ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION SPECIALIST I - Hazardous Waste

Salary : $62,568.00 - $92,424.00 Annually

Location : Denver, CO

Job Type: Full Time

Job Number: FAA01741-09/06/23

Department: Department of Public Health & Environment

Division: Hazardous Materials & Waste Management Division

Opening Date: 09/06/2023

Closing Date: 9/19/2023 5:00 PM Mountain

Primary Physical Work Address: 4300 Cherry Creek Dr S

FLSA Status: Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.

This posting is only open to Colorado residents. - an exemption contingent upon residency waiver
Department Information

This position is only open to Colorado state residents.

Be BOLD and make a real difference . . .

Do you desire a career that provides you with opportunities to improve the world around you? The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is seeking diverse individuals from all backgrounds to apply for a career position that makes a direct impact on improving the lives of Colorado citizens. Our mission is to advance Colorado's health and protect the places we live, work, learn, and play. Our vision is to create a healthy and sustainable Colorado where current and future generations thrive.

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, consider joining the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Our tobacco-free campus offers free parking and is conveniently located near RTD bus lines, the Cherry Creek Shopping Center, Glendale City Set, and the Cherry Creek bike path. In addition to a great location and rewarding, meaningful work, we offer:

• Employee wellness programs and facilities
• Extensive internal professional development opportunities on a wide variety of subjects
• Bike to work programs, including access to storage lockers and bike racks
• Distinctive career advancement opportunities throughout the State system
• Strong, yet flexible retirement benefits including a choice of the PERA Defined Benefit Plan or the PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus optional 401K and 457 plans
• Medical and dental health plans
• Paid life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• 11 paid holidays per year plus generous personal time off
• Mentoring program with opportunities for mentors and mentees
• Tuition assistance for college-level courses including Masters degree programs
• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, and
• A variety of employee resource groups

We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of diverse backgrounds and abilities.
Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, go to: https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/pslfFlow.action#!/pslf/launch
Description of Job
Work Unit
The Hazardous Waste Compliance Assurance Unit within the Hazardous Waste Program exists to protect human health and the environment by ensuring the safe management of regulated hazardous waste at hazardous waste generator facilities and treatment, storage, and disposal facilities. This is accomplished by ensuring compliance with Division-issued permits for the treatment, storage and/or disposal of hazardous waste, ensuring compliance with the Colorado Hazardous Waste Regulations, conducting inspections at regulated facilities, and counseling and educating industry, the public, and other units of government on the implementation and enforcement of the hazardous waste regulations.

The work unit also provides technical assistance to businesses through a subsection of the unit called the Generator Assistance Program. The Generator Assistance Program provides regulatory assistance under conditional amnesty for facilities that generate, transport, treat, store, or dispose of hazardous waste. Inspectors in this program conduct site visits that include evaluations of processes and operations, reviews of records, plans, and documents. The Generator Assistance Program also provides cross media assistance through coordination with other Divisions at CDPHE.

The Position
This position exists to improve the management of hazardous waste, in the state of Colorado through education, training workshops, compliance assistance, site visits, and technical support. Determines if facilities generating and managing hazardous waste are complying with the hazardous waste statutes and regulations; evaluates site specific conditions including sample collection if necessary; conducts case development where violations are observed, initiates enforcement actions, provides investigatory, technical and regulatory support of administrative, civil and criminal litigation and appeals to enforcement actions; and provides onsite compliance assistance.

Under direct supervision or as a team member, prepares for inspections by thoroughly reviewing and researching documents and records accessing information related to hazardous waste generation and management. Records include documentation of facility processes and operations, chemicals used, and the chemical and physical properties of waste generated. Participates in comprehensive field inspections, at complex hazardous waste management facilities to determine if the facility's management of hazardous waste
is conducted in compliance with the technical, substantive and procedural requirements of the regulations. Interviews facility employees and environmental compliance personnel as a team member. Follows up to citizen reports of improper/illegal hazardous waste management. Participates in the preparation of detailed factual reports of inspections, which can be used to support Department enforcement actions.
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
Minimum Qualifications
Five (5) years of full-time work experience demonstrating knowledge of and environmental regulations and field inspections.
OR
A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in biology, chemistry, geology, environmental science, earth sciences, industrial hygiene, or a related field.
AND
One (1) year of experience in demonstrating knowledge of and experience with technical reviews and writing as well as working within a regulatory framework.
OR
Masters from an accredited college or university in environmental studies, or a related field may substitute for the professional experience on a year-for-year basis. (Substitution)

Substitutions
A combination of professional experience in working with the environmental regulations and/or conducting field inspections as described in the minimum qualifications above, which provided the same kind, amount and level of knowledge acquired in the required education, may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the bachelor's degree.

This experience must be substantiated within the Work Experience section of your application. "See Resume" will not be accepted. In addition, part-time work will be prorated

A copy of your transcripts must be submitted at the time of application. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.

Preferred Qualifications and Essential Competencies:
The preferred experience, competencies, and abilities are highly desirable for this position and will be considered in selecting the successful candidate:

• Knowledge and experience providing technical oversight of the characterization and remediation of contaminated sites.
• Experience conducting technical reviews, audits and/or inspections.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills, with keen attention to details.
• Knowledge and experience writing technical reports.
• Ability to interpret regulations and statutes.
• Strong verbal and written communications skills and effective listening skills.
• Ability to multi-task and problem solve.
• Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing with a wide range of customers.
• Excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Ability to collaborate and achieve consensus with a variety of customers and organizations.
• Experience providing compliance assistance.
• Ability to work well independently as well as in/with a team.
• Keen attention to detail.
• Ability to interpret and analyze data.

Conditions of Employment
A pre-employment background check will be conducted as part of the selection process. Felony convictions or conviction of crimes of moral turpitude or convictions of misdemeanors related to job duties may disqualify you from being considered for this position. Should your background check reveal any charges and convictions, it is your responsibility to provide the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Human Resources office with an official disposition of any charges. As a condition of employment, you will be required to submit to a background check if offered the position.

This position requires in-state the travel of up to 20% during the year for site inspections.

Participate in medical monitoring to be able to wear a respirator during site inspections.

Supplemental Information
Applicant Checklist: The following must be submitted by the application deadline.
1. A completed State of Colorado application submitted online via governmentjobs.com by the application deadline.
2. A cover letter that describes how your experience aligns with the minimum and
preferred qualifications of this position. Cover letters must be uploaded as an attachment to
your governmentjobs.com application. Cover letters will not be accepted after the closing date and time of the announcement.
3. If using education to qualify, you must attach a transcript. Does not have to be an official copy.

The Selection Process: Applicants will be notified at each step in the selection process via
email. Emails will come from info@governmentjobs.com.

1. All applications that are received by the closing of this announcement will be reviewed
against the Minimum Qualifications in this announcement. Candidates who meet the
minimum qualifications proceed to the next step.

2. Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted based on merit and fitness through a comparative analysis process. Part of, or all of, the comparative analysis for this position may be a structured application review, which involves a review of the information you submit in your application materials by Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) against the preferred qualifications.

3. A top group, up to six candidates, will be invited to schedule an interview with the hiring
manager.

Appeal Rights:
If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for the
position or that as a result of no longer being considered, you were discriminated against, you may protest the action by filing an appeal with the State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director within 10 days from the date you receive notice of the elimination. Also, if you wish to challenge the selection and comparative analysis process, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director within 10 days from the receipt of notice or knowledge of the action you are challenging. If an applicant seeks to have an allegation of discrimination reviewed by the Board, that person must file an appeal (petition for hearing) within 10 days of the action or receipt of any final written selection decision. Refer to Chapters 4 and 8 of the State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, 4 CCR 801, for more information about the appeals process. The State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures are available at www.colorado.gov/spb. A standard appeal form is available at: www.colorado.gov/spb. If you appeal, your appeal must be submitted in writing on the official appeal form, signed by you or representative, and received at the following address within 10 days of your receipt of notice or knowledge of the action: Colorado State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director, Attn: Appeals Processing, 1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver, CO 80203. Fax: 303-866-5038. Phone: 303-866-3300. The ten-day deadline and these appeal procedures also applies to all charges of discrimination.

The State of Colorado offers permanent employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, as well as a comprehensive leave program. Please click the following link for detailed information:

Please note that each agency's contact information is different; therefore, we encourage all applicants to view the full, official job announcement which includes contact information and class title. Select the job you wish to view, then click on the "Print" icon.

01

Applicants for State of Colorado classified positions must be current residents of Colorado. Are you a current resident of the State of Colorado who can provide proof of Colorado residency?

• Yes
• No

02

A pre-employment criminal background check will be conducted as part of the selection process. Should your background check reveal any charges and convictions, it is your responsibility to provide the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Human Resources office with an official disposition of any charges. As a condition of employment, are you willing and able to submit to a background check if offered the position?

• Yes
• No

03

Are you willing and able to independently travel approximately 20% during the yea, and participate in medical monitoring in order to ware a respirator during inspections to fulfill the duties of this position?

• Yes
• No

04

Describe your knowledge and experience gathering, analyzing, and interpreting analytical data.

05

Please describe your experience with regulations and related compliance activities.

06

Please describe your experience with environmental contamination, including sampling and analysis activities performed for characterization purposes. Please include the relevant waste streams involved in the activities and the length of time that the work encompassed.

Required Question