TDEC-ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST 1* - 08182026-80155

Location: Nashville, TN (Davidson County) – Department of Environment & Conservation, Division of Underground Storage Tanks, Central Office

Pay

$4,057.00 - $6,099.00 monthly ($48,684.00 - $73,188.00 annually)

Schedule

Full-Time

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or higher degree from an accredited college or university 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.
• Valid motor vehicle operator’s license at the time of appointment (required for some positions). If the position requires operating a boat, a boater’s license is also required.
• For positions in the Division of Radiological Health: Successful completion of training courses offered by the Division of Radiological Health, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, or other federal agencies.
• For positions performing geologic duties: Completion of required college coursework to be eligible for the licensing examination offered by Tennessee’s Department of Commerce and Insurance’s Board of Professional Geologists, or possession of a current Geologic license from Tennessee or a state with reciprocal licensing rights.
• For positions functioning as Biologists: Bachelor’s degree with at least 36 quarter hours (or 24 semester hours) in biology, including one of the following areas:
  • Biology or biological sciences
  • Botanical sciences
  • Environmental or conservation sciences
  • Zoological sciences
  • Aquatic, terrestrial, or wetland biology or ecology, or other acceptable biological science-related field

About the Role

Under immediate supervision, this entry-level position is responsible for learning professional environmental, natural resources, sustainability, environmental assistance program, radiological health, and/or similar science-related program work of routine difficulty. Employees may be assigned to learn a variety of environmental compliance duties, including inspections, monitoring, problem identification, corrective action, and enforcement in regulatory or assistance divisions. Alternatively, assignments may involve learning natural resource management and/or inventory in conservation or non-regulatory programs.

This position is part of the TDEC Environmental Scientist subseries. After successful completion of a mandatory one-year probationary period, the incumbent will be reclassified to TDEC Environmental Scientist 2. 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 as required by specific TDEC program areas (e.g., air pollution, water resources, mineral and geologic resources, remediation, underground storage tanks, solid waste management, radiological health, natural areas) 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 environmental data and/or other information (e.g., monitoring records, site inspections, sampling data) using relevant methods to evaluate data trends, data quality, and usability for determining if further action is necessary.
• Adhere to and enforce environmental or other federal and/or state standards, laws, rules, regulations, and administrative policies and procedures (e.g., Standard Operating Procedures) through investigation of complaints, overseeing environmental sampling, reviewing and evaluating applications, forms, plans, inspection documents, general correspondence, reports, or other records, and taking corrective action as warranted. Initiate legal action to effect compliance if necessary.
• Review, analyze, and maintain relevant documents or data submitted by applicants or acquired through site inspections and/or other sources to determine compliance with established environmental or other standards.
• Prepare various publications, reports, and technical documents (e.g., permits, designs, layout blueprints, soil evaluations, maps, plans) in a concise and legally defensible manner to ensure the Agency’s missions are met.
• Review records, data, operational plans, enforcement action requests, reports, Quality Assurance/Quality Control parameters, etc., and interpret findings and results (e.g., site inspections, permits, lab results) to ensure acceptable methodologies are performed. Communicate interpretations to stakeholders using regulations, policy, and guidance.
• Perform 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) under physically demanding conditions (e.g., ditches, uneven terrain, wading in water, climbing, lifting/carrying equipment weighing up to 50 pounds). Evaluate results/data to determine compliance with permits, environmental standards, or ecological condition requirements.
• Maintain, repair, and calibrate electronic equipment (e.g., radiation detection meters, photo ionization detectors, pH meters, GPS, X-ray fluorescence (XRF)), scientific instruments, and mechanical equipment (e.g., ozone monitors, air monitors, laser levels, watercraft). Inventory chemicals and supplies, disposing of expired materials in accordance with safety rules and regulations.
• Provide technical expertise to emergency responders, stakeholders, and other personnel during emergency events, industrial incidents/accidents, and natural catastrophes where environmental impacts (e.g., release of radiation, radioactive material, air contaminants, water contaminants) are imminent.
• Provide consultative, technical, or educational services to stakeholders (e.g., industry, municipalities, counties, individuals, or groups), the public, and/or staff regarding regulatory information and/or proper procedures for performing environmental work to enhance environmental stewardship, health standards, practices, and safety.

Skills

• Critical Thinking
• Active Learning and Listening
• Judgement and Decision Making
• Time Management
• Writing
• Written Comprehension
• Inductive and Deductive Reasoning
• Limb and/or Full Body Flexibility
• Prolonged Stamina

Competencies

• Decision Quality
• Communicates Effectively
• Customer Focus
• Tech Savvy
• Business Insight

Knowledge

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Geology
• Law & Government

Tools & Equipment

• Computer/Tablet/Printer/Scanner/Copier/Fax
• Telephone/Cell Phone/Pager/Two-Way Radios
• Watercraft/Motor Vehicle/ATV
• Sampling, Monitoring Equipment and Supplies/Tools
• GPS/PPE/Power and Hand Tools