Local recruitment: Environmental Protection Specialist I - Water Quality Permit Writer

• Salary: $65,736.00 – $78,888.00 Annually
• Location: Denver, CO
• Job Type: Full Time
• Job Number: FAA00232-08/26/25
• Department: Department of Public Health & Environment
• Division: Water Quality Control Division
• Opening Date: 08/26/2025
• Closing Date: 9/8/2025 5:00 PM Mountain
• FLSA: Determined by Position
• Type of Announcement: This position is open only to Colorado state residents.
• Primary Physical Work Address: 4300 Cherry Creek South Drive, Denver, CO 80246
• FLSA Status: Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.
• Department Contact Information: Mike Houlihan at michael.houlihan@state.co.us
• How To Apply: Please submit an online application for this position at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado. Reach out to the Department Contact to apply using a paper application, including any supplemental questions. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before the closing date and time listed.

Department Information

The job bulletin is only available to current permanent residents of the State of Colorado.

This position will have remote and hybrid workplace options available but will still be required to report to the listed address at the discretion of the supervisor and based on business need. 

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 career position that makes a direct impact on improving the lives of Colorado citizens. 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 Masters degree programs 
• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, and 
• A variety of employee resource groups 

Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, go to:  https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/pslfFlow.action#!/pslf/launch

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. 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 compliance assistance and general public assistance, and assists other units related to permitting topics. The work of the Permits Section is distributed across multiple work units. This permit writer position resides in one of the work units included in the Permits Section. All EPS work is under the review and approval of the work group leader (WGL) and/or unit manager (UM).
Unit 3: The Industrial and Natural Resources Extraction Permits Unit exists to complete work assigned to the Unit. Currently assigned work includes process water/mine water (including mining storm water) most industrial dischargers to surface water individual permits (with the exception of SIC 20- Food and Kindred and Hot Springs), and the following general permits; coal mining (COG850000), oil and gas (COG840000), sand and gravel process and storm water (COG500000), and storm water discharges associated with all mining (extractive) activity. Additional core work assigned to the unit includes evaluations of perpetual discharges and implementation of the Federal 316(b) rule. The unit also provides support to work assigned outside the unit on an as needed basis (e.g., regulatory guidance, enforcement actions, TMDL development). Unit staff provide general public assistance responding to inquiries on unit topics and provide information for work planning and reporting for the permits assigned to the work unit.

About the position

This position exists to implement technology and water quality based regulations that protect human health and the environment through permit actions. Work is higher in complexity than an EPS Intern. The EPS 1 permit writer is an individual contributor and performs established work processes and operations learned as an intern EPS applying the following procedures, techniques, rules, and regulations to draft permitting actions. Specifically, the EPS 1 permit writer develops sand and gravel permit certification for storm water mining individual permit actions (including Water Quality Assessments), and individual mining storm water permitting, as requested by the unit manager. This work is under the direction of a supervisor or workgroup leader.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Minimum Qualifications

(Option 1) 
Five (5) years of water quality or related experience. 

(Option 2) 

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, environmental science, geology, environmental engineering, hydrology, watershed science or closely-related field. 

 AND 

One year of water quality related experience.

(Option 3)  

A graduate degree in biology, chemistry, environmental science, geology, environmental engineering, hydrology, watershed science or closely-related field will substitute for the bachelor’s degree and one year of experience.

The required experience must be substantiated within the work experience section of your application. Your resume will not be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications; only the work experience section of your application will be reviewed to determine this. “See Resume” statements on the application will not be accepted. In addition, part-time work will be prorated.  

Preferred Qualifications and Essential Competencies

• Demonstrated ability to interpret, analyze, and summarize water quality and/or surface water flow data and to report findings of analysis.
• Relevant years of State service shall be considered.
• Experience applying numeric water quality requirements related to industrial and/or domestic wastewater treatment facilities.
• Knowledge using or interpreting State or Federal Permit Regulations and/or experience with the Clean Water Act and Colorado Water Quality Control Act.
• Knowledge of hydrology, including Surface Water Flow Modeling.
• Knowledge of storm water flows and/or contaminant characteristics from mining sites.
• A strong knowledge of Excel software and applications.
• Demonstrated experience manipulating large water quality or quantity datasets
• Self accountable and a high level of initiative for high-quality and timely results
• Ability to pay close attention to detail when completing work tasks.
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to adapt quickly to change and easily consider new approaches
• Foster an inclusive workplace where diversity and individual differences are valued
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with others

Conditions of Employment

• A pre-employment background check will be conducted as part of the selection process. Should your background check reveal any charges and convictions, it is your responsibility to provide the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Human Resources office with an official disposition of any charges.

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 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 applies to all charges of discrimination. 

Supplemental Information

 Applicant Checklist: The following must be submitted by the application deadline.

1. A completed State of Colorado application submitted online via colorado.gov/jobs by the application deadline.
2. A cover letter that describes how your experience aligns with the minimum and preferred qualifications of this position. Cover letters must be uploaded as an attachment to your colorado.gov/jobs application. Cover letters will not be accepted after the closing date and time of the announcement.
3. If using education to qualify, a copy of your college/university transcripts. Transcripts can be attached to your colorado.gov/jobs application.

The Selection Process:  Applicants will be notified at each step in the selection process via email. Emails will come from info@governmentjobs.com.  

1. 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. 
2. Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted based on merit and fitness through a comparative analysis process.
   1. 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. 
3. A top group, up to six candidates, will be invited to schedule an interview with the hiring manager.

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.

Employer: State of Colorado

Address: See the full announcement by clicking
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Location varies by announcement, Colorado, —

Website: https://careers.colorado.gov/