Environmental Scientist 3

State of Montana • Helena, MT

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Natural Resource Damage Program (NRDP), administratively attached to the State's Attorney's Office at the Montana Department of Justice, is responsible for recovering damages for natural resources injured by the release of hazardous substances and oil and implementing natural resource restoration with the recovered funds. The NRDP has 12 full-time employees (currently two attorneys, six scientists, and three administrative/fiscal/contract staff) and was originally created in 1990 to prepare and litigate the State’s natural resource damage lawsuit against the Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO) for injury to natural resources in the Upper Clark Fork River Basin (UCFRB). In addition to the ARCO natural resource damage lawsuit and settlements, the State has also initiated and settled other lawsuits that have resulted in the State receiving additional settlement funds for restoration activities at other sites, including the Upper Blackfoot Mining Complex, East Helena Smelter site, the 2011 Yellowstone Oil Spill, Libby Asbestos, and the Bridger Yellowstone River 2015 spill.

This position is an Environmental Scientist Specialist for the NRDP with its office assignment as the NRDP’s office in Helena. The Environmental Scientist position is primarily responsible for conducting natural resource damage assessments and restoration. The Environmental Scientist will spend approximately 50%25 of their time on assessment and new claims work and 50%25 of their time on restoration. These percentages may change depending on the time of year (field season, etc.) and the progress of individual assessments and new claims work.

Natural resource damage assessment includes quantification of injuries to natural resources caused by hazardous substance releases. The ideal candidate will have an understanding of fate and transport of environmental contaminants as well as the impacts of hazardous substances and oil on natural resources and familiarity with natural resource damage regulations in the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and Oil Pollution Act (OPA). Responsibilities include developing assessments, coordinating with co-trustees, stakeholders, and agencies overseeing remediation, as well as supporting NRDP legal staff in developing the natural resource damage claim and negotiating with responsible parties. Preference will be given to candidates that have natural resource damage assessment experience, knowledge of fate and transport of hazardous substances, and/or a working knowledge of CERCLA and OPA regulations.

Restoration involves developing restoration plans and implementing projects in accordance with the final restoration plans. Implementation includes project development, technical oversight of project design and construction, and project monitoring and maintenance. The position is also responsible for public outreach and coordinating with stakeholders, permitting agencies, and project partners (nonprofit partners, local government entities, collaborating state agencies, landowners, etc.).

The position reports to the Environmental Program Manger but may also be assigned work by the Program’s Chief Legal Counsel or Program Administrator. A significant responsibility of the position is oversight of certain NRDP contracts with engineers, scientists, subject matter experts, construction contractors, local governments, non-profits and other contractors performing work for the Program.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in physical, earth, or life sciences, engineering, or similar.
• Four years of directly related experience.
• Ability to attach a resume at the time of application.
• Resume must include all work experience as well as job duties that demonstrate qualifications for this position, including dates of employment (month & year- start & end) and the reason for leaving each job.
• Ability to attach a cover letter describing how experience and education will benefit the NRDP in meeting its responsibilities.
• Criminal History Fingerprint / Name-based Check
• Driving History

Nice To Haves

• Natural resource damage assessment experience
• Knowledge of fate and transport of hazardous substances
• Working knowledge of CERCLA and OPA regulations
• Understanding of fate and transport of environmental contaminants
• Understanding of the impacts of hazardous substances and oil on natural resources
• Familiarity with natural resource damage regulations in CERCLA and OPA

Responsibilities

• Conducting natural resource damage assessments and restoration.
• Developing assessments, coordinating with co-trustees, stakeholders, and agencies overseeing remediation.
• Supporting NRDP legal staff in developing the natural resource damage claim and negotiating with responsible parties.
• Developing restoration plans and implementing projects in accordance with the final restoration plans.
• Project development, technical oversight of project design and construction, and project monitoring and maintenance.
• Public outreach and coordinating with stakeholders, permitting agencies, and project partners.
• Oversight of certain NRDP contracts with engineers, scientists, subject matter experts, construction contractors, local governments, non-profits and other contractors performing work for the Program.

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision coverage
• Retirement plans
• Generous paid vacation, sick and holidays
• Pre-tax Flexibility Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Potential qualification for student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program

What This Job Offers

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