Env Scientist V - Aquatic Invasive Species & Aquatic Nuisance Control

State of Vermont • Calais, VT

5d

About The Position

The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation's Lakes and Ponds Program seeks an organized, collaborative Environmental Scientist V to support statewide aquatic invasive species (AIS) prevention and management and Aquatic Nuisance Control (ANC). The role combines AIS/ANC coordination, grants, technical assistance, monitoring, outreach, and partner fieldwork. Additional duties support inland lake monitoring as needed.

The position supports Vermont's AIS Grant-in-Aid Program by coordinating applications and awards, scoring proposals, obtaining approvals, tracking expenditures and deliverables, reviewing invoices and reports, supporting closeout, and providing recipients with technical assistance. It also supports the Public Access Greeter Program through seasonal preparation, partner coordination, training, guidance, procedures, materials, data management, and evaluation related to watercraft inspection, decontamination, and AIS prevention.

The Environmental Scientist assists with aquatic species surveys, suspected introduction investigations, rapid response, and management and control projects, including water chestnut. The role provides AIS-related advice to lake associations, municipalities, state agencies, and the public; supports community science, educational materials, and outreach; coordinates projects, budgets, contracts, records, seasonal staffing, and safety procedures; assists with seasonal staff and intern supervision, training, and mentoring; and maintains and analyzes AIS and geospatial data for program evaluation, reporting, and planning.

Additional work supports inland lake cyanobacteria monitoring and assessment. This includes recruiting and training volunteer monitors outside the Lake Champlain Basin, reviewing Cyanobacteria Tracker reports and following up on unusual or incomplete submissions, coordinating significant bloom sampling with the cyanobacteria lead, assisting with microscopic identification, and communicating with lake associations, municipalities, and the public. The position also supports scientific assessments, data evaluation, technical reporting, emerging aquatic nuisance concerns, procedures, educational materials, grant proposals, fieldwork, and seasonal staff training.

Work is largely performed in an office, with field travel as needed. Fieldwork may take place in all weather conditions and involve exposure to hazardous substances or sites, rough terrain, and bodies of water. Some work outside regular hours, including public meetings, may be required.

Requirements

• Master's degree in biology, microbiology, chemistry, soils science, geology, or hydrogeology and at least three years of experience in environmental biology, microbiology or chemistry, ecology, soils science, geology, or hydrogeology; OR a bachelor's degree in one of those fields and at least five years of professional experience in the listed fields; OR one year of experience as an Environmental Scientist IV or two years as an Environmental Scientist III.
• Availability of private transportation for necessary field travel.
• Ability to work in field conditions that may include all weather, exposure to chemicals, gases, hazardous liquid and solid waste, construction sites, rough terrain, and bodies of water.
• Ability to work outside regular hours, including attending public meetings, when required.

Nice To Haves

• Considerable knowledge of aquatic ecology, limnology, environmental science, or related disciplines, including aquatic plant and animal taxonomy and ecology.
• Experience in AIS prevention and management, aquatic resource monitoring, or related water quality assessment.
• Experience with cyanobacteria identification, including microscopic identification and knowledge of cyanobacteria taxonomy.
• Experience coordinating projects, administering grants, managing contracts, and tracking budgets and deliverables.
• Strong organizational, analytical, data management, and problem-solving skills; familiarity with GIS, databases, or environmental data tools.
• Strong communication skills and experience in technical assistance, public outreach, or community science training.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize competing demands, exercise sound judgment, and collaborate with diverse partners.
• Experience conducting aquatic fieldwork and operating motorized watercraft.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate AIS Grant-in-Aid applications and awards, score proposals, obtain approvals, track expenditures and deliverables, review invoices and reports, support closeout, and provide technical assistance to recipients.
• Support the Public Access Greeter Program's watercraft inspection, decontamination, and AIS prevention activities through seasonal preparation, partner coordination, training, guidance, procedures, materials, data management, and evaluation.
• Assist with aquatic species surveys, suspected introduction investigations, rapid response, and aquatic invasive species management and control projects, including water chestnut.
• Provide technical advice to lake associations, municipalities, state agencies, and the public on AIS identification, prevention, monitoring, and management.
• Support community science, educational materials, and outreach.
• Coordinate projects, including developing plans and schedules, identifying seasonal staffing needs, tracking budgets, managing contracts and records, evaluating outcomes, and maintaining operational and field safety procedures.
• Assist with seasonal staff and intern supervision, training, and mentoring.
• Maintain and analyze AIS data, including geospatial information, to evaluate effectiveness, identify trends, and support state and federal reporting and planning.
• Recruit and train volunteer cyanobacteria monitors outside the Lake Champlain Basin.
• Review Cyanobacteria Tracker reports and follow up on unusual or incomplete reports.
• Coordinate significant cyanobacteria bloom sampling with the cyanobacteria lead as needed.
• Assist with microscopic identification and inform lake associations, municipalities, and the public about cyanobacteria ecology, bloom identification, monitoring, and management.
• Support scientific assessments, data evaluation, and technical reporting with the cyanobacteria lead and program staff.
• Collaborate on emerging aquatic nuisance concerns, planning, technical reporting, and cross-program priorities.
• Develop procedures, educational materials, and grant proposals; support fieldwork and seasonal staff training as needed.

Benefits

• 80% State-paid medical premium and a dental plan at no cost for employees and their families
• 12 paid holidays each year and a generous leave plan
• State-paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FMLI)
• State defined benefit pension plan and deferred compensation 457(b) plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Flexible spending healthcare and childcare reimbursement accounts
• Low-cost group life insurance
• Incentive-based wellness program
• Qualified employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

What This Job Offers

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