Natural Resources Technician

At PGE, our work involves dreaming about, planning for, and realizing a smarter, cleaner, more enduring Oregon neighborhood. Its core to our DNA and we haven’t stopped since we started in 1888. We energize lives, strengthen communities and drive advancements in energy that promote social, economic and environmental progress. We’re always on the lookout for people passionate about leading and being a part of teams that are advancing innovative clean energy solutions that are also affordable and accessible to all.

Natural Resources Technician

Job Function:

We are looking for a Natural Resources Technician to join our Hydro Environmental team. Our team is comprised of fish and wildlife biologists and technicians, water quality specialists, recreation specialists and permitting and licensing specialists. Our team implements the environmental requirements of FERC licenses at hydroelectric facilities on the Deschutes, Clackamas, and Willamette rivers. We are responsible for juvenile and adult fish passage, fisheries studies, water quality monitoring, wildlife and plant surveys and operation of recreation facilities and parks.

This is a field-based position working alongside fisheries and terrestrial biologists at our Pelton Round Butte Hydro location in Madras, OR. Pelton Round Butte is co-owned by PGE and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs and provides approximately 450 MW of emissions free electricity. This position helps support the extensive fisheries, wildlife, recreation and cultural resources protection and mitigation measures required by the FERC license.  For the fisheries component, this position will assist with operations at both juvenile and adult fish passage facilities, assisting with maintenance and downloading of fixed radio stations, maintenance of field equipment, data entry into databases, and assisting with various fish surveys as needed. This position will also assist our terrestrial biologists, approximately 1-2 days/week (time of year dependent) with invasive plant surveys, weed treatments, site revegetation, irrigation and fencing maintenance, and assist with various wildlife surveys as needed.  This position may also assist with water quality data collection and occasionally may help support our Parks program. 

Key Job Information:

Environmental Support Technician 6200 Grade 4
Career Level: T2 Intermediate Technical Support Expands analytical or technical skills in own work area Maintains appropriate licenses, training and/or certifications, as needed Applies experience and skills to complete assigned work within our area of expertise Works within standard operating procedures and/or analytical methods Works with a moderate degree of supervision

Key Responsibilities:

• Performs routine aspects of assignments related to environmental studies, projects and programs.
• Performs moderately complex field work and data analysis.
• Assists with field surveys, such as data collection, soil sampling, fish collection, field monitoring and water-quality sampling.
• Applies increased knowledge of basic principles in technical area.
• Maintain related field equipment and inventories.
• Enters data from various field studies into electronic spreadsheets and databases.
• Conducts quality checks and prepares data summaries.
• Provides oversight and direction to Technician I under fieldwork conditions. Assists Environmental Services employees in other department activities as needed.
• Coordinates communication for fieldwork and related fieldwork schedules.
• Coordinates and assembles equipment.
• Safety Practices Adheres to PGE standards, safety objectives and regulatory requirements.

Education/Experience/Certifications Education

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Associate’s degree in related area preferred, such as fisheries or aquatic science.

Experience:

• Typically two or more years in related field

Competencies (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities):

Functional Competencies-

• Basic knowledge and skill in the application of assigned technical area’s processes and procedures
• Basic ability to interpret related technical content
• Basic knowledge of department policies and procedures
• Basic knowledge of safety requirements
• Working knowledge of office computer applications, including MS Word, Excel, etc.
• Basic knowledge of related company and department-specific systems and tools
• Basic knowledge of QA/QC process and procedures of specialty area
• Traditional Ecological Knowledge
• Native Science Knowledge

General Competencies-

• Basic knowledge of company
• Basic knowledge of utility industry and technology trends
• Basic problem-solving skills
• Strong attention to detail

Physical and Cognitive Demands:

• Use common sense to carry out simple or uninvolved instructions and pass initial screening.
• Cognitive Ability to adhere to set response times, deadlines and time-sensitive tasks
• Ability to follow accuracy standards
• Ability to follow through on decision-making tasks
• Ability to interact effectively and collaboratively within a team environment
• Ability to communicate and problem solve when under stress
• Ability to respond and adapt to frequent change
• Ability to accept and demonstrate self-awareness when provided constructive feedback
• Ability to discern feedback and acknowledge ownership of areas of improvement
• Ability to avoid future mistakes by applying reasonable skills to new but similar work situations or tasks
• Ability to successfully collaborate with peers, managers and others within the organization
• Demonstrates sound memory
• Ability to process new information to be applied consistently to work tasks

Schedule/Attendance:

• Ability to adhere to pre-established schedule, including start/stop time and break/lunch schedule
• Ability to work long hours
• Ability to work a variable schedule
• Ability to report to work and perform work during periods of severe inclement weather
• Ability to consistently meet attendance standards for regular, reliable, predictable, full-time attendance
• Ability to work shift schedule Ability to work on-call schedule

Physical Capabilities:

• Driving/travel/commute: Daily within service territory - Frequently (at least once a week or more)
• Computer use (use computer regularly for entire work shift)
• Lifting/pushing/pulling: Up to 50 lbs.
• Carrying: Up to 50 lbs.
• Unstable surfaces requiring balance (i.e., moving equipment, boats) (check all that apply):
  • Elevated areas (i.e., catwalks, roofs and high buildings)
  • Confined spaces
  • Walking distances and surfaces (long distances and over rough, uneven or rocky surfaces)
  • Stairs (over 10 steps)
  • Ladders (over 10 rungs)

Environment - Indoor/Outdoor:

• Field

Compensation Range:

Actual total compensation, including a performance based incentive bonus, is commensurate with experience, skills, qualifications, education, training, and internal equity. While we anticipate the selected candidate for this position will fall towards the middle or entry point of the compensation range, the decision will be made on a case-by-case basis.

PGE believes in rewarding dedicated performance. We provide a total rewards package that is designed to reward your contributions to the company, and, at the same time, support your well-being and professional development, both now and into the future. To find out more, click here.

Join us today and power your potential!

Assisting with storms or other Company emergencies is a part of all positions at Portland General Electric.

PGE is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer. PGE will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

PGE does not discriminate on the basis of disability. We recognize individuals have a variety of abilities to offer and we believe there is much to value and celebrate by incorporating different abilities into the work we do. One very important way we live this out is in our application and interview process. We work hard to support individuals who may need an accommodation to fully participate in these processes. If you feel you may need an accommodation, or would like to request one, please notify the Talent Acquisition Specialist (Recruiter) associated with the job posting. You may also make this request by contacting talentacquisition@pgn.com or by calling 503-464-7250. The Recruiter will provide information and next steps for the accommodation process.  Our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) team is also available for support.  You can contact them at dei@pgn.com.

To be considered for this position, please complete the following employment application by the posting close date.  Posting closes at midnight (Pacific Time) on the closing date below. If no date is listed, job is open until filled.