The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality strives to build and sustain an inclusive environment that embraces and values diversity. Employees at all levels of the agency work together to foster fairness, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, veteran, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, or physical or mental disability. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may not meet every one of our listed preferred qualifications. Lived experience may count towards the preferred qualification. If you are excited about this position, we encourage you to apply. If you are unsure as to whether or not you meet the qualifications of this position, please contact us to discuss your application.
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. Here is a video about DEQ: https://youtu.be/iP3K7JoLe1k
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has a full-time opportunity for a Water Quality Senior Environmental Engineer (Environmental Engineer 3). This position will be located in Bend, Klamath Falls, Pendleton, or The Dalles, Oregon (the finalist may choose their work location).
This position is identified for potential reduction during the 23-25 legislative session. There is no certainty in reductions being implemented at this time. The final determination will be after legislative session ends late June 2023
Please consider joining an innovative team, and work to advance our agency’s mission to protect and improve Oregon’s environmental quality. There are 3 regions (Northwest, Western, and Eastern); this position is in Eastern Region. The Regions provide the following services: compliance inspection of regulated entities; enforcement of permit requirements and administrative rules; issuance of air, water, and solid waste permits; investigation of complaints; issuance of subsurface permits in counties; response to spills or other incidents with environmental impacts; direct contact and liaison with other governmental entities, industries, and the public; and technical assistance to regulated entities and the public. Click here to view a map of all of the DEQ offices.
What you will do!
You will apply advanced environmental engineering knowledge of industrial and domestic wastewater treatment in the review of proposed wastewater planning documents, engineering reports, and engineering plans and specifications to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations, which include requirements for the protection of groundwater and waterways (surface water), and if applicable, Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan requirements. You will review technical reports, studies, and proposals for upgrades, modifications, and expansions for complex or innovative wastewater treatment systems for technical merit to decide on subsequent approval or disapproval. You will be responsible for monitoring complex industrial and domestic wastewater permittees to determine compliance with their federal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) or state Water Pollution Control Facility (WPCF) permits, including conducting routine inspections, reviewing discharge monitoring reports, and conducting investigations. In addition, you will issue warning letters and pre-enforcement notices for permit violations and refer serious violations for formal enforcement.
What’s in it for you!
The opportunity to work in a productive and creative environment where no two days are ever the same! 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:
4 years of engineering experience and a Bachelor’s degree in an engineering field, such as environmental, chemical, civil, or mechanical (or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience).
2 years of experience in an environmental protection/control program.
A current PE. If you are currently registered as a professional engineer in another state, you must be able to obtain your Oregon registration within 6 months of employment in order to retain this appointment.
Candidates who are most competitive will also reflect the following:
Advanced environmental, science, or engineering education.
Knowledge of wastewater treatment operations. An Oregon or other state certification in wastewater treatment operation is desired but not required.
Experience evaluating permit applications and modifications and ensuring that all proposed actions are completed to the highest standards of engineering practice.
Experience conducting site investigations and inspections, preferably at wastewater sites.
Working knowledge of geology, hydrogeology, chemistry, and chemical principles.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills; experience communicating complex technical information or controversial environmental issues to stakeholders and lay people; ability to communicate technical data to audiences unfamiliar with the subject matter.
Experience representing an agency or organization at public hearings and meetings; skill in writing concise and clear reports describing complex industries and regulatory determinations.
Working Conditions:
Work is performed in both an office and outdoors, at times during inclement weather. Statewide travel by car and occasional evening and weekend meetings will occur. During field visits, there may be exposure to pollutants, pathogens or hazardous materials, chemicals, contaminated soil and water, fumes, airborne contaminants, and challenging field conditions (steep slope, heavy vegetation, and uneven terrain).
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 job aid for assistance.
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Please Note: 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 material.
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. You will be asked to submit those at a later time.
Pay Equity:
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 Maddy Ouye, Human Resources Analyst, at maddy.ouye@deq.oregon.gov or (503) 347-5759. TTY users: please use the Oregon Telecommunications Relay Service at 1-800-735-2900.
Are you interested in an Informational Interview with DEQ to learn more about working at DEQ, how current DEQ employees got to where they are today, and what opportunities there may be for you at DEQ? Please go here and complete the form: https://www.oregon.gov/deq/about-us/Pages/humanresources.aspx. Please note that informational interviews are not tied to an open recruitment. If you complete the form above, you will be put in the queue to have an informational interview with a Hiring Manager from our Informational Interview Registry.
