Technical Services Specialist (Clackamas Water Environment Services)

Clackamas County employees work to serve the public and enrich our community. In that spirit, we pledge to hold ourselves to these standards at all times in our interactions with customers and one another:

· Service · Professionalism · Integrity · Respect · Individual accountability · Trust

By incorporating these values into our daily routines, we can better serve our customers, ourselves and our projects. We’re always looking to improve. That’s the Clackamas County SPIRIT.

Clackamas County Core Values

Clackamas County is committed to building a community where people thrive, have a sense of safety, connection, and belonging, so that everyone is honored and celebrated for the richness in diversity they bring. We encourage applicants of diverse backgrounds and lived experience to apply.

This Job Posting closes at 11:59 p.m. (Pacific Time) on Monday, May 1, 2023.

Annual Pay Range: $73,991.21 - $94,860.55

Hourly Pay Range: $35.572696 - $45.606033

Salary offers will be made within the posted pay range and will be based on a candidate's experience (paid or unpaid) that is directly relevant to the position.

Clackamas County proudly offers an attractive compensation and benefits package, including competitive wages, cost-of-living adjustments, merit increases (for eligible employees), and a robust sick and vacation plan for regular status employees.

We encourage and support employee health and wellness by offering, health and wellness classes and events, and alternative care benefits, so you can customize your wellness needs to fit your lifestyle.

Employee benefits become effective the first of the month following an employee’s date of hire.

Attractive benefits package and incentives for employees in regular status positions are detailed below.

Generous paid time off package, including:

• 12 hours of vacation accrual per month
• 8 hours of sick accrual per month
• 10 paid holidays and 1 personal days per year

Other Benefits:

• Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP):
  • Employer-paid 6% PERS retirement contribution (The County currently pays the employee’s share of the retirement contribution.)
  • OPSRP members get vested after five years of contributions or when they reach age 65
• A Choice of Medical Plans that include chiropractic coverage, alternative care, vision, and prescription drug coverage
• A Choice of Dental Plans
• Robust EAP and wellness programs, including gym discounts and wellness education classes
• Longevity pay
• Other retirement Savings Options that allow for additional retirement funds savings, including an option to contribute a portion of employee earnings on a pre or post-tax basis to a 457b Deferred Compensation Plan
• A variety of additional optional benefits (see links below for additional information)

This is a full time County position represented by AFSCME.

AFSCME: Water Environment Services (WES) Full Time Benefits

Learn More About Benefits

Clackamas Water Environment Services (WES) is seeking a detailed Technical Services Specialist to join their team to support the work of its Environmental Services Division. The Division provides monitoring and assessment, pollution prevention, and permitting services to WES staff, permit applicants, and the broader community. The Technical Services Specialist performs highly technical work in support of environmental programs and initiatives to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local environmental protection laws, regulations, and permit requirements.

The Technical Services Specialist has responsibility for compliance with major environmental permits and work involves the application of scientific principals and knowledge for specific tasks including design and implementation of water quality programs, inspecting facilities and/or construction sites for environmental concerns or non-compliance issues, and responding to reports of illicit discharges and spills. Additionally, the Technical Services Specialist will work with WES's Surface Water Program for coordination with watershed councils, regional committees, and state associations.

The ideal candidate will have an Engineering or Environmental Science background, experience in permitting, constructions, and/or inspections, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and ability to apply a careful attention to detail to a wide variety of projects and deliverables.

Building a resilient clean water future where all people benefit and rivers thrive is our job. We do this by providing wastewater services, stormwater management, and environmental education. Our agency is committed to building a highly skilled collaborative team that values protecting public health, environmental stewardship, responsive customer service and teamwork. We’re on the search for experienced individuals who place a high value on the one water we all share.

Required Minimum Qualifications/Transferrable Skills:*

• A minimum of one (1) year of related experience that would provide the required knowledge and skills to perform the responsibilities of this position
• Knowledge of environmental and/or engineering principles and practices
• Knowledge of federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations regarding construction, utility, and/or environmental projects
• Experience performing environmental site inspections and or utility construction site inspections
• Experience analyzing and compiling data, and recordkeeping
• Demonstrated communication and interpersonal skills
• Experience working with a variety of stakeholders including customers, permit applicants, property/business owners and the public
• Driving may be necessary for County business. For position(s) with occasional/incidental driving, incumbents must possess a valid driver's license. Accommodation requests for an acceptable alternative method of transportation will be reviewed on an individual basis in compliance with State and Federal legislation. For position(s) with regular driving, incumbent(s) must also possess and maintain an acceptable driving record throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the County's driving policy .

Preferred Special Qualifications/ Transferrable Skills:*

• Education and/or training in Engineering, Environmental Science, Planning, or closely related field
• Experience in sanitary sewer and/or stormwater industry, including construction, erosion control, permitting, inspection, and pollution prevention
• Knowledge of principles of computer aided design (CAD), geographic information systems (GIS), engineering civil design, engineering mathematics, computer modeling, detailing, drafting and spec writing

• For Veterans qualified for Veteran’s Preference: If you believe you have skills that would transfer well to this position and/or special qualifications that relate to this position, please list those skills and/or qualifications in the open-ended question at the end of the application and explain how those skills and/or qualifications relate to this position.
  

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

Knowledge of :

• Principles of environmental science and engineering, including practices and techniques of environmental protection, enhancement, erosion control, and water quality/pollution control; specific knowledge of environmental regulations related to assigned program area; Methods, materials and standard engineering specifications used in the construction of storm and sewer collection facilities.
• Local, state, and federal laws and regulations relating to environmental programs and permit requirements.
• Graphic information system concepts, practices, and techniques including computer mapping.
• Relational databases / database management.
• Construction principles and standards.
• Standard office practices and procedures.
• Principles and practices of program/project planning and management.
• Principles of public outreach and involvement.

Skill to:

• Perform professional-level work independently, exercise independent judgment and initiative within established guidelines, understand and follow written and oral instructions.
• Read and interpret record drawings, maps and other GIS data.
• Conduct field investigations and inspections, exercising professionalism while implementing enforcement actions.
• Understand, interpret, explain, and apply laws, regulations, ordinances, and policies applicable to assigned environmental program responsibilities.
• Ensure compliance with environmental permit requirements.
• Monitor environmental incidents and enforce local, state, and federal laws.
• Prepare clear and concise records, and ensure proper maintenance of all required files, records, and documentation.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, representatives of governmental and community agencies, and the public.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Think and act strategically in a regulatory environment.
• Physically perform the essential functions of the job.

Duties in the field require walking, squatting, digging, bending, balancing, and involve exposure to confined spaces, loud noises, dust, slippery and/or uneven surfaces and adverse weather conditions.

This position is included in the County’s alternate workweek program, working 40 hours during a standard workweek of Monday through Thursday (Fridays off):

• Specific hours of work will be discussed with the candidate selected for this position at the time an offer of employment is extended.
• This position is eligible for hybrid on-site/telework subject to the Clackamas County Teleworking Policy and based on the Department’s business needs. The exact amount of on-site/telework and schedule will be discussed with the hiring manager during time of offer. Telework locations cannot be located outside of Oregon or Washington. Washington residents must perform 50% of their time on-site at Clackamas County.

Clackamas County is in a prime location in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area and is recognized nationally as one of the most livable areas in the United States. Located on the southern edge of the City of Portland and extending to the top of Mt. Hood, Clackamas County is part of a thriving region in the Northwest. It has a population of about 420,000 residents.

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ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

Clackamas Water Environment Services produces clean water and protects water quality for more than 190,000 people living and working in Clackamas County. We operate and maintain five resource recovery facilities, 23 pumping stations and hundreds of miles of pipes.

Each year, we clean more than seven billion gallons of water which we recover and turn into natural energy and fertilizer. We also help reduce pollution in local rivers, streams, and wetlands caused by surface and stormwater runoff, the number one source of water pollution in Oregon.

Learn more about Water Environment Services.

Clackamas County only accepts online applications.

Help With Your Application:

Application Process

Help with the Application

If you have any questions or issues you may contact the Department of Human Resources at 503-655-8459 or e-mail us. Our office hours are Monday - Thursday 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Pacific Time (closed on Fridays).

HOW TO CLAIM VETERAN'S PREFERENCE

Request Veterans' Preference

Learn more about the County's Veterans' Preference

VISA SPONSORSHIP

Clackamas County does not offer visa sponsorships. Once a job applicant has accepted a position, they will be required to complete an I-9 and confirm authorization to work in the United States prior to their first day.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Clackamas County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the Department of Human Resources prior to the recruitment close date. You may request an accommodation during the online application process.

Kelly Schaefer, Recruiter
KSchaefer@clackamas.us