Environmental Programs Specialist

State of Oklahoma • Oklahoma City, OK

3d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is for two Environmental Programs Specialist roles within the Air Quality Division - Technical Resources and Special Projects in Oklahoma City. The Technical Resources and Projects Section provides technical support for the Air Quality Division, coordinates special projects such as grant administration and public education efforts, and operates the lead-based paint (LBP) and renovation, repair, and painting (RRP) programs. This specific position will be assisting with the day-to-day administration of the LBP certification program and the RRP certification program. These programs are essential to reduce lead-poisoning risks for families and workers conducting home repairs, renovations, and abatements. After learning applicable regulations and procedures, daily activities of this position will include reviewing and approving certification applications in an online system, administering certification exams, assisting customers, conducting inspections, and completing compliance reviews. This position will also be part of a team managing the Clean Diesel School Buses grant (DERA) and the Volkswagen Clean Air Act Civil Settlement, both of which are aimed at reducing mobile source emissions.

Requirements

• Must be able to pass a background check.
• Must be able to legally work within the United States.
• DEQ does not allow sponsorship for those on a H1B visa.
• Must upload a resume, transcript, and references to be considered.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.
• Level I: Bachelor’s degree with at least 24 semester hours in a physical, natural, or biological science, chemistry, geology, hydrology, physical geography, epidemiology, environmental science, environmental health or civil, agricultural, environmental, geological or chemical engineering.
• Level II: Those identified in level I plus one (1) year of professional experience in one of the areas listed; or a master’s degree in a qualifying area.
• Applicants must be within 60 days of obtaining their degree to be considered.
• Proficiency in MS Office 365 (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Onedrive and MS Teams) and nForm.
• Detail-oriented with the ability to determine if information is incorrect or missing from submitted applications and reports.
• Writing skills including a good understanding of grammar, basic technical writing, ability to organize documents, format documents, and review documents.
• Must be capable of writing procedural and descriptive documents.
• Commitment to ethical practices, ensuring assessments and reports are accurate, impartial, and truthful.
• Professional and effective communication (verbal and written) with co-workers, customers, and the public.
• Ability to create and give presentations to coworkers and the public.
• Ability to converse informally at public outreach events.
• Temperament to remain calm, patient, and constructive when assisting others, facing conflict, or interacting with unhappy customers.
• Patience and focus required to complete re-occurring and detail-oriented tasks.
• Sufficiently self-motivated to manage and complete multiple, simultaneous independent projects with different timelines.
• Positive attitude and willingness to participate in assigned projects, surveys, or pilot programs.
• Willingness to learn new skills and topics as projects rotate and work assignments change.
• Ability to work both individually and as part of a team.
• Ability to track and meet established timeframes and deadlines, and to ask for help when necessary.
• Ability to utilize problem-solving skills to recognize potential issues and work to resolve them or bring them to the attention of management.
• Ability to operate a personal computer several hours a day.
• Ability to occasionally sit behind the wheel of a monitored, state-owned vehicle for several hours a day.
• Ability to occasionally walk over a variety of terrain.
• Ability to carry equipment or supplies up to twenty-five (25) pounds.
• Ability to occasionally ride in an airplane for several hours a day.
• Ability to climb step-ladders and stairs.
• Ability to set up and break down folding chairs, tables, and displays.
• Ability to walk up to one mile per day.
• Ability to stand and/or walk several hours at a time during outreach events.
• Applicant must have the temperament to remain calm when faced with conflict.
• Applicant must be able to work on weekends up to a few times per year.

Nice To Haves

• Computer skills - Become proficient in DEQ standard software (MS Office 365, Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Onedrive and MS Teams) and nForm, the electronic system used for LBP and RRP programs.
• Detail Orientation – Employee must be detail-oriented, with the ability to determine (after training) whether information is incorrect or missing from customer-submitted applications and reports.
• Writing Skills – Employee must have writing skills that include a good understanding of grammar, a basic understanding of technical writing, the ability to organize a document with clear subject prioritization and flow, the ability to format a document, and the ability to review documents created by others. Must be capable of writing procedural and descriptive documents.
• Integrity – The applicant must conduct their work with a commitment to ethical practices, ensuring assessments and reports are accurate, impartial, and truthful.
• Communication & presentation skills – Must be capable of communicating professionally and effectively (verbally and in writing) with co-workers, customers, and the public. Must be able to create and give presentations to coworkers and the public and to converse informally at public outreach events.
• Composure – Employee must have the temperament to remain calm, patient, and constructive when assisting others, when faced with conflict, and when interacting with unhappy customers. Employee must have the patience and focus required to complete re-occurring and detail-oriented tasks.
• Organizational Skills – Employee must be sufficiently self-motivated to manage and complete multiple, simultaneous independent projects with different timelines.
• Attitude/Loyalty – Employee must have a positive attitude and be willing to participate in “as assigned” projects, surveys, or pilot programs. Agency goals and priorities must supersede personal preference in regard to assigned work. Employee must be willing to learn new skills and topics as projects rotate and work assignments change.
• Independent and Team Work – Employee must be able to work both individually and as part of a team.
• Deadlines – Employee must be able to track and meet established timeframes and deadlines, and to ask for help when it is necessary to meet those timeframes and deadlines.
• Problem Solving – Employee should be able to utilize problem-solving skills to recognize potential issues and work to resolve them and/or bring them to the attention of his manager.

Responsibilities

• Review and approve certification applications in an online system.
• Administer certification exams.
• Assist customers via phone, email, and in-person with program requirements and online systems.
• Conduct inspections and complete compliance reviews.
• Perform inspections on assigned vehicle projects under DERA and VW programs.
• Give presentations over regulations, lead certification programs, dangers of LBP, and promotion of DERA/VW programs.
• Create, maintain, and update informal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), instructions, and process notes.
• Assist with the creation, reviews, and updating of formal SOPs and Quality Assurance Project Plans (QAPPs).
• Assist with progress reporting to EPA and the VW Settlement Trust.

Benefits

• Generous leave including 15 days of vacation, 15 days of sick leave and 11 paid holidays annually.
• A comprehensive Benefit Package with a generous Benefits to offset the cost of insurance premiums for employees and their eligible dependents.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level