Environmental Specialist

The Arizona Attorney General’s Office Environmental Protection Unit is seeking an Environmental Specialist to assist with civil investigations relating to environmental issues across Arizona. The employee will support attorneys by investigating environmental complaints, conducting interviews with interested parties, and reviewing technical documents. This role requires an objective, analytical investigator who can balance technical rules with public communication and litigation workflows.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely two days a week, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.

Benefits

• Student Loan Assistance
• Sick leave
• Paid Parental Leave – up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program)
• Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
• Health and dental insurance
• Retirement plan
• Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
• Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave program. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page.

Retirement

• Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS).
• Please note, enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.

Knowledge of Arizona statutory authority and strategies and techniques for conducting investigations. Knowledge of Arizona and federal environmental laws, environmental regulation, and environmental science. Knowledge of administrative and civil litigation. Knowledge of techniques for conducting interviews and preparing reports. Knowledge of asset tracing techniques. Knowledge of computer programs, terminology and programming related to environmental enforcement actions. Knowledge of federal policies like the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, RCRA, and NEPA.

Knowledge of agency policies and procedures. Skills in communicating effectively with people of various backgrounds. Basic interview skills. Skills working with other team members including attorneys, environmental scientists, experts, and administrative staff. Skills interpreting and applying complex state and federal laws in environmental cases; analyzing and accurately interpreting large amounts of information; using a computer and software to prepare reports and perform complex data analysis;

and using investigative resources to discover information. Skills in investigating, reading, understanding, and interpreting financial information and data. Ability to coordinate activities with other government agencies. Ability to maintain confidential information. Ability to examine and evaluate evidence and data in the investigation of environmental violations. Ability to accurately assemble and organize documents for large complex cases. Ability to maintain chain-of-custody and evidence control procedures.

Ability to conduct interviews. Ability to effectively communicate results of investigations both verbally and in writing. Ability to effectively manage a challenging workload by applying sound organizational and time management principles.

Selective Preference(s)

• Degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Biology, or a related natural science field is preferred.
• The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 2–4 years of professional experience in an environmental compliance or protection capacity.