TDEC-ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST 1* - 09182026-81126

State of Tennessee

Knoxville (TN)

On-site

USD 49,000 - 61,000

Full time

10 days ago

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Job summary

State of Tennessee is seeking an Environmental Scientist 1 in the Department of Environment and Conservation at Knoxville, TN. You will learn and perform inspections, environmental data analysis, and enforcement actions under supervision.

The position offers entry-level responsibilities, potential for progression, and a structured one-year probationary period before reclassification. Applicants must meet educational requirements and possess relevant licenses as indicated.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in environmental or related sciences.
Valid driver's license at time of appointment; boating license if required.
Geologist license if duties require licensing.
Knowledge of environmental standards and compliance procedures.

Responsibilities

Conduct inspections and investigations to ensure compliance with laws and standards.
Review documents, permits, and reports; prepare legally defensible publications and plans.
Perform environmental tests and analyze data to determine actions needed.
Provide technical expertise to stakeholders during emergencies and regulatory activities.

Skills

Critical Thinking

Active Learning

Judgement & Decision Making

Time Management

Writing

Education

Bachelor’s degree in environmental science or related field

Tools

GPS

Watercraft/Vehicle

Sampling & Monitoring Equipment

Computer/Office Equipment

Job description

State of Tennessee Job Information

Opening Date/Time 09/18/2026 12:00AM Central Time

Job Information

State of Tennessee Job Information

Opening Date/Time 09/18/2026 12:00AM Central Time

Closing Date/Time 10/01/2026 11:59PM Central Time

Salary (Monthly) $4,057.00 - $5,078.00

Salary (Annually) $48,684.00 - $60,936.00

Job Type Full-Time

City, State Location Knoxville, TN

Department Environment and Conservation

LOCATION OF (1) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVATION, KNOX COUNTY

For More Information, Visit The Link Below

https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/environment/job-announcements-/preferred-service/00008618_env_sci_dmgr_kefo_tdec-job-opp_ps_ua.pdf

Qualifications

Education and Experience

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's or higher in environmental science, physical sciences (e.g. physics, chemistry, geology, meteorology), ecology, sustainability or applied science in sustainability, life sciences (e.g. biology, microbiology, agricultural science, agronomy, health physics or biophysics), environmental health, pre-medicine, engineering or other acceptable science or natural resource related field. An acceptable, environmental, physical, or life science degree will be considered based on assignment by the specific program area.

Necessary Special Qualifications:

Applicants for this class must:

Possess a valid motor vehicle operator's license at the time of appointment in some positions; if position requires operating a boat, must obtain a boater's license.
Applicants for the TDEC Environmental Scientist 1* in the Division of Radiological Health must successfully complete the training courses offered by the Division of Radiological Health, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, or other federal agencies.
TDEC Environmental Scientist's 1* performing geologic duties the major portion of their time must: have completed the required college course work at the time of appointment to be eligible to take the licensing examination offered by Tennessee's Department of Commerce and Insurance's Board of Professional Geologists, or b.) hold and maintain a current Geologic license from the State of Tennessee during employment or hold a current Geologic license from another State that Tennessee has evaluated and granted reciprocal licensing rights;
Some TDEC Environmental Scientist 1* positions assigned to function as Biologists must meet the specific educational requirements for Biologists, as follows: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree, including at least 36 quarter hours (or 24 semester hours) in biology, in one of the following areas: (1) biology or biological sciences, (2) botanical sciences, (3) environmental or conservation sciences, (4) zoological sciences, or (5) aquatic, terrestrial, or wetland biology or ecology or other acceptable biological science related field.

Overview

Under immediate supervision, is responsible for learning professional environmental, natural resources, sustainability, environmental assistance program, radiological health and/or similar science related program work of routine difficulty; and learns to perform related work as required. This is the entry level class in the TDEC Environmental Scientist subseries. An employee in this class may be assigned to learn a variety of environmental compliance inspection, monitoring, problem identification, corrective action and enforcement duties in an environmental regulatory or assistance division. An employee in this class may be assigned to learn natural resource management and/or inventory in conservation or other, non-regulatory programs. This class differs from TDEC Environmental Scientist 3 in that an incumbent of the latter performs environmental program duties at the advanced working or lead level under general supervision.

An applicant appointed to this flexibly staffed class will be reclassified to TDEC Environmental Scientist 2* after successful completion of a mandatory one-year probationary period; inadequate or marginal performance during the probationary period will result in automatic termination.

Responsibilities

Conduct inspections and/or investigations of equipment, structures, materials, and/or sites/facilities when required by a specific TDEC program area (e.g. air pollution, water resources, mineral and geologic resources, remediation, underground storage tanks, solid waste management, radiological health, natural areas, etc.) to ensure proper installation, maintenance, and/or operation and determine compliance with laws, regulations, or standards. Perform laboratory or field tests in accordance with requirements and analyze and interpret the environmental data and/or other information (e.g. monitoring records, site inspections, sampling data, etc.) using relevant methods to evaluate data trends, data quality, and usability for determining if further action is necessary.
Adhere and enforce environmental or other federal and/or state standards, laws, rules, regulations, and/or administrative policies and procedures (e.g. Standard Operating Procedures) through investigation of complaints; overseeing environmental sampling; and reviewing and evaluating applications, forms, plans, inspection documents, general correspondence, reports, or other records and taking corrective action as warranted, and if necessary, initiate legal action to effect compliance of established standards, laws, rules, regulations, or policies.
Review, analyze, and maintain relevant documents or data submitted by applicants or acquired by site inspections and/or other informative sources used for determining minimum environmental or other compliance with established standards. Prepare various publications, reports, and technical documents (e.g. permits, designs, layout blueprints, soil evaluations, maps, plans, etc.) in a concise and legally defensible manner to ensure Agencies missions are met. Reviews records, data, operational plans, enforcement action requests, reports, Quality Assurance/Quality Control parameters, etc. and interpret findings and results (i.e. site inspections, permits, lab results, etc.) to ensure acceptable methodologies are performed and communicates interpretation of findings and results using regulations, policy, guidance, etc. to stakeholders.
Performs environmental or health investigations, remediation, natural resource management, and/or collection of environmental samples and/or monitoring data (e.g. soil, rock, air, water, sediment, sludge, biological, etc.) under physically demanding conditions (i.e. ditches, uneven terrain, wading in water, climbing, lifting/carrying equipment weighing up to 50 pounds, etc.) and evaluates the results/data as required to determine compliance with permits, environmental or other standards, and/or ecological condition requirements.
Maintains, repairs, and calibrates electronic equipment [e.g. radiation detection meter, photo ionization detector, pH meter, GPS, and X-ray fluorescence (XRF)], scientific instruments, and mechanical equipment (e.g. ozone monitor, air monitor, laser level, watercraft, etc.), and inventories chemicals and supplies, disposing of expired materials in accordance with safety rules and regulations.
Provide technical expertise to emergency responders, stakeholders, and any other personnel during emergency events, industrial incidents/accidents, and natural catastrophes where impacts to the environment (e.g. release radiation and radioactive material, air contaminants, water contaminants, etc.) are imminent. Provide consultative, technical, or educational services to stakeholders (i.e. industry, municipalities, counties, individuals, or groups), the public, and/or staff regarding regulatory information and/or proper procedures for performing environmental work in an effort to enhance environmental stewardship, health or other standards, practices, and safety.

Competencies (KSA's)