Environmental Scientist 3

State of Nevada•Reno, NV

2d•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 in our Reno location. It 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). The role requires assisting permit writers with the drafting of water pollution control (WPC) permits and associated documentation in relation to technical review findings. It also involves conducting site visits of assigned mining facilities, as warranted, to determine the validity of submitted and approved studies, predictive models, individual permits, and statutory and regulatory program requirements. Evaluating compliance status based on field observations and monitoring results is also a key responsibility. When necessary, this position provides technical assistance and documentation regarding permitting actions and assists in developing enforcement or remedial actions. Additionally, it supports Closure Branch, Regulation Branch, and Reclamation Branch personnel with the review and approval of long-term management and closure strategies and assesses 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.
OR graduation from high school or equivalent and five years of professional environmental experience as described above.
OR one year of experience as an Environmental Scientist 2 in Nevada State service.
OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
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

Performing administrative and technical (Hydrogeological and Geochemical) reviews of Site Characterization Reports and Predictive Modeling Results for Designated Mining Facilities.
Assisting permit writers with the drafting of water pollution control (WPC) permits and associated documentation.
Conducting site visits of assigned mining facilities to determine the validity of submitted and approved studies, predictive models, individual permits, and statutory and regulatory program requirements.
Evaluating compliance status based upon field observations and monitoring results.
Providing technical assistance and documentation regarding permitting actions.
Assisting in developing enforcement or remedial actions.
Supporting Closure Branch, Regulation Branch, and Reclamation Branch personnel with the review and approval of long-term management and closure strategies.
Assessing the necessity and scope of additional financial assurances.
Performing program research, planning and development, permitting, compliance monitoring, inspections/enforcement, and technical support services.
Developing program documents such as annual program plans, quarterly activities reports, environmental assessments, technical reports, and environmental impact statements.
Reviewing existing program standards.
Researching, compiling, and verifying available data.
Analyzing data and trends, including the projected impact of federal, State, and local regulations.
Proposing new or revised standards.
Developing regulations, procedures, and protocols, and drafting legislation.
Providing information and technical assistance to the general public and regulated community.
Developing and providing training to staff and the regulated community.
Preparing various reports as required for planning or in response to requests.
Conducting public hearings.
Justifying with fact sheets and discussion as required.
Conducting research through the use of technical, scientific, and historical data for administrative and resource planning and decision making.
Coordinating with other agencies involved in the implementation of environmental programs.
Representing the division or agency at various meetings.
Developing grant applications, proposals for performance, grant workplans, budgets, and applications.
Negotiating commitments with federal, State, and local agencies.
Soliciting project proposals.
Negotiating workplans and drafting contract documents and required amendments.
Monitoring grant performance, expenditures, and contracts.
Developing and drafting permits for industry and governmental entities.
Compiling facility data.
Examining and adapting permits to applicable standards.
Establishing limitations.
Reviewing permits for regulatory compliance.
Performing public permit notification and final permit issuance.
Performing compliance monitoring.
Analyzing submitted environmental reports in relation to technical, scientific, and legal criteria and making recommendations to ensure compliance.
Taking periodic samples according to established protocol and transporting to appropriate laboratories.
Operating various monitoring equipment.
Evaluating new and existing sample sites for usefulness.
Responding to environmental complaints through investigation, determination of complaint validity, and determination of appropriate action.
Conducting inspections to ensure compliance with federal, State, and local regulations.
Inspecting pollution control equipment.
Determining whether violations are occurring.
Making a detailed report and recommendation to the appropriate entity.
Determining appropriate enforcement action to be initiated.
Preparing notices of violation.
Meeting with the regulated community, potentially responsible parties, and attorneys to present findings and negotiate resolutions, administrative settlements, and civil penalties.
Giving depositions, testifying in court as required, and serving as the State's expert witness in lawsuits and other court matters.
Performing various technical services, including calculating pollutant concentrations, calibrating sampling equipment, and preparing monitoring sites.
Inputting and accessing data to and from a national data system maintained by the EPA.
Performing computer modeling using computer programs to manipulate data.
Evaluating environmental data and making decisions based on this information.
Providing work direction to lower-level staff.
Performing related duties as assigned.