OSSS semi-regularly updates our opportunities board with positions related to soil science that members share with us. Below you can find positions for career professionals, students (internships, lab positions, or temporary full-time jobs for current undergraduate and graduate students), and information on federal careers in soil science.
Career Positions
Environmental Health Specialist I or II
Location: Deschutes County
Summary
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT: Deschutes County Health Services supports over 400 staff in Behavioral and Public Health programs working to promote and protect the health and safety of the community in a broad variety of community-based settings.
This position is part of Public Health service area, which works to keep people healthy and safe by striving to improve and protect the health of people in Deschutes County. This work includes: disease prevention, surveillance and control; food and consumer safety; assuring clean and safe drinking water; ensuring access to essential health services; providing education about healthy lifestyles; implementing strategies to reduce and prevent high-risk behaviors among youth; and responding to pandemics and emerging threats, outbreaks and other events.
ABOUT THE COUNTY: We know where you choose to live, work and play matters. Deschutes County is one of the largest employers in Central Oregon and the largest municipal government in the region. Our dedicated and passionate workforce of more than 1,250 employees provide County services in a number of departments, divisions, and offices.
Located in the heart of Central Oregon, between the towering Cascade Mountain Range to the west and the high desert plateau to the east, Deschutes County is the outdoor recreation capital of Oregon. We enjoy a renowned quality of life, with big-city opportunities and small-town neighborhoods.
We hope you’ll consider joining our talented team.
ABOUT THE JOB: This position will perform a variety of technical functions including inspection of licensed facilities and investigation of basic environmental issues and complaints regarding water resources, land use, soils, food safety, air quality, public facilities, and solid waste disposal to protect the health and safety of County residents.
Key Responsibilities:
- Conducting foodservice inspections in restaurants, mobile food units, and caterers.
- Conducting Public Health Plan Reviews for new or remodeled foodservice operations.
- Conducting inspections of childcare businesses, school lunch programs, and other licensed facilities.
- Assist the public with complaints involving foodborne illness and hazards such as lead, radon, mold, and blue-green algae blooms.
What You Will Bring:
Knowledge of or experience with:
- County, state, and federal laws, regulations, and ordinances governing environmental health and safety programs, including Oregon Health Authority, Food, Pool, and Lodging, and Oregon Department of Environmental Quality statutes, regulations, and standards.
- Methods and techniques of inspecting a variety of plans, buildings, and technical documents.
- Records management and customer service principles, protocols, and standards.
- Standard and specialized computer software applications.
Skill in:
- Investigating complaints, inspecting environmental hazards, and researching technical environmental quality issues.
- Understanding and applying health and safety standards, state and Federal regulations, County standards, policies and procedures.
- Checking details, estimates, plans, and specifications of projects.
- Compiling and reviewing technical data, and developing technical reports.
- Explaining health and safety inspection regulations, policies, and procedures.
- Providing effective customer service, resolving conflicts, and dealing tactfully with clients.
- Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with co-workers, citizens, developers, advocates, and regional agencies.
- Communicating effectively verbally and in writing.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Public Health, or related field;
- AND one (1) year of experience in business computers and customer service;
- OR any equivalent combination of training, education, and experience that provides the required skills and knowledge to perform the essential functions of the job.
Review the full job description by clicking HERE.
Student Positions
Looking for scholarship information? Check it out here!
Federal Careers
Quick Links to Currently Open Federal Opportunities
Here are some quick links to federal soil science jobs in Oregon and Washington. Sometimes unrelated jobs will come up in these searches, so keep in mind that some additional searching within these results will be required. These search links are not all-inclusive and some jobs may be missed by these queries!
USA Jobs Links (Federal Jobs Board)
The following hyperlinks below will take you directly to the USA Jobs website search for currently open jobs listed under those position titles.
Natural Resources SpecialistNatural Resource Specialist – Soil resource specialists with The Bureau of Land Management and Natural Resource Conservation Service are often listed in this job series.
Soil Conservationists – This job series is common for soil scientists working with the Natural Resource Conservation Service.
Biological Science Technician – These positions are often how seasonal opportunities in soil science across the BLM and USFS are advertised. They do require more diligent searching in their job descriptions to find out which are soils-specific, as everything from wildlife biology to hydrology can be the focus of these positions.
Federal Employment Outreach
Federal positions will often have an “outreach” period where interested applicants can send their resume to and communicate directly with hiring managers for specific jobs before they are advertised on USA Jobs. This is a great opportunity to ensure you stand out as an applicant and to get information about the specific position or duty locations, which is not always very apparent on USA Jobs. Click below for the direct link to current outreach advertisements with the Forest Service.
USFS Employment Outreach Portal
- Information on Natural Resource Specialists positions at the Department of Interior: https://www.doi.gov/careers/careers/natural-resource-specialist
- Soil Scientist (0470 series) qualifications for all federal positions