ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER SPECIALIST 2/3
State of Arizona
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
ADEQ is seeking an Environmental Engineer Specialist to inspect underground injection control (UIC) wells and oversee groundwater protection. You will evaluate permits, perform field inspections, and contribute to enforcement actions in the Water Quality Division.
This role involves travel across Arizona, occasional remote work within program guidelines, and collaboration with legal and technical teams to safeguard drinking water resources.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering or related field is required.
- Experience with environmental regulations and UIC rules is preferred.
- Strong analytical and reporting abilities are essential.
Responsibilities
- Conduct site inspections of injection wells and monitoring systems.
- Prepare technical reports and enforcement action plans.
- Review moderate to high complexity UIC permits and designs.
- Provide engineering support for enforcement proceedings.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
At Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) our mission is to protect and enhance public health and the environment in Arizona. Through consistent, science-based environmental regulation; and clear, equitable engagement and communication; with integrity, respect and the highest standards of effectiveness and efficiency. Because Arizonans treasure the unique environment of our state and its essential role in sustaining well-being and economic vitality, today and for future generations.
We are currently looking for employees who are committed to our Agency, passionate to excel in their career and engaged in our mission. Only this caliber of employee will be successful in driving our Agency towards accomplishing our mission.
Address: WATER QUALITY DIVISION -1110 W. Washington Street, Phoenix AZ 85007
Salary: EES 2 $70k-$80k; EES3 $80-$90k
Grade: 25 , 26
Closing Date: Open until filled
At ADEQ our mission/vision is to protect and enhance public health and the environment in Arizona. Through consistent, science-based environmental regulation; and clear, equitable engagement and communication; With integrity, respect, and the highest standards of effectiveness and efficiency; Because Arizonans treasure the unique environment of our state and its essential role in sustaining well-being and economic vitality, today and for future generations.
We are seeking an Environmental Engineer Specialist for our Water Quality Division's Groundwater Protection Inspection & Compliance Enforcement Unit. As an Underground Injection Control (UIC) Inspector, you will safeguard vital subsurface drinking water resources by evaluating and overseeing regional injection operations.
- Level 2 (EES 2) - Moderately Complex Oversight: Perform UIC well compliance evaluations, conduct physical field inspections, witness MITs, calculate fluid dynamics/pressures, and draft technical/enforcement reports.
- Level 3 (EES 3) - Advanced Technical Lead Oversight: Lead engineering oversight for Class I–VI wells, review complex UIC permits, witness advanced MITs, perform hydrogeologic modeling, and support legal enforcement actions.
This position is in the field 1-2 days per week/outdoors.
This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.
The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.
- Conduct site inspections of injection wellheads, piping, pressure relief, and monitoring systems to ensure compliance with engineering plans and regulations.
- Manage file reviews, respond to complaints, and travel statewide (including overnight stays) for facility inspections.
- Draft engineering technical reports and compliance action plans.
- Provide technical justifications and expert determinations for legal counsel in enforcement proceedings.
- Provide field guidance to assist facilities in achieving compliance during inspections.
- Manage caseloads to resolve open compliance cases and return facilities to compliance quickly.
- Evaluate moderate to high complexity UIC permit applications, facility designs, well construction, stress calculations, pump sizing, and plugging specifications across Class I–VI wells.
- Conduct cost-benefit analyses to evaluate overall project efficacy.
- Standard MITs & Pressure Calculations: Evaluate and witness standard Mechanical Integrity Tests (e.g., pressure tests, temperature logs) and calculate annulus behavior and fracture pressures using standard methodologies.
- Advanced MITs & Subsurface Analysis: Evaluate and witness advanced MITs (e.g., radioactive tracer, temperature, and noise logs) and compute complex fluid migration and formation fracture pressures.
- Data & Chemical Analysis: Analyze injection rates, well pressures, groundwater data, and chemical compatibility using engineering principles and mass balance calculations.
- Hydrogeologic Modeling: Apply hydrogeologic models to evaluate fluid behavior and subsurface conditions.
- Strategic Solutions: Providing innovative solutions to recurring compliance and permitting issues.
- Engineering Principles: Covers core topics like fluid mechanics, hydrogeology, geomechanics, and environmental remediation.
- Well Construction & Materials: Focuses on wellbore integrity, casing/tubing metallurgy, cementing, surface piping, and packers.
- Regulations & Standards: Requires understanding of the SDWA, EPA UIC rules (Classes I–VI), state codes, and procurement standards.
- Quantitative Analysis: Involves math, algebra, geometry, engineering statistics, and thermodynamics for fluid dynamics.
- Research & Operations: Includes researching info, agency rules/structure, confidentiality, and standard workplace software (MS Office/G-Suite).
- Calculations: Fluid dynamics, subsurface pressures, and fracture gradients.
- Plan Review: Engineering schematics, P&IDs, and specs.
- Data Analysis: Geophysical logs, MIT results, fall-off tests, and water chemistry.
- Documentation: Decision memos, permits, reports, and standard work.
- Communication & Analysis: Fact-gathering, communication, customer service, and statistical analysis.
- Advanced Calculations: Plume modeling and complex pressure/flow dynamics.
- Advanced Plan Review: Critiquing complex engineering plans and specs.
- Advanced Analysis: Analyzing advanced logs, MITs, and matrix data.
- Problem Solving: Engineering countermeasures and legal justifications.
- Work independently and prioritize tasks to complete assignments and meet deadlines with minimal supervision.
- Provide technical assistance and communicate effectively with interdisciplinary teams, stakeholders, and the public with tact and diplomacy.
- Build and maintain positive working relationships across department divisions and external contacts.
- Demonstrate flexibility, analytical problem-solving, and sound judgment when adapting to changing priorities.
- Lead cross-disciplinary initiatives, mentor junior staff, and apply technical authority to complex subsurface scenarios.
- Travel state-wide and/or work remotely as required by department needs.
- Bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, chemical engineering, geotechnical engineering or an engineering related discipline required.
- Level 2 (grade 25): 2-5 years Engineering experience (Master’s or Doctorate may substitute for 2 years’ experience
- Level 3 (grade 26): 5 or more years of Engineering experience (Master’s degree may substitute for two years of experience or Doctorate degree may substitute for 4 years of experience).
- Level 3 (grade 26): Engineer in training certification required through the Arizona Board of Technical Registration or equivalent organization in reciprocal jurisdiction. Professional Engineering certification through the AZ Board of Technical Registration or an equivalent org.
- Valid Arizona Driver License required.
- The position is approximately 60% virtual work and 40% in the field/office.
- This position requires overnight travel.
Driver’s License Requirements.
All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).
- 10 paid holidays per year
- Accrual of sick and annual leave beginning at 12 and 13 days per year respectively for full-time employees
- Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
- A top-ranked retirement program with lifetime pension benefits
- A robust and affordable insurance plan to include medical, dental, life, short-term and long-term disability
- An incentivized commuter club and public transportation subsidy program
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