Environmental Protection Intern - Water Quality Permit Writer - 2461

This job announcement is only open to residents of the State of Colorado.

At The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) we are dedicated to the Colorado for All philosophy - working toward a Colorado where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. 

We support the basic human rights of our neighbors regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship status, education level, disability, socio-economic status, or any other visible or invisible identity.  We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we strongly encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Be BOLD.....Make a REAL difference . . . join us in serving our communities advancing Colorado's health and protecting the places we live, work, learn, and play, to create a healthy and sustainable Colorado where current and future generations thrive.

CDPHE offers: 

• Free parking and access to RTD bus lines.

• Flexible working arrangements

• Retirement ( PERA options), Medical and dental health plans

• Defined Benefit Plan or the PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus optional 401K and 457 plans

• Paid life insurance

• Short- and long-term disability coverage

• 11 paid holidays per year and generous personal time off

• Tuition assistance 

• Wellness programs

• Professional development opportunities on a wide variety of subjects

• Career advancement opportunities throughout the State system

Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. For more information, go to: https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/pslfFlow.action#!/pslf/launch

The Stormwater, Groundwater, and Dewatering Permits Unit (Unit 1) exists to complete work assigned to the Unit. Currently assigned work includes developing and implementing individual and/or general discharge permits for construction stormwater, industrial stormwater, municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4), dewatering activities, remediation of groundwater, hydrostatic testing, general permits for aquatic animal production facilities, water treatment plant general permits, and all domestic wastewater discharges to groundwater. Other general permits may be assigned to this unit based on the business needs of the section. The unit also provides collaborative support to work assigned outside the unit on an as needed basis (e.g., compliance oversight, enforcement actions, TMDL development). Unit staff provide general public assistance responding to inquiries and providing information for work planning and reporting. This position exists to train a permit writer to implement technology and water quality based regulations that protect human health and the environment through permit actions. Work is designed to train for the next higher level in the class series (EPS I) and prepare the permit writer to be in individual contributor and carry out established work processes and operations by learning to apply and follow procedures, techniques, rules, and regulations. The individual filling this position will be new to the Division and entry level. The individual will need to undergo complete training to implement environmental protection regulations through permit actions. It is expected that during this training period the permit action assignments will be more structured and straightforward. The individual will need to understand the basic theories and principles of physical sciences, including hydrology and chemistry. 

Key Responsibilities

• Regulatory Framework
• Data Analysis
• Develop Facility/Sector-specific requirements
• Permitting Assistance

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION INTERN (I3A1IF)

You can meet the minimum qualifications a couple of ways:

• Four (4) years of relevant work experience (e.g., engineering, environmental consulting/science, regulatory, or water treatment operations) will substitute for the bachelor’s degree on a year-for-year basis.

OR

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in biology, chemistry, engineering, environmental science, geology, hydrology, or a closely-related field. 

NOTE: An applicant may meet the minimum qualifications for this job in one of two ways: They may qualify through their work experience alone or through a combination of education and work experience.

**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.**

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:

• Environmental regulatory experience.
• Knowledge of the Clean Water Act and/or the Colorado Water Quality Control Act.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret, analyze, and summarize scientific or environmental data, particularly water quality data.
• Experience applying or complying with surface water or groundwater quality requirements.
• Knowledge of basic chemistry regarding surface water, stormwater, wastewater requirements and treatment chemicals.
• Experience with applied hydrology/stream flows.
• Experience working with standardized procedures and making decisions based on the standardized procedures.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent critical thinking skills, including the ability to make timely judgments and decisions.
• Ability to multitask and effectively prioritize work activities
• Ability to pay close attention to detail when completing work tasks.
• Accountability for high-quality and timely results.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office software programs, including Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to foster an inclusive workplace where diversity and individual differences are valued. 

• A pre-employment background check will be conducted as part of the selection process.

Appeal Rights:

As an applicant who has been removed from consideration during the selection or comparative analysis process, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board and/or request a review by the State Personnel Director. A standard appeal form is available on the State Personnel Board website, https://spb.colorado.gov/forms-and-filing. If you appeal, your appeal must be submitted in writing on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative, and received at the following address within ten (10) days of your receipt of this notice: 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. Email address: [email protected]. The ten-day deadline and these appeal procedures also apply to all charges of discrimination. Refer to Chapters 4 and 8 of the State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, 4 CCR 801, for information about the appeals process. The State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures are available at spb.colorado.gov.

A complete application packet must include:

1. A completed State of Colorado application.
2. A cover letter describing how you meet the minimum and preferred qualifications.
3. If using education to qualify for this position a copy of your transcripts (unofficial acceptable) must be provided with application.
4. If you are a veteran, a copy of your DD214 must be attached to your colorado.gov/jobs application.

The Selection Process 

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 of candidates, depending on the number of vacancies to be filled, will be invited to schedule an interview with the hiring manager.

E-Verify: CDPHE uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.
 
ADAAA Accommodations:

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator at [email protected] or call 303-692-2060, option 5.