TDEC-ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST1* - 08042026-79709

Location: Columbia, TN – Department of Environment & Conservation, Maury County

Full-time position with a monthly salary of $4,057.00 ($48,684.00 annually).

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s or higher degree from an accredited college or university in one of the following fields:
  • Environmental science
  • Physical sciences (e.g., physics, chemistry, geology, meteorology)
  • Ecology or sustainability/applied science in sustainability
  • Life sciences (e.g., biology, microbiology, agricultural science, agronomy, health physics, biophysics)
  • Environmental health or pre-medicine
  • Engineering or other acceptable science/natural resource-related field
• An acceptable environmental, physical, or life science degree may be considered based on assignment by the specific program area.

Necessary Special Qualifications:

• Possess a valid motor vehicle operator’s license at the time of appointment (some positions).
• If the position requires operating a boat, must obtain a boater’s license.
• For positions in the Division of Radiological Health: Successfully complete training courses offered by the Division of Radiological Health, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, or other federal agencies.
• For positions performing geologic duties the majority of the time:
  • Complete required college coursework to be eligible for the licensing examination 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 or a state with reciprocal licensing rights.
• For positions functioning as Biologists:
  • 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
    • Aquatic, terrestrial, or wetland biology/ecology or other acceptable biological science-related field

About the Role

Under immediate supervision, this entry-level position involves learning professional environmental, natural resources, sustainability, environmental assistance, radiological health, and/or similar science-related program work of routine difficulty. Employees may be assigned to learn a variety of tasks, including:

• Environmental compliance inspection, monitoring, problem identification, corrective action, and enforcement in regulatory or assistance divisions.
• Natural resource management and/or inventory in conservation or non-regulatory programs.

This role is part of the TDEC Environmental Scientist subseries. Upon successful completion of a mandatory one-year probationary period, the employee 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 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) to ensure compliance with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Perform laboratory or field tests in accordance with requirements, analyze and interpret environmental data (e.g., monitoring records, site inspections, sampling data), and evaluate trends, data quality, and usability to determine if further action is necessary.
• Enforce environmental or other federal/state standards, laws, rules, regulations, and administrative policies through:
  • Investigation of complaints
  • Oversight of environmental sampling
  • Review and evaluation of applications, forms, plans, inspection documents, reports, or other records
  • Taking corrective action as warranted, including initiating legal action to ensure compliance
• Review, analyze, and maintain relevant documents or data submitted by applicants or acquired through site inspections or other sources to determine compliance with established standards.
• Prepare publications, reports, and technical documents (e.g., permits, designs, layout blueprints, soil evaluations, maps, plans) in a concise and legally defensible manner to meet the Agency’s missions.
• Review records, data, operational plans, enforcement action requests, reports, and Quality Assurance/Quality Control parameters; interpret findings and results (e.g., site inspections, permits, lab results) to ensure acceptable methodologies are followed. Communicate interpretations to stakeholders using regulations, policies, and guidance.
• Perform environmental or health investigations, remediation, natural resource management, and/or collection of environmental samples and 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 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, photoionization detectors, pH meters, GPS, X-ray fluorescence), 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 personnel during emergency events, industrial incidents/accidents, and natural catastrophes involving environmental impacts (e.g., release of radiation, radioactive material, air/water contaminants).
• Provide consultative, technical, or educational services to stakeholders (e.g., industry, municipalities, counties, individuals, groups), the public, and staff regarding regulatory information and proper procedures for environmental work to enhance environmental stewardship, health, safety, and standards.

Skills

Competencies:

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

Knowledge:

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

Abilities:

• 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

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