Multimedia Specialist

Initial Posting Date: 08/31/2026 Application Deadline: 09/07/2026 Agency: Department of Environmental Quality Salary Range: $5,453 - $8,345 Position Type: Employee Position Title: Drinking Water Protection Specialist (Natural Resource Specialist 3) Job Description: 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 strive to be a workplace where we share our authentic identities, while advancing our individual professional goals, and while collaborating to protect, preserve, and enhance the environment for current and future generations. We celebrate and appreciate diversity, champion equity, and treat each other with respect and dignity. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, age, or physical or mental disability in the administration of our programs and activities. Visit DEQ’s Civil Rights and Environmental Justice page. 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. About DEQ! The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is the primary regulatory agency of the government of the U.S. State of Oregon responsible for protecting and enhancing the state's natural resources. The Water Quality Division has a critical role in achieving the Department’s mission by developing policy, implementation tools, and implementation priorities for improving and protecting the quality of water in Oregon’s waterways. The Water Quality Division works cooperatively with the Department’s three regional offices and the Laboratory to deliver programs and services that protect and enhance the quality of the waters of the state to protect public health and the environment. The Standards, Source-water Protection, and Assessment Section is responsible for the implementation of DEQ’s Drinking Water Protection Program for source water protection. The Section is also responsible for development and adoption by rule of water quality standards, identification of outstanding resource waters and water quality limited waters, conducting a statewide water quality assessment and assembling a biennial status report on Oregon’s water quality, and providing scientific and technical assistance to the regions, laboratory, and other water quality program sections on water quality standards. What you will do! You will work with DEQ and Oregon Health Authority staff in partnership to develop strategies under authority of the Clean Water Act to meet the goals and objectives of the 1996 Safe Drinking Water Act for drinking water source protection. In addition, you will provide outreach and technical assistance to Oregon’s public drinking water systems to identify sources of contamination and reduce pollution risks to their drinking water source areas. 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 their 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. This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies. What are we looking for? 6 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. Substitutions: 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. Candidates who are most competitive will also reflect the following desired attributes: Demonstrated emotional intelligence and capacity to work well in a team environment and with diverse interest parties. 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 in Drinking Water Source Protection. Skills and experiences in working with communities in outreach and engagement. Familiarity with water quality issues, ground water principles, surface water/ground water interactions, and nonpoint sources of pollution as these relate to the ability to provide sound information to other government agencies and the public. Knowledge of laws, procedures, principles, regulations governing Federal and State water quality programs and subprograms; ability to learn laws, regulations, and permit procedures applicable to the technology and industry under review. Experience with GIS; ability to complete complex GIS and statistical analysis, and ability to advise users on geographic data display and interpretation. 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. Demonstrated experience building and fostering relationships with a diverse group of partners including colleagues, interested parties, communities, organizations, and businesses; experience collaborating with varied and diverse groups of communities in urban and rural settings, and experience with initiatives involving tribal nations. 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 DEQ’s Headquarters’ office in Portland; 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 frequent travel on official State business for meetings, conferences, trainings, workshops, public hearings, community group meetings, and seminars, some of which may involve extended work hours, overnight stays, and/or weekend work. This position also requires traveling to public drinking water systems across Oregon for in‑person site visits. Should you choose to drive a motor vehicle, you must have a valid driver’s license and an acceptable driving record. If not, you must have an alternate method of transportation. Compliance with ORS 807.020 (1) is required. 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. All finalists have an equal pay analysis completed to determine their placement on the salary scale. Please note: the salary listed is 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/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 View email address on click.appcast.io or View phone number on click.appcast.io. TTY users: please use the Oregon Telecommunications Relay Service at View phone number on click.appcast.io. Oregon state government is a large organization by nearly any standard. With over 40,000 employees working all over the state, in small communities and large, we are proving that government can be innovative. We work as a team, challenging ourselves to be better, faster and more efficient with taxpayer dollars. After all, when every day we are responsible for caring for the needs of a diverse population and thriving business community, we simply must have the best and brightest workforce. If you take responsibility for your actions, are passionate about helping others succeed, and have a reputation for excellence and honesty, why not make Oregon state government your next career move? Joining our team means you open the door to many possibilities. From entry level to executive, outdoor work to policy setting, we have a role for nearly every calling, expertise and background. If you’re looking at us from across the country (or beyond!), know that Oregon is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Made up of seven diverse regions, Oregon has the ocean, mountains, valleys, high desert, cities, small towns, and almost everything in between. Oregon “flies with her own wings.” #J-18808-Ljbffr