Soil Scientist Associate Soil Scientist

Soil Scientist Associate Soil Scientist

Job ID: 107994

Location: Oregon City, Oregon

Full/Part Time: Full Time

Regular/Temporary: Regular

CLACKAMAS COUNTY CORE VALUES

Clackamas County employees work to serve the public and enrich our community. In that spirit, we pledge to hold ourselves to these standards at all times in our interactions with customers and one another:

Service

Professionalism

Integrity

Respect

Individual accountability

Trust

By incorporating these values into our daily routines, we can better serve our customers, ourselves and our projects. We're always looking to improve. That's the Clackamas County SPIRIT.

County is committed to building a community where people thrive, have a sense of safety, connection, and belonging, so that everyone is honored and celebrated for the richness in diversity they bring.

We encourage applicants of diverse backgrounds and lived experience to apply.

CLOSE DATE

This Job Posting closes at 11:59 p.m. (Pacific Time) on Tuesday, September 2nd, 2025.

Please Note: The application deadline may be extended to expand the pool of qualified candidates. Any recruitment timeline changes will be communicated to all who have initiated an application process or have submitted an application.

PAY AND BENEFITS

Soil Scientist Associate:

Annual Pay Range: $76,539.57 - $83,840.47

Hourly Pay Range: $36.797868 - $40.307919

Soil Scientist:

Annual Pay Range: $83,840.47 - $105,808.68

Hourly Pay Range: $40.307919 - $50.869556

Salary offers will be made within the posted pay range and will be based on a candidate's experience (paid or unpaid) that is directly relevant to the position.

Clackamas County proudly offers an attractive compensation and benefits package, including competitive wages, cost-of-living adjustments, merit increases (for eligible employees), and a robust sick and vacation plan for regular status employees.

We encourage and support employee health and wellness by offering health and wellness classes and events, and alternative care benefits, so you can customize your wellness needs to fit your lifestyle.

Employee benefits become effective the first of the month following an employee's date of hire.

Attractive benefits package and incentives for employees in regular status positions are detailed below.

Generous paid time off package, including:

12 hours of vacation accrued per month

Eligible newly hired employees will have the one-time option to frontload their first year of vacation accruals in compliance with This means you have access to vacation time at time of hire.

8 hours of sick accrued per month

10 paid holidays and 1 personal day per year

Other Benefits:

Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP):

Employer paid 6% PERS retirement contribution (The county currently pays the employee's share of the retirement contribution.)

OPSRP members get vested after five years of contributions or when they reach age 65

A Choice of Medical Plans that include chiropractic coverage, alternative care, vision, and prescription drug coverage

A Choice of Dental Plans

Robust Employee Assistance Plan

Longevity Pay

Other retirement Savings Options that allow for additional retirement funds savings, including an option to contribute a portion of employee earnings on a pre or post-tax basis to a 457b Deferred Compensation Plan

A variety of additional optional benefits (see links below for additional information)

This is a full time County position represented by AFSCME.

DETAILS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Are you passionate about protecting water quality?

Do you enjoy a blend of office and field work, in all the diverse climate and environmental conditions Oregon can offer?

Are you an organized self-starter that enjoys the opportunity to review and participate in a variety of different types of projects?

Do you enjoy working with property owners and contractors to help find solutions for their onsite wastewater needs?

Do you have a personal commitment to putting ethics into practice by holding yourself to high levels of professionalism, honesty, objectivity, and accountability?

If you answered yes to the questions above, please read on! We are searching for motivated and team-oriented individuals with strong communication and interpersonal skills to join our Septic and Onsite Wastewater team at the Clackamas County Department of Transportation & Development as a Soil Scientist OR a Soil Scientist Associate .

In either of these roles, your main focus will be to conduct soil investigations and plan reviews to determine the feasibility of septic system installation. You will be responsible for evaluating proposed sites for on-site sewage disposal and inspecting newly constructed, existing or failing on-site sewage disposal systems consistent with Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) codes and County ordinances. Additionally, you will be responsible for reviewing other permitting applications to ensure compliance with DEQ codes. You will have an opportunity to work onsite in the office, as well as out in the field, conducting site evaluations and inspections.

We are committed to being an exemplary team with best practices in the application of onsite wastewater rules & regulations, working together towards the common goal of achieving overall success of our organization. It is critical that every member of our team recognizes the vital role we play in our community. To that end, we are searching for individuals who are motivated to be a positive and collaborative contributor, demonstrating strong interpersonal, communication and organizational skills that will allow us to improve, develop and enhance our operations.

Required Minimum Qualifications/ Transferrable Skills:

SOIL SCIENTIST ASSOCIATE:

Must meet the minimum education requirements of a or as established by the Oregon Health Authority

SOIL SCIENTIST:

Registration by the State of Oregon as an or (which typically requires either a Bachelor's Degree with 45 science credit hours and two (2) years of experience or a Graduate Degree in Science and one (1) year of experience)

Experience applying general principles and standards of geology, hydrology, soil science, and septic design

Experience reading and interpreting topographic maps and profiles

Experience providing customer service and interacting with others in a courteous and professional manner

Preferred Special Qualifications/ Transferrable Skills:*

Science coursework that includes 10 quarter hours, or equivalent semester hours, in Introductory Soil Science, Soil Morphology and Physical Geology or Geomorphology

Experience as an Environmental Health Specialist, Wastewater Specialist, Geologist, or Engineering Geologist

Experience applying Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) regulations

Experience working in a septic, wastewater, or public sector environment

Experience working within a regulatory framework

Permitting experience within a regulatory environment

Pre-Employment Requirements:

Must pass a post-offer physical assessment; accommodation requests will be reviewed on an individual bases in compliance with State and Federal legislation.

Driving is required for County business on a regular basis or to accomplish work. Incumbents must possess a valid driver's license, and possess and maintain an acceptable driving record throughout the course of employment. Requirements for Soil Scientist Associate:

Within 60 days of hire, incumbent must obtain registration by the State of Oregon as an Environmental Health Specialist Trainee or Waste Water Specialist Trainee as defined by the Oregon Health Authority.

Within 2 years of hire, incumbent must obtain registration by the Oregon Health Authority as an Environmental Health Specialist or Waste Water Specialist.

*For Veterans qualified for Veteran's Preference: If you believe you have skills that would transfer well to this position and/or special qualifications that relate to this position, please list those skills and/or qualifications in the open-ended question at the end of the application and explain how those skills and/or qualifications relate to this position.

TYPICAL TASKS

Please review the classification specifications, which include the typical tasks for each position (Soil Scientist Associate and Soil Scientist) by clicking on the following links:

CONDITIONS

Duties require frequent standing, walking, squatting, bending, twisting, kneeling, reaching, digging, balancing, climbing, fine motor control, and the ability to lift 50 pounds and carry up to 25 pounds. Duties also involve frequent exposure to confined spaces, loud noises, slippery and/or uneven surfaces, dust, and adverse weather conditions

WORK SCHEDULE

This position works 40 hours during a standard workweek of Monday through Friday. Specific hours of work will be discussed with the candidate selected for this position at the time an offer of employment is extended.

This position is eligible for hybrid on-site/telework subject to the and based on the Department's business needs. The exact amount of on-site/telework and schedule will be discussed with the hiring manager during time of offer. Telework locations cannot be located outside of Oregon or Washington. Washington residents must perform 50% of their time on-site at Clackamas County.

EXPLORE CLACKAMAS COUNTY

Clackamas County is in a prime location in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area and is recognized nationally as one of the most livable areas in the United States. Located on the southern edge of the City of Portland and extending to the top of Mt. Hood, Clackamas County is part of a thriving region in the Northwest. It has a population of about 420,000 residents.

THE DEPARTMENT

The mission of the Department of Transportation and Development (DTD) is to assist residents and businesses in creating vibrant, sustainable communities through innovative and responsive public service.

DTD is responsible for a broad range of county services involving land use planning and permitting, building permits, county code enforcement, solid waste and recycling, road construction and maintenance, surveying, plat approvals, public land corner restoration, economic development, libraries, County parks, and dog services.

PROCESS

Clackamas County only accepts online applications.

Help With Your Application:

you have any questions or issues you may contact the Department of Human Resources at ... or mailto:...?subject=Application%20Materials%20Question. Our office hours are Monday - Thursday 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Pacific Time (closed on Fridays).

HOW TO CLAIM VETERAN'S PREFERENCE

SPONSORSHIP

Clackamas County does not offer visa sponsorships. Once a job applicant has accepted a position, they will be required to complete an I-9 and confirm authorization to work in the United States prior to their first day.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Clackamas County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the Department of Human Resources prior to the recruitment close date. You may request an accommodation during the online application process.

OTHER INFORMATION

The Soil Scientist Associate is part of a promotional career path. Incumbents in the Soils Scientist Associate classification must qualify for and be advanced to the Soil Scientist within two (2) years of hire. Must possess required knowledge, skills and abilities at the higher classification, as documented in an approved promotional evaluation form.

RECRUITING QUESTIONS?

Lindsay Roberts, Recruiter

mailto:...

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