Natural Resource Specialist 2 (Environmental Specialist)

~ The Oregon National Guard (ORNG) is constitutionally based in both the Federal and State Constitution and is commanded by The Adjutant General, who is appointed by the Governor. ~

The purpose of the Oregon Military Department (OMD) is to assist and support The Adjutant General in executing his Constitutional duties as Commander of the ORNG. The Adjutant General is statutorily required to command, provide administration, and oversee construction and maintenance of facilities, training camps and areas, and air bases for the Oregon Army and Air National Guard in support of the Governor. The ORNG provides the Governor with a ready force to assist civilian authorities during civil unrest or natural disasters, or responds to the President during national emergencies.

Within this military environment, OMD employees work in a wide range of occupations including armed security, fire fighters, repair/refurbish Department of Defense equipment, support youth activities, operate and maintain over 400 facilities throughout the state, manage major construction projects, and provide expertise in environmental compliance as well as managing the agency's budget and fiscal resources, providing human resource management and payroll activities for State employees, and soldiers and airmen called for State Active Duty.

Our positions mirror the wide variety of skills and knowledge needed to support the ORNG mission. If you are interested in an opportunity to work in a complex, fast-paced military environment, please consider applying for a position with the OMD.

Position Overview

Natural Resource Specialists exist within the Environmental Branch of the Installations Division of the Oregon Military Department (OMD). The Installations Division includes the Operations and Maintenance Branch, Planning and Programming Branch, Construction Branch, Environmental Branch and Support Branch. The Installations Division is responsible for acquisition and disposal of land and facilities; design and construction of new facilities, operation, maintenance, repair and alteration of existing facilities, and agency environmental compliance.

The Division also constructs, maintains, and operates joint facilities for other federal, state and local agencies including the US Navy, US Marine Corps, Bureau of Land Management, US Department of Forestry, OR State Police, OR Department of Transportation, OR Department of Corrections, universities and community colleges. The O&M Branch is responsible for the operation, maintenance, repair, and alteration of all Oregon Army National Guard (ORARNG) real property.

• This is a full-time, permanent position with the Oregon Military Department's Adjutant General Installation's Division located in Salem, Oregon.
• You are not required to be a member of the Oregon National Guard to apply for this position.
• This position is represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees' (AFSCME) Union.
• Note: This recruitment announcement will be used to establish a list of qualified candidates to fill the current vacancy and may be used to fill future vacancies as they occur.

Responsibilities

• This position works under the direction of the Environmental Program Manager and with guidance from the Natural Resource Specialist 4 environmental media managers located at the Oregon National Guard Joint Forces Headquarters (JFHQ) in Salem, Oregon, to implement agency environmental program at Agency Installations throughout Oregon.
• This position is responsible for supporting the interdisciplinary environmental program elements including Compliance, Conservation, Cleanup, Pollution Prevention, Assessments and Evaluations and the Environmental Technical Support Specialist.
• The position conducts field work in support of permit and regulatory sampling, monitoring and reporting; reviews and evaluates documents and data; supports evaluations and solution development for difficult natural and cultural resource management problems; supports research or compliance investigations and inspections; supports various project and program activities; and provides technical assistance for regulated facilities and activities.
• The employee coordinates routinely and frequently with the Environmental Program Manager and Natural Resources Specialist 4 environmental media managers at JFHQ; interacts with Installations Division personnel, tenants and customers of the Installations Division and Oregon National Guard, Oregon Army National Guard commands, and water supply and wastewater treatment operators; participates in meetings with federal, state, and local agencies, National Guard Bureau (NGB), and other agency directorates and personnel.
• The employee supports implementation of agency environmental program in accordance with Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Army (DA), and NGB and ORARNG policies and guidance, particularly Army Regulation 200-1 and ORARNG Regulation 200-1; and with other federal, state, and local laws.
• The employee is required to maintain current knowledge of environmental and natural resources laws, regulations, and requirements.

Compliance:

• Support implementation of agency environmental Compliance program including requirements for Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures, Clean Air Act, Hazardous Waste Management, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and Toxic Substances Control Act.
• Perform routine required monitoring at Agency Installations statewide following quality assurance procedures.
• Procure, prepare, calibrate and maintain field equipment and meters; design, construct or modify monitoring equipment; collect and preserve analytical environmental samples (e.g. water, soil, air, wastes) for evaluating water quality and wastewater discharges, characterizing and evaluating nature and extent of contamination, and waste determinations; perform field measurements (e.g. pH, temperature, conductivity, flow).
• Follow quality assurance procedures and conduct quality assurance checks on monitoring actions.
• Assist with preparation of permit applications and renewals; assist Agency personnel and wastewater and water supply system operators with requirements; assist with facility inspections and assessments; support evaluating compliance with internal plans and regulations; provide technical assistance and guidance to correct problems; maintain and manipulate computer databases to insure completeness and accuracy and document findings and required corrective actions in correspondence with managers.

Conservation:

• Support implementation of agency environmental Conservation program including requirements for Army Compatible Use Buffer, Wildland Fire, Sikes Act, Integrated Natural Resources Management Plans, Endangered Species Act, Threatened and Endangered Species, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Clean Water Act (wetlands), Federal Insecticide Fungicide and Rodentcide Act, Integrated Cultural Resources Management Plans, American Indian Religious Freedom Act, Archaeological Resources Protection Act, Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, and National Historic Preservation Act. Support research, surveys, and field investigations.
• Support implementation of Integrated Natural Resource Management Plans, support development of technical scopes of work and projects for environmental resource identification, investigation, and management plans.
• Support definition and coordination of agency efforts to comply with applicable federal and state threatened and endangered species requirements.

Environmental Database and Records Management:

• Support Environmental Technical Support Specialist (ETSS) in implementation of Army and NGB environmental databases (e.g. Status Tool for the Environmental Program [STEP], Army Environmental Database [AEDB], NGB Environmental Quality-Reporting [EQ-R].

Cleanup:

• Support implementation of agency environmental Cleanup program including requirements for the Army Compliance-Related Cleanup Program and Defense Environmental Restoration Program.
• Support environmental contaminant investigation and restoration activities, provide coordination of contractor activities on-site, and assist in regulatory visits.

Pollution Prevention:

• Support implementation of agency Pollution Prevention program including requirements for Pollution Prevention, Hazardous Materials, and Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know.
• Support environmental Pollution Prevention activities including data collection and assisting in pollution prevention opportunity assessments.

Assessments and Evaluations:

• Support implementation of agency environmental Assessments and Evaluations program including requirements for Environmental Condition of Property assessments and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) evaluations.
• Support preparation of required NEPA documents for applicable programs and plans. Support environmental Assessments and Evaluations activities including data collection and coordination of contractor activities on-site.

Technical Assistance:

• Support inspection and assessment activities; monitor compliance.
• Provide technical assistance, training, and appropriate guidance.
• Support preparation of agency plans, regulations and internal guidance.
• Provide technical assistance, as required; prepare reports and document findings and required corrective action in coordination with managers.
• Support review of environmental documents, regulations, management plans, and corrective action plans.

Other Duties and Requirements:

• Maintain knowledge of current environmental regulations within areas of responsibility and on environmental sampling and monitoring methodologies, requirements and issues. Attend NGB training and other training opportunities, as required.
• Attend internal Agency meetings and public meetings/hearings, as required.
• Complete other duties and special projects, as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• A Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Geography, Natural or Earth Sciences, or a related field.

-AND-

2 years of experience in an environmental or natural resource program performing activities such as sampling and monitoring, conducting assessments, investigations, applying pertinent laws and regulations, or monitoring project activities.

**OR**

• A Master's degree in Environmental Science, Geography, Natural or Earth Sciences, or a related field.

-AND-

• 1 year of experience in an environmental or natural resource program performing activities such as sampling and monitoring, conducting assessments, investigations, applying pertinent laws and regulations, or monitoring project activities.

Work Experience:

• The work experience section of your application must include a clear description of your experience in order to determine if you meet the required skills (minimum and special qualifications) and at what level you meet the requested skills.
• Your answers to supplemental questions about your specific experience must also be supported in the work experience statements in your application form or, if requested, your resume.
• Supplemental materials such as cover letters and/or a resume will NOT be reviewed or used to determine candidate's qualifications unless the posting specifically states those materials are required from applicants.
• Work experience is based on a 40-hour work week. (Example: 20 hours a week for one year would equal six-months of work experience.)
• To receive credit for all required degrees or required/related coursework, a photocopy of transcripts is MUST be attached to your application.

Additional Requirements:

• Must possess a driver license and maintain a good driving record.
• Employee is required to maintain a drug/alcohol free workplace in accordance with the 1988 Drug-Free Workplace Act, OMD Drug/Alcohol Testing Policy and applicable collective bargaining agreement.
• Must have and maintain a favorable Criminal background History check and be able to obtain and maintain a favorable National Agency Check with Inquiries (NACI) Suitability Determination.
• Conviction of a crime will not automatically preclude appointment, the circumstances involved in the conviction will be considered.

Conditions of Employment:

• Must be HAZWOPER certified (or capable of obtaining certification within 120 days of employment), and maintaining certification.

Requested Skills:

• Accuracy in observing and recording data and information.
• Experience planning and performing environmental field work including sampling and monitoring.
• Experience interpreting laws, regulations, agency guidance and procedures.
• Excellent skill communicating verbally and in writing to answer questions and explain information.
• Experience using Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

Working Conditions:

• Incumbent works in a politically sensitive setting, under own initiative and the supervision of the Environmental Program Manager.
• Frequent coordination with supervisor is mandatory to ensure program initiatives and efforts are aligned to agency mission strategies and execution.
• Extra hours are often required, as is distant overnight travel throughout the state.
• Work is conducted in a combination of office and field environments or at agency facilities; with possible inclement weather conditions; the presence of environmental, safety, and occupational health hazards; loud noises; hazardous chemicals; and the presence of air contaminants.
• Incumbent is required to operate state-owned motor vehicles, obeying all traffic laws, have a valid driver's license with a satisfactory driving record; frequently walk and work in extremely steep, uneven and slippery terrain in all weather conditions with ability to lift up to 50 pounds; and have knowledge on when, where and how to properly don, doff and maintain appropriate Personnel Protective Equipment.
• Must participate in NGB-sponsored training and workshops to ensure an understanding of applicable policy and to meet operational requirements, and out-of-state travel is often necessary to meet this need.