Healthy Waters Natural Resource Specialist (Natural Resource Specialist 4)
Oregon Health Authority
Initial Posting Date: 03/17/2022
Application Deadline: 04/14/2022
Agency: Oregon Health Authority
Salary Range: $5,487 – $8,427
Position Type: Employee
Position Title: Healthy Waters Natural Resource Specialist (Natural Resource Specialist 4)
Job Description:
This is a full-time, permanent, classified position which is represented by a union.
What will you do?
As the Healthy Waters Natural Resource Specialist, you will perform the following duties:
Serve as technical expert on health risks and health impacts from cyanobacteria and cyanotoxin exposure, contaminants found in fish and shellfish, and risks of exposure to recycled/reused water.
Provide consultation, technical assistance, and support to other projects of interest and concern occurring within EPH, the Oregon Drinking Water Protection Program, and among various partner agencies on issues pertaining to public health, environmental contaminants, safe consumption, and recycled water reuse.
Develop health education materials, signage, and other resources to support program goals, local health department initiatives, and designated management agency activities.
Provide and interpret water quality and environmental data reports for cyanobacteria and toxins, and fish contaminant levels.
Provide support to toxicologists on fish consumption calculations and develop technical memos when fish consumption advisories are issued.
Evaluate recycled water use plans for potential pathways for occupational or community exposure to reuse water contaminants.
Coordinate technical aspects of public health advisories including fish consumption advisories and harmful algae bloom (HAB) advisories.
Interact with communities, media, agencies, and industries.
Research literature for new data and information on HABs and emerging potential human and animal health risks from exposure.
Provide direct consultation and information to the public, agency staff, tribal leaders and staff, industry, governmental agency representatives, educators and professionals and the media about human health risks associated with exposure to cyanobacteria and toxins, and consumption of fish containing contaminants of concern.
Provide technical and educational information to diverse groups regionally and nationally on these topics when solicited to present at various conferences and meetings.
Maintain and update HAB and fish consumption webpages and hotlines and continuously look for additional opportunities to disseminate information in numerous ways.
Represent public health and OHA on task forces and work groups to develop programs, policies, rules, and statutes designed to protect the public from exposure to environmental hazards.
Identify funding sources and assist in the development of funding proposals and requests for proposals (RFP’s) as necessary.
Maintain communication with other agencies to coordinate efforts to increase efficiency and avoid duplication of resources.
Link to apply: