Environmental Specialist



Environmental Specialist

Salary

$31.69 - $40.47 Hourly

Location

1120 SW 5th Ave, OR

Job Type

Regular

Job Number

2014-00394

Bureau

Bureau of Environmental Services

Opening Date

09/08/2014

Closing Date

9/22/2014 4:30 PM Pacific

The Position

Applications for this position will be accepted, on-line, until 150 completed applications have been received, but will close no later than 4:30 pm, on Monday, September 22, 2014.
 
The Environmental Specialist position is a lead worker, project management, and upper-level specialist position in the area of environmental resource science. This position functions as an expert on issues related to developing and implementing programs, plans and policies to comply with State and Federal regulations. Employees in this position use analytic skills and professional judgment to independently evaluate and/or select environmental or natural resource science techniques, procedures and criteria, analyze data, design sampling and monitoring plans, and develop regulatory reports. The Environmental Specialist is responsible for directing the work of professional subordinates and performing and overseeing all phases of assigned projects. The current vacancy exists in the Bureau of Environmental Services entailing specialized knowledge in landscape architecture and green infrastructure.
 
The current vacancy is in the Sustainable Stormwater Division in the Bureau of Environmental Services. As a member of the Sustainable Stormwater Division within the Watershed Services Group at the Bureau of Environmental Services, this position plans, designs, manages, and monitors the development of innovative on-site stormwater management facilities—referred to as green infrastructure. Under the direction of the Division Manager, this position designs and manages on-site stormwater management facilities (rain gardens, green streets, ecoroofs, and lined and unlined stormwater planters), and produces the drawings, plans, and specs from which these facilities are constructed. As a project manager, this position develops schedules, scopes, and budgets for a variety of sustainable stormwater projects.
 
As a lead worker, this position oversees the work of technical and professional environmental staff. This position oversees, coordinates, and evaluates a wide variety of sustainable stormwater projects. This position meets with other managers within BES and outside the bureau to ensure projects are coordinated and implemented according to plans and specs. This position provides technical assistance on sustainable stormwater facilities to other BES staff, City staff, and the public.
 
Although the current vacancy is in the Bureau of Environmental Services, other bureaus may fill future vacancies from the eligible list resulting from this recruitment.

To Qualify

The following qualifications are required for this position:
  1. Knowledge of and experience applying physical, biological, and/or ecological sciences, including knowledge in one or more of the following areas: environmental science, engineering, mathematics, microbiology, chemistry, geology, research methodology, and statistics.
  2. Knowledge of and experience applying theory and principles of environmental investigations, protection, restoration and management; or natural resource management.
  3. Ability and experience analyzing and clearly presenting data and technical information in verbal, written, graphic, tabular or other forms and conducting effective presentations.
  4. Ability and experience conducting technical and policy research, analyzing complex problems, evaluating alternatives, and recommending effective courses of action.
  5. Experience reviewing, organizing and directing the work of a work group; motivating assigned staff and providing for their training and professional development. 
Applicants must also possess:
A typical way of obtaining the knowledge, skills and abilities outlined above is graduation from college with a degree in environmental science, chemistry, biology, geology, forestry, hydrology or a related field; and four to six years of progressively responsible environmental or natural resource experience; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. A master’s degree in a pertinent science may serve in lieu of one to two years’ experience.

The Recruitment Process

An evaluation of each applicant’s training and experience, as demonstrated in their cover letter/resume weighted 100%. Only the most qualified candidates passing the cover letter/resume evaluation will be placed on an equally ranked eligible list. Additional evaluation may be required prior to establishment of the eligible list and/or final selection.

Additional Information

Application Instructions
Applicants must submit a cover letter/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 Instruction.
                                                                          
Your resume and cover letter will be the basis of our evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Incomplete or inappropriate information may result in disqualification.
  • Your cover letter should include details describing your education, training and/or experience, and where obtained which clearly reflects your qualifications for each of the numbered items in the “To Qualify” section of this announcement.
  • Your resume should support the details described in the cover letter.
  • Your résumé and cover letter should be no more than a total of four (4) pages combined.
All completed applications for this position must be submitted online. The recruitment will close once 150 completed applications have been received, but will close 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?
Allan Messer, Senior Human Resources Analyst
Bureau of Human Resources 
 
An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

A Career with the City of Portland offers many Employee Benefits
 
This summary outlines the benefit programs, actual benefits may vary depending on bargaining unit and employment status.

The City of Portland offers a comprehensive benefit package that is competitive with other private and public sector employers.

More detailed information can be obtained by calling the Benefits & Wellness Office at 503-823-6031.
 
  • A choice of two medical/vision plans and two dental plans.
  • Coverage is available to benefits-eligible employees, their spouse/domestic partner and eligible dependent children up to age 26.
  • For full time employees, the City pays 95% of the cost of coverage, you pay 5%.
  • The part-time employees' cost is pro-rated based on the number of hours in the employee's regular work schedule.
  • We offer many on-site fitness center locations and classes, stretching,
  • discounts to local fitness clubs,
  • smoking cessation benefits,
  • chronic care coaching programs,
  • worksite wellness screenings and flu shots.
  • Basic life insurance at no cost to full time employees.
  • Levels of coverage are based on bargaining units, employment status and/or annual salaries.
    • Supplemental life insurance - employees may purchase up to $500,000 for themselves
    • up to $300,000 for their spouse or domestic partner.
    • up to $25,000 for dependent children.
    • This coverage is portable upon retirement or separation. There are some limitations on coverage level.
  • Depending on your bargaining unit, you may be eligible for Basic Long Term disability coverage which will pay up to 40% of your basic monthly earnings up to $3,333 per month.
  • The benefit is available 60 days from the onset of the approved disability, or exhaustion of sick leave, whichever is later.
  • Preexisting condition limitations do apply.
  • Employees may also purchase an additional 20% (of your basic monthly earnings up to $1,667 per month) coverage.
Short-Term Disability
  • Depending on your bargaining unit, you may be eligible for Basic Short-Term disability coverage which will pay up to 40% of pre-disability earnings for eligible employees
  • The benefit is available after a 14-day waiting period, and can continue for 90 days.
  • Pre-existing condition limitations do apply.
  • Employees may also purchase an additional 20% benefit (of your basic monthly earnings up to $1,667 per month) coverage.
  • Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) provides confidential counseling services for employees and eligible dependents.
  • Effective July 1, 2013, the plan provides up to five free visits per year.
  • Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan (MERP) allows you to make pre-tax contributions to your account to pay for eligible medical/dental/vision expenses which are not paid by your health insurance (deductibles, co-pays, etc.)
  • Dependent Care Account Program (DCAP) allows you to pay for your eligible dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars. The maximum allowable you may contribute to this plan is $5,000. 
  • Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP)
    • The City currently pays the employee's share of the retirement contribution.
    • Employees who are OPSRP members are vested after five years of contributions or when they reach age 65 (age 60 for police and fire.)
  • Option to contribute a portion of your earnings on a pre-tax basis to the City's Deferred Compensation Program.
Paid Leave
  • 112 hours of vacation each year initially. This accrual will increase over time.
  • Sick leave typically accrues up to a maximum rate of 40 hours per calendar year
  • 10 paid holidays each year
  • Three personal days accrue each year
Family Medical Leave

In accordance with federal and state law, and the City policy for family medical leave, the City grants family and medical leave to eligible employees for certain family and medical related reasons.
 
  • City's TRIP Reduction Incentive Program (for transportation options)

01
Are you interested in being considered for the current vacant position in the Bureau of Environmental Services' (BES) Sustainable Stormwater Team? If you answer yes, you must also respond to supplemental questions 4, 5 & 6.
  • Yes
  • No
02
Are you interested in being considered for other future vacancies in BES?
  • Yes
  • No
03
Are you interested in being considered for future vacancies in the Water Bureau?
  • Yes
  • No
04
Please describe your knowledge of and experience with creating and designing innovative on-site sustainable stormwater facilities such as rain gardens, stormwater planters, green streets, and ecoroofs. Include your knowledge of plants/vegetation and their use in stormwater facilities in an urban environment and experience preparing landscape architectural design drawings, and construction details.
05
Please describe your: 1) ability to prepare design drawings in order to educate and communicate with others; 2) applicable computer skills (e.g. AutoCad); and 3) list certificates or registrations you hold, such as a registered Oregon Landscape Architect, that pertain to the position.
06
Please describe your experience and skills in overseeing and evaluating the work of technical staff.

Required Question

Agency
City of Portland
Address
1120 SW 5th Ave, Room 987

Portland, Oregon, 97204
Phone
503-823-4757