Risk Assessor / Toxicologist (Natural Resource Specialist 4 - Toxicologist)

Initial Posting Date:
11/30/2023
Application Deadline:
12/17/2023
Agency:
Department of Environmental Quality
Salary Range:
$5,932 - $9,108
Position Type:
Employee
Position Title:
Risk Assessor / Toxicologist (Natural Resource Specialist 4 - Toxicologist)
Job Description:
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality strives to build and sustain an inclusive environment that embraces and values diversity. Employees at all levels of the agency work together to foster fairness, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, veteran, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, or physical or mental disability. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may not meet every one of our listed preferred qualifications. Lived experience may count towards the preferred qualification. If you are excited about this position, we encourage you to apply. If you are unsure as to whether or not you meet the qualifications of this position, please contact us to discuss your application.
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. Here is a video about DEQ: https://youtu.be/E-Cs6M9AAlU
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has a full-time opportunity available for a Risk Assessor / Toxicologist (Natural Resource Specialist 4 - Toxicologist) in either Eugene or Salem, Oregon.
Please consider joining an innovative team, and work to advance our agency's mission to protect and improve Oregon's environmental quality. There are 3 regions (Northwest, Western, and Eastern); this position is in Western Region. The Regions provide the following services: compliance inspection of regulated entities; enforcement of permit requirements and administrative rules; issuance of air, water, and solid waste permits; investigation of complaints; issuance of subsurface permits; response to spills or other incidents with environmental impacts; direct contact and liaison with other governmental entities, industries, and the public; and technical assistance to regulated entities and the public.
The Western Region Environmental Cleanup Section operates in DEQ's Western Region and has
responsibility to ensure that releases of hazardous substances do not endanger public health or
the environment. This program is responsible for maintaining a site inventory, investigating and
monitoring sites, and site cleanup and restoration. Cleanup of hazardous substances has a direct relationship with DEQ's mission, which is to maintain, restore, and enhance, the quality of Oregon's air, land, and water.
Click here to view a map of all of the DEQ offices.
What you will do!
You will serve as the Risk Assessor / Toxicologist for the Oregon department of environmental Quality on the environmental hazards of toxic substances, with special emphasis on human health and ecological risk assessments. You will serve as the Risk Assessor on cleanup project technical teams directing and reviewing risk assessments, RI/FS work, and may include serving as the project manager on cleanup
sites. You will also have the opportunity to work with other agencies, toxicologists and Risk Assessors to
develop and review risk assessment guidance.
What are we looking for?
Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in toxicology, physical science, environmental science, Natural Resources, or a closely related field, AND 4 years of experience in a Natural Resource or environmental field (an equivalent combination of education and experience is acceptable).
• 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.
• 2 years of experience in environmental assessment, cleanup, and/or risk assessment.

Candidates who are most competitive will also reflect the following:

• 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.
• Experience performing or reviewing risk assessments, writing technical reports and recommendations, applying scientific and statistical methodologies, and applying environmental program rules and laws.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to provide informative, concise, and compelling communication of policy and technical information tailored to the needs of diverse audiences; skill in writing and presenting comprehensive and concise reports that include qualitative and quantitative analyses, recommendations, and conclusions to diverse audiences.
• Working knowledge of inorganic and organic chemistry, biology, zoology, and microbiology.
• Demonstrated experience in ecological risk assessment.
• Excellent project management skills, analytical skills, and organizational skills; prior regulatory experience in a project manager role, including experience planning, leading, and implementing projects and programs.

Working Conditions:
DEQ believes in a diverse and inclusive work environment. All employees are expected to contribute to a work environment that collectively values and benefits from respecting its diversity and promotes a culture of inclusiveness.
This position will be based out of a DEQ office in either Eugene or Salem, however, the successful candidate may be eligible for hybrid work. The logistics of hybrid work will need to be worked out with the Hiring Manager prior to your hire and may be changed at any time given specific job duties and business needs. DEQ will provide necessary hardware (laptop, monitor, keyboard, mouse, and cell phone) for an employee to successfully work from home. At DEQ sites, you will have access to a workspace, however, it may be shared with other employees.
This position requires occasional travel for field visits, to oversee, inspect, evaluate or conduct field investigations. During field visits, there may be exposure to unfavorable conditions, such as contaminated soil or water, airborne contaminants, vapors, and inclement weather.
How to Apply: (complete the application in full)

• Internal Applicants (current State of Oregon employees): Apply through your employee Workday account. View this knowledge article for assistance.

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Please Note: In addition to your related work experience and education, DEQ will use the desired attributes and minimum qualifications above, under the "What are we looking for?" section to determine whom to interview. Please make sure your attributes and minimum qualifications are clearly demonstrated in your application material.
Veterans Information:
DEQ provides veterans' preference points to all eligible veterans. For more information on veterans' preference, please visit Veterans Resources, or call the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs at: 1-800-692-9666. For privacy reasons, please do not attach veterans' preference documents when initially applying. You will be asked to submit those at a later time.
Work Authorization:
DEQ does not offer visa sponsorships. On the first day of employment, all hires will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security's Form I-9, confirming authorization to work in the United States. In addition, hires will have three business days from their first day of employment to present documents that establish employment authorization and identity. DEQ is an E-Verify employer and will use E-Verify to confirm that hires are authorized to work in the United States.
Questions/Need Help?
If you have questions about the recruitment or need assistance to participate in the application process, please contact Grecia Lora Motz, Human Resources Analyst, at grecia.loramotz@deq.oregon.gov or (503) 863-0621. TTY users: please use the Oregon Telecommunications Relay Service at 1-800-735-2900.