ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE SPECIALIST - GROUNDWATER INSPECTOR

Arizona Department of Administration • Chandler, AZ

4d • $45,000 - $70,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

At ADEQ, our mission is to protect and enhance public health and the environment in Arizona through consistent, science-based environmental regulation, and clear, equitable engagement and communication. We are looking for results-oriented, driven individuals with a thirst for problem-solving who are committed to our agency, passionate to excel in their career, and engaged in our mission. This position is crucial for driving our agency towards accomplishing our mission by ensuring groundwater protection through inspection and compliance enforcement.

Requirements

• Technical Systems: Wastewater systems and/or mining operations.
• Regulations and Policies: Agency policies and processes; interpretation of State and Federal environmental regulations.
• Scientific Principles: Environmental sciences, environmental research, investigation techniques, and statistical analysis.
• Pollution Prevention: Arizona-specific sources of pollution and best practices for preventing the release of pollutants.
• Project Management: Ability to schedule, conduct, and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Technical Proficiencies: Experience using Google Office.
• Professional Engagement: Customer service and outreach.
• Cognitive Skills: Problem-solving.
• Interpersonal: Strong communication skills (written and oral) and the ability to work effectively in a team-based, collaborative environment.
• Regulatory Application: Understanding and applying environmental rules and statutes.
• Procedural Adherence: Following guidance documents, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and other technical instructions.
• Reporting and Documentation: Preparing clear, concise, and accurate reports.
• Synthesis: Summarizing completed tasks and monitoring data for both oral and written communication.
• Valid Arizona Driver License required.
• The position is approximately 60% work from home and 40% in the field/office.
• This position requires overnight travel.
• This position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business.
• All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in Geology, Hydrology, Water Resources, Environmental Science, Chemistry, Engineering and other related environmental disciplines.
• Level 1: 0-2 years’ environmental experience.
• Level 2: Requires 2 years’ environmental experience (Master’s degree may substitute for 2 years of experience).
• Level 3: Requires 5 years’ environmental experience (Master’s degree may substitute for 2 years of experience).

Responsibilities

• Conduct inspections at industrial facilities, mining sites, wastewater treatment plants, wastewater collection systems, and other regulated facilities, including file reviews and complaint inspections throughout Arizona.
• Draft necessary compliance and enforcement documentation.
• Work proactively with permitted facilities to resolve non-compliance issues, reduce open compliance cases, and minimize the time it takes to return facilities to compliance.
• Reduce Aquifer Quality Limit (AQL) and Discharge Limit (DL) exceedances through outreach, inspections, and compliance assistance.
• Provide innovative solutions to recurring compliance and permitting issues.
• Provide compliance assistance in the field, with an expectation of travel across the state, including overnight stays.
• Perform inspections at regulated facilities (wastewater plants, mining sites, etc.) across Arizona.
• Handle file reviews and respond to site complaints.
• Travel across the state, which includes the requirement for overnight stays.
• Provide direct guidance in the field to help facilities improve compliance at the time of the inspection.
• Work proactively with permitted facilities to reduce open compliance cases and minimize the time it takes to return facilities to compliance.
• Reduce Aquifer Quality Limit (AQL) and Discharge Limit (DL) exceedances specifically through outreach and compliance efforts.
• Provide innovative solutions to recurring compliance and permitting issues.

Benefits

• 10 paid holidays per year
• Accrual of sick and annual leave beginning at 12 and 13 days per year respectively for full-time employees
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
• A top-ranked retirement program with lifetime pension benefits
• A robust and affordable insurance plan to include medical, dental, life, short-term and long-term disability
• An incentivized commuter club and public transportation subsidy program
• Workplace flexibility
• A variety of learning and career development opportunities

What This Job Offers

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