Environmental Scientist I

Department Department of Environmental Management Division Environmental Services

Salary $73,210.00 - $82,203.00

Scheduled Work Days & Work Hours This position is with RIDEM’s Office of Compliance and Inspection (OC&I). OC&I is the regulatory compliance and enforcement component of RIDEM. As part of RIDEM’s Bureau of Environmental Protection, OC&I plays a central role in ensuring that individuals, businesses, municipalities, and other regulated entities comply with Rhode Island’s environmental statutes, regulations, permits, licenses, and other applicable requirements.

OC&I’s responsibilities encompass a broad range of environmental compliance and enforcement activities, including: complaint investigation, compliance monitoring and inspections, and environmental enforcement. Within OC&I, there are eight environmental programs:
Air Pollution, Water Pollution, Freshwater Wetlands, Dam Safety, Hazardous Waste, Solid and Medical Waste, Underground Storage Tanks, and Septic Systems. This Environmental Scientist I position will conduct inspections for a variety of programs including, but not limited to:
Air Pollution, Water Pollution, Solid and Medical Waste, and Septic Systems. Key responsibilities include, conducting site inspections to ensure compliance with applicable state and federal regulations, collecting sample using approved sampling methodologies, reviewing and interpreting laboratory analytical reports, and documenting inspection findings. This position requires strong technical, analytical and communication skills, as well as the ability to apply environmental regulations in a field inspection setting.

A current motor vehicle licenses is required.

To perform various scientific or engineering tasks and duties necessary; to implement and conduct programs and projects related to environmental compliance, permitting, pollution prevention or management as it pertains to environmental control; and do related work in a statewide environmental program as required.

Receives general and specific work assignments from a superior with some latitude for exercising independent judgement; work is reviewed in progress and upon completion for results and conformance to accepted standards.

As assigned, may supervise the work of technical, seasonal and/or clerical employees.

To perform various scientific or engineering tasks and duties necessary; to implement and conduct programs and projects related to environmental compliance, permitting, pollution prevention or management as it pertains to environmental control; and do related work in a statewide environmental program as required. To assist in the development and implementation of various projects, studies or surveys in the relevant field of environmental management.

Prepare, review or contribute to clear, technically sound and scientifically accurate technical plans and/or documents that may include findings, conclusions and recommendations in a statewide environmental program that includes, but is not limited to the fields of air pollution, hazardous and solid waste, water pollution, wetlands, underground and above ground tanks, pollution prevention and/or any other relevant environmental field. Collect and analyze data, conduct research, and/or develop action plans related to the identification, causes and effects of environmental pollution.

Conduct technical inspections of sources to evaluate sources of pollution and assure compliance with applicable federal and state environmental regulations; and provide technical advice relating to the solution of environmental problems. As required, review permit applications and other technical documents for completeness and conformance to applicable policies and regulations and make recommendations for acceptance, modification or disapproval. Recommend to a superior that enforcement action be taken…