Environmental Scientist 3

State of Nevada•Reno, NV

3d•Onsite

About The Position

This position supports and is within the Hydrology branch within the Bureau of Mining Regulation and Reclamation (BMRR), Regulation and Closure Program and is located in the Reno office for the Division of Environmental Protection. The position is responsible for performing administrative and technical (Hydrogeological and Geochemical) reviews of Site Characterization Reports and Predictive Modeling Results for Designated Mining Facilities (e.g. underground workings, pit lakes, tailings, etc). Will be required to assist permit writers with the drafting of water pollution control (WPC) permits and associated documentation in relation to the technical review findings. Conduct site visits of assigned mining facilities, as warranted, to determine validity of the submitted and approved studies, predictive models, the individual permit, and statutory and regulatory program requirements. Evaluate compliance status based upon field observations and monitoring results. When necessary, this position provides technical assistance and documentation regarding permitting actions and assistance in developing enforcement or remedial actions. Assist Closure Branch, Regulation Branch, and Reclamation Branch personnel with the review and approval of long–term management and closure strategies and assess the necessity and scope of additional financial assurances. 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 three years of professional environmental experience which involved environmental program research and planning.
Graduation from high school or equivalent and five years of professional environmental experience as described above.
One year of experience as an Environmental Scientist 2 in Nevada State service.
An equivalent combination of education and experience as described above.
Working knowledge of legal procedures related to the enforcement of pollution control, if applicable to the position.
Working knowledge of EPA and other federal and State grant requirements.
Ability to effectively communicate technical, scientific, environmental, regulatory and legal information verbally and in writing to subordinates, individuals and groups with varying backgrounds.
Ability to evaluate potential radiological, chemical and/or biological hazards and determine proper actions to safeguard individual and public safety.
Ability to recognize existing or potential problems which require communication to higher level management.
Ability to act as a lead worker to organize, oversee and delegate work responsibilities.
Ability to independently establish priorities which accurately reflect the relative importance of job responsibilities.
Ability to interpret and enforce department and division policies and rules.
Ability to draft complete, accurate and legally defensible enforcement/mitigation action and programmatic documents and effectively implement enforcement/mitigation action procedures.
Ability to negotiate with the regulated and natural resource community to ensure compliance and resolve issues.
Ability to analyze complex data and apply concepts to difficult problems.

Responsibilities

Perform administrative and technical (Hydrogeological and Geochemical) reviews of Site Characterization Reports and Predictive Modeling Results for Designated Mining Facilities.
Assist permit writers with the drafting of water pollution control (WPC) permits and associated documentation.
Conduct site visits of assigned mining facilities to determine validity of submitted studies, predictive models, permits, and regulatory requirements.
Evaluate compliance status based upon field observations and monitoring results.
Provide technical assistance and documentation regarding permitting actions.
Assist in developing enforcement or remedial actions.
Assist Closure Branch, Regulation Branch, and Reclamation Branch personnel with the review and approval of long-term management and closure strategies.
Assess the necessity and scope of additional financial assurances.
Perform program research, planning and development, permitting, compliance monitoring, inspections/enforcement, and technical support services.
Develop program documents such as annual program plans, quarterly activities reports, environmental assessments, technical reports, and environmental impact statements.
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.
Conduct public hearings.
Justify with fact sheets and discussion as required.
Conduct research through the use of technical, scientific, and historical data 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.
Participate in federal, State, and local policy and regulation development.
Develop grant applications, proposals for performance, grant workplans, budgets, and applications.
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 permits 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.
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, including calculating pollutant concentrations, calibrating sampling equipment, and preparing monitoring sites.
Input and access data to and from a national data system maintained by the EPA.
Perform computer modeling using computer programs to manipulate data.
Evaluate environmental data and make decisions based on this information.
Provide work direction to lower-level staff.
Perform related duties as assigned.