Bend, OR | Eugene, OR |The Dalles, OR 

Position Title: Water Quality Certification and Hydropower Specialist

Organization: Oregon DEQ

Location: Bend, OR | Eugene, OR |The Dalles, OR 

Position Overview: You will work with the 401 Hydropower Program Coordinator and other water quality program staff to evaluate projects seeking authorization from DEQ under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act. You will provide technical expertise in water quality data analysis and evaluation for the Section 401 Water Quality Certification program. In addition, you may coordinate the decommissioning of hydropower projects or surrender of licensing under FERC procedures and may lead or support the evaluation of Section 401 certification applications for other Federal agency activities, including US Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau or Ocean Energy Management, and/or US Forest Service.

Duties:

• Evaluate 401 Certification application materials, water quality data, and other environmental documents submitted by hydroelectric facility owners and operators, or other entities, for adequacy and consistency and compliance with applicable state water quality requirements.
• Prepare routine written correspondence, reports, and presentations that present conclusions and information clearly.  
• Coordinate both virtually and via in-person settings with other state agencies, federal agencies, Tribes, local governments, and other interested parties on issues related to hydropower and water quality.
• Advise hydropower facility operators on implementation of adaptive management plans, best management practices, or other measures to prevent or address water quality impairments or violations.
• Conduct annual or seasonal site visits to hydropower facilities to ensure compliance with certification conditions, including monitoring plans.
• Review and approve water quality monitoring plans and compliance reports for consistency with required Section 401 Water Quality Certification conditions.
• Collaborate and consult with other DEQ water quality program staff to ensure Section 401 Water Quality Certification and facility compliance with water quality standards and water quality improvement plans, also known as Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs).

Qualifications: 

• 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 working with hydropower or energy sector facilities.
• Knowledge of regulations and permitting requirements for wetlands, threatened and endangered species, stormwater, erosion & sediment control, cultural resources and architectural history, the National Environmental Policy Act, and/or FERC Filings.
• Experience working with state requirements and federal basis for Clean Water Act Section 401 certification.
• Demonstrated experience conducting inspections or conducting data analysis to determine facility compliance with permit requirements or conditions; knowledge and skills for performing data analysis, research, drafting regulatory findings and writing certification-related documents.
• Experience or training in the development, design, and implementation of water quality sampling plans.
• Experience in negotiations with applicants or regulators pertaining to environmental permitting requirements. 
• Experience planning, leading, and implementing projects and programs; specific project management experience directing all phases of environmental permitting or planning projects (developing or reviewing complex data sets and reports, development of limits, findings, and conditions through analysis and negotiations with regulators or applicants).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to provide clear, concise, and compelling communication of policy and technical information tailored to the needs of diverse audiences; skill in writing and presenting clear and concise reports that include qualitative and quantitative analyses, recommendations, and conclusions to diverse audiences.
• Ability to relate technical issues to policies for water quality protection, and an ability to present complex technical information and controversial environmental issues to audiences unfamiliar with the subject matter.
• Experience representing an agency or organization in meetings with the public, the regulated community, and/or other organizations.
• Possess self-motivation, attention-to-detail, and interest and skills to work in a team-oriented setting.

Salary/Pay: $5,746 – $8,831

Application Deadline: 9/08/2024

How to Apply: Please use the online application to view the full job description as well as how to apply.