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Water Quality Monitoring Specialist Natural Resource Specialist

Partners In Diversity Incorporated

Water Quality Monitoring Specialist Natural Resource Specialist

Portland, OR
Full Time
Paid
  • Responsibilities

    Water Quality Monitoring Specialist (Natural Resource Specialist 1) Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Hillsboro, OR Job - Government Post Date: 01/02/2019 Close Date: 01/16/2019 The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality currently has an opportunity for a Water Quality Monitoring Specialist (Natural Resource Specialist 1) to join an innovative team, and advance our agency's mission to protect and improve Oregon's environmental quality. This position is located in Hillsboro, Oregon at the DEQ Laboratory. About the Division: The Laboratory and Environmental Assessment Division assists the Department in achieving its mission by providing laboratory and research services in water and air quality monitoring, organic and inorganic analysis, toxicology and biology, and quality assurance. The Division serves the Agency programs and regional offices throughout Oregon, and supports the agency's missions and values by providing scientific data and analysis necessary for the agency to be an active leader in restoring, enhancing, and maintaining the quality of Oregon's air, water, and land. The Water Quality Monitoring Section's purpose is to: collect representative, valid, environmental data through physical, chemical, and biological sampling and assessment; manage environmental data to ensure availability of accurate and complete data for Agency programs and the general public; analyze and interpret water quality and related data in order to produce reports which identify water quality conditions, identify threats to water quality, evaluate trends, and model proposed actions; maintain technical expertise through applied research, training, and collaboration in order to stay scientifically up to date with safety, sampling, and data assessment skills; and promote, as a representative, the Agency environmental mission to the general public and other governmental agencies. What you will do! The purpose of this position is to collect water quality and biological samples in support of the Water Quality Monitoring section's mission and goals. These program include the Total Maximum Daily Loads, National Aquatic Resource Surveys, Toxics, Ambient Monitoring, and other activities as needed. This position is used to collect field chemical, biological, and habitat data for the assessment of water quality and watershed health throughout the State of Oregon. This position will also help with equipment maintenance, calibration, and purchasing. In addition, this job will assist with maintaining the data, improving electronic data entry systems, and performing data retrieval as needed. What's in it for you? The opportunity to join a dynamic team of mission focused individuals tasked with maintaining, restoring, and enhancing the quality of Oregon's air, water, and land. We offer medical, dental, and vision health benefits with paid sick leave, vacation, personal leave, and 10 paid holidays per year. Public service loan forgiveness program: If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, you may be able to receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). Learn more to see whether you qualify at PSLF Program. This is a full-time, AFSCME represented position. This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies. Working Conditions: Work is conducted primarily in the field. Field work is performed in a wide variety of conditions, which may include strenuous hikes carrying loads up to 35 pounds under various weather conditions. The job requires the ability to drive long distances using large vehicles, and may require the ability to pull trailers and boats. Field work may be conducted from a motor boat, raft, or other water craft as needed. Statewide travel is required, and long, varied, working hours are sometimes involved. The position may require working at sites that contain hazardous and toxic substances. Duties & Responsibilities Monitoring Activities and Program Operations: Procure, prepare, calibrate, deploy, audit, and maintain field equipment and instruments, including multi-parameter data loggers in accordance with accepted laboratory quality system requirements. Design, construct, and/or modify monitoring instruments, sampling infrastructure, and vehicles. Collect and preserve water and biological samples from Oregon's rivers, estuaries, and lakes to determine ambient conditions, and determine the extent of contamination and compliance with federal and state laws and regulations. Perform field measurements (ex: pH, temperature, stream surveys, alkalinity, and flow) according to approved procedures. Evaluate site conditions and note observations of conditions that could affect water quality and site safety. Implement sampling field trips including managing shared equipment, reagents, and supplies across monitoring teams. Process field data for review and inclusion in data management systems. Technical Assistance and Consultation: Review and provide technical assistance on Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP's) and Sampling Analysis Plans (SAP's) for development of Water Quality Monitoring projects. Evaluate and report on the effectiveness of technical procedures used in field investigations. Provide assistance, training, audits, and feedback for external partners collecting data for monitoring activities. Program Support: Participate in evaluation and modification of monitoring strategies to ensure objectives are being met. Assist in writing and/or reviewing monitoring plans, sampling procedures, and operations manuals. Qualifications, Required & Requested Skills Minimum Qualifications: A Bachelor's degree in Natural Resources, Environmental Science, Biology, Water Quality, Engineering, or a related field; OR Three years of experience in a Natural Resources, Environmental or Biological Science, Water Quality, or a related field. Desired Attributes/Requested Skills: Knowledge of proper monitoring and sample handling procedures. Experience collecting and preserving water and biological samples. Experience with water quality field equipment and meters. Excellent organizational skills regarding equipment, supplies, and data. Dedication to maintaining focus on data quality under challenging environmental conditions. Excellent observation and evaluative skills. Experience operating motored boats. Experience pulling or towing a trailer or boat on roadways. Additional Information Application Instructions: To apply, please follow these steps: Complete the application. We will not accept a resume or position description in place of a completed application. Because of the volume of applications we receive, we are unable to review attachments that we do not ask for. The work experience and/or education section of your application must clearly demonstrate how you meet all of the minimum and special qualifications listed above. If it does not, we are required to disqualify it. Complete the supplemental questions. Answers to the supplemental questions must be substantiated with the experience you listed in the work experience section of the application. (Please note that your responses may also be evaluated for grammar, spelling, and punctuation). To receive credit for higher education coursework, transcripts (official or unofficial) must be submitted prior to interview (if selected). Note: To protect your confidential information, please redact (black out) your social security number on all transcripts before attaching to your application. Veterans Information: If you are an eligible veteran and wish to claim veterans' preference points, AND you also meet the minimum qualifications for this position, the points will be added to your score. For more information on veterans' preference points, visit our Veterans Resource page. To receive veterans' preference points, please submit the following required documentation prior to your first interview (if selected): A copy of your DD214/DD215 form; OR a letter from the US Dept. of Veterans Affairs indicating you receive a non-service connected pension for the five (5) point preference. A copy of your DD214/DD215 form; AND a copy of your veterans' disability preference letter from the Dept. of Veterans Affairs for the ten (10) point preference. Pay Equity: As an employer, the State of Oregon complies with 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. We determine salary from applicable professional experience and education. Please visit http://www.oregon.gov/das/hr/pages/equity.aspx for more information. Work Authorization: The Oregon DEQ does not offer visa sponsorships. Within three (3) days of hire, all applicants will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security's Form I-9, confirming authorization to work in the United States. Need Help? If you need assistance to participate in the application process, you are encouraged to e-mail Maddy Ouye at ouye.madeline@deq.state.or.us or call (503) 229-5107. TTY users: please use the Oregon Telecommunications Relay Service: 1-800-735-2900. Consider Joining Us! The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is a regulatory agency whose job is to protect the quality of Oregon's environment. DEQ strives to create inclusive environments that welcome and value the diversity of the people we serve. DEQ fosters fairness, equity, and inclusion to create workplace environments where everyone is treated with respect and dignity regardless of race, color, religion, sex, disability, physical stature, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, political affiliation, and any other factor applicable by state or federal law. Complete details: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/oregon/jobs/2289479/water-quality-monitoring-specialist-natural-resource-specialist-1?department[0]=Environmental%20Quality%20-%20Central%20Services%20Division&department[1]=Environmental%20Quality%20-%20Eastern

  • Industry
    Education