Environmental Program Specialist 2/3 (PCN 187525) - State of Alaska

 
What you will be doing:
The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation is looking to fill an Environmental Program Specialist (EPS) 2/3 position within our Division of Spill Prevention and Response; Prevention, Preparedness & Response Program (PPRP) in the Central Alaska Region.

This position is a flexibly staffed position and will be hired at the EPS 2 or 3 level, depending on the selected applicant’s training and/or experience. It offers a unique opportunity for professional development and upward career mobility in a relatively short time span. That is, candidates hired at an EPS 2 level will be given a training plan, a mentor, and a clear path forward for advancement to the next level in the series.  
 
This position has several primary duties:

• Spill Response-Oversee response and cleanup activities for spills of oil and other hazardous substances to the land, air, and waters of the State. 
• Contingency Planning-Ensure regulated industry preparedness by conducting technical review and approval of Oil Discharge Prevention and Contingency Plans.
• Compliance Inspection-Validate regulated industry compliance through facility inspections and spill response exercises. 
• Incident Management-Use the FEMA Incident Command System to respond to complex spills of oil and hazardous substances.
• Database management-Populate and utilize a database to track the status of contingency plan reviews, approvals, and regulated industry compliance, and oil and hazardous substance releases.  

Learn more about the Prevention, Preparedness, and Response Program at: about (alaska.gov).

Our organization, mission, and culture:
The Prevention, Preparedness, and Response Program protects public health, safety, and the environment by preventing and mitigating the effects of oil and hazardous substance releases and ensuring their cleanup.  
 
This position is one of thirteen members on the Central Alaska Region team, five currently in Valdez, four in Anchorage, one in Wasilla and four in Soldonta. We offer a positive and inclusive office culture with an emphasis on professional development. Work-life balance is a high priority and is supported through flexible work arrangements, hybrid telework, and approved time off. This posting will be filled in the Wasilla or Anchorage office.

The benefits of joining our team:
The benefits of joining our team include:

• Professional growth and development opportunities including a clear promotional path for advancement from an EPS 2 to an EPS 3
• 37.5-hour work weeks; 11 paid holidays; personal leave accrual starting at 6 hours per pay period (about 21 days annually) and increasing with years of service.
• Optional hybrid telework schedule following completion of probationary period. 
• Optional membership in the General Government Unit (GGU) Labor Union: ASEA/AFSCME Local 52 - ASEA/AFSCME Local 52 
• Competitive health and retirement benefits. 

 Learn more about what to expect as a new State of Alaska employee at: New Employee Orientation, Division of Personnel and Labor Relations, Department of Administration (alaska.gov)

The working environment you can expect:
This position is based out of the Wasilla or Anchorage ADEC Office. While primarily an office job, expect scheduled travel to conduct facility inspections, participate in spill response exercises, and for community outreach.  
 
Spill response can require both planned and unplanned, emergency travel. Unplanned travel may include any of the communities of Central Alaska or state-wide to support emergency response in other regions. Being based out of the Wasilla or Anchorage Office, you will have the opportunity to participate field work within the local road system.
 
This position requires periodic after-hours on-call duty rotation (2-3 weeks/year). While infrequent, emergency response travel could happen at any time, including nights, weekends, and holidays, for periods up to two weeks in duration.  
 
Please note that work outside of normal office hours, while sometimes required, is generally infrequent. Personal schedules are considered to the extent possible and pre-approved leave is honored.

We are looking for a candidate that has experience in the following areas: 

• Interpersonal Skills: Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences.
• Problem Solving: Identifies and analyzes problems; weighs relevance and accuracy of information; generates and evaluates alternative solutions; makes recommendations. 
• Compliance: Knowledge of procedures for assessing, evaluating, and monitoring programs or projects for compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and guidance. 
• Self-Management: Sets well-defined and realistic personal goals; displays a high level of initiative, effort, and commitment towards completing assignments in a timely manner; works with minimal supervision; is motivated to achieve; demonstrates responsible behavior.
• Attention to Detail: Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail. 

Special Notice:

• This position requires travel within the state, typically to communities within the Central Region. While infrequent, emergency response travel could happen at any time, including nights, weekends, and holidays, for periods up to two weeks in duration.
• This position requires that while in the field you wear personal protection equipment, as appropriate, per worker safety requirements.  
• This position requires answering the after-hour duty phone on a scheduled rotation. This is required roughly 3-4 weeks out of the year, during which time you will receive standby pay.  
• 40 Hour HAZWOPER (OSHA) is required (can be obtained after hire)
• 8-Hour HAZWOPER Annual Refresher (OSHA) (annually after hire)
• Respirator fit testing (OSHA-Annual) (obtained after hire)
• State Driver’s License is Required