Natural Resource Jobs in Bend, OR (NOW HIRING)

Initial Posting Date: 08/31/2026 Application Deadline: 09/14/2026 Agency: Department of Environmental Quality Salary Range: $5,453 - $8,345 Position Type: Employee Position Title: Stormwater Compliance Specialist (Natural Resource Specialist 3) - Three Openings

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.

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has three (3) full-time opportunities available for a Stormwater Compliance Specialist (Natural Resource Specialist 3). One position is out of Northwest Region in Portland, Oregon. One position is out of Western Region in Eugene or Medford, Oregon (finalist may choose work location). One position is out of Eastern Region in Bend, Oregon. Ongoing funding for this position may be impacted by pending budget decisions from the 2027 Legislature. Please consider joining an innovative team, and work to advance our agency’s mission to protect and improve Oregon’s environmental quality.

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 Program's mission is to protect and improve Oregon's water quality. Protecting Oregon's rivers, lakes, streams, and groundwater quality keeps these waters safe for a multitude of beneficial uses such as drinking water, fish habitat, recreation, and irrigation. This is accomplished by developing and implementing water quality standards and clean water plans, regulating sewage and stormwater treatment systems and industrial dischargers, collecting and evaluating water quality data, providing grants and technical assistance to reduce non-point pollution sources, and providing loans to communities to build treatment facilities and stormwater management controls.

The three DEQ Regions implement Water Quality programs in partnership/coordination with DEQ Headquarters by providing the following services: providing technical assistance to regulated individuals, businesses, and governments; issuing permits that limit discharge of pollutants to the air, land, and water; conducting site visits to ensure that environmental regulations are followed; enforcing permit requirements and administrative rules; responding to spills or other incidents with environmental impacts; responding to complaints from the public; and fulfilling public record requests and other public requests for information.

Stormwater Program staff and managers work closely together across the three regions and with DEQ Headquarters to ensure consistency and effective policy and implementation.

Stormwater Program works with construction, industrial, and municipal permit holders to ensure water quality protection.

For a visual representation of DEQ’s offices and their locations, view our DEQ Offices and Vehicle Inspection Testing Stations map.

• You will review and evaluate complex stormwater permit applications, technical reports, plans, compliance strategies, and other related documents to determine applicability, feasibility, and regulatory compliance.
• You will make determinations about assigning permit coverage for industrial and construction activities to ensure regulatory standards are met and to reduce pollutant discharges to receiving waterbodies.
• You will also conduct inspections, investigate complaints, and evaluate data and reports to determine compliance, while providing technical and compliance assistance and applying progressive enforcement strategies.
• You will apply strong interpersonal skills to establish rapport with regulated entities, the public, and fellow team members.
• You will work collaboratively across programs, regions, and external partners to support shared problem-solving, strengthen relationships, and ensure consistent and effective implementation of stormwater program goals.

• comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans for the employee and their qualified family members
• paid sick leave, vacation leave, personal leave, and 11 paid holidays a year
• membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)
• opportunity to potentially receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)

If you are passionate about Oregon's environment, apply today! This is a full-time, AFSCME represented position. This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies.

• 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 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; Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to work successfully with a team of staff and managers; Experience working with construction and industrial stormwater permit applications and components such as Erosion and Sediment Control Plans (ESCPs) and Stormwater Pollution Control Plans (SWPCPs), including evaluating them and providing technical assistance; Experience conducting environmental regulatory inspections; Skills and experience maintaining a calm and professional demeanor in difficult situations and ability to de‑escalate conflict when needed; Experience and knowledge of Clean Water Act enforcement practices; 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; 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; 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.

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 the DEQ office assigned to the position; 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 statewide travel by car for site visits, meetings, conferences, trainings, and workshops, some of which may involve extended work hours, overnight stays, and /or weekend work. Site visits and inspections make up a significant portion of the work of the position. During site visits, there may be exposure to adverse weather conditions, pollutants, chemicals, toxic substances, contaminated soil and water, fumes, airborne contaminants, fall or tripping hazards, stairs, uneven and steep terrain, stream crossing and wading, hiking, and extensive walking. This position has regular, in person, written, virtual, and telephone contact with regulated community representatives, special interest groups, and the public, who are sometimes hostile or angry and require good judgment and the ability to communicate clearly and effectively in stressful situations. Because this work requires the incumbent to operate a motor vehicle, personal or state-owned, the incumbent must have a valid driver’s license and complete the defensive driving safety class every two (2) years.

DEQ provides candidate preference points to all eligible veterans and Oregon National Guard servicemembers (current and former). For more information on candidate preference, please visit Veterans Resources. For privacy reasons, please do not attach candidate 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.

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.

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.

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.

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. Oregon "flies with her own wings."