ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST 3

State-of-Nevad; Reno (NV); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

State-of-Nevad in Reno seeks an Environmental Scientist to perform administrative and technical reviews of Site Characterization Reports and Predictive Modeling Results for designated mining facilities. You will assist permit writers with drafting water pollution control permits and related documentation.

The role includes field visits, evaluating compliance from monitoring data, and providing technical support for enforcement actions and closure planning within the DEP's Hydrology and Mining

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in the physical, natural resource, life sciences, or engineering field and three years of professional environmental experience; OR five years of related experience; OR one year as Environmental Scientist 2 in Nevada State service.

Responsibilities

• Review Site Characterization Reports and Predictive Modeling Results for mining facilities.
• Assist permit writers with drafting water pollution control permits and related documentation.
• Conduct site visits to verify studies and compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Evaluate compliance using field observations and monitoring results.
• Develop regulations, procedures and training for staff and the regulated community.

Skills

Communication skills

Regulatory knowledge

Hazard assessment

Leadership

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in physical, natural resource or life sciences, engineering or closely related field

Tools

EPA data systems

Computer modeling software

Job description

This position support and is within the Hydrology branch within the Bureau of Mining Regulation and Reclamation (BMRR), Regulation and Closure Program and is located in the Reno office for the Division of Environmental Protection. The position is responsible for performing administrative and technical (Hydrogeological and Geochemical) reviews of Site Characterization Reports and Predictive Modeling Results for Designated Mining Facilities (e.g. underground workings, pit lakes, tailings, etc). Will be required to assist permit writers with the drafting of water pollution control (WPC) permits and associated documentation in relation to the technical review findings. Conduct site visits of assigned mining facilities, as warranted, to determine validity of the submitted and approved studies, predictive models, the individual permit, and statutory and regulatory program requirements. Evaluate compliance status based upon field observations and monitoring results. When necessary, this position provides technical assistance and documentation regarding permitting actions and assistance in developing enforcement or remedial actions. Assist Closure Branch, Regulation Branch, and Reclamation Branch personnel with the review and approval of long–term management and closure strategies and assess the necessity and scope of additional financial assurances.

Environmental Scientists perform program research, planning and development, permitting, compliance monitoring, inspections/enforcement, and technical support services in relation to air, water, federal facilities, corrective action, mining, biology and waste environmental programs.

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in the physical, natural resource or life sciences, engineering or closely related field and three years of professional environmental experience which involved environmental program research and planning; OR graduation from high school or equivalent and five years of professional environmental experience as described above; OR one year of experience as an Environmental Scientist 2 in Nevada State service; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience as described above.

Develop program documents such as the annual program plan, quarterly activities report, environmental assessments, technical reports and environmental impact statements in accordance with federal and State requirements; review existing program standards; research, compile and verify available data; analyze data and trends including the projected impact of federal, State and local regulations; propose new or revised standards; develop regulations, procedures and protocols and draft legislation; provide information and technical assistance to the general public and regulated community; develop and provide training to staff and the regulated community; prepare various reports as required for planning or in response to requests from the legislature, general public, regulated community, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), or Division of Environmental Protection (DEP) administration; conduct public hearings; justify with fact sheets and discussion as required.

Conduct research through the use of technical, scientific and historical data to provide a tool for administrative and resource planning and decision making; coordinate with other agencies involved in the implementation of environmental programs; represent the division or agency at various meetings involving federal, State and local regulatory and resource agencies, the public, non-governmental organizations and the regulated community; participate in federal, State and localpolicy and regulation development.

Develop grant applications, proposals for performance, grant workplans, budgets and applications using federal and Statepolicies and procedures; negotiate commitments with federal, State and local agencies; solicit project proposals; negotiate workplans and draft contract documents and required amendments; monitor grant performance, expenditures and contracts.

Develop and draft permits for industry and governmental entities; compile facility data; examine and adapt the permit to applicable standards; establish limitations; review permits for regulatory compliance; perform public permit notification and final permit issuance.

Perform compliance monitoring; analyze submitted environmental reports in relation to technical, scientific and legal criteria and make recommendations to ensure compliance; take periodic samples according to established protocol and transport to appropriate laboratories; operate various monitoring equipment; evaluate new and existing sample sites for usefulness.

Respond to environmental complaints through investigation, determination of complaint validity and determination of appropriate action to be taken.

Conduct inspections to ensure compliance with federal, State and local regulations; inspect pollution control equipment; take or observe others taking samples; determine whether violations are occurring; make a detailed report and recommendation to the appropriate entity; determine appropriate enforcement action to be initiated; prepare notices of violation; meet with the regulated community, potentially responsible parties and attorneys to present findings and negotiate resolutions, administrative settlements and civil penalties; give depositions, testify in court as required and serve as the State's expert witness in lawsuits and other court matters.

Perform various technical services required to carry out any of the above-mentioned duties, including calculating pollutant concentrations, calibrating a variety of sampling equipment and preparing monitoring sites.

Input and access data to and from a national data system maintained by the EPA in accordance with federal grant requirements; perform computer modeling using computer programs to manipulate data; evaluate environmental data and make decisions based on this information.

Incumbents are primarily responsible for the complex planning, enforcement, contract coordination, pollution prevention, monitoring and/or permitting functions within a program area (e.g., air pollution) and may provide work direction to lower-level staff. Incumbents perform work assignments independently and are accountable for the final work product; work is reviewed through progress reports and meetings and as the need arises when unusual circumstances occur.

Perform related duties as assigned.

This class specification lists the major knowledge, skills and abilities of the job and is not all inclusive. Incumbent(s) will be expected to have knowledge, skills and abilities from a previous level.

Working knowledge of: legal procedures related to the enforcement of pollution control, if applicable to the position; EPA and other federal and State grant requirements.

Ability to: effectively communicate technical, scientific, environmental, regulatory and legal information verbally and in writing to subordinates, individuals and groups with varying backgrounds; evaluate potential radiological, chemical and/or biological hazards and determine proper actions to safeguard individual and public safety; recognize existing or potential problems which require communication to higher level management; act as a lead worker to organize, oversee and delegate work responsibilities; independently establish priorities which accurately reflect the relative importance of job responsibilities; interpret and enforce department and division policies and rules; draft complete, accurate and legally defensible enforcement/mitigation action and programmatic documents and effectively implement enforcement/mitigation action procedures; negotiate with the regulated and natural resource community to ensure compliance and resolve issues; analyze complex data and apply concepts to difficult problems.