Environmental Scientist

The recruitment is for an Environmental Scientist 3 (ES3) position as a Mine Compliance Inspector located in Reno. This ES3 position will be within the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection’s Bureau of Mining Regulation and Reclamation, Compliance Branch program. The Compliance Branch is responsible for compliance and enforcement of Water Pollution Control Permits for mining facilities to ensure protection of waters of the State.

Mine Compliance Inspectors conduct regulatory inspections of mining facilities to determine compliance with operating plans, water pollution control permit requirements and regulations. In addition, the Compliance Inspector reviews and assesses mine quarterly monitoring reports, investigates spill reports, release reports and permit deviations. The position initiates formal enforcement and corrective actions to achieve compliance based off field observations and report review.

The position works with the permit writers, permit tees, local, State, and Federal agencies, non‑governmental organizations, the Closure Branch, Regulation Branch, Reclamation Branch and Hydrology Branch and the general public to ensure that their respective concerns related to the water pollution control permitting program are addressed. A valid driver’s license is required to legally drive State vehicle for site inspections. In order to gain access into mine site inspections, the position requires 24 hr mine safety training (MSHA) provided by the State upon being hired.

Environmental Scientists perform program research, planning and development, permitting, compliance monitoring, inspections/enforcement, and technical support services in relation to air, water, federal facilities, corrective action, mining, biology and waste environmental programs.

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in the physical, natural resource or life sciences, engineering or closely related field and three years of professional environmental experience which involved environmental program research and planning;
• OR graduation from high school or equivalent and five years of professional environmental experience as described above;
• OR one year of experience as an Environmental Scientist 2 in Nevada State service;
• OR an equivalent combination of education and experience as described above.

• Develop program documents such as the annual program plan, quarterly activities report, environmental assessments, technical reports and environmental impact statements in accordance with federal and State requirements; review existing program standards; research, compile and verify available data; analyze data and trends including the projected impact of federal, State and local regulations; propose new or revised standards; develop regulations, procedures and protocols and draft legislation;
  
  provide information and technical assistance to the general public and regulated community; develop and provide training to staff and the regulated community; prepare various reports as required for planning or in response to requests from the legislature, general public, regulated community, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), or Division of Environmental Protection (DEP) administration; conduct public hearings; justify with fact sheets and discussion as required.
• Conduct research through the use of technical, scientific and historical data to provide a tool for administrative and resource planning and decision making; coordinate with other agencies involved in the implementation of environmental programs; represent the division or agency at various meetings involving federal, State and local regulatory and resource agencies, the public, non‑governmental organizations and the regulated community; participate in federal, State and local policy and regulation development.
• Develop grant applications, proposals for performance, grant workplans, budgets and applications using federal and State policies and procedures; negotiate commitments with federal, State and local agencies; solicit project proposals; negotiate workplans and draft contract documents and required amendments; monitor…