant program activities
• providing training and technical support to stakeholders and program participants SWAP & PFAS Grant/Takeback Program Contact Management and Tracking
• Drinking Water Program Efforts

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION SPECIALIST I (I3A2T*)

Minimum Qualifications:

Five (5) years of professional work experience in managing water quality improvement projects

OR

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in environmental science, natural resources, biology, geology, hydrology, chemistry or a closely-related field

AND

One (1) year of professional experience in managing water quality improvement projects.

NOTE: An applicant may meet the minimum qualifications for this job in one of two ways: They may qualify through their work experience alone or through a combination of education and work experience.

You must substantiate that you meet the minimum qualifications when filling out the Work Experience section of the application. Failure to do so will result in the application not moving forward in the hiring process. “See resume” will not be accepted. Resumes are considered supplemental information and are not considered in the initial evaluation. In addition, part-time work will be prorated when determining whether minimum qualifications are met.

Preferred Qualifications

In addition to the minimum requirements, the successful candidate in this position will have the following highly desirable experience and competencies:

• A Master's Degree from an accredited college or university in environmental science, natural resources, biology, geology, hydrology, chemistry or a closely-related field
• Experience managing watershed, source water, physical science, or water related projects that implement best management practices to improve water quality/quantity or water treatment operations. Practical experience on mapping evaluating and reporting water quality information or environmental data to effectively communicate results.
• Ability to engage local communities in improving water quality or water treatment operations through outreach and education activities.
• Ability to work collaboratively and effectively across CDPHE, federal, state and local governments, watershed groups, local communities and other organizations to achieve water quality results.
• Professional experience in applying provisions of the Sate Drinking Water Act or Colorado Water Quality Control Act to restore and protect water quality.
• Ability to evaluate, prioritize, and organize work projects in a team environment.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage multiple water quality improvement projects concurrently.
• Experience developing and implementing standardized procedures and best practices.
• Excellent and proficient skills in data and spreadsheet management, ArcGIS, organization, and data management processes.
• Excellent interpersonal and oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent critical thinking skills, process orientated development, including the ability to make timely judgments and decisions.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office software programs.
• Ability to adapt quickly to change and easily consider new approaches.
• Strong customer service skills.
• Ability to multitask and effectively prioritize work activities.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Must be willing and able to travel independently throughout the state for 10%-15% of the time. Traveling may occur during inclement weather. Overnight stays will vary.
• Pre-employment background check

Appeal Rights:

As an applicant who has been removed from consideration during the selection or comparative analysis process, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board and/or request a review by the State Personnel Director. A standard appeal form is available on the State Personnel Board website, https://spb.colorado.gov/forms-and-filing. If you appeal, your appeal must be submitted in writing on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative, and received at the following address within ten (10) days of your receipt of this notice: Colorado State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director, Attn: Appeals Processing, 1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver, CO 80203. Fax: [phone]. Phone: [phone]. Email address: [e-mail]. The ten-day deadline and these appeal procedures also apply to all charges of discrimination. Refer to Chapters 4 and 8 of the State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, 4 CCR 801, for information about the appeals process. The State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures are available at spb.colorado.gov.

A complete application packet must include:

1. A completed State of Colorado application.
2. A required cover letter describing how your professional experience aligns with the preferred qualifications of this position.
3. If using education to qualify for this position a copy of your transcripts (unofficial acceptable) or diploma must be provided with application. Transcripts must be attached to your colorado.gov/jobs application.
4. If you are a veteran, a copy of your DD214 must be attached to your colorado.gov/jobs application.

The Selection Process

All applications that are received by the closing of this announcement will be reviewed against the Minimum Qualifications in this announcement. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications proceed to the next step.

Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted based on merit and fitness through a comparative analysis process.

Part of, or all of, the comparative analysis for this position may be a structured application review, which involves a review of the information you submit in your application materials by Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) against the preferred qualifications.

• A top group, up to six candidates, will be invited to schedule an interview with the hiring manager.

CDPHE does not provide visa sponsorship at this time. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

E-Verify:

CDPHE uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.

ADAAA Accommodations:

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator at [e-mail] or call 303-692-2060, option 5.