Environmental Compliance Specialist (Environmental Specialist) - Public Works

Are you passionate about protecting the environment and ensuring compliance with crucial regulations? Do you have a knack for navigating complex environmental challenges and love working with data? Marion County is looking for an innovative and driven Environmental Compliance Specialist to join our team. This role offers the perfect blend of fieldwork, data analysis, collaboration, and community engagement, all while making a significant impact on the health and sustainability of our environment and community. GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES Coordinates environmental programs and efforts in Marion County's project development process and operations/maintenance activities. Supports the county's objectives and mission, employees in this class coordinate the planning and manage the development of a group of projects requiring discretion; or are staff experts responsible for one or more specialized environmental programs. SUPERVISION RECEIVED Works independently under the general supervision of a supervisor or manager using department and program-related statutes, regulations and other guidelines and interpretations. Employees in this class consult with a supervisor as necessary to obtain clarification of expected results, to report progress toward completion of assignments, and to confirm interpretation of regulations and policies, or occasionally seek guidance in complicated or less defined areas. SUPERVISION EXERCISED Supervision of others is not a responsibility of this position, however, may be assigned lead responsibility over temporary and/or summer employees. Typical Duties - Duties include, but are not limited to the following Lead Environmental Compliance Efforts: You’ll be the go-to expert for coordinating and overseeing the Public Works Operations Best Management Practices (BMP) Program, NPDES MS4 Phase II permit, TMDL plans, and other essential permits and regulations. Your role involves tracking compliance, gathering and analyzing data, crafting policies and procedures, and preparing the necessary ordinances, county codes, and reports. You’ll collaborate with internal teams and external partners to continuously enhance practices related to environmental compliance, covering everything from facility operations to stormwater system maintenance. You’ll also play a key role in raising awareness and providing training on these programs to employees and stakeholders. Data Collection and Communication: Utilize tools like ArcGIS and other software applications to meet permit requirements and support environmental asset management. Develop basic field applications, track stormwater system infrastructure, analyze data, and train staff in field data collection and usage. Represent Marion County in Environmental Matters: Represent Marion County in consultations with federal, state, and local agencies, private consultants, and the public. You’ll negotiate permit conditions, mitigation measures, and project changes with officials, providing technical expertise to resolve complex environmental issues. Your work will ensure that our projects comply with regulations, including obtaining the necessary permits for various environmental and natural resource concerns. Drive Environmental Research and Reporting: Conduct and report on studies related to environmental or natural resource issues. Evaluate data from pollution sources, assess regulatory compliance, and analyze trends. Design and conduct environmental research, establishing methodologies that will evaluate the impacts of projects or programs on the environment. Your findings will help shape the future of Marion County’s environmental initiatives. Engage and Educate the Community: Prepare and distribute educational and promotional outreach materials on relevant environmental and natural resource topics. Engage with community groups, respond to water quality concerns, and potentially present to the County Commissioner and other political bodies. Your efforts will help foster a well-informed and engaged community, promoting environmental stewardship. May participate in basic incident command training and drills to maintain proficiency in supporting Emergency Operations Center activities. Emergency Management duties may require working long hours outside normal business hours, weekend/holiday work, and may occur with little or no advance notice and may report to alternative report to work locations. Other duties as assigned by your supervisor. Requirements for the Position EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING Bachelor's degree with major coursework in an environmental, physical, or natural science, engineering, or a closely related field; AND Two years of environmental analysis or resource project management experience; OR Any satisfactory combination of work, education, training, or experience relevant to the position, as determined by Marion County. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS (individual recruitment will specify details) Must possess a current driver's license in the applicant's state of residence and an acceptable driving history. Marion County will obtain a copy of the driving record for all qualified applicants from Driver and Motor Vehicle Services and review the driving record according to the Marion County policy and procedure for Driving on County Business. The policy can be found at: http://apps.co.marion.or.us/APAP/. The finalist for this position will be required to pass a criminal history background check, which may include finger printing; however, conviction of a crime may not necessarily disqualify an individual for this position. Additional Requirements Specific recruitments may require experience, or other specialized education, certifications, training, or licensures with time-sensitive expectations. This is a full-time position, which is eligible for overtime. This position is represented by a union. Work schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00 am - 3:30 pm, with flexibility depending upon the needs of the department. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES Working knowledge of one or more environmental disciplines (such as water resources, geology, biology, land use, cultural resources, hazardous materials, air quality, energy, ecology, botany, entomology); environmental theories, principles and practices; methods and techniques of project management and program administration. Skill in exercising professional judgment and independent decision making; identifying the scope of an assigned project and determining logical action to meet requirements and deadlines; organizing and conducting many activities simultaneously; negotiating solutions to complex environmental problems; interpreting environmental rules, regulations, policies and practices and applying them to specific project situations; conducting data analysis; interpreting and analyzing general and technical information to determine the significance of resources and environmental impacts in relation to legal requirements. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS Operates a motor vehicle; rapid-mental/hand-eye coordination; sees using depth perception; distinguish colors and shades; stands; sits; stoops; moves about the work area; climbs 1 floor of stairs; reaches overhead; lifts up to 50 lbs.; pushes, pulls, and moves carts up to 100 lbs.; carries items up to 10 feet weighing up to 50 lbs.; operates a computer and keyboard; speaks clearly and audibly; reads a 12 pt. font; hears a normal level of speech, whispered level, and vehicle movement (including trains); work safely in moving traffic and construction zones; work on and traverse wet and uneven terrain; may have exposure to heat, cold, humidity, dust; smoke; vibration, and noise; works predominantly indoors, but at times will be working outdoors year round, exposed to Oregon Willamette Valley weather. Works along roadways, among moving traffic, dealing with potentially angry or uncooperative people, around construction equipment and crews, entering private property to contact citizens, and work independently in the field. PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN FORGIVENESS Marion County is a qualifying public employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, full-time employees working at the County may qualify for forgiveness of the remaining balance on Direct Loans after 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan. Questions about your loan eligibility should be directed to your loan servicer or the US Department of Education. VETERANS’ PREFERENCE Applicants are eligible to use Veterans’ Preference when applying with Marion County in accordance with ORS 408.225, 408.230, and 408.235 and OAR 105-040-0010 and 105-040-0015. Preference will be awarded only if the applicant meets the minimum requirements of the position and attaches the required documentation at the time of application. VISA SPONSORSHIP Marion County does not offer VISA sponsorship. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security’s I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. Marion County is an E-Verify employer and will use E-Verify to confirm that hires are authorized to work in the United States. DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR VETERANS’ PREFERENCE One of the following: MEMBER COPY 4 of the Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214 or 215); OR Letter from the US Department of Veterans Affairs indicating receipt of a non-service connected pension; OR Certification that discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions will take place not later than 120 days after the submission of the certificate. In addition to one of the above documents, Disabled Veterans must also submit one of the following: A copy of their Veterans disability preference letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs; OR Certification that medical separation from active duty under honorable conditions will take place not later than 120 days after the submission of the certificate. You can request copies of your military service record through the National Archives website at http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/ Marion County is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, Veteran and Disability employer committed to increasing the diversity of its workforce.