State of Minnesota Hiring for Environmental Specialist 4 at Buffalo, Minnesota Full Time

Working Title: Environmental Specialist 4

Job Class: Environmental Specialist 4

Agency: Pollution Control Agency

• Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers

• Date Posted : 01/08/2024

• Closing Date : 01/24/2024

• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Pollution Control Agency / Pollution Control-MAPE

• Division/Unit : MPCA-Payroll Processing Unit / REM SITE ASSESSMENT UNIT 1

• Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift

• Days of Work : Monday – Friday

• Travel Required : Yes – Up to 10% of the time

• Salary Range: $30.55 – $45.02 / hourly; $63,788 – $94,001 / annually

• Classified Status : Classified

• FLSA Status : Nonexempt

• Telework Eligible : Yes

• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : Yes

This position may be located at one of the MPCA office locations: Duluth or St. Paul.

Make a difference in the lives of Minnesotans.

The work you’ll do is more than just a job. Join the talented, engaged and inclusive workforce dedicated to creating a better Minnesota.

This position will work in a dual (Project Management and Technical) role on RP-lead and Fund-financed Superfund and Site Assessment sites with releases of various non-petroleum contaminants of concern to environmental media (soil, sediment, surface water, groundwater, soil vapor). Tasks include coordination with other applicable MPCA programs or State Agencies, obtaining access to properties for investigation, all aspects of project management, including contracting, coordination, bidding, annual budgeting, reviewing annual billing/invoices and oversight of State Contractors, in addition to technical review of investigation, mitigation, and remedial reports. This position is also tasked with evaluation of data/reports provided to the MPCA by others to determine next steps (e.g., additional investigation, remedy evaluation and selection, and/or site closure). This position will work closely with the Site Assessment Unit Supervisor and Site Assessment Section manager when issues arise that result in changes to project progress and/or requires policy review, the need for Legal Services assistance arises, and/or for notification to the Commissioner’s Office and Communications. An important responsibility of this position will be to retain and oversee MPCA contractors utilizing the MPCA Remediation Master Contract as well as a variety of Agency and State contracts.

In addition to the primary responsibilities above, this position will support EPA Region 5 Site Assessment Section by preparing and peer-reviewing various report deliverables (non-sampling and sampling reports, work plans, and recommendation memos) within the deadlines specified in the CA Terms and Conditions.

Minimum Qualifications

A Bachelors degree in Hydrology, Geology, Hydrogeology, Water Resources, Soil Science, or other closely-related environmental field and two years of advanced professional-level experience remediating contaminated properties. (Advanced professional-level experience is equivalent to Senior Environmental Specialist/Environmental Specialist 3 level work.)

Experience must include performing comprehensive management of environmental investigations including contracting, budgeting, invoicing, and communications with internal and external stakeholders. Working knowledge must include the ability to determine if cleanup actions or building mitigation are needed based on appliable State and Federal Guidance. Experience in the scoping and data evaluation of environmental investigations targeting sampling of surface and ground water, soils, soil gas and air complete ofthe necessary actions so that public health and environmental risks are mitigated. Communication skills should be sufficient to present information to non-technical audiences presenting the results concerning environmental and public health risks.

Candidates should be skilled in communicating, negotiating, and collaborating with partners who have varying ways of contributing to project outcomes.

Candidates must have effective planning and project management skills and the ability to make decisions based on data.

Possess a valid Driver’s license (see additional requirements).

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency will not sponsor applicants for work visas. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

Preferred Qualifications

Knowledge of the overall state and federal environmental regulatory framework related to environmental investigations and cleanup of contaminated properties.

Knowledge and/or experience with the investigation and remediation of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), such as PFAS and 1,4-Dioxane.

Knowledge and/or experience with vapor intrusion (i.e., risk assessment, investigation, screening values, mitigation).

Demonstrated ability to bring projects to a satisfactory conclusion.

Demonstrated ability to resolve potentially contentious, controversial, and complex environmental issues.

Problem-solving sufficient to resolve technical matters.

Experience with public communications efforts on health or environmental projects.

Advanced technical writing skills, especially from a receptor risk point of view. Familiarity and/or experience with EPA report deliverables and processes are a plus.

Proficiency with GIS software

Ability to:

Make sound human health and environmental risk decisions based on data.

Manage contractors and project budgets.

Work with scientific and technical consultants and to analyze their proposals and work products

Physical Requirements

Requires occasionally lifting and/or carrying such articles as file folders, ledgers, and small equipment. Although a sedentary job isdefined as one which involves sitting, a certain amount of walking and standing is often necessary in carrying out job duties. The incumbent will be required to visit field sites that may have rough terrain.

Additional Requirements

A driver’s license is an essential function of this position. This requires possession of an unrestricted Class D Driver’s License. The job offer is contingent on confirmation of a valid driver’s license AND a satisfactory DLR check.

Requires a Class D Driver‘s License: a single unit vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of less than 26,000 pounds. This is a basic driver‘s license.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email [email protected] . Please indicate what assistance is needed.