TDEC-ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST1* - 08212026-80381

Location: Columbia, TN – Department of Environment & Conservation, Division of Water Resources, Columbia Environmental Field Office.

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 in this role 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. They may also learn natural resource management and inventory in conservation or non-regulatory programs.

This is the entry-level class in 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 to ensure proper installation, maintenance, and/or operation and determine compliance with laws, regulations, or standards (e.g., air pollution, water resources, mineral and geologic resources, remediation, underground storage tanks, solid waste management, radiological health, natural areas).
• 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) to evaluate data trends, quality, and usability for determining further action.
• Adhere to and enforce environmental or other federal and/or state standards, laws, rules, regulations, and administrative policies through complaint investigations, environmental sampling oversight, and review of applications, forms, plans, inspection documents, reports, or other records. Take corrective action as warranted and initiate 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 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 meet the Agency’s missions.
• Review records, data, operational plans, enforcement action requests, reports, and Quality Assurance/Quality Control parameters, and interpret findings to ensure acceptable methodologies are followed. 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 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, photo ionization 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 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 staff regarding regulatory information and proper procedures for environmental work to enhance environmental stewardship, health, safety, and standards.

Requirements

• 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, 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.
• 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 and maintenance of a current Geologic license from Tennessee or a state with reciprocal licensing rights.
• For positions functioning as 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: (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.
• Possession of a 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.

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

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

Competencies

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

Pay

Monthly: $4,057.00 | Annually: $48,684.00

Schedule

Full-Time