The Environmental Specialist position is a lead worker, project manager, and upper-level specialist position in the area of environmental resource science, watershed planning, and project management. Employees in this position use analytic skills and professional judgment to independently develop, evaluate and/or select environmental or natural resource science techniques, procedures and criteria; analyze data; design sampling and monitoring plans; assess watershed impacts and restoration actions; and write regulatory reports. Some positions function as an expert on issues related to developing and implementing programs, plans and policies to comply with City, Regional, State and Federal regulations.

This recruitment will be used to generate a list of qualified candidates to fill current and future vacancies in the City. There are currently three vacancies in the Bureau of Environmental Services (BES). If you wish to be considered for one or more of these vacancies, in addition to addressing the minimum qualifications listed below, please answer the four supplemental questions found at the end of this job posting.  Please note:  Responding to the supplemental questions is not required for placement on the eligible list.

An evaluation of each applicant’s training and experience, as demonstrated in their cover letter and resume weighted 100%. Do not attach materials not requested.  Only candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be placed on an equally ranked eligible list. You have 14 days from the notice of the examination results to let us know if you disagree with your results. Please read the City of Portland Administrative Rule 3.01 for complete information. Additional evaluation may be required prior to establishment of the eligible list and/or final selection.

Applicants must submit a cover letter and professional resume online, specifically focused on your qualifications for this position as identified in the “To Qualify” section of this announcement in accordance with the following Application Instructions:
 
Your résumé and cover letter will be the basis for our evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Incomplete or inappropriate information may result in disqualification.

Your résumé and cover letter should be no more than a total of four (4) pages combined. Do not attach materials not requested.
 
All completed applications for this position must be submitted no later than 4:30 pm, on the closing date of this recruitment.  E-mailed and/or faxed applications will not be accepted.
 
 If you are requesting Veteran’s Preference, attach a copy of your DD214 / DD215 and / or Veteran’s Administration Letter Stating your disability to your profile, as well as checking the box identifying yourself as a Veteran. You must request Veteran’s Preference AND include a copy of your documentation for each recruitment you apply for.
 
Veteran’s Preference documentation must be submitted no later than 4:30 PM on the closing date of this recruitment.
 
Non-citizen applicants must be authorized to work in the United States at time of application. 

It is the policy of the City of Portland that no person shall be discriminated against based on race, religion, color, sex, marital status, family status, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or source of income. The City values diversity and encourages everyone who is interested in employment with the City to apply. If you wish to identify yourself as an individual with a disability under the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 and will be requesting accommodation, the requests must be made to the Analyst(s) named below No Later Than the Closing Date of This Announcement.

Questions? 
John DiGrazia, Senior Human Resources Analyst
Bureau of Human Resources
John.DiGrazia@portlandoregon.gov
(503) 823-4034

POSITION DESCRIPTIONS (Current vacancies in BES)

Vacancy 1:   Science Integration Division, Ecosystem Sciences.

The Science Integration Division (SID) provides scientific expertise on watershed health to all work groups within the Bureau of Environmental Services.  This position is for the water quality specialist.  Under the direction of the SID Division Manager, this position preforms advanced environmental analysis, assists in the implementation of regulatory activities and projects, and conducts technical water quality and natural resource evaluations related to stormwater and watershed health.   This position is integral to the city’s compliance with the Endangered Species Act and the Clean Water Act, including the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit and Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) regulations. The person in this position will perform or oversee key phases of diverse and complex water quality, natural resource or basin-planning monitoring and policy development and implementation.

Vacancy 2:   Watershed Programs Division, Westside Watersheds Team

The Watershed Division uses geographic expertise to plan, prioritize, initiate, and adaptively manage program elements and projects to improve watershed health and promote stewardship.  The Westside Watersheds Program is one of three sections in the Watershed Division and covers all subwatersheds West of the Willamette River in Portland.  The Environmental Specialist position in the Watershed Division is in the Westside Watersheds Program and reports directly to the Section Manager.   This position is a lead-worker position focusing on developing or coordinating development of key watershed program elements, plans and projects.  This position is expected to provide input on land use/development proposals for impact on watershed functions and code compliance.  In addition, the position is expected to develop and assist in development of policies and other technical documents/reports needed for integrated project support and delivery including permitting, and program implementation.  The position can be tasked to play a key coordinating role in working with other divisions and groups within BES, and other bureaus, agencies, stakeholders and the public in program and project delivery and implementation. 

Vacancy 3:    Pollution Prevention Services Group – Investigations and Monitoring Section

The Investigations and Monitoring Services (IMS) Section provides environmental monitoring project planning, data management and evaluation, and reporting services. Work supports regulatory requirements; sanitary and stormwater conveyance system design, construction, and operation; watershed assessment and planning; environmental engineering and remediation; and City property acquisition and use. This position will serve as a liaison between internal and external customers of these services and the field and laboratory staff that work to meet project and data quality objectives. Under the direction of the IMS Section Manager, responsibilities will include development of monitoring plans and programs, communication and coordination within and across work groups, data stewardship, project oversight, and reporting.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS

Please note:  To be considered for one of the current vacancies in BES, in addition to submitting a resume and cover letter addressing the minimum qualifications, please provide a response to each of the following four supplemental questions.  If you need more space than the system allows, you may attach your additional information to the application along with your resume and cover letter.  Please limit your responses on the additional information to 2 pages.