Senior Air Quality Permit Writer & Inspector (Natural Resource Specialist 4)

Senior Air Quality Permit Writer & Inspector (Natural Resource Specialist 4)

Posted : 1 day ago

Working at the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) – a full‑time employee position in Eugene, Medford or Salem. The successful candidate may choose work location.

Initial Posting Date : 10 / 29 / 2025

Application Deadline : 11 / 12 / 2025

Agency : Department of Environmental Quality

Salary Range : $6,122 – $9,409 per year

Position Type : Employee

Equal Opportunity Employer.

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality strives to build and sustain an inclusive and equitable 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 status, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, or physical or mental disability.

About the Role

You will draft highly complex Title V and ACDP Air Quality permits for industrial, commercial, and municipal air quality sources. Your work will include rigorously analyzing facility operations, drafting and reviewing permits, performing compliance inspections, reviewing and analyzing source emissions data, investigating complaints, and preparing enforcement actions in response to source violation of state and federal rules, regulations, laws, and permit conditions. You will complete complex analyses and evaluations of air pollution issues and work to find solutions to those problems. You will serve as a resource on complex ACDP and Title V permitting, compliance, and enforcement activities. You will interact with and serve as a resource to local governments, regulatory agencies, interested parties, and the public.

What’s in it for you!

The opportunity to work in a productive and creative environment where no two days are ever the same! DEQ cares deeply about employee wellness and benefits. We offer a competitive benefits package that offers comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans for the employee and your qualified family members, as well as paid sick leave, vacation leave, personal leave, and 11 paid holidays a year. In addition, we offer membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), and you have the opportunity to potentially receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). This is a full‑time, AFSCME represented position.

What are we looking for?

Minimum Qualifications : 7 years of experience in a natural resource or environmental field, with 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.

Substitution Education

Bachelor’s degree in physical science, environmental science, natural resources, or a closely related field may substitute for 3 of the required years of experience.

Master’s degree in physical science, environmental science, environmental engineering, natural resource engineering, natural resources, or a closely related field may substitute for 4 of the required years of experience.

Doctorate degree in physical science, environmental science, environmental engineering, natural resource engineering, natural resources, or a closely related field may substitute for 5 of the required years of experience.

Desired Attributes

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.

Expert experience and knowledge in source operations, compliance inspection methods, and source permitting, including the ability to correctly interpret and implement NSPS, state NSR / PSD, BACT, MACT, and other requirements and standards.

Expert knowledge of Title V and ACDP industrial sources, all applicable state and federal regulations, facility processes, and pollution control equipment.

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.

Experience conducting in depth research and making compliance determinations and moving forward with enforcement processes when appropriate, preferably regarding air quality regulations.

Demonstrated experience building and fostering relationships with a diverse group of partners including colleagues, interested parties, communities, organizations, and businesses.

Skill in conflict resolution, negotiation, collaboration, and engagement; strong interpersonal skills with an ability to break down traditional barriers that exist between programs, challenging people to take a coordinated rather than independent perspective.

Demonstrated emotional intelligence and capacity to work well in a team environment and with diverse interest parties.

Ability to maintain Visible Emissions Certification.

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 DEQ’s Eugene, Medford, or Salem office. 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 regular statewide travel to attend meetings, trainings, public hearings, conferences, and seminars, and to conduct field visits, some of which may involve extended work hours, overnight stays, and / or weekend work. During field visits, there is the potential for exposure to inclement weather, pollutants, chemicals, contaminated soil and water, fumes, and airborne contaminants.

How to Apply

External applicants : click “Apply” and submit your application. Click this link for job aid, and view video for additional information.

Internal applicants (current State of Oregon employees) : apply through your employee Workday account. View knowledge article for assistance.

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Veterans Information

DEQ provides veterans’ preference points to all eligible veterans. For more information on veterans’ preference, visit Veterans Resources or call the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs at 1‑800‑692‑9666. For privacy reasons, do not attach veterans’ preference documents when initially applying. Instead, you will be asked to submit those at a later time as part of a future task in Workday.

Equal Pay Analysis

As an employer, the State of Oregon complies with HB 2005, the Pay Equity Bill. We do not discriminate on the basis of protected class in the payment of wages, and we do not screen applicants on the basis of their current or past compensation. Please visit for more information. Please note : the salary listed the non-PERS qualifying salary range. If the successful candidate is PERS qualifying, the salary range will reflect an additional 6.95% (6% goes to PERS and .95% covers payroll taxes). Please review the Classification and Compensation page for more details.

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 or Need Help?

If you have questions about the recruitment or need assistance to participate in the application process, including an accommodation request under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact DEQ’s Recruitment Team at jobs@deq.oregon.gov or 503‑229‑5107. TTY users : please use the Oregon Telecommunications Relay Service at 1‑800‑735‑2900.

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