TCEQ - Aquatic Scientist I

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) and 457 plans

Health Insurance

Paid holidays

Professional development opportunities

Longevity pay

Wellness Program

Onsite Nurse Practitioner

Work-Life Balance

Job summary

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is seeking an Aquatic Scientist to join the Office of Water, Water Quality Division, to help ensure clean and safe water resources for Texas.

You will implement water quality standards, evaluate wastewater discharge applications, and coordinate studies and projects with agencies and the public to improve water resource management.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in aquatic science or related field from an accredited college or university.
• Experience in conducting and evaluating whole effluent toxicity (WET) biomonitoring tests.
• Bachelor's degree in a natural science with required statistics coursework (9 semester hours).

Responsibilities

• Implement water quality standards and evaluate wastewater discharge applications.
• Evaluate water quality and assess impacts to water bodies affected by permits.
• Evaluate proposed federal dredge and fill permits and advise on mitigations.
• Assist in implementing water quality criteria and management procedures.
• Coordinate and evaluate water quality studies and projects.
• Communicate with management, agencies, and the public to improve water quality management.

Skills

Whole effluent toxicity testing

Education

Master's degree in aquatic science or related field

Bachelor's degree in natural science with required statistics coursework (9 hours)

Job description

Job Description

Are you an Aquatic Scientist, ready for a unique opportunity to grow with an environmental state agency? Join TCEQ! We bring passion and drive to carry out our mission of protecting our state's public health and natural resources.

YOUR FUTURE TEAM

As part of TCEQ's Office of Water, you would contribute to ensuring clean and available water and protecting Texas' water resources. See details about what we do. This position is part of our Water Quality Division.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING

• Implement water quality standards and evaluate impacts of journey-level wastewater discharge applications and federal projects for the Water Quality Division of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).
• Evaluate water quality, assign standards, and assess impacts to water bodies affected by wastewater discharge permits.
• Evaluate proposed federal permits for dredge and fill operations and recommends mitigation measures for potential water quality impacts.
• Assist in implementing water quality standards, site‑specific water quality criteria, and water quality management procedures.
• Coordinate, conduct, participate, and evaluate water quality studies and other projects.
• Coordinate with management and staff, other agencies, and the public to convey information and to improve water quality management and assist with establishing coordinating, and evaluating whole effluent toxicity testing requirements in wastewater discharge permits when needed.

Key Qualifications

• Master's degree in aquatic science or a related field from an accredited college or university.
• Experience in conducting and evaluating whole effluent toxicity similar biomonitoring tests.

Required Education & Experience

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in a natural science such as biology, zoology, wildlife/fisheries science, toxicology, environmental science, or a closely related field. These degrees must include nine semester hours in statistics, limnology, ecology, hydrology, aquatic ecology, ichthyology, benthic ecology, wildlife biology, invertebrate biology, entomology, toxicology, phycology, marine science, aquatic chemistry, aquatic pollution, or aquatic microbiology.

OR

A bachelor's degree plus two years of full‑time experience in environmental activities related to the examples of work performed.

Employees in this classification series may research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure, including but not limited to a communication infrastructure system, cybersecurity system, electric grid, hazardous waste treatment system, or water treatment facility. See Tex. Business & Commerce Code Section 117.001(2). Accordingly, the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure is a requirement to be hired for and to continue to be employed with TCEQ.

Work Schedule

Standard business hours are M-F, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Individual and work group schedule determined by the TCEQ Water Quality Division.

Benefits

• Optional 401(k) and 457 plans
• Insurance: Health, Vision, Dental, and optional FSA
• Paid day(s) off from work on national holidays and holidays that the state observes
• Professional development opportunities
• Longevity pay based on your number of years working for the state
• Wellness Program and Activities
• Onsite Nurse Practitioner in HQ
• Work-Life Balance

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT

TCEQ will conduct a criminal history records search, driving history (if required for the job) on candidates offered employment.

In compliance with ADA, if you need any special accommodations during the employment process, please contact HRSS for assistance at [phone].

MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY (MOS) CODES

Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes can be found at: https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions/. Please click the hyperlink under `Occupational Category' for the respective Class Title.

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is an Equal Opportunity Employer.