Tdec-Environmental Scientist

Job Information

Department:
Environment & Conservation (Knox County)

Location:

Knoxville, TN

Job Type: Full‑Time

Salary: $48,684 annually ($4,057 monthly)

Opening Date: 06/16/2026 (12:00 AM Central)

Closing Date: 06/29/2026 (11:59 PM Central)

Education and Experience:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in environmental science, physical sciences (e.g., physics, chemistry, geology, meteorology), ecology, sustainability, applied science in sustainability, life sciences (e.g., biology, microbiology, health physics or biophysics), environmental health, pre‑medicine, engineering, or another acceptable science or natural resource related field.

Necessary Special

Qualifications:

• Possess a valid motor vehicle operator’s license at the time of appointment in some positions.
• Applicants for this class who are Environmental Scientist 1
  * or Health Physicist 1
  * in the Division of Radiological Health must successfully complete the training courses offered by that Division.
• Environmental Scientist 1
  * performing geologic duties for the majority of their time must have completed the required college coursework at the time of appointment to be eligible to take the licensing examination offered by Tennessee’s Department of Commerce and Insurance or hold a valid geologic license from Tennessee or a state with reciprocal licensing rights.
• Environmental Scientist 1
  * positions assigned as Biologists must meet the specific educational requirements for Biologists, including at least 36 quarter hours (or 24 semester hours) in biology or related areas.

Examination Method:
Education and Experience, 100%, for Preferred Service positions.

Under immediate supervision, the incumbent is responsible for learning professional environmental, natural resource, sustainability, environmental assistance program, radiological health, and related science work of routine difficulty, and learns to perform related duties as required.

• Investigate complaints, develop corrective recommendations, and, when necessary, initiate legal action to enforce compliance with established standards, laws, rules, regulations, or policies.
• Prepare documentation such as permits, designs, layouts, blueprints, and soil evaluations to ensure agency missions are met.
• Conduct inspections of equipment, structures, and material to ensure proper installation, maintenance, and operation.
• Determine validity and severity of incidents, analyze available information, and recommend appropriate responses to meet regulatory, project, or stakeholder needs.
• Interpret findings, results, and regulations, and communicate these to stakeholders through reports, technical documents, maps, and plans.
• Use computer software including statistical programs, scientific instruments, GIS, databases, word processing, and spreadsheets to generate reports.
• Compile legally defensible environmental documents, process records and data, review QA/QC parameters, and prepare statistical reports for various environmental evaluations.
• Analyze monitoring records, site inspections, and sampling data to determine trends and recommend actions.
• Perform inspections and investigations under various TDEC program areas to assess compliance with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Enforce environmental standards and take corrective action as warranted.
• Collect environmental samples and monitoring data under physically demanding conditions; operate field equipment and handle equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Operate vehicles, tractors, all‑terrain vehicles, and watercraft in accordance with agency policy.
• Maintain and calibrate electronic equipment such as radiation detectors, GPS, and X‑ray fluorescence instruments.
• Provide technical expertise and consultation on radiation incidents, emergency response, and environmental stewardship to industry, municipalities, counties, and the public.
• Assist in managing state programs, scheduling inspections, coordinating training, and handling federal reporting requirements.
• Document and maintain accurate records, logs, databases, chain‑of‑custody, and correspondence.
• Collaborate with stakeholders, build consensus, and…