Environmental Specialist I or II

Eugene Water & Electric Board (EWEB)•Eugene, OR

7h•$79,410 - $114,909•Hybrid

About The Position

EWEB is seeking an Environmental Specialist I or II to develop, recommend, and implement plans, strategies, programs, and projects to manage or mitigate operational environmental impacts, improve environmental performance, and leverage resources to extend the reach and value of EWEB’s environmental management strategies. The Environmental department is described as a welcoming, supportive team with a culture of learning and empowerment, where members take ownership of their work. Environmental Specialist I duties include responding to environmental emergencies and spills; developing procedures and providing compliance training; conducting environmental audits and hazardous-waste determinations; coordinating hazardous and special waste disposal; monitoring and reporting water and air quality; mapping and documenting field data in databases or GIS; supporting environmental permitting programs; and assisting with compliance at EWEB-owned hydro facilities, including permit coordination, audits, inspections, compliance tracking, and employee education. Environmental Specialist II duties additionally include managing agency communications alongside senior or principal specialists; managing complex, multi-task projects and associated data systems; overseeing project-level contractor RFP, bidding, and selection processes; collaborating with partners and stakeholders; supporting meeting design and facilitation; and providing technical support and recommendations to other environmental staff. The position may also assist with training EWEB Operations staff. The position is based in Eugene, Oregon, and is approved for a hybrid arrangement involving telecommuting and onsite work. The selected candidate must live in Oregon. The role requires a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, physical science, engineering, or a related field, and at least three years of relevant project or program experience for Specialist I or five years for Specialist II. A 40-hour HAZWOPER training must be completed within six months. A valid driver license is required. The role involves field work, including walking, hiking, or standing for extended periods and carrying, deploying, and collecting equipment and materials weighing up to 40 pounds on rugged terrain and in varying weather, sometimes in remote locations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, physical science, engineering, or a related field; equivalent combinations of relevant education and experience may be considered.
Environmental Specialist I: at least three years of experience with projects or programs regarding environmental issues.
Environmental Specialist II: at least five years of experience with projects or programs regarding environmental issues.
Knowledge or experience in some or all of the following: public health impacts of hazardous wastes and toxic substances and personal protection requirements; environmental and land-use laws, rules, regulations, standards, and requirements; wetland regulations and mitigation design and familiarity with ACOE/DSL permit requirements; and environmental management systems theory and practices.
Skills in critical thinking, complex problem solving, systems analysis, data analysis including spreadsheet analysis and GIS data inquiry and familiarity with data validation, and writing for appropriate audiences.
Ability to communicate complex environmental issues effectively in writing and verbally to people with less subject-matter knowledge.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, regulatory agencies, consultants, and the public.
Ability to demonstrate cultural competency through respectful, inclusive work habits and valuing cultural differences.
Ability to organize, administer, and manage projects.
Ability to walk, hike, or stand for long periods and carry, deploy, and collect equipment and materials weighing up to 40 pounds on uneven, rugged, and slippery terrain, in varying weather and sometimes remote locations.
Complete 40-hour HAZWOPER training within six months.
Valid driver license required.
Must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States; EWEB cannot sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa.
Post-offer background check and drug test required.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of FERC hydro licensing and compliance.
Experience working for a utility.

Responsibilities

Provide field response during environmental emergencies and spill response.
Develop procedures and provide training to support compliance; perform environmental audits, hazardous-waste determinations, and coordinate hazardous- and special-waste disposal.
Provide water and air quality monitoring and reporting, field mapping, and documentation of field data in databases or GIS.
Integrate water quality, stream flow, water rights, industrial facility permits, and non-point-source data.
Participate in utility-wide environmental permitting programs, including joint permit applications, project resource reviews, construction monitoring, and wetland mitigation or monitoring.
Assist with compliance at EWEB-owned hydro facilities by monitoring compliance issues, coordinating license and permit needs, auditing compliance activities, attending regulatory and resource agency inspections, and maintaining compliance databases and task items.
Assist with developing and maintaining compliance tracking systems and employee education programs.
For Specialist II, manage communication with outside agencies alongside Senior and/or Principal Environmental Specialists.
For Specialist II, manage complex projects with multiple tasks and develop data management systems that integrate task and project data into larger program structures.
For Specialist II, manage project-level RFP, bidding, and contractor selection processes.
For Specialist II, work with partners and stakeholders toward successful project outcomes and assist with designing and facilitating meetings.
For Specialist II, provide technical support and recommendations to Environmental staff on project design, procedures, implementation, and monitoring programs; may assist with training EWEB Operations staff.