Env Scientist VI - Project Leader, Lake Champlain Long-Term Monitoring Program - Limited Service

State of Vermont • Calais, VT

1d

About The Position

Vermont DEC is hiring a limnologist and aquatic ecologist to serve as the project leader for the Lake Champlain Long-Term Monitoring Program and the Cyanobacteria Monitoring Program in Lake Champlain and Inland Vermont Lakes.

The Lake Champlain Long-Term Monitoring Program, which is supported by the Lake Champlain Basin Program, is one of the premiere lake monitoring programs in the United States, collecting a wide range of physical, chemical, and biological parameters from 15 sites within Lake Champlain in addition to 21 monitored tributaries. These data are integral to the management of Lake Champlain. The Project Leader coordinates with the Lake Champlain Basin Program to develop project budgets, update to the monitoring protocols, assess monitoring priorities, perform data quality assurance, analyze project data to identify potential areas of concern, coordinate with stakeholders in the basin, supervise project staff, write annual reports to the Basin Program, contribute to research activities relevant to the management of Lake Champlain, and contribute to project field sampling.

The Cyanobacteria Monitoring Program is a nationally recognized program which combines volunteer observations with laboratory measurements to assess the prevalence and toxicity of cyanobacteria blooms in Lake Champlain and Vermont. The Project Leader coordinates the cyanobacteria monitoring project together with key project partners (the VT. Dept. of Health, the Lake Champlain Committee, and the Lake Champlain Basin Program), and with local research efforts relevant to Lake Champlain to provide technical assistance and expertise. The Project Leader is also responsible to perform microscopic analyses; conduct and train temporary employees in phytoplankton taxonomy; serve as the State's point person for questions relating to cyanobacteria ecology; communicate with the public, other State programs, and media outlets; develop project budgets; and produce annual reports.

The ideal candidate will have extensive technical expertise in: limnology, including lake physical, chemical, and biological processes; phytoplankton taxonomy and microscope counting methods; designing water quality monitoring strategies and analyzing environmental monitoring data, including publication in relevant peer-reviewed journals; data analysis, data quality control, data management, including proficiency in programming languages such as R or Python; and outreach and public communication.

Requirements

• Master's degree in biology, microbiology, chemistry, soils science, geology or hydrogeology AND three (3) years of experience in environmental biology, microbiology or chemistry, ecology, soils science, geology or hydrogeology.
• Master's degree in biological-life or physical science AND four (4) years or more of experience in environmental biology, microbiology or chemistry, ecology, soils science, or hydrogeology.
• Bachelor's degree in biology, microbiology, chemistry, soils science, geology or hydrogeology AND five (5) years or more of professional experience in environmental biology, microbiology or chemistry, ecology, soils science, geology or hydrogeology.
• Bachelor's degree in any biological-life or physical science AND six (6) years or more of professional experience in environmental biology, microbiology or chemistry, ecology, soils science, or hydrogeology.
• One year experience as an Environmental Scientist V or two years as an Environmental Scientist IV

Nice To Haves

• extensive technical expertise in: limnology, including lake physical, chemical, and biological processes
• phytoplankton taxonomy and microscope counting methods
• designing water quality monitoring strategies and analyzing environmental monitoring data, including publication in relevant peer-reviewed journals
• data analysis, data quality control, data management, including proficiency in programming languages such as R or Python
• outreach and public communication

Responsibilities

• coordinate with the Lake Champlain Basin Program to develop project budgets
• update to the monitoring protocols
• assess monitoring priorities
• perform data quality assurance
• analyze project data to identify potential areas of concern
• coordinate with stakeholders in the basin
• supervise project staff
• write annual reports to the Basin Program
• contribute to research activities relevant to the management of Lake Champlain
• contribute to project field sampling
• coordinate the cyanobacteria monitoring project together with key project partners (the VT. Dept. of Health, the Lake Champlain Committee, and the Lake Champlain Basin Program)
• provide technical assistance and expertise
• perform microscopic analyses
• conduct and train temporary employees in phytoplankton taxonomy
• serve as the State's point person for questions relating to cyanobacteria ecology
• communicate with the public, other State programs, and media outlets
• develop project budgets
• produce annual reports

Benefits

• 80% State paid medical premium and a dental plan at no cost for employees and their families
• Work/Life balance: 11 paid holidays each year and a generous leave plan
• State Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FMLI)
• Two ways to save for your retirement: A State defined benefit pension plan and a deferred compensation 457(b) plan
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Flexible spending healthcare and childcare reimbursement accounts
• Low cost group life insurance
• Incentive-based Wellness Program
• Qualified Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level