TDEC-ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST 2* - 09222026-81179

Location: Chattanooga, TN | Department: Environment and Conservation (Division of Radiological Health) | Job Type: Full‑Time | Salary: $4,057.00 – $5,078.00 per month ($48,684.00 – $60,936.00 annually)

Overview

Under general supervision, the TDEC Environmental Scientist 1 performs a wide variety of professional environmental, health physicist, natural resources, sustainability, laboratory, geological, and related science program work of average difficulty. Duties include inspections, monitoring, problem identification, sample collection, report writing, corrective action, emergency response, surveying, lab work, and enforcement in environmental regulatory, radiological health, natural resources, or sustainable practices program areas. The role may also involve natural resource management and non‑regulatory duties. This is a working‑level position in the Environmental Scientist sub‑series, distinct from entry‑training (Environmental Scientist 1) and advanced (Environmental Scientist 3) levels.

Qualifications

• Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree (or higher) from an accredited college or university in environmental science, physical sciences (e.g., physics, chemistry, geology, meteorology), ecology, sustainability, life sciences (e.g., biology, microbiology, agricultural science, agronomy, health physics, biophysics), environmental health, pre‑medicine, engineering, or another acceptable science/natural‑resource field, plus one year of full‑time professional environmental program, natural‑resource conservation work, or work ensuring compliance with radiation safety standards and/or regulations. An acceptable environmental, physical, or life‑science degree may be considered based on assignment.
• Substitution of Education for Experience: Graduate coursework in the above fields may substitute for required experience on a year‑for‑year basis, up to one year (24 semester hours or 36 quarter hours).
• Special Qualifications:
  • Valid motor vehicle operator’s license at appointment; a boater’s license if the position requires operating a boat.
  • For Radiological Health assignments, successful completion of training courses offered by the Division of Radiological Health, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, or other federal agencies.
  • For geologic duties, completion of required college coursework to be eligible for the Tennessee Board of Professional Geologists licensing exam, or possession of a current geologic license (Tennessee or reciprocal from another state).
  • For positions functioning as Biologists, a bachelor’s degree with at least 36 quarter hours (or 24 semester hours) in biology or related biological sciences.

Responsibilities

• Conduct inspections and investigations of equipment, structures, materials, and sites/facilities across program areas (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, operation, and compliance with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Perform laboratory or field tests, analyze and interpret environmental data, monitoring records, sampling data, and evaluate data trends, quality, and usability for further action.
• Enforce federal and state environmental standards, laws, rules, regulations, and agency policies through complaint investigation, oversight of environmental sampling, review of applications, plans, inspection documents, reports, and, when warranted, initiate corrective or legal action.
• Review, analyze, and maintain documents or data submitted by applicants or gathered during inspections to determine compliance with environmental or other standards.
• Prepare publications, reports, and technical documents (permits, designs, layout blueprints, soil evaluations, maps, plans, etc.) in a concise, legally defensible manner.
• Interpret records, data, operational plans, enforcement requests, QA/QC parameters, and communicate findings to stakeholders using regulations, policy, and guidance.
• Conduct environmental or health investigations, remediation, natural resource management, and collect environmental samples (soil, rock, air, water, sediment, sludge, biological) under physically demanding conditions, evaluating results for compliance with permits and standards.
• Maintain, repair, and calibrate electronic and scientific equipment (radiation detection meters, photo‑ionization detectors, pH meters, GPS, XRF, ozone monitors, air monitors, laser levels, watercraft, etc.) and manage chemical inventories, disposing of expired materials per safety regulations.
• Provide technical expertise to emergency responders, stakeholders, and personnel during emergency events, industrial incidents, or natural catastrophes involving environmental impacts (radiation releases, air/water contaminants, etc.).
• Offer consultative, technical, or educational services to industry, municipalities, counties, the public, and staff regarding regulatory information and proper environmental work procedures to enhance stewardship, health, safety, and standards.

Competencies

• Decision Quality
• Communicates Effectively
• Customer Focus
• Tech Savvy
• Manages Complexity
• Knowledge of Chemistry, Biology, Geology, Physics, Law & Government
• Critical Thinking
• Active Learning and Listening
• Judgment and Decision Making
• Time Management
• Writing Abilities (Written Comprehension, Deductive & Inductive Reasoning)
• Limb and/or Full‑Body Flexibility, Prolonged Stamina
• Proficiency with Tools & Equipment (computer/tablet, phone/radio, watercraft/vehicle/ATV, sampling and monitoring equipment, GPS, PPE, power and hand tools)

Licenses/Certifications

• Valid driver’s license (no DUI, reckless driving, license suspension, or more than four moving violations in the past five years).
• Boater’s license (if required for position).
• Geologic license (Tennessee or reciprocal) for geologic duties.
• Radiological Health training certification (as required).

Pay

Monthly salary range: $4,057.00 – $5,078.00
Annual salary range: $48,684.00 – $60,936.00