Natural Resource Specialist 4 (Geotechnical Specialist): This job posting is being reopened and revised. The location of the position has been changed to offer several options. The licensing requirement clarified and salary information updated (see below). All applicants who applied under job posting number ODF17-0099 and have already qualified do not need to reapply, your application will be considered with this job posting.
There is currently one permanent full-time position open with the Oregon Department of Forestry located in the Southern Oregon Area. The position's location can be at one of the following District/Unit offices: Coos Bay, Roseburg or Veneta. This recruitment will be used to establish a list of qualified candidates for this position and may be used to fill future vacancies. For specific questions regarding this position, please contact Dave Lorenz, Southern Oregon Area Director, at (541) 953-8164.
UNDERFILL OPTION: The goal of this recruitment is to fill positions at the Natural Resource 4 level, however, we encourage candidates who meet the minimum qualifications for Natural Resource Specialist 3 level to apply. If we are unable to fill the positions at the higher level we will consider underfilling them at the Natural Resource Specialist 3 level until the selected candidate meets the minimum qualifications for the Natural Resource Specialist 4 level. Minimum qualifications for both the Natural Resource Specialist 4 and Natural Resource Specialist 3 are located in the Qualifications & Desired Attributes Section of this announcement.
The Oregon Department of Forestry's (ODF) Mission is – To serve the people of Oregon through the protection, management, and promotion of a healthy forest environment, which will enhance Oregon's livability and economy for today and tomorrow. ODF is a multi-programmed, multi-funded public agency chartered and structured to administer the forest laws and policies of the State of Oregon, within the framework of sustainable forests, for the benefit of all Oregonians.
This position exists to support both the Private Forests and State Forests Management programs, primarily in the Southern Oregon Area. The primary function is as the Area geotechnical specialist. One of the purposes of the Private Forests Program is to
assure continuous growing and harvesting of forest tree species while minimizing negative effects to resources identified in the Forest Practices Act (FPA) and Forest Practices Rules (FPR). The purpose of the State Forests Program is to manage State forests according to applicable statutes, rules, policies and directives in a technically sound manner. Both programs are statewide in scope and serve State of Oregon forestry needs in major areas of importance. In both programs, the general public, forest landowners, forest operators and the forest industry are primarily affected. These programs support the Agency's mission to provide a variety of forest-related services to the citizens and to administer the forest laws and policies of the State of Oregon.
The primary purpose of this position is to: 1) Provide geotechnical engineering expertise in the area of slope stability, geomorphology, soil erosion, forest operation, earth processes, hydrology, hydraulics and other technical subjects; 2) Analyze proposed administrative rules, policies and guidance and make recommendations regarding adequacy relative to administrative consistency, geotechnical engineering feasibility and impacts on field administration of the FPA, forest operations and natural resource protection; 3) Work with other agency technical specialists to insure consistent application of agency policy.
The Oregon Department of Forestry: Serving Oregonians by protecting Oregon's forests.
Duties & Responsibilities
Provide geotechnical engineering expertise, consult with and provide advice to Oregon Department of Forestry, industrial and non-industrial private forest landowners as well as state and federal personnel by:
In consultation with State Forest and Private Forest personnel, provides advice and makes recommendations regarding acceptable geotechnical engineering management practices for the location, design, construction and maintenance of roads, waste areas, landings or rock pits as well as harvesting on sites where such activities may impact waters of the state, natural resources and public safety.
Effectively recommends/provides advice on risk of mass earth movement and surface soil erosion.
Provide geotechnical related hydrologic and hydraulic design input to forest road stream crossing structures and road drainage projects.
Providing technical and operational input into the development of district Annual Operations Plans (AOP's) and follow-up with field consultations as necessary.
Monitoring on-going forest operations and/or naturally occurring slope stability issues, to prevent damage to resources protected by the Oregon Forest Practices Act.
Reviewing post-operations problems, analyzing causative factors and recommending solutions.
Responding to citizen, agency and organization complaints that arise as a result of proposed on-going or completed forest operations.
Serving as a resource for (non-FPA) geotechnical matters, particularly to other state (ODF&W, DEQ, DOGAMI, DSL, etc.) and federal agencies.
Provide reports and documentation of geotechnical reviews, investigations, and general consultation as appropriate.
Reviews reports and work of geotechnical consultants and makes recommendations to ODF staff regarding accuracy of reports.
Testifies in court or hearings as an expert witness when necessary.
Builds effective working relationships and effectively communicates geotechnical information to stakeholders, partners and customers internal and external to the Department of Forestry.
Provide geotechnical engineering expertise and FPA field administration perspective in the development and/or review of statute, rule or policy documents. Maintain regular contact with Salem FPA staff in order to provide field administrative perspective in the development and/or review of statute, rule or policy documents.
Develop and/or assist in training for ODF and industry personnel relative to:
Geotechnical Engineering
Division 623 of the Oregon Forest Practices Act
Incident Management (i.e. I-xxx courses)
Miscellaneous duties:
Serve on area and statewide task forces and work groups as assigned
Complete other special projects as assigned
Because the Department's highest priority work is a forest fire emergency, this position may be utilized during those emergencies to provide assistance in a variety of ways. That assistance may be directly aiding the emergency effort in the field or at the Salem headquarters. It also may be in providing backup to fill in for another position that is being used in direct aid to the emergency, or it may be in performing an essential function in some capacity, either within this Program or elsewhere in Salem or in the field.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Employee must be able to work outdoors, walk over rough terrain in variable weather conditions. There is frequent out-of-town travel and working hours outside the 0800 to 1700 regularly scheduled day. Required to drive an assigned vehicle, obeying all traffic laws.
Qualifications, Required & Requested Skills
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Natural Resource Specialist 4 ($4,765 – $6,977)*
Four years of experience in Engineering Geology, Geotechnical Engineering, Forestry Engineering, Forestry, Geology or related natural resource field. At least one year of the experience must be 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; and a Bachelor's degree in Engineering Geology, Geotechnical Engineering, Forestry Engineering, Forestry, Geology or related natural resource field, or four additional years of related forestry geotechnical specialist experience.
A Master's degree in Engineering Geology, Geotechnical Engineering, Forestry Engineering, Forestry, Geology or related natural resource field will substitute for one year of the required experience. A Doctorate degree will substitute for two years of the required experience.
You must provide a copy of your registration as a State of Oregon Certified Engineering Geologist or Professional Engineer in the attachment section of your application.
*The NRS4 level is eligible for a 5% special qualifications differential which is not displayed in the salary shown on this announcement. The 5% differential will be added to the starting salary because of the specific licensing requirement.
UNDERFILL OPTION – Natural Resource Specialist 3 ($4,144 – $6,050)**
Three years of experience in Engineering Geology, Geotechnical Engineering, Forestry Engineering, Forestry, Geology or related natural resource field. At least one year of the experience must be 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; and a Bachelor's degree in Engineering Geology, Geotechnical Engineering, Forestry Engineering, Forestry, Geology or related natural resource field, or three additional years of related forestry geotechnical specialist experience.
A Master's degree in Engineering Geology, Geotechnical Engineering, Forestry Engineering, Forestry, Geology or related natural resource field will substitute for one year of the required experience. A Doctorate degree will substitute for two years of the required experience.
You must provide a copy of your registration as a State of Oregon Certified Engineering Geologist or Professional Engineer in the attachment section of your application.
**Once the NRS3 level candidate meets the minimum qualifications for the Natural Resource Specialist 4 level, the 5% special qualifications differential will be added to the base salary because of the specific licensing requirement.
NOTE: Transcripts are required to be attached to your application if you are using education or coursework to meet the minimum qualifications. Transcripts must clearly show 1) your name; 2) the name and address of the institution; 3) the degree received and; 4) required courses completed with a passing grade. For application purposes, unofficial transcripts are acceptable; however official or original documents may be requested to validate education. Transcripts must be attached to your application and WILL NOT be accepted as verification of education after the announcement has closed.
NOTE: This position requires the operation of a State vehicle for the purpose of conducting official State business. An Oregon driving record check will be conducted on the top applicants to ensure a valid license and acceptable driving record. If your license is from outside Oregon, you must submit at least a three year court/DMV printout at the time of interview.
An unacceptable driving record includes:
Conviction of a major traffic offense within the previous 24 months which includes reckless driving, driving under the influence, failing to perform the duties of a driver, criminal driving while suspended or revoked, fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, felony hit and run, etc.;
Felony revocation of driving privileges or felony or misdemeanor license suspension within the previous 24 months;
More than 3 moving traffic violations in the previous 12 months;
A careless driving conviction in the previous 12 months;
A Class A moving traffic violation in the previous 12 months.
DESIRED ATTRIBUTES:
Working knowledge of the program statutes, rules, guidelines and policies.
Experience communicating program statutes, rules, guidelines and policies objectively, clearly, and concisely in verbal and written form.
Self-reliant and resourceful in developing program procedures and communicating face-to-face with individuals and groups.
Strong ability to work independently and be a productive member of a workgroup or team.
Knowledgeable about common, western Oregon, forestry practices and equipment including skyline logging, ground based logging and road construction
Experience in conducting slope stability hazard and risk assessments and developing mitigation measures related to timber harvesting and road building.
Ability to facilitate beneficial outcomes when working with opposing perspectives or goals.
Experience resolving conflicts and negotiating solutions between people with diverse perspectives.
Ability to communicate clearly and deliver information that may be contentious.
Additional Information
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
To improve communication with all applicants the State of Oregon requires an e-mail address be provided on all applications. If you do not currently have an e-mail address and do not know where to go to get one, please refer to our Applicant Frequently Asked Questions web page to view several links to internet providers where you can get a free e-mail account. The State of Oregon does not endorse any particular provider.
To ensure clear communication, please unfilter emails from neogov.com and governmentjobs.com.
Please note: The employee in this position will be represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and will be subject to all terms and conditions of the collective bargaining agreement. Pay and benefits on all job announcements may change without further notice.
If you require an alternate format in order to complete the employment process, you may call ODF Human Resources at 503-945-7200.
Only complete applications will be considered. Your answers to the supplemental questions must be reflected in the work experience section of your application. Be sure to answer all supplemental questions and attach all required documents. Responses to the supplemental questions will determine if you meet the minimum qualifications, any special qualifications and/or desired attributes for the position. Do not submit a resume in place of completing the Supplemental Questionnaire or the Work Experience section of the application.
Qualified applicants whose responses most closely match the requirements for this position will be invited to interview. Transcripts must be submitted to receive credit for education coursework at the time of application.
Veterans – If you are an eligible veteran and you meet the minimum qualifications, veterans' preference points will be added to your score. To receive veterans' preference points you MUST attach to your electronic application the following required documentation:
A copy of the DD214/215 for the five (5) point preference;
OR A copy of the DD214/215; AND a veteran's disability preference letter from the United States Department of Veterans' Affairs for the ten (10) point preference.
For more information on veterans' preference points visit www.oregonjobs.org, and select veterans' preference.
PLEASE NOTE: The Oregon Department of Forestry does not offer visa sponsorships. Within three days of hire, all applicants will be required to complete U.S. Department of Homeland Security form I-9, confirming authorization to work in the United States.
THE OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER COMMITTED TO WORK FORCE DIVERSITY