Environmental Specialist 2 (20047799, 20076135)

State of Ohio • Columbus, OH

24d • Onsite

About The Position

At Ohio EPA our primary goal is to protect the environment and public health. We do this by ensuring compliance with federal and state environmental laws. We want you to be our newest environmental specialist in the Division of Surface Water (DSW) at our Central office in downtown Columbus, Ohio. Looking to help your career and the environment? Check this out! You’ll be at the heart of our wetland and stream protection efforts by reviewing 401 Water Quality Certification and Isolated Wetland Permit applications to ensure site plans meet state and federal requirements. You’ll prepare draft certifications and permits for a variety of projects – from development and infrastructure to ecological restoration. You’ll spend time in the field collecting data and investigating complaints about potential impacts to wetlands or streams. When illegal or unauthorized activities are identified, you’ll assist in developing enforcement actions and litigation efforts to bring the site back into compliance. With a focus on effective communication and customer service, you’ll provide technical assistance to local officials, engineers, regulated entities, and the public to help them navigate water quality regulations. You’ll use data management systems to track work commitments and coordinate with colleagues to keep information accurate and up to date.

Requirements

• 12 mos. exp. as Environmental Specialist 1, 85861.
• 4 yrs. trg. or 4 yrs. exp. in position involving engineering or chemistry, physics, biology, environmental science, geology or hydrogeology &/or other comparable physical or health science field &/or mathematics which included responsibility for conducting compliance monitoring surveys &/or inspections/reviews or investigations, or review of permit applications relative to oil & gas well operations or injection, annular disposal & saltwater injection wells & enhanced recovery projects or coal mining, or solid/hazardous waste sites or industrial & municipal wastewater dischargers, or collecting, compiling & preparing various environmental assessments, evaluations, reports & related documents. Training & experience must be commensurate with duties to be assigned.
• baccalaureate degree in engineering, chemistry, physics, biology, environmental science, earth science &/or urban & regional planning, geology or other comparable physical or health science fields, with training to be commensurate with duties to be assigned.

Responsibilities

• Review project permit applications and prepare drafts for 401 Water Quality Certifications and Isolated Wetland Permits.
• Investigate complaints and conduct on-site inspections.
• Support enforcement actions and assist with litigation when necessary.
• Provide technical guidance and education to local officials, engineers, regulated entities, and the public on water quality rules and matters.

Benefits

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems ( such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS ) & Optional Deferred Compensation ( Ohio Deferred Compensation )

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees