Environmental Science Specialist - Groundwater Inspector

Arizona Department of Administration • Phoenix, WA

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

At ADEQ our mission/vision is to protect and enhance public health and the environment in Arizona. Through consistent, science-based environmental regulation; and clear, equitable engagement and communication; With integrity, respect, and the highest standards of effectiveness and efficiency; Because Arizonans treasure the unique environment of our state and its essential role in sustaining well-being and economic vitality, today and for future generations. The key responsibilities for the Environmental Science Specialist (Groundwater Inspector) position include:
● Inspections and Compliance: Conduct inspections at industrial facilities, mining sites, wastewater treatment plants, wastewater collection systems, and other regulated facilities. This includes performing file reviews and complaint inspections throughout Arizona.
● Documentation and Enforcement: Draft necessary compliance and enforcement documentation.
● Proactive Resolution: 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.
● Environmental Impact Reduction: Reduce Aquifer Quality Limit (AQL) and Discharge Limit (DL) exceedances through outreach, inspections, and compliance assistance.
● Problem Solving: Provide innovative solutions to recurring compliance and permitting issues.
● Field Engagement: Provide compliance assistance in the field, with an expectation of travel across the state, including overnight stays. This position is based out of the Phoenix Office. The position is approximately 60% work from home and 40% in the field/office. This position may be available for remote work within Arizona (2 or 3 days per week in the office/hoteling). The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

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 requires overnight travel.

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 performing 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.
• Performing inspections at regulated facilities (wastewater plants, mining sites, etc.) across Arizona.
• Handling file reviews and responding to site complaints.
• Traveling across the state, which includes the requirement for overnight stays.
• Providing direct guidance in the field to help facilities improve compliance at the time of the inspection.
• Working proactively with permitted facilities to reduce open compliance cases and minimize the time it takes to return facilities to compliance.
• Reducing Aquifer Quality Limit (AQL) and Discharge Limit (DL) exceedances specifically through outreach and compliance efforts.
• Providing 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
• We promote the importance of work/life balance by offering workplace flexibility
• We offer a variety of learning and career development opportunities

What This Job Offers

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