Environmental Programs Specialist

Compensation

Hiring Rates:
Level I - $50,793.60
Level II - $54,537.60
Level III - $61,900.80

Job Description

This position is located in the Land Protection Division - Voluntary Cleanup Program Section in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

All applicants must be able to pass a background check and must be able to legally work within the United States. DEQ does not allow sponsorships for those on a H-1B visa.

Application Requirements

All applicants must upload a resume, and transcript to be considered for the position.

Basic Purpose

This position will perform technical and regulatory tasks associated with the Voluntary Cleanup Program within the Land Protection Division.  The Voluntary Cleanup Program’s focus is to work voluntarily with responsible parties to investigate properties for environmental hazards and remediate sites as necessary. This allows the return of contaminated properties to beneficial reuse. The position will review, assess and evaluate soil and ground water monitoring data and geology for a variety of facilities including dry cleaning sites, former factories, metal shops, abandoned refineries, smelter sites, salvage yards, roadside diesel and gasoline spills, etc.  This position will also assist other work units in the assessment and monitoring of groundwater and remediation at their sites.

Responsibilities for this position will include: project management, technical review of all aspects of these sites including but not limited to site investigation, remedy selection, evaluation of geological and hydrogeological studies, application of remedial technologies, reviewing and writing technical documents, interpreting technical information for the public, evaluating risk assessments, meeting with the public, providing technical assistance to public and private developers, participation in public meetings, and communication with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other state and federal agencies as needed. 

Typical Functions

Reviewing and commenting on assessments, including geologic and hydrologic evaluations; critically evaluating the thoroughness of the assessment and providing written comments on those assessments/plans;

Reviewing, assessing, and evaluating soil and ground water monitoring data;

Writing technical reports, documents, and letters;

Working with project teams, including hydrologists, engineers, risk assessors, and legal staff to provide geologic and hydrologic expertise related to projects;

Providing technical and/or regulatory assistance to DEQ customers (internal and external), including but not limited to prompt replies (written and verbal) to inquiries and interpretation of analytical data and other requests;

Planning and conducting sampling events on potentially contaminated properties; evaluating data and making recommendations for future steps;

Developing, in consultation with manager and risk team, site remedy decisions that are consistent with divisional policy;

Participating in pre-planning activities with customers so that appropriate and quality data is gathered to support remedy selection, remedial design and remedial actions;

Assisting in evaluating risks associated with soil and ground water contamination, including potential risks associated with vapor intrusion into indoor air;

Data entry into state databases;

Participating in internal and/or external workgroups and committees;

Attending public meetings to answer questions and/or present information related to project status, analytical data, and/or risk data.

Travel Requirements

Employee must have a valid driver’s license and will be required to travel throughout the state as well as out-of-state. Travel, including air travel, is necessary to perform assigned tasks and to attend designated trainings. Travel may be for a few hours to several days, including overnight stays. State vehicles are available, and their use is preferred, but there may be occasions state vehicles are unavailable and it will be necessary for the employee to use their personal vehicle. Most travel will be at the expense of the employee with subsequent Agency reimbursement.

Education and Experience

Level I - bachelor’s degree with at least 24 semester hours in a physical, natural, or biological science, chemistry, geology, hydrology, physical geography, epidemiology, environmental science, environmental health or civil, agricultural, environmental, geological or chemical engineering.

Level II - those identified in level I plus one (1) year of professional experience in one of the areas listed; or a master’s degree in a qualifying area.

Level III - those identified in level I plus three (3) years of professional experience in one of the areas listed; or a master’s degree plus two (2) years of professional experience in one of the areas listed.

To be considered for this position applicants must be within 60 days of obtaining their degree.

Additional Consideration/Preference (These cannot eliminate a candidate)

Selective Qualification:

Preference may be given to candidates with a Bachelor of Science or higher in geology or hydrogeology, or significant experience related to those fields.

Physical Requirements

Employee will be required to perform field work including but not limited to conducting site inspections and performing oversight activities. Employee must be able to walk up to a mile in difficult terrain, carrying up to 25 pounds of equipment. Situations may include, but are not limited to, climbing up/down creek/riverbanks, structures, ladders, etc. in all kinds of weather.

Employee must be able to wear personal protective equipment (PPE), which may include Tyvek suits, air purifying respirator, or self-contained breathing apparatus/supplied-air respirator. As a result, this position will require participation in medical monitoring during the first year and annually thereafter, or as determined by a provider. Medical monitoring will entail a medical exam to determine if employee is fit to wear PPE and may include blood work, x-ray, audiometric and other medical tests at the expense of DEQ. If during the probationary period, it is determined employee is unable to wear PPE, employment may be terminated.

Benefits

Generous leave including 15 days of vacation, 15 days of sick leave and 11 paid holidays annually.

A comprehensive Benefit Package with a generous benefit allowance to offset the cost of insurance premiums for employees and their eligible dependents.

Not all applicants will receive an interview.  If you are selected to be interviewed, you will be notified by email.