Environmental Scientist 2

State of Nevada•Reno, NV

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection is seeking to fill an Environmental Scientist 2 (underfilling an Environmental Scientist 3) in the with the Bureau of Air Pollution Control, located with our Reno office. The duties of permitting include reviewing permit applications, communicating with facilities to get additional information, determining potential emissions, reviewing state and federal regulations, and drafting air quality permits. Environmental Scientists perform program research, planning and development, permitting, compliance monitoring, inspections/enforcement, and technical support services in relation to air, water, federal facilities, corrective action, mining, biology and waste environmental programs.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in the physical, natural resource or life sciences, engineering or closely related field and 18 months of professional environmental experience which involved environmental program research and planning; OR graduation from high school or equivalent and three and a half years of professional environmental experience as described above; OR 18 months of experience as an Environmental Scientist 1 in Nevada State service; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience as described above.
General knowledge of: federal and State regulations pertaining to pollution control; environmentally sustainable practices; safety measures as applied to investigation and survey of a regulated industry; laboratory test methods and equipment; computer data input and retrieval; computer modeling using computer programs to manipulate data; available sources within the agency to obtain needed information.
Ability to: take samples according to established sampling protocol and preservation methods; write technical reports, memoranda and letters regarding pollution control which contain clear and concise information and analysis; communicate effectively with peers, office staff, the regulated community, other agencies, attorneys, technicians and the general public; evaluate environmental, economic, legal, health and safety variables, reach proper conclusions and make correct decisions; calibrate and operate a variety of technical equipment; work independently to complete assignments with minimal direction and within established time frames; work with frequent interruptions; organize multiple assignments; respond to resistant, indifferent or hostile people and resolve problems; establish and maintain a good working rapport with the regulated community.

Nice To Haves

Incumbent(s) will be expected to have knowledge, skills and abilities from a previous level.

Responsibilities

Develop program documents such as the annual program plan, quarterly activities report, environmental assessments, technical reports and environmental impact statements in accordance with federal and State requirements; review existing program standards; research, compile and verify available data; analyze data and trends including the projected impact of federal, State and local regulations; propose new or revised standards; develop regulations, procedures and protocols and draft legislation; provide information and technical assistance to the general public and regulated community; develop and provide training to staff and the regulated community; prepare various reports as required for planning or in response to requests from the legislature, general public, regulated community, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), or Division of Environmental Protection (DEP) administration; conduct public hearings; justify with fact sheets and discussion as required.
Conduct research through the use of technical, scientific and historical data to provide a tool for administrative and resource planning and decision making; coordinate with other agencies involved in the implementation of environmental programs; represent the division or agency at various meetings involving federal, State and local regulatory and resource agencies, the public, non-governmental organizations and the regulated community; participate in federal, State and local policy and regulation development.
Develop grant applications, proposals for performance, grant workplans, budgets and applications using federal and State policies and procedures; negotiate commitments with federal, State and local agencies; solicit project proposals; negotiate workplans and draft contract documents and required amendments; monitor grant performance, expenditures and contracts.
Develop and draft permits for industry and governmental entities; compile facility data; examine and adapt the permit to applicable standards; establish limitations; review permits for regulatory compliance; perform public permit notification and final permit issuance.
Perform compliance monitoring; analyze submitted environmental reports in relation to technical, scientific and legal criteria and make recommendations to ensure compliance; take periodic samples according to established protocol and transport to appropriate laboratories; operate various monitoring equipment; evaluate new and existing sample sites for usefulness.
Respond to environmental complaints through investigation, determination of complaint validity and determination of appropriate action to be taken.
Conduct inspections to ensure compliance with federal, State and local regulations; inspect pollution control equipment; take or observe others taking samples; determine whether violations are occurring; make a detailed report and recommendation to the appropriate entity; determine appropriate enforcement action to be initiated; prepare notices of violation; meet with the regulated community, potentially responsible parties and attorneys to present findings and negotiate resolutions, administrative settlements and civil penalties; give depositions, testify in court as required and serve as the State's expert witness in lawsuits and other court matters.
Perform various technical services required to carry out any of the above-mentioned duties, including calculating pollutant concentrations, calibrating a variety of sampling equipment and preparing monitoring sites.
Input and access data to and from a national data system maintained by the EPA in accordance with federal grant requirements; perform computer modeling using computer programs to manipulate data; evaluate environmental data and make decisions based on this information.
Perform related duties as assigned.