Environmental Scientist for Watershed Management

North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality; Bismarck (ND); On-site; USD 60,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality seeks an Environmental Scientist to join the Watershed Management Program within the Water Quality Division. You will work with local, state, tribal, and federal partners to monitor, protect and restore surface waters through sampling, assessment, plan development, and education, including responding to pollution incidents.

The role requires proficiency in technical writing, statistical analysis, and watershed/water quality modeling,

Qualifications

• Legally authorized to work in the United States; sponsorship not provided.
• Environmental Scientist III requires a bachelor’s degree and five years of related experience; Master’s may substitute for one year.
• Environmental Scientist II requires a bachelor’s degree and one year of related experience; Master’s may substitute for one year.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate the Impaired Water Section of the Watershed Management Program (WMP).
• Establish TMDL, Advance Restoration Plan, and Protection Plan priorities for sampling and report development.
• Develop and submit commitments to the USEPA.
• Present updates at State and EPA meetings.
• Compile resources and training tools for staff.
• Review and provide feedback on WMP staff project work.
• Maintain Section 303(d) List of Impaired Waters.
• Ensure collaboration across CWA programs.
• Implement Section milestones.
• Provide support for Nonpoint Source and Monitoring sections as needed.
• Respond to pollution incidents and related complaints as needed.

Skills

Technical writing

Statistical analysis

Watershed/water quality modeling

Education

Bachelor’s degree in natural or physical science (biology, chemistry, microbiology, environmental science)

Master's degree may substitute for one year of experience

One year of related experience for Environmental Scientist II

Job description

Summary Of Work

As an Environmental Scientist for the Watershed Management Program in the Water Quality Division, you will be part of a team of scientists dedicated to the monitoring, protection and restoration of surface waters in North Dakota. This is accomplished through sampling and assessment, plan and resource development, education, and coordination with local, state, tribal, and federal partners.

Summary Of Work

As an Environmental Scientist for the Watershed Management Program in the Water Quality Division, you will be part of a team of scientists dedicated to the monitoring, protection and restoration of surface waters in North Dakota. This is accomplished through sampling and assessment, plan and resource development, education, and coordination with local, state, tribal, and federal partners. Respond to pollution incidents (e.g., spills, fish kills, harmful algal blooms) and related complaints, as needed.

In This Role, You Will

• Coordinate the Impaired Water Section of the Watershed Management Program (WMP).
• Establish Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), Advance Restoration Plan, and Protection Plan priorities for sampling and report development.
• Develop and submit commitments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA).
• Present updates at State and EPA meetings.
• Compile resources and training tools for the Impaired Waters Section staff.
• Review and provide feedback on WMP staff project work.
• Maintain Section 303(d) List of Impaired Waters.
• Ensure collaboration and communication across CWA programs.
• Implement and delegate Impaired Waters Section milestones.
• Provide support for the Nonpoint Source and Monitoring and Assessment sections of the WMP, as needed.
• Respond to pollution incidents (e.g., spills, fish kills, harmful algal blooms) and related complaints, as needed.

To succeed in this position, the applicant will be proficient at technical/scientific writing and reviewing, statistical analysis, and watershed/water quality modeling.

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 III level but reserves the right to fill the position as an Environmental Scientist II.

Environmental Scientist III requires a bachelor's degree in natural or physical science with emphasis in biology, chemistry, microbiology, environmental science, or closely related field, and five (5) years of related experience. A master's degree may substitute for one (1) year of work experience. Starting salary is $6042/month, depending on experience.

Environmental Scientist II requires a bachelor's degree in natural or physical science with emphasis in biology, chemistry, microbiology, environmental science, or closely related field 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, depending on experience.

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:

The State of North Dakota is committed to providing team members with a strong and competitive rewards package that support you, your health and your family.

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.