Department Information
This job bulletin is only open to current, permanent residents of the State of Colorado.
We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of diverse backgrounds and abilities.
This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies.
These positions will have hybrid workplace options available but will still be required to report to the listed address at the discretion of the supervisor and based on business need.
This EPS Intern position is a full-time position that is eligible for a future promotional opportunity to an EPS I followed by EPS II classification, if position competencies are demonstrated
Be BOLD and make a real difference...
Do you have a passion and drive to apply your talent to create a better Colorado? Are you looking for a career that provides you with opportunities to improve the world around you? The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is seeking diverse individuals from all backgrounds to apply for a fantastic position that makes a direct impact on improving the lives of Colorado citizens. Our mission is to protect and improve the health of Colorado's people and the quality of its environment.
If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, consider joining the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Our tobacco-free campus offers free parking and is conveniently located near RTD bus lines, Glendale City Set, and the Cherry Creek bike path. In addition to a great location and rewarding, meaningful work, we offer:
- Employee wellness programs and facilities
- Extensive internal professional development opportunities on a wide variety of subjects
- Bike to work programs, including access to storage lockers and bike racks
- Distinctive career advancement opportunities throughout the State system
- Strong, yet flexible retirement benefits including a choice of the PERA Defined Benefit Plan or the PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus optional 401K and 457 plans
- Medical and dental health plans
- Paid life insurance
- Short- and long-term disability coverage
- 11 paid holidays per year plus generous personal time off
- Mentoring program with opportunities for mentors and mentees
- Tuition assistance for college level courses including Master's degree programs
- Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules
- And a variety of employee resource groups
Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, go to: http://www.tgslc.org/borrowers/public-service/
Description of Job
Work Units
The Permits Section exists to develop and issue discharge permit actions (new, renewal, modification, termination) for discharges of pollutants from point sources to waters of the state, to regulate the beneficial reuse of reclaimed water, and to control discharges of pollutants to publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) through implementation of the pretreatment program. These activities are mandated by the Colorado Water Quality Act. In addition, the Section participates in the development of statutes, regulations and policies related to the issuance and enforcement of such activities. The Section also develops Water Quality Planning Targets (WQPTs) and provides compliance assistance and general public
assistance. The work of the Permits Section is distributed across multiple work units. Positions are available in each of the work units included in the Permits Section. All EPS intern work is under the review and approval of the work group leader (WGL) and/or unit manager (UM).
Unit 3: The Industrial and Natural Resources Extraction Permits Unit exists to complete work assigned to the Unit. Currently assigned work includes process water/mine water (including mining stormwater) industrial dischargers to surface water individual permits (with the exception of SIC 20- Food and Kindred), and the following general permits; coal mining (COG850000), oil and gas (COG840000), sand and gravel (COG500000), and storm water discharges associated with all mining (extractive) activity. Additional core work assigned to the unit includes evaluations of perpetual discharges, some discharge termination evaluations and implementation of the Federal 316(b) rule. The unit also provides support to work assigned outside the unit on an as needed basis (e.g., regulatory guidance, enforcement actions, TMDL development). Unit staff provide general public assistance responding to inquiries on unit topics and provide information for work planning and reporting for the permits assigned to the work unit.
Job Description
These positions exist to train a permit writer to implement technology and water quality based regulations that protect human health and the environment through permit actions and other authorizations. Work is designed to train for the next higher level in the class series (EPS I) and prepare the permit writer to be an 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.
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
.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, water resources, watershed science, hydrology, or a closely-related field.
Conditions of Employment:
- A pre-employment background check will be conducted as part of the selection process.
Preferred Qualifications and Essential CompetenciesThe preferred experience, competencies and abilities are highly desirable for this position and will be considered in selecting the successful candidate:
- Experience or familiarity with water quality data.
- Relevant years of State service shall be considered.
- Experience or familiarity with applied hydrology/steam flows and/or lake mixing.
- Environmental regulatory experience.
- Experience with industrial stormwater (preferably mining)
- Knowledge of basic chemistry regarding surface water, wastewater and treatment chemicals.
- Knowledge of the Clean Water Act or the Colorado Water Quality Control Act.
- Experience working with databases and manipulating large datasets.
- Experience working with standardized procedures and making decisions based on the standardized procedures.
- Prior experience working in a professional office environment.
- Experience with mining and/or extractive industries.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Excellent critical thinking skills, including the ability to make timely judgments and decisions.
- Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office software programs.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Excellent conflict resolution skills.
- Strong customer service skills.
- Ability to multitask and effectively prioritize work activities.
Supplemental Information
A complete application packet must include:
- A completed State of Colorado application.
- If using education to qualify for this position a copy of your transcripts (unofficial acceptable) must be provided with application.
- If using work experience to qualify for this position, please provide an adequate description in the work experience section of the application. Do not write "see resume".
- A cover letter describing how you meet the minimum and preferred qualifications.
The Selection Process
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
APPEAL RIGHTS: If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for the position or that as a result of no longer being considered, you were discriminated against, you may protest the action by filing an appeal with the State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director within 10 days from the date you receive notice of the elimination. Also, if you wish to challenge the selection and comparative analysis process, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director within 10 days from the receipt of notice or knowledge of the action you are challenging. If an applicant seeks to have an allegation of discrimination reviewed by the Board, that person must file an appeal (petition for hearing) within 10 days of the action or receipt of any final written selection decision. Refer to Chapters 4 and 8 of the State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, 4 CCR 801, for more information about the appeals process. The State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures are available at www.colorado.gov/spb. A standard appeal form is available at: www.colorado.gov/spb. If you appeal, your appeal must be submitted in writing on the official appeal form, signed by you or representative, and received at the following address within 10 days of your receipt of notice or knowledge of the action: 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. The ten-day deadline and these appeal procedures also apply to all charges of discrimination.
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 cdphe.humanresources@state.co.us or call 303-692-2060, option 5.