TDEC ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST 2 - 09032026-80694

About the role

This position is ideal for an early career scientist with an interest/experience in environmental monitoring, data interpretation, and reporting. Individuals in this role are expected to conduct both radiological and chemical environmental monitoring support in multiple media types, including sediment, soils, water and biota samples.

Responsibilities

• Collect and interpret data across various environmental media (soil, surface water, building material, groundwater, sediment).
• Evaluate environmental radiological monitoring data as it pertains to cleanup efforts in existing decision documents and future decisions.
• Maintain equipment (managing calibration schedules and response checks, etc.) where appropriate.
• Lead, plan, coordinate, and document environmental monitoring projects.

Qualifications

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's or higher degree 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 and one year of full-time professional environmental program, natural resource conservation work or full-time professional work that involved ensuring compliance with radiation safety standards and/or regulations.

Substitution of Education for Experience: Graduate coursework 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 may be substituted for the required experience, on a year-for-year basis, to a maximum of one year (24 semester hours or 36 quarter hours is equivalent to one year).

Necessary Special Qualifications

• Applicants 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 1 performing geologic duties 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
  • 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:
  • 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:
    • biology or biological sciences,
    • botanical sciences,
    • environmental or conservation sciences,
    • zoological sciences, or
    • aquatic, terrestrial, or wetland biology or ecology or other acceptable biological science related field.

Competencies (KSA's)

• Decision Quality
• Communicates Effectively
• Customer Focus
• Tech Savvy
• Manages Complexity

Knowledge

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

Skills

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

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

TN Driver Standards

State of Tennessee positions that may involve driving responsibilities require candidates to meet the following minimum driver qualifications:

• A valid driver's license
• For the past five years, the candidate's driver record must not have record of the following violations: driving under the influence (DUI), reckless driving, license suspension for moving violations, more than 4 moving violations.