Underground Storage Tank Enforcement Inspector (Natural Resource Specialist 3)

State of Oregon•Eugene, OR

47d•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, sexual orientation, religion, age, or physical or mental disability. 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 a full-time opportunity available for an Underground Storage Tank Enforcement Inspector (Natural Resource Specialist 3) in Eugene, Oregon. This position is limited duration through June 30, 2027 with the potential of being extended or made permanent pending Budget and Legislature approval. 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. Here is a video about DEQ: https://youtu.be/E-Cs6M9AAlU The Land Quality programs support this mission by assessing and managing environmental cleanups, promoting manufacturing and recycling of non-toxic commercial products, safely managing the disposal of solid and hazardous wastes, administering the state's underground storage tank and heating oil tank programs, and responding to spills of oil and hazardous materials. The Underground Storage Tank (UST) Compliance Program is within the Land Quality Division at Headquarters. DEQ's UST Compliance Program, which is authorized by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is a comprehensive regulatory program for UST systems storing petroleum or certain hazardous substances to protect the environment and human health from UST releases. DEQ's UST Compliance Program works to prevent petroleum contamination of Oregon's soil and groundwater by inspecting all regulated underground storage tanks and ensuring that tank permit holders perform the equipment testing and maintenance required to keep underground storage tank systems operating safely. The UST Compliance Program is a statewide program that combines headquarters and regional staff to complete our inspections. Click here to view a map of all of the DEQ offices.

Requirements

6 years of experience in a natural resource or environmental field, with at least 1 year of experience at a technical or professional level performing activities in a natural resource program such as researching and analyzing data, conducting investigations, applying pertinent laws and regulations, or coordinating and monitoring project activities.

Nice To Haves

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.
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 conducting fieldwork and making regulatory determinations for compliance and enforcement with local, state, or federal environmental or other regulatory requirements, including environmental inspections or other regulatory inspections of industry and commercial businesses.
Skill in engagement, collaboration, negotiation, and coalition-building; strong interpersonal skills; demonstrated experience building and fostering relationships with a diverse group of partners including colleagues, interested parties, communities, organizations, and businesses.
Experience with USTs including inspection of new installations, audits of service providers, compliance inspections, and investigation of leaks and petroleum discharges.
Experience with UST equipment operation and inspection procedures.
Experience working with various contractors: construction, equipment sales/installation, equipment repair, and engineering services.
Mechanical aptitude and ability to understand complex petroleum industry equipment specifications.

Responsibilities

You will provide technical and regulatory assistance
perform education and/or information dissemination duties
assist with the identification of non-permitted takes
maintain and update the Underground Storage Tank (UST) database
perform compliance, installation, and modification inspections
investigate leaking tank complaints
initiate appropriate follow-up actions including enforcement.
represent the Agency in informal meetings to resolve or settle enforcement actions
provide testimony or serve as an expert witness in civil penalty contested case enforcement hearings
function as technical liaison to other DEQ programs, state agencies, and national organizations
coordinate and execute communications and outreach for all UST activities to the UST program, the regulated community, and the public.

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).

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