Tdec Environmental Scientist

Qualifications

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in environmental science, physical sciences (physics, chemistry, geology, meteorology), ecology, sustainability or applied sustainability science, life sciences (biology, microbiology, agricultural science, agronomy, health physics or biophysics), environmental health, pre‑medicine, engineering, or other acceptable science or natural resource related field and at least three years of full‑time professional environmental program, natural resource conservation work or work ensuring compliance with radiation safety standards and/or regulations is required.

An acceptable environmental, physical, or life science degree may be considered based on assignment by the specific program area.

Substitution of a Specific Bachelor's Degree for

Experience:

• A bachelor's degree in health physics or nuclear engineering may substitute for one year of the required experience in the Division of Radiological Health.

Substitution of Education for

Experience:

• Graduate coursework in environmental science, physical sciences, ecology, sustainability or applied sustainability science, life sciences, environmental health, pre‑medicine, engineering or other acceptable science or natural resource related field may be substituted for the required experience, on a year‑for‑year basis, up to a maximum of two years (24 semester hours or 36 quarter hours).

• Possess a valid motor vehicle operator's license at the time of appointment in some positions.
• Applicants working in the Division of Radiological Health must have successfully completed the training courses offered by the Division of Radiological Health. Failure to do so may result in termination.
• TDEC Environmental Scientist III positions that perform geologic duties must: either (a) 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's Board of Professional Geologists, or (b) hold and maintain a current Geologic license from the State of Tennessee during employment or hold a current Geologic license from another State that Tennessee has evaluated and granted reciprocal licensing rights.
  
  Applicants hired with a current Geologic license from a reciprocal licensing State must obtain, and then maintain, a current license in Geology from the State of Tennessee Board of Professional Geologists within one year of appointment.
• Some TDEC Environmental Scientist III positions assigned to function as Biologists must meet the specific educational requirements for Biologists:
  Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree, including at least 36 quarter hours (or 24 semester hours) in biology, in one of the following areas: biology or biological sciences; botanical sciences; environmental or conservation sciences; zoological sciences; or aquatic, terrestrial, or wetland biology or ecology or other acceptable biological science related field.

This position is expected to provide radiological and general environmental monitoring support in the field (~50%) with additional time supporting radiological data and documentation reviews and providing assessments and comments on proposed work scopes and environmental cleanup operation plans or reports. The ideal candidate will have experience with environmental monitoring, data interpretation, and professional reporting and documentation, including technical reporting, data review, and data analysis.

• Lead and support the existing and future TDEC radiological sampling/monitoring across the ORR, including technical writings and data review, as well as project financial tracking.
• Identify improvements, if appropriate, to existing monitoring programs based on expertise.
• Help determine appropriateness of field screening methods based on radiological contaminants of concern.
• Interpret radiological data across various environmental media (soil, surface water, building material, groundwater, sediment).
• Evaluate environmental radiological monitoring data as it…