Department Information
This job bulletin is open to all current, permanent residents of the State of Colorado.
Be BOLD and make a real difference . . . Do you desire 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 position that makes a direct impact on improving the lives of Coloradans. Our mission is to advance Colorado's health and protect the places we live, work, learn, and play. Our vision is to create a healthy and sustainable Colorado where current and future generations thrive.
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
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.
Description of Job
Work Unit
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 from publicly owned treatment works (POTWs). 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 provides permitting assistance and general public assistance. The work of the Permits Section is distributed across multiple work units. This workgroup leader position resides in Unit 1 of the Permits Section.
The Groundwater, Construction and Industrial and Municipal Stormwater Unit (Unit 1) exists to complete work assigned to the Unit. Currently assigned work includes developing and implementing individual and/or general discharge permits for construction stormwater, industrial stormwater, municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4), dewatering activities, remediation of groundwater, hydrostatic testing, water reuse, general permits for aquatic animal production facilities, water treatment plant general permits, and all domestic wastewater discharges to groundwater. Additional core work assigned to the unit includes regulatory development and issuance of reuse notices of authorization for Reclaimed Water and lead coordination with a Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) Liaison. Other general permits may be assigned to this unit based on the business needs of the section. The unit also provides collaborative support to work assigned outside the unit on an as needed basis (e.g., compliance oversight, enforcement actions, TMDL development). Unit staff provide general public assistance responding to inquiries and providing information for work planning and reporting.
Job Description
This work group lead position is responsible for leading a team of staff dedicated to the discharge permit actions of the unit, authorizations, supporting permitting and some compliance assistance activities. This position leads the issuance of individual permits and permit certifications under the general permits for industrial stormwater, MS4 stormwater, dewatering, domestic groundwater, and reclaimed water.
Overall, the position ensures that certifications and permits adhere to statutory, regulatory, and policy requirements. The position would also identify permitting actions requiring policy decisions, with controversial comments or the potential for dispute, discuss these with the Unit Manager and section leadership, and allow for management input prior to public notice and/or issuance as appropriate. The position would lead stakeholder work for general permit renewals and represent the division externally to permitting stakeholders. This position may draft or support the drafting of general permits in the unit.
The position exists to coordinate work, train staff, and review permit work. This position also exists to advise management on decisions related to permitting, and to develop, implement, and troubleshoot draft policy documents and permit issuance tools (e.g., Colorado Environmental Online Services [CEOS]).
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
(Option 1) Eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in water quality of which two must be in permitting.
(Option 2) Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in environmental policy, environmental science, engineering, or a science related field (AND) Four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in water quality that includes two years of permitting experience.
(Option 3) A master's degree from an accredited college or university in environmental policy, environmental science, engineering, or a science related field may substitute for the bachelor's degree and two (2) years of professional water quality experience.
Preferred Qualifications
- Documented work experience with Regulation 61 of the Colorado Discharge Permit Regulations and Regulation 31 of the Basic Standards and Methodologies for Surface Water.
- Experience interpreting federal and state water regulations, policies, guidance, and implementation memos.
- Demonstrated experience to successfully lead a technical team and to track and prioritize/re-prioritize work.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities with varying deadlines.
- Ability to think several years ahead and willingness to be adaptable.
- Experience with stakeholder processes, ability to build and sustain strong stakeholder relationships, and conflict resolution skills.
- Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with others.
- Demonstrated proficiency for attention to detail, and quickly learning new areas of expertise.
- Demonstrated ability to conduct science-based and/or regulatory research to inform selected approaches.
- Excellent verbal and written skills.
- Strong proficiency with Word, Excel, and using database-derived reports.
- Professional courage, including a willingness to speak unpopular truths.
- Fosters an inclusive workplace where diversity and individual differences are valued and leveraged to achieve the vision and mission of the organization.
- Relevant years of State service shall be considered.
Conditions of Employment:
Pursuant to CDPHE policy, a criminal history background check is required for all positions at CDPHE.
Supplemental Information
A complete application packet must include:
- A completed State of Colorado application.
- If using education to qualify, or to demonstrate completion of preferred coursework, a copy of your college/university transcripts. Transcripts can be attached to your CO Jobs application. Late transcripts will not be accepted.
- An attached cover letter.
- Answers to supplemental questions.
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, up to six candidates, 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 your 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.
You must be legally eligible to work in the United States to be appointed to this position. CDPHE does not sponsor non-residents of the United States.
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.
