DRMS Environmental Protection Specialist Intern

State of Colorado; Colorado; Remote; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and Dental plans

Retirement plans (PERA)

Paid life insurance

Disability coverage

Flexible work schedule options

Remote-work options

Job summary

The State of Colorado, through the Division of Reclamation, Mining & Safety, is seeking a qualified professional to review mine plans and permits for technical adequacy and regulatory compliance. The role involves inspecting mines, preparing records, and presenting evidence at hearings with oversight from senior staff.

Applicants should have a four-year science degree or equivalent experience and be prepared to work in a dynamic environment with cross-agency collaboration.

Qualifications

• Four (4) years professional work experience in geo-technical engineering, mining engineering, geo-chemistry, geology, hydrology, natural science, environmental science, physical science, natural resource management or a related science field.
• OR: Bachelor of Science degree in geo-technical engineering, mining engineering, engineering, geo-chemistry, geology, hydrology, natural science, environmental science, natural resource management or related field.

Responsibilities

• Review mine plans and permits for technical adequacy and regulatory compliance.
• Prepare and maintain legally binding permit records and inspection reports.
• Collect, interpret and present technical evidence; testify at hearings as required.
• Communicate with mine operators, landowners and public groups about permitting and enforcement.
• Conduct inspections of mine sites and enforce compliance with permits and regulations.
• Track projects and deadlines to ensure timely completion of reviews.

Skills

Written communication

Oral communication

Interpersonal skills

Independent work

Field work experience

Education

Bachelor of Science in geo-technical/mining/environmental sciences

Job description

Department Information

This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application.

Are you interested in investing in a career that makes a difference? Consider joining the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. It's our mission to manage and conserve Colorado's natural resources for the benefit of people today - and tomorrow. That means we have to balance development with conservation so the state we all love provides similar opportunities for our children and their children. We invite you to explore our website at https://dnr.colorado.gov/about-us to find out more about the work we do to manage Colorado's natural resources for today - and tomorrow. 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. In addition to offering rewarding, meaningful work, we offer:

• Medical and Dental plans
• Strong, flexible retirement plans including PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus pre-tax 401K and 457 plans
• Paid life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• Employee Wellness programs
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Savings Accounts
• 11 paid holidays per year plus generous vacation and sick leave
• Flexible work schedule options and remote-work options
• Career advancement opportunities throughout the State system

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

Division of Reclamation Mining & Safety

The Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety consists of four programs: the Coal Regulatory program, the Minerals Regulatory program, the Inactive Mine Reclamation program, and Mine Safety and Training program. The division is committed to balance the need for mineral resource production with protection of the public, environment and Colorado's natural resources. The mission of DRMS is to protect the public, miners and the environment during current mining operations, restore abandoned mines, and to ensure that all mined land is reclaimed to beneficial use.

Description of Job

This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application.

The position exists to review mine plans and permits for scientific and technical adequacy and regulatory compliance, as directed by senior staff. The position also monitors and inspects mines to enforce regulatory compliance with the permit, appropriate laws and regulations, occasionally testifying at formal hearings of the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board. Hiring at the Intern level may reallocate to an EPS I upon completion of a training plan. Once training has been completed, the position is to be moved to the next level. Positions should not remain in this class indefinitely.

Review Applications for Mining Operations:

• Reviews mine plans and permits, analyzing them for technical adequacy and evaluating them for regulatory compliance.
• Analyzes baseline data contained in permit documents. Recommends courses of action to senior staff based on reviews.
• Position makes decision with supervisory oversight to approve, deny, or conditionally approve applications after thorough technical review of the applications.

Written and Verbal Communications:

• Compiles and writes legally binding permit records, inspection reports and legal documents reviewed by supervisor.
• Corresponds with mine operators, landowners, public interest groups and other government agencies.
• Position reviews permit applications and writes technical review documents with senior staff oversight to ensure permits meet the requirements of the Act and regulations.
• Conducts inspections and prepares inspection reports identifying deficiencies and requesting corrective actions to address those deficiencies.
• Issues documents for possible violations and prepares presentation materials for enforcement hearings before the Mined Land Reclamation Board.

Evidence Collection, Interpretation and Presentation:

• Collects and assembles evidence and compiles a variety of technical and legally defensible reports.
• Enforces applicable laws and regulations in conjunction with the supervisor. Presents evidence and testifies at Mined Land Reclamation Board hearings and public hearings.

Customer Interaction:

• Confers with mine operators, members of the public, landowners, other staff members and interest groups on permitting, inspection and enforcement matters.

Field Inspections:

• Inspects and monitors less technically complex mine operations for compliance with permit plans, the applicable law and regulations.
• Investigates potential non-compliance situations, sampling and documenting as necessary for enforcement actions.
• Conducts routine monitoring inspections of permitted mine sites. Observations made during inspections are compared to the approved Reclamation Permit, the Act, and applicable regulations.
• Position must determine if matters of non-compliance are cited as problems or possible violations.

Project Management:

• Tracks individual projects and applicable deadlines to ensure statutory timelines are adhered to. Routinely updates internal database for a variety of metrics for mine sites assigned to position. Work is designed to train positions for a higher level in the class series.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application.

Minimum Qualifications:

Four (4) years professional work experience in geo-technical engineering, mining engineering, geo-chemistry, geology, hydrology, natural science, environmental science, physical science, natural resource management, or a related science field.

OR

Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited college or university in geo-technical engineering, mining engineering, engineering, geo-chemistry, geology, hydrology, natural science, environmental science, physical science, environmental science, natural resource management or a related science field.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Current or former State experience relevant to this position.
• The preferred candidate will have excellent written, oral and interpersonal skills and the ability to work independently as well as in a team atmosphere.
• The preferred candidate will have experiencedoing field work.
• Excellent organizational skills
• The ability to multitask
• The ability to work well with a diverse population

Conditions of Employment:

• Colorado residency is required at the time of application.
• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose the information on the application and provide an explanation why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify their application from the current position. (Please Note: Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with DNR).
• A current & valid Driver's license is required for operating a state vehicle and significant travel is anticipated.
• Must be willing and able to occasionally exert up to 20 lbs. of force to move objects.
• DNR does not provide Visa Sponsorship.

APPEAL RIGHTS:

It is recommended that you contact the Human Resources Specialist listed below to resolve issues related to your possession of minimum qualifications. However, if you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director.

An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative. This form must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email, US Mail, faxed or hand delivered within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the department’s action.

For more information about the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it to the State Personnel Board go to spb.colorado.gov or refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov under Rules.

Supplemental Information

The Assessment Process

• All applications received by the closing of this announcement will be reviewed by an HR Specialist against the Minimum Qualifications in this announcement.
• 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 will be a structured application review by Subject Matter Experts.
• Resumes, cover letters and other attachments are not considered as part of initial reviews, therefore, it is important to document in your application your education, experience, minimum qualifications, and preferred qualifications as outlined in the job announcement.
• Please thoroughly answer all supplemental questions (if listed) since question responses may be evaluated for content, writing ability, spelling, grammar, and effective communication.
• This recruitment may involve additional testing and/or exams to arrive at the top group for interviews.

A salary range is posted for this position and any job offer is based upon a salary analysis to comply with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. The salary analysis considers relevant experience, education, certifications, and state seniority as compared to others doing substantially similar work. While all offers are compliant with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, there is no guarantee an offer will be at the top of the posted range based on the salary analysis.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

We are committed to increasing a "Colorado for ALL" of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of all backgrounds and abilities. The State of Colorado believes that a "Colorado for ALL" drives 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 Department of Natural Resources 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 [e-mail].

ADAAA Accommodations

Any person with a disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) may be provided a reasonable accommodation upon request to enable the person to complete an employment assessment. To request an accommodation, please contact [e-mail] at least five business days before the date that any accommodation will be required to allow us to evaluate your request and prepare for the accommodation. You may be asked to provide additional information, including medical documentation, regarding functional limitations and type of accommodation needed. Please ensure that you have this information available well in advance of the assessment date.

E-Verify

The Department of Natural Resources participates in E-Verify in accordance with the program's Right to Work for all newly-hired employees. Employees are queried through the electronic system established by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) to verify identity and employment eligibility. You may complete section 1 of the I-9 form upon your acceptance of a job offer letter, but no later than your first day of employment and in addition, on your first day, but no later than the third day, you are required to submit original documents to verify your eligibility to work in the U.S. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities. DNR Does not provide Visa Sponsorship.

Toll-Free Applicant Support - Technical Help

If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system (e.g. uploading or attaching documents to your online application) call NEOGOV at 855-524-5627, Mon-Fri between 6 am and 6 pm (Pacific Time). The Human Resources Office will be unable to assist with technical issues. Helpful hints: If you are having difficulty uploading or attaching documents to your application, ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files and close the document before you attempt to upload it.