Job Description
Environmental Analyst IV – (22000EJA)
Description
Environmental Analyst IV
Surface Water Quality Standards (Watershed Planning Program)
Description
The mission of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is to protect and enhance the Commonwealth’s natural resources – air, water, and land – to provide for the health, safety, and welfare of all people, and to ensure a clean and safe environment for future generations. In carrying out this mission MassDEP commits to address and advance environmental justice and equity for all people of the Commonwealth, provide meaningful, inclusive opportunities for people to participate in agency decisions that affect their lives; and ensure a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.
MassDEP seeks applicants for an Environmental Analyst IV position within the Surface Water Quality Standards (SWQS) Section, Watershed Planning Program, Bureau of Water Resources. The Watershed Planning Program is a statewide program with five Sections that each have a different technical focus under the federal Clean Water Act (CWA), such as the SWQS Section. The purpose of the Massachusetts SWQS is to restore, enhance, and protect the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of surface waters (e.g., lakes, streams, estuaries, etc.) in the Commonwealth under the authority of the federal CWA and Massachusetts Clean Waters Act. The SWQS are the foundation of all CWA programs in the Commonwealth, such as water quality monitoring and assessment to determine the status of surface waters, the issuance of effluent discharge permit limits, and the development of restoration efforts that aim to improve the quality of surface waters. The SWQS Section designates the most sensitive uses for surface waters, develops and/or revises minimum water quality criteria required to protect designated uses based on the latest available science, and engages internal and external stakeholders to promulgate revised SWQS to protect human health and aquatic life.
Under the supervision of the SWQS Section Chief, the Environmental Analyst IV will coordinate with federal and state agencies, national and regional organizations, and internal MassDEP programs on SWQS issues; prepare technical workplans and manage projects to inform SWQS development; analyze and interpret data; review technical literature and prepare reports; and supervise staff. The preferred candidate will have a professional demeanor, be highly motivated, and possess excellent written and oral communication skills. Excellent organizational skills are also required, as well as the ability to manage and work on multiple projects concurrently, meet deadlines, and work well both independently and as a member of a team. The position will be based in Worcester at the Watershed Planning Program’s office: 8 New Bond Street.
Specific duties for this position include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Supervise both permanent and temporary staff in the SWQS Section (for permanent staff, develop annual workplans and conduct performance reviews).
- Interpret the CWA, including 40 CFR Sections 122, 131, 230, 232 in relation to 314 CMR 4.00.
- Review technical guidance documents, reports, research publications, and other literature related to water quality criteria development.
- Monitor, review, and comment on the development of federal rules, criteria, guidance, and regulations related to the SWQS.
- Support the triennial review process for SWQS revisions as required under the CWA.
- Compile and reduce water quality data and perform necessary calculations.
- Perform statistical analyses using chemical, physical, and biological water quality data from inland and coastal waterbodies to determine environmental impacts on human health and aquatic life.
- Interpret complex chemical, physical, and biological water quality data to make recommendations for SWQS revisions.
- Coordinate with WPP’s Data Management and Water Quality Assessment Section on methods to assess water quality that conform to the SWQS.
- Make recommendations in all aspects of water quality monitoring and assessment to support continued SWQS development, including chemical, physical, and biological water quality data (e.g., dissolved oxygen, temperature, bacteria, pH, nutrients, toxics, fish, macrophyton, periphyton, etc.).
- Assist in SWQS interpretations for use attainment decisions (including CWA Sections 303(d) and 305(b)).
- Ensure that SWQS revisions are consistent with federal and state regulations, including the CWA, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit Program, Surface Water Discharge Permit Program, Groundwater Discharge Permit Program, Title 5, Wetlands Protection and Stormwater Management, Water Resources Management Program, and Drinking Water regulations.
- Prepare technical reports and memoranda that explain the basis for SWQS revisions using data and other appropriate information.
- Prepare technical workplans for environmental consulting services and review resultant proposals, contracts, and technical specifications.
- Coordinate meeting logistics and prepare meeting summaries for technical projects.
- Participate in and conduct meetings with agency staff, contractors, EPA, sister agencies, advocacy groups, other stakeholders, and the public.
- Review, develop, and analyze geospatial information to support SWQS activities.
- Respond to internal and external requests related to SWQS interpretations.
Preferred Qualifications at Hire:
- Applied knowledge of the CWA, including water quality standards.
- An understanding of federal and state water quality regulations and environmental policy.
- Applied knowledge of the principles and practices of aquatic ecology and environmental protection, including watershed science and water pollution biology.
- Applied knowledge of the chemical, physical, and biological properties of inland and/or coastal and marine aquatic systems, including their interactions.
- Ability to analyze and determine the applicability of environmental data to make appropriate recommendations.
- Experience evaluating and/or quantifying the impacts of aquatic pollutants on human health and/or aquatic life.
- Experience interpreting chemical, physical, and biological data, and their relationship to water quality.
- An understanding of the importance of proper field and laboratory QA/QC as it relates to environmental reporting.
- Ability to evaluate the adequacy and competency of environmental work conducted by others, whether data collection, analysis, or reporting.
- Experience applying statistical and other quantitative techniques to complex chemical, physical, and biological water quality data.
- Experience using R and/or other programming languages to analyze water quality data.
- Experience using the ESRI suite of ArcGIS software and geoprocessing tools for spatial analysis.
- Experience with scientific data compilation and visualization through figures and tables.
- Supervisory, managerial, or administrative experience.
- Strong and effective writing, editing, and oral communication skills, including the ability to successfully convey complex issues to technical and non-technical audiences.
- Strong organizational and time management skills.
- Ability to work on multiple and concurrent projects to meet deadlines.
- Ability to work independently, efficiently, and in an organized manner with very strong attention to detail.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work cooperatively with diverse groups.
- Strong working knowledge of MS Office, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Qualifications
First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.
MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must have at least (A) five years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, technical or professional experience in the field of environmental science, biology, chemistry, earth science, environmental health, meteorology, natural science, toxicology or public health, of which (B) at least three years must have been in a professional capacity, and of which (C) at least one year must have been in a supervisory, managerial or administrative capacity, or (D) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the following substitutions.
Substitutions:
I. An Associate’s degree with a major in the field of environmental science, biology, chemistry, earth science, environmental health, meteorology, natural science, toxicology or public health may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required (A) experience.*
II. A Bachelor’s degree with a major in the field of environmental science, biology, chemistry, earth science, environmental health, meteorology, natural science, toxicology or public health may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required (A) experience.*
III. A Graduate degree with a major in environmental science, biology, chemistry, earth science, environmental health, meteorology, natural science, toxicology or public health may be substituted for a maximum of three years of the required (A) experience and one year of the required (B) experience.*
*Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.
NOTE: Educational substitutions will only be permitted for a maximum of one year of the required (B) experience. No substitutions will be permitted for the required (C) experience.
Comprehensive Benefits
When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.
Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!
Executive Order #595: As a condition of employment, successful applicants will be required to have received COVID-19 vaccination or an approved exemption as of their start date. Details relating to demonstrating compliance with this requirement will be provided to applicants selected for employment. Applicants who receive an offer of employment who can provide documentation that the vaccine is medically contraindicated or who object to vaccination due to a sincerely held religious belief may make a request for exemption.
An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don’t meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.
Official Title: Environmental Analyst IV
Primary Location: United States-Massachusetts-Worcester – 8 New Bond St
Job: Science
Agency: Department of Environmental Protection
Schedule: Full-time
Shift: Day
Job Posting: Dec 21, 2022, 6:48:30 PM
Number of Openings: 1
Salary: 74,573.46 – 109,775.12 Yearly
If you have Diversity, Affirmative Action or Equal Employment Opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator: Melixza Esyenie – 6176261282
Bargaining Unit: 09-MOSES – Engineers/Scientists
Confidential: No
Hybrid Work Eligible: Yes
