Environmental Law Specialist (Environmental Law Specialist) – Two Openings

State of Oregon•Street, MD

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality strives to build and sustain an inclusive and equitable environment that embraces and values diversity. Employees at all levels of the agency work together to foster fairness, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We strive to be a workplace where we share our authentic identities, while advancing our individual professional goals, and while collaborating to protect, preserve, and enhance the environment for current and future generations. We celebrate and appreciate diversity, champion equity, and treat each other with respect and dignity. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, age, or physical or mental disability in the administration of our programs and activities. Visit DEQ’s Civil Rights and Environmental Justice page. 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. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has two (2) full-time opportunities available for an Environmental Law Specialist (Environmental Law Specialist) in Portland, Oregon. Please consider joining an innovative team, and work to advance our agency’s mission to protect and improve Oregon’s environmental quality. About DEQ! The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is the primary regulatory agency of the government of the U.S. State of Oregon responsible for protecting and enhancing the state's natural resources. The Office of Compliance and Enforcement (OCE) has statewide responsibility for issuing formal enforcement actions, including civil penalties and corrective actions, against persons, companies, municipal governments, and other governmental agencies that violate environmental laws, rules, and permits. In addition, OCE represents DEQ in the appeal process of formal enforcement actions, including settlement negotiations, presenting contested case hearings to the Office of Administrative Hearings and the Environmental Quality Commission (EQC). OCE receives referrals for formal enforcement actions from DEQ Regions and Divisions as well as Counties and DEQ agents. The Office of Compliance and Enforcement (OCE) is not located within any Region or any Division. This position is located at DEQ Headquarters within the Office of the Director. OCE’s enforcement of environmental laws is necessary to DEQ’s mission of restoring, maintaining, and enhancing the quality of Oregon’s air, land, and water by stopping unlawful acts that put those resources at risk, by mitigating adverse impacts, by deterring future violations, and by creating a level playing field for the regulated community.

Requirements

6 years of experience in an environmental or natural resources agency drafting and handling enforcement cases (civil penalties and orders) against violators of statutes, rules, and permits; OR A JD with course work in environmental and natural resources law; OR A JD degree with 1 year of full-time experience in administrative, environmental, or natural resources law analyzing, researching, and drafting legal documents, as well as evaluating evidence and interviewing clients

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated understanding of the Clean Water Act and/or Oregon’s water quality statutes, specifically National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits.
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.
General knowledge of legal concepts and principles; knowledge of environmental law and administrative law processes.
Experience working independently and creatively to develop case-specific enforcement strategy, including experience evaluating whether there is sufficient evidence to support a case.
Experience in a public sector legal environment.
Experience conducting settlement discussions and negotiations with violators or other attorneys.
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.
Skill representing an organization in meetings, hearings, or negotiations.
Strong research and policy analysis skills and experience.
Skill in conflict resolution, negotiation, collaboration, and engagement; strong interpersonal skills with an ability to break down traditional barriers that exist between programs, challenging people to take a coordinated rather than independent perspective.

Responsibilities

Analyze and evaluate facts and evidence, as well as appliable rules, laws, and policies
Review the violator’s compliance history
Refine cases
Develop appropriate enforcement or compliance strategy
Write legal documents to initiate and conclude the formal enforcement processes
Prepare cases for contested case hearings and for appeals to the EQC and Court of Appeals
Act as the Department’s lay representative in contested case hearings and before the EQC
Meet with violators and/or their attorneys
Negotiate and draft settlements and consent orders
Provide advice and assistance to DEQ staff and assist Divisions in developing enforceable rules, permits, and policies that will ensure compliance and deterrence.

Benefits

DEQ cares deeply about employee wellness and benefits.
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).

Stand Out From the Crowd

Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.

Upload and Match Resume