Environmental Scientist (NMED #12052)

New Mexico Department of Justice; Santa Fe (NM); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

New Mexico Environment Department (NMENV) is seeking highly engaged talent to assist us in protecting and restoring the environment for present and future generations in New Mexico. This role focuses on enforcing the Solid Waste Act and related rules, ensuring active and inactive landfills comply with regulatory requirements.

The ideal candidate will have strong written and verbal communications, experience reviewing solid waste permits, analyzing monitoring data, and drafting technical

Qualifications

• Strong written and verbal communication skills with relevant environmental science background.
• Experience reviewing solid waste permits and registrations.
• Experience analyzing environmental monitoring data and evaluating corrective actions.
• Knowledge of environmental policies, statutes, and regulations including solid waste acts and RCRA.
• Ability to draft technical and legal documents and provide testimony at public hearings.

Responsibilities

• Review solid waste facility permit and registration applications for compliance and feasibility.
• Prepare requests for information, approval letters, and permit certificates.
• Evaluate environmental monitoring reports for regulatory compliance and technical adequacy.
• Provide administrative support, respond to public records requests, and assist with public education.

Skills

Written communication

Verbal communication

Hydrogeology

Environmental science

Review permits

Environmental monitoring data

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Physical/Natural/Environmental Science or Engineering

Job description

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For more Job Requirements & Classification Description:

Department Name: Resource Protection Division

Program Area: Resource Recovery Bureau

Looking for a rewarding career and growth opportunity? The New Mexico Environment Department (NMENV) is seeking highly engaged talent to assist us in our mission to protect and restore the environment and foster a healthy and prosperous New Mexico for present and future generations. Come be a part of our great team for change! Learn more at: https://www.env.nm.gov/

As a valued new employee to the NMENV, you will receive five (5) full days of leave in your leave balances right from your start date.

NMED participates in E-Verify and will verify employment eligibility upon hire.

Interviews are anticipated to be conducted within two weeks of closing date.

Why does the job exist?

This position exists to protect the public and the environment by assuring compliance with the Solid Waste Act, New Mexico Solid Waste Rules, Recycling and Illegal Dumping Act, and the Recycling, Illegal Dumping and Scrap Tire Management Rule through implementation of the Solid Waste Rules and the Solid Waste Act. This purpose is achieved by making certain the construction, operation and monitoring activities at the active solid waste facilities comply with the regulatory requirements and are performed in a manner that is technically and scientifically appropriate. This purpose is further achieved by ensuring that inactive landfills undergo permanent closure and post-closure monitoring actions that are implemented in a manner consistent with regulatory requirements and are technically and scientifically sound.

How does it get done?

• Reviewing solid waste facility permit and registration applications, including interim reviews and amendments, and closure plans and construction quality assurance plans for feasibility and compliance with general engineering design guidelines and relevant standards, including American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standards.
• Preparing requests for additional information, approval letters, and permit/registration certificates.
• Evaluation of environmental monitoring reports for compliance with regulatory requirements and technical adequacy, including a determination of the appropriate level of monitoring (detection or assessment) and determining if assessment of corrective measures is required.
• Providing some administrative support to update database, forms, respond to public record requests, answer phone messages and mail as needed, attend and assist with the education of the public and regulated community.

Who are the customers?

• New Mexicans to protect and restore the environment
• Occasional contact with external Federal, State and Local regulatory bodies as well as contractors and environmental not for profit organizations
• Internal staff

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will have experience in the following:

• Have strong written and verbal communications skills, with experience in Hydrogeology, and Environmental Science.
• Experience with reviewing solid waste permits and registration applications.
• Experience analyzing environmental monitoring data and evaluating corrective action measures.
• Expertise interpreting and implementing environmental policies, statutes, and regulations including the New Mexico Solid Waste Act; New Mexico Solid Waste Rules; and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.
• Experience drafting technical and legal documents, including formal reports in anticipation of possible litigation and/or providing testimony at public hearings.

Bachelor's Degree in Physical, Natural, or Environmental Science, Soil Science, or Engineering and two (2) years of work experience in public/environmental health, environmental science, Air Quality Management, Biology, Engineering, Chemistry, Geology, Hazardous Waste Management, Wildlife Management, and/or Water Resources. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling six (6) years may substitute for the required education and experience.

Employment Requirements

Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license. Must possess and maintain a current Defensive Driving Course Certificate from the State of New Mexico or must pass and receive Defensive Driving Course Certification within six (6) months of date of hire as a condition of continued employment.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in an office setting with exposure to Visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and phone usage. Some sitting, standing, bending and reaching may be required. Routine field work and frequent travel, including occasional overnight travel to participate in public hearings; occasional walking on rough terrain and exposure to inclement weather; possible exposure to dust, noise, and odors.

Supplemental Information

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Agency Contact Information: Daniele Berardelli, [phone] or Email

For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.

Bargaining Unit Position

This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement and all terms/conditions of that agreement apply and must be adhered to.