Colorado residents: Physical Science Researcher/ Scientist I - Water

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE)

Denver, CO, USA 🇺🇸

Salary: $4,935.00 – $7,224.00 Monthly
Location: Denver, CO
Job Type: Full Time
Department: Department of Public Health & Environment
Job Number: FAA00233-03/01/23
Closing: 3/13/2023 5:00 PM Mountain

Department Information

This job announcement is only open to current residents of the State of Colorado.

Be BOLD and make a real difference . . .
Do you desire a career that provides you with opportunities to improve the world around you? The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is seeking diverse individuals from all backgrounds to apply for a position that makes a direct impact on improving the lives of Coloradans. Our mission is to advance Colorado’s health and protect the places we live, work, learn, and play. Our vision is to create a healthy and sustainable Colorado where current and future generations thrive. 

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, consider joining the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Our tobacco-free campus offers free parking and is conveniently located near RTD bus lines, Glendale City Set, and the Cherry Creek bike path. In addition to a great location and rewarding, meaningful work, we offer: 

  • Employee wellness programs and facilities 
  • Extensive internal professional development opportunities on a wide variety of subjects 
  • Bike to work programs, including access to storage lockers and bike racks 
  • Distinctive career advancement opportunities throughout the State system 
  • Strong, yet flexible retirement benefits including a choice of the PERA Defined Benefit Plan or the PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus optional 401K and 457 plans 
  • Medical and dental health plans 
  • Paid life insurance 
  • Short- and long-term disability coverage 
  • 11 paid holidays per year plus generous personal time off 
  • Mentoring program with opportunities for mentors and mentees 
  • Tuition assistance for college level courses including Master’s degree programs 
  • Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, and a variety of employee resource groups 

Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, go to:  https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/pslfFlow.action#!/pslf/launch


We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of diverse backgrounds and abilities.Description of Job

Work Unit
The Environmental Data Unit exists to gather, assess, and report data regarding the chemical, physical, and biological integrity and quality of state surface waters for the Federal Clean Water Act (CWA) 303(d) List of Impaired Waters and the 305(b) Report of Status of Water Quality in Colorado as the EPA Integrated Report. This unit is responsible for designing and managing monitoring and assessment programs to support environmental policy and regulatory decision making and for issuing state 401 water quality certifications of Federal permits. The unit also provides the necessary data analysis to the WQCD Standards Unit for its use in basin regulations rulemaking hearing with the Colorado Water Quality Control Commission. About the position
This position exists within the Assessment Group to design, formulate, and conduct analysis of complex water quality investigations for the purpose of evaluating the status of water quality in Colorado and to recommend certification or conditional certification of federal licenses or permits through the 401 water quality certifications program.

This position interacts with a broad array of local government, state and federal agencies, local water quality interests, and environmental interests often through participation in various technical work groups. Technical issues such as data collection techniques, models used in water quality assessments, interpretation of federal and state regulations, scientific principles, etc. may be discussed at these workgroups. The position will assist Unit staff in negotiating consensus within the work groups to minimize disagreements between parties and the WQCD at rulemaking and administrative action hearings with the Colorado Water Quality Control Commission. The position will assist staff in presenting written and oral testimony to the Water Quality Control Commission for regulatory hearings. The position may also participate in the collection of physical, chemical and biological information.Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Minimum Qualifications

(Option 1)Five years of experience collecting, analyzing, evaluating, and/or interpretation of environmental data.

(Option 2)

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in biology, chemistry, engineering, environmental science, geology, hydrology, or a closely related field and one year of experience collecting, analyzing, evaluating, and/or interpretation of environmental data.

(Option 3)

A graduate degree in biology, chemistry, engineering, environmental science, geology, hydrology, or a closely related field will substitute for the required bachelor’s degree and one year of experience.

The required experience must be substantiated within the work experience section of your application. Your resume will not be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications; only the work experience section of your application will be reviewed to determine this. “See Resume” statements on the application will not be accepted. In addition, part-time work will be prorated.
 

Preferred Qualifications and Essential Competencies
The preferred experience, competencies and abilities are highly desirable for this position and will be considered in selecting the successful candidate:

  • Experience designing and implementing water quality (or other environmental) studies.
  • Experience collecting physical, biological and chemical water quality related samples.
  • Experience with quality control and quality assurance procedures for environmental data.
  • Experience managing and processing laboratory data.
  • Experience performing statistical analyses on environmental data.
  • Experience applying water quality models.
  • Ability to synthesize complex information into concise and effective written reports and presentations.
  • Ability to communicate complex scientific information to a broad range of technical and non-technical stakeholders.
  • Ability to pay close attention to detail.
  • Critical thinking ability with demonstrated talent for analyzing and assessing all sides of a question or an issue in order to make a more informed decision.
  • Demonstrates initiative.
  • Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with others.
  • Ability to present ideas accurately, effectively, and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
  • Experience managing projects with consultants  
  • Experience managing contracts, including billing agreements, invoicing, etc. 
  • Experience with GIS and data management systems 

Conditions of Employment

  • This position requires about 1-5 days of travel a year. Travel is statewide and you will mainly be traveling with colleagues. Some overnights will be required.
  • A pre-employment background check will be conducted as part of the selection process. 

Supplemental Information

A complete application packet must include:   
1. A completed State of Colorado application.    
2. If using education to qualify, or to demonstrate completion of preferred coursework, a copy of your college/university transcripts. Transcripts can be attached to your CO Jobs application. Late transcripts will not be accepted.    
3. A Cover Letter, describing how you meet the requirements for this position.  
4. Answer to supplemental questions.    

Agency: State of Colorado

Department: Department of Public Health & Environment

Address: 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, Colorado, 80246

Phone: 303-692-2060

Website: http://www.cdphe.state.co.us



The Selection Process    
1. All applications that are received by the closing of this announcement will be reviewed against the Minimum Qualifications in this announcement. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications proceed to the next step.    

2. Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted based on merit and fitness through a comparative analysis process.   Part of, or all of, the comparative analysis for this position may be a structured application review, which involves a review of the information you submit in your application materials by Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) against the preferred qualifications.  
     
3. A top group, up to six candidates, will be invited to schedule an interview with the hiring manager.  

Appeal Rights: If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for the position or that as a result of no longer being considered, you were discriminated against, you may protest the action by filing an appeal with the State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director within 10 days from the date you receive notice of the elimination. Also, if you wish to challenge the selection and comparative analysis process, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director within 10 days from the receipt of notice or knowledge of the action you are challenging. If an applicant seeks to have an allegation of discrimination reviewed by the Board, that person must file an appeal (petition for hearing) within 10 days of the action or receipt of any final written selection decision. Refer to Chapters 4 and 8 of the State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director’s Administrative Procedures, 4 CCR 801, for more information about the appeals process. The State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director’s Administrative Procedures are available at www.colorado.gov/spb. A standard appeal form is available at: www.colorado.gov/spb. If you appeal, your appeal must be submitted in writing on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative, and received at the following address within 10 days of your receipt of notice or knowledge of the action: Colorado State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director, Attn: Appeals Processing, 1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver, CO 80203. Fax: 303-866-5038. Phone: 303-866-3300. The ten-day deadline and these appeal procedures also apply to all charges of discrimination.  

E-Verify:  CDPHE uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.  
   
You must be legally eligible to work in the United States to be appointed to this position. CDPHE does not sponsor non-residents of the United States.  

ADAAA Accommodations:  
The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator at cdphe.humanresources@state.co.us or call 303-692-2060, option 5.  


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