Are you interested in helping businesses reach their environmental goals? Do you excel at outreach and communicating technical information to others? Have you considered continuing your career in the public sector as a program educator and advisor? If so, Come Lead with Us by joining Washington County's Health and Human Services (HHS) Department as a Program Communication and Education Specialist!
The Solid Waste & Recycling and Environmental Health Services divisions of HHS are seeking experienced communications professionals to join their teams. We have the following four (4) vacancies:
A fulltime bilingual (English/Spanish) Green Business Advisor in Solid Waste & Recycling
A fulltime non-bilingual limited duration (3 years) Green Business Advisor in Solid Waste & Recycling
A fulltime Community Outreach Specialist in Solid Waste & Recycling
A fulltime bilingual (English/Spanish) Program Communication & Education Specialist in Environmental Health Services
The Community Outreach Specialist position will provide public information and education to the community on behalf of the Solid Waste & Recycling Division. Outreach will focus on materials management programs serving a diverse array of community members. This includes developing and implementing specialized informational programs promoting waste reduction and recycling through technical assistance, presentations, tabling and other outreach techniques. The program communication and education specialist will also support the county's apartment and condominium communities through one-on-one technical assistance.
The Green Business Advisor positions (regular bilingual and limited duration) will provide information and education to the business community on behalf of the Solid Waste & Recycling Division. Outreach will focus on materials management programs serving a diverse array of businesses throughout the county. This includes implementing specialized informational programs promoting wasted food reduction through technical assistance, presentations and other outreach techniques. The Green Business Advisor will play a critical role in supporting the implementation of Washington County's required waste recovery ordinances as a member of the Green Business Leaders program.
The bilingual Environmental Health Services position will assess, plan, implement, and evaluate coordinated environmental health education activities to support the diverse projects and programs. The position provides education to the community on Washington County's environmental health programs and other County issues. This position also develops and implements specialized informational programs through community engagement, public presentation and other media techniques; organizes and trains volunteers; and manages volunteer programs.
Equity, inclusion and diversity are core values of Washington County Health and Human Services. Employees are expected to honor the life experiences of all individuals with whom they come into contact and recognize the impact of past injustices, microaggressions and trauma. The program communication and education specialist will be expected to value alternative perspectives, embrace differences and approach each individual and situation with a willingness to learn and grow while actively challenging discrimination throughout their entire scope of work.
Bilingual Positions:
Designated bilingual positions require that the incumbent have knowledge of the Spanish language, spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Skill in writing Spanish accurately; ability to speak Spanish fluently; and ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing is required. If you possess these skills, you are encouraged to apply.
To learn more about us, please use these links: Solid Waste & Recycling and Environmental Health Services.
We offer a collaborative culture and work-life balance. Working within our local government agency provides daily opportunities to serve build and sustain communities now and into the future. In addition to being an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer with a commitment to a diverse and inclusive workforce representing the rich diversity in our region. Women, minorities, veterans, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES
Duties may include:
Plans, designs, develops and implements specialized informational programs related to materials management, including:
Developing and implementing public information in coordination with department personnel and management.
Identifying needs for public information and developing work plans.
Responding to requests from department personnel for public information projects and develop work plans.
Provides direct public information through public presentations and outreach; acts as a general information resource, referring inquiries to appropriate department/division personnel; speaks with individuals and groups to promote community involvement of department plans.
Acts as liaison between the division/department management and community, business, and other public sector organizations; explains department/division goals and plans; provides input to the department/division from outside agencies; identifies citizen attitudes and concerns; advises the department/division about public information needs and methods.
Prepares and distributes printed and electronic information and materials related to public service programs.
Recruits volunteers to work in department programs and services; contacts civic groups, develops advertising and public relations programs for recruitment; develops information materials for use by potential volunteers.
Develops and implements orientation and educational programs for volunteers; keeps volunteers informed of new resources, community activities, and programs; which impact their functions.
Evaluates volunteer personnel and program organization for effectiveness; and initiates changes in coordination with department staff, as needed.
Maintains records on volunteer programs for departmental use.
Arranges and organizes community involvement and outreach functions, meetings, conferences, workshops, and training seminars.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Education and Experience:
A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Possession of or completion of college-level training equivalent to an Associate's Degree in communication, journalism, public relations, education, education in program related area, or related fields; AND
One (1) year of work experience in the development, coordination, and delivery of a public information and communication or community outreach program.
Additional Licenses, Certificates, Physical Abilities and Specialty Requirements:
Possession of a Driver's license valid in the State of Oregon and an acceptable driving record per Washington County policy.
If you have completed education in a foreign college or university and are using this education to meet the minimum qualifications, you must provide documentation that the foreign education is comparable to that received within the United States' accredited college or university system or your application will not be accepted.
Washington County organizes its positions into classifications. Classification descriptions are typically written broadly. To review this classification, please use this link:
Program Communication and Education Specialist.
We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required.
Please be clear and specific in the applicable sections of the employment application about how your background is relevant. This information must also be consistent with your supplemental question responses. Please note: Answers to the supplemental questions are typically evaluated separately from your application.
Department of Motor Vehicle Records (DMV) Requirement:
Driving a motorized vehicle is an essential function of this position. Successful applicants must possess a valid driver's license and an acceptable driving record. To review the Driver's License and Record Policy for Washington County and instructions for submitting appropriate DMV documentation, please use this link: Driver's License & Records Policy.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Washington County is committed to using a Merit Based System in which recruiting, selecting, and advancing employees is based on their relative knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Selection Process:
1. An evaluation of training and experience of submitted application packets will be performed by Human Resources. The timeframe to review will be the week of September 9, 2019.
2. Candidates that express interest in the bilingual vacancy will be invited to participate in a written Spanish language aptitude examination. Candidates will also be required to pass an oral Spanish language test prior to placement in the position.
3. A Subject Matter Expert (SME) Panel will perform an evaluation of experience and training of those candidates who pass the written bilingual test from their employment application materials to include responses to supplemental questionnaire.
4. Washington County will perform DMV records checks on candidates that successfully pass the SME Panel review step in the selection process.
5. Our goal is to schedule oral panel interviews with candidates that successfully pass the DMV evaluation step, as soon as possible.
Please note: candidates that are successful in the evaluation process may have their applications referred for additional vacancies in the same classification, or job family.
Veterans' Preference:
If you are a Veteran and would like to be considered for a Veterans' Preference for this recruitment, please review instructions using this link: Veterans Preference Points Instructions (Download PDF reader).
Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act:
Reasonable accommodation is available to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in the selection process for this recruitment. To obtain confidential assistance please contact Human Resources 503-846-8606, or e-mail at: hr@co.washington.or.us at least 48 hours before any step in the recruitment and selection process for which you feel you need accommodation.
Status of Your Application:
You will be advised by e-mail of your status at each step in the application process, from initial application to final employment disposition. Please note that Washington County communicates with all candidates via email. If you "opt out" or "unsubscribe" from email notifications from NEOGOV it will impact our ability to communicate with you about job postings.
Questions (?) Regarding This Recruitment
Kandace Bell, Sr. HR Business Partner
Kandace_Bell@co.washington.or.us
* Washington County is a drug-free workplace*