Environmental Scientist for Groundwater Protection

North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality; Bismarck (ND); On-site; USD 63,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality is seeking an Environmental Scientist to join the Ground Water Protection Program in the Division of Water Quality. You will provide technical oversight for site characterization and remedial actions, and you will conduct inspections of underground injection wells.

Additional duties include coordinating groundwater sampling, delineating source water protection areas, developing QAPP/FSP/SOPs, and communicating with local, state and federal

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in natural or physical science with emphasis in geology, hydrology, or environmental science.
• One year of related experience; master's may substitute for one year.
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States; no sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Providing technical oversight for site characterization and remedial action activities at contaminant release/spill sites.
• Conducting inspections of underground injection wells regulated by the UIC Program.
• Coordinating groundwater sampling activities with ambient monitoring programs.
• Completing source water protection area delineations and inventories.
• Developing QAPP, FSP, and SOPs for water quality sampling projects.
• Maintaining communication with local, state, and federal agencies.
• Responding to pollution incidents and complaints as needed.

Skills

Groundwater sampling

Site assessment

Technical report writing

Stakeholder presentation

Facility inspection

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor of natural/physical science (geology/hydrology/environmental science)

1 year related experience; master may substitute

Job description

Summary of Work

This position works with the Ground Water Protection Program in the Division of Water Quality. The Groundwater Protection Program focuses its efforts on preventing contamination of groundwater through programs designed to control potential sources of contamination. We also work to restore groundwater that has been polluted. Responsibilities of the position include:

• Providing technical oversight for site characterization and remedial action activities at contaminant release/spill sites, including data interpretation and evaluations of geologic and hydrogeologic conditions, contaminant levels and associated potential health risks, and appropriate remedial alternatives


• Conducting inspections of underground injection wells regulated by the Underground Injection Control Program


• Coordinating and assisting in groundwater sampling activities completed in conjunction with the Ambient Groundwater Monitoring Programs, including well sampling, equipment calibration and maintenance, and data entry and reporting


• Completing source water protection area delineations and contaminant source inventories as part of the Source Water Protection Program


• Developing Quality Assurance Project Plans (QAPP), Field Sampling Plans (FSP), and Standard Operating Procedures for water quality sampling projects in North Dakota


• Maintaining clear and open communication with local, state, and federal agencies (e.g., US EPA, NRCS, DWR, NDGF)


• Responding to pollution incidents (e.g., contaminant spills or releases) and complaints, as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. DEQ will not provide sponsorships.

DEQ is attempting to fill this position at the Environmental Scientist II level but reserves the right to fill the position as an Environmental Scientist I.

Environmental Scientist II requires a bachelor's degree in natural or physical science with emphasis in geology, hydrology, or environmental science and one (1) year of related experience. A master's degree may substitute for one (1) year of work experience. Starting salary is $5484/month.

Environmental Scientist I requires a bachelor's degree in natural or physical science with emphasis in geology, hydrology, or environmental science. Starting salary is $5223/month.

Preferences

• Groundwater monitoring well sampling experience


• Environmental site assessment, remediation, and risk assessment experience


• Demonstrated technical/scientific report writing ability


• Presenting technical information to stakeholders


• Facility inspection experience


• Knowledge of the use of computers, with emphasis on Word, WordPerfect, Excel and Access.

About Team ND

\"Far and away the best prize life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.\" - Theodore Roosevelt

More than 7,500 talented, hard-working people across sixty-three agencies have come together as Team North Dakota. At Team ND, we are driven to succeed through gratitude, humility, curiosity and courage. Our purpose is to empower people, improve lives, and inspire success. Join us in being legendary.

Total Rewards

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Application Information

The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) does not offer or provide sponsorships. DEQ is an E-Verify employer and applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

For more information about the position, contact Carl Anderson, Groundwater Protection Program Manager at [phone].

For assistance or questions regarding the application or interview process, please contact Casey Goodhouse, Human Resource Director at [e-mail] or [phone] (TTY Relay North Dakota).

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of North Dakota and this hiring agency do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), genetics, religion, age or disability in employment or the provisions of services and complies with the provisions of the North Dakota Human Rights Act.

As an employer, the State of North Dakota prohibits smoking in all places of state employment in accordance with N.D.C.C. Sect. 23-12-10.