TCEQ - Geoscientist IV

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan

Health Insurance

Paid holidays

Professional development

Longevity pay

Wellness program

Onsite nurse practitioner

Job summary

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is seeking a licensed Geoscientist to assess complex waste management applications and provide regulatory expertise. The role supports the Waste Permit Division, requiring advanced geoscience knowledge and experience with permitting processes.

The position emphasizes training, SOP development, policy guidance, and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Licensed Geoscientist (TBPG) with five years of full-time geological experience beyond licensure.
• Or ten years of full-time geoscientist experience with licensure obtained within 12 months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Conduct highly complex geoscientific reviews and evaluations of waste management applications, ensuring compliance with laws and procedures.
• Provide mentorship and develop expert regulatory expertise; lead SOPs and guidance documents as needed.
• Participate in special projects like rule drafting, bill analyses, and process streamlining.

Skills

Geoscience knowledge

Regulatory experience

Technical review

Education

Geoscience degree

Job description

ed Geoscientist, 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 Waste, you would contribute to agency efforts to regulate the generation, treatment, storage, and disposal of various wastes and the cleanup of contaminated sites. See details about what we do. This position is a member of our Waste Permit Division.

Here’s What You’ll Be Doing

• Conduct highly complex geoscientific and technical reviews and senior-level evaluations of highly complex applications, reports, and plans pertaining to waste management; determines compliance with applicable laws, rules, technical principles, policies, and procedures; and processes to completion.
• Provide training, including mentoring staff, and senior level geoscientific and geotechnical expertise. Develop and apply expert level technical and regulatory expertise.
• Lead or participate in special projects, such as maintenance of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), rule writing, bill analysis, guidance document development, and streamlining work processes.
• Provide information concerning authorizations and authorization processes to internal and external customers through verbal communication, correspondence, meetings, presentations, and public hearings.
• Assist customers on the waste permits program through verbal communication, correspondence, data reports, presentations, and responses to Public Information Requests (PIRs).

Key Qualifications

• Experience preparing environmental permitting applications or reviewing environmental permit applications.
• Experience working with regulations, facilities, data regarding industrial waste, or hazardous waste.

Required Education & Experience

Licensed as a Geoscientist by the Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists (TBPG) plus five years of full-time geological experience beyond licensure.

OR

Ten years of full-time geoscientist experience and must obtain Geoscientist licensure within twelve (12) months of hire date by the Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists (TBPG).

A graduate degree in a geoscience discipline may substitute for one year of the required experience, with a maximum of two years substitution allowed.

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.

TRANSCRIPT/ COLLEGE HOURS Or COURSE WORK

See instructions on how to attach documents. A copy of your official college transcript or evaluation of foreign credentials in CAPPS is required if needed to meet the qualifications listed above.

Work Schedule

Standard business hours are M-F, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Individual and work group schedule determined by the Waste Permits 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 accommodation 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.