Environmental Air Quality Engineer (Environmental Engineer 2)

Initial Posting Date:

04/16/2024

Application Deadline:

05/07/2024

Agency:

Department of Environmental Quality

Salary Range:

$5,746 - $8,831

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Environmental Air Quality Engineer (Environmental Engineer 2)

Job Description:

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/E-Cs6M9AAlU

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has a full-time opportunity for an Environmental Air Quality Engineer (Environmental Engineer 2) in Bend, Pendleton, or The Dalles, Oregon (finalist may choose work location).

Please consider joining an innovative team, and work to advance our agency’s mission to protect and improve Oregon’s environmental quality. DEQ has a centralized policy and planning component and regional offices to accomplish its mission. There are 3 regions (Northwest, Western, and Eastern); this position is in the 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.

The Air Quality Program is responsible for protecting the air resources of the state through program planning and development, industrial source control, asbestos control, motor vehicle inspections, and control of other sources of air pollution. The Air Quality Program administers the federal air quality program, by delegation and approval from EPA, and the state requirements.

Click here to view a map of all of the DEQ offices.

What you will do!

You will ensure compliance primarily on large and/or complex sources of air contaminants, such as wood product industries, energy facilities, food processing, data centers, air toxic emitters, chemical manufacturing, landfills, and new or expanding emission sources. You will apply engineering principles in evaluating control technologies, emission rates, and impacts for new and modified emission sources, and you will serve as a technical resource on air quality issues. In addition, you will function as the regional lead for the Cleaner Air Oregon (CAO) Program, which will involve attending CAO technical meetings, serving as a technical resource for regional DEQ staff and applicants, updating regional staff on statewide CAO matters, assisting with determining and implementing CAO permitting requirements, supporting CAO applicability determinations, and contributing to statewide CAO regulation development.

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:

• 2 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).
• 1 year of experience in an environmental protection/control program.

Candidates who are most competitive will also reflect the following:

• Demonstrated understanding of environmental justice and the historical impacts for marginalized and underrepresented communities; ability to take personal responsibility for increasing their knowledge of environmental justice and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Demonstrated in-depth understanding of the theory and operation of air contaminant generating processes and emission control technologies.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to provide clear, concise, and compelling communication of policy and technical information tailored to the needs of diverse audiences; skill in writing and presenting clear and concise reports that include qualitative and quantitative analyses, recommendations, and conclusions to diverse audiences.
• Experience developing clear and concise technical analysis to support policy decisions; ability to analyze data and other information, including modeling information, to oversee implementation of various aspects of the program, and compliance verification.
• Skill in developing spreadsheets and databases; data analysis skills of source emissions and program information; ability to develop air quality improvement strategies.
• Demonstrated experience building and fostering relationships with a diverse group of partners including colleagues, interested parties, communities, organizations, and businesses.
• Experience evaluating permit applications and ensuring that all proposed actions are completed to the highest standards of engineering practice.
• Experience interpreting air quality regulations to draft and review environmental permit conditions that are accurate, clear, and enforceable.
• Experience conducting site investigations, inspections, and report reviews to evaluate compliance status, and experience creating accurate and clear enforcement documents.
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple complex projects concurrently, with shifting priorities and different interested parties.
• Ability to become a Certified Plume (opacity) Evaluator.

Working Conditions:

DEQ believes in a diverse and inclusive work environment. All employees are expected to contribute to a work environment that collectively values and benefits from respecting its diversity and promotes a culture of inclusiveness.

This position will be based out of DEQ’s Bend, Pendleton, or The Dalles office, however, the successful candidate may be eligible for hybrid work. The logistics of hybrid work will need to be worked out with the Hiring Manager prior to your hire and may be changed at any time given specific job duties and business needs. DEQ will provide necessary hardware (laptop, monitor, keyboard, mouse, and cell phone) for an employee to successfully work from home. At DEQ sites, you will have access to a workspace, however, it may be shared with other employees.

There will be regular travel by car to attend site visits, meetings, seminars, public hearings, conferences, and trainings, some of which may involve evening work, weekend work, and/or overnight stays. During site visits, there is the potential for exposure to adverse weather conditions, pollutants, chemicals, contaminated soil and water, fumes, airborne contaminants, fall or tripping hazards, stairs, and substantial walking.

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 knowledge article 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 Taylor Hanson, Human Resources Analyst, at taylor.hanson@deq.oregon.gov or (503) 347-5759. TTY users: please use the Oregon Telecommunications Relay Service at 1-800-735-2900.