Summary: Under immediate supervision, is responsible for learning professional environmental, natural resources, sustainability, environmental assistance program, radiological health and/or similar science related program work of routine difficulty; and learns to perform related work as required.
Distinguishing Features: *This is the entry level class in the TDEC Environmental Scientist subseries. An employee in this class may be assigned to learn a variety of environmental compliance inspection, monitoring, problem identification, corrective action and enforcement duties in an environmental regulatory or assistance division. An employee in this class may be assigned to learn natural resource management and/or inventory in conservation or other, non-regulatory programs. This class differs from TDEC Environmental Scientist 3 in that an incumbent of the latter performs environmental program duties at the advanced working or lead level under general supervision.
*An applicant appointed to this flexibly staffed class will be reclassified to TDEC Environmental Scientist 2* after successful completion of a mandatory one year probationary period; inadequate or marginal performance during the probationary period will result in automatic termination.
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others:
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Investigates complaints; develops corrective recommendations for identified problems, and if necessary, initiates legal action to effect compliance of established standards, laws, rules, regulations, or policies.
Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment:
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Prepares documentation (such as permits, designs, layout, blueprints, soil evaluations, etc.), in a concise and defensible manner, to ensure Agency's missions are met.
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material:
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Conduct inspections of equipment, structures and/or material, to ensure proper installation, maintenance, and/or operation.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems:
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Learn to determine the validity and severity of an incident and appropriate response.
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Analyzes available information and makes recommendations to ensure the best solution is chosen to meet regulatory, project, and/or stakeholders' needs.
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Determines validity and severity of violation(s) and if an enforcement action is warranted.
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Review plans and reports to determine future regulatory actions.
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others:
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Interprets findings, results, (i.e. site inspections, permits, lab results, etc.) and communicates interpretation of regulations, policy, guidance to stakeholders.
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Prepare various publications, reports, technical documents, maps and plans.
Interacting With Computers:
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Possesses general knowledge and utilizes computer software including but not limited to: statistical programs, scientific instruments, modeling, Geographic Information System (GIS), databases, word processing, spreadsheets, email, etc.
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Generate reports and documents utilizing contemporary computer software.
Processing Information:
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Compile legally defensible environmental documents.
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Compiles, processes, and reviews records, data, operational plans, enforcement action requests, reports, etc.
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Reviews Quality Assurance/Quality Control parameters, specific to and required by acceptable methodologies are performed with each data set.
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Prepare statistical/metric reports for aquatic, terrestrial, and wetland evaluations.
Analyzing Data or Information:
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Analyze environmental and/or other information, such as monitoring records, site inspections, sampling data to determine if further action is necessary and to evaluate trends.
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Prepare plans, maps or reports of findings relating to health and environmental data.
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Analyze environmental data using mathematical and statistical methods.
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Assist in developing standards.
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Performs laboratory or field tests based specific sample requirements.
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Review plans to ensure protection of human health and the environment.
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Interpret analytical results to determine data quality and usability.
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Assist in conducting studies of environmental pollution or ionizing radiation and any socioeconomic effects.
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards:
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Perform inspections and/or investigations when required by a specific TDEC program area such as air pollution, water resources, remediation, underground storage tanks, solid waste management, radiological health, natural areas, etc. to determine compliance with laws, regulations, or standards.
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Enforce environmental or other standards, laws, rules, regulations, and/or administrative policies and procedures, taking corrective action as warranted.
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Determines if documents (i.e., permits, applications, National Environmental Policy Act, licenses, accreditations and certifications, etc.) may be approved by reviewing and evaluating information submitted by applicant or acquired by site inspections and/or other informative sources used for determining minimum environmental or other compliance with established standards.
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Adheres to requirements specified in Standard Operating Procedures and any applicable federal and/or state standards.
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Ensures statutory obligations are fulfilled.
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Oversee environmental sampling and/or investigations to assure that acceptable procedures are followed.
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Compares environmental and/or health related data to applicable criteria.
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Reviews and evaluates applications, forms, plans, inspection documents, general correspondence, reports or other records to ensure technical adequacy.
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Audits third party inspections of facilities to determine compliance with regulatory standards.
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Assesses fees based on the regulatory standards.
Performing General Physical Activities:
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Collect environmental samples and/or monitoring data (e.g., soil, rock, air, water, sediment, sludge, biological), under physically demanding conditions.
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Perform physical activities, such as walking (i.e. ditches, uneven terrain, etc.), wading in water, climbing, lifting (such as coolers, generators, etc.), operating field equipment (backpack shockers, augers, core samplers, or probes), etc.
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Operates, carries or handles equipment/machinery unassisted that may weigh up to 50 pounds.
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Performs physically demanding, ecologically-based stewardship and natural resource management on state natural areas, (utilizing equipment, such as backpack sprayer, chainsaw, bush hog, lawnmower, tractor, etc. in the management of rare species habitat, controlled fire, trail maintenance, boundary maintenance, invasive species control, etc.)
Documenting/Recording Information:
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Prepares and maintains complete and accurate records, reports, logs, databases, chain-of-custody and correspondence based on established guidelines and procedures.
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Maintains records of observations made during field evaluations to document data collection, ambient site conditions, and the location of the evaluation.
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Documents all relevant work activities, contacts, and meetings.
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings:
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Performs environmental or health investigations, remediation, and/or monitoring work, including sampling and evaluation of pollutants to determine compliance with environmental or other standards.
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Serves as a technical advisor to emergency responders for incidents/accidents.
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Reviews monitoring data to determine permit compliance, environmental standards and/or ecological conditions.
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Comply with safe handling, storage and disposal procedures for samples, laboratory reagents and other chemicals.
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Verify expiration dates of chemicals and supplies, disposing of expired materials as required by safety rules and regulations.
Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment:
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Maintains, repairs and calibrates electronic equipment, such as radiation detection meter, photo ionization detector, pH meter, GPS, and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) as needed.
Provide Consultation and Advice to Others:
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Provide technical expertise in handling events involving radiation and radioactive material, including transportation, and industrial incidents as well as natural catastrophes.
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Provide consultative, technical, or educational services to industry, municipalities, counties, individuals, or groups in the necessity and methodology of enhancing environmental stewardship, health or other standards, practices, and safety.
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Update regulatory information to stakeholders.
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment:
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Maintains, repairs, and/or calibrates mechanical equipment, such as ozone monitor, air monitoring, laser level and watercrafts as needed.
Monitoring and Controlling Resources:
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Ensures contractors' proposed work activities comply with established rates and/or approved scope of work.
Getting Information:
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Conducts, observes and/or oversees environmental or health surveys, sampling, inventories or monitoring, testing, including site evaluations.
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Perform regulatory and other research in order to stay current with local, state, and federal standards and procedures.
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Searches for and/or identifies entities or locations that should be regulated and inform those that need to be brought into compliance.
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Obtains and receives records, data, operational plans, enforcement action requests, survey information, etc.
Scheduling Work and Activities:
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Assist in managing state programs including certifying officials/professionals; coordination and training; records management; and federal reporting requirements (e.g. the ginseng program, asbestos, lead based paint, etc.).
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Schedules assigned work to address compliance monitoring inspections, complaints and/or investigations, tasks, directives, correspondence, laboratory activities, biological surveys, etc.
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment:
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Operates personal or assigned vehicles (such as, but not limited to watercraft, all-terrain vehicles, tractors, etc.), in accordance with agency policy and procedures, as well as all traffic laws.
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work:
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Develop work and study plans to identify specific goals and activities to ensure proper implementation of the assigned work.
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Organizes, plans and prioritizes work to ensure completion by a given deadline or other time constraint.
Selling or Influencing Others:
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Build consensus among internal and/or external stakeholders to further TDEC's missions and goals.
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships:
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Works harmoniously with and ensures healthy relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
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Relate observations, conclusions, and opinions to co-workers/internal customers in a respectful and professional manner.
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Work with other agencies and organizations to ensure that operational and programmatic activities receive early concurrence and input from regional and statewide authorities.
Training and Teaching Others:
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Provides training to stakeholders who may require specific knowledge.
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Train other staff, in the proper methods and procedures for performing environmental work as requested.
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge:
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Fulfill established educational, training, and safety requirements.
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Keeps up-to-date with technical developments, standard operating procedures and regulations and applies new knowledge to the job.
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Seek opportunities for professional development within and outside of the agency.
Communicating with Persons Outside Organization:
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Explain the validity and severity of incidents to governmental agencies and other stakeholders.
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Communicate findings in applicable approval letters, notice of deficiencies, notice of violations, license or amendment agreement or enforcement action requests.
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Ensures all customers are serviced in a timely, professional and knowledgeable manner so as to meet the mission.
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Provide high-quality outreach, including design, distribution of information, and technical assistance to stakeholders.
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Uses tools, such as GIS, to inform and educate stakeholders and to improve or maintain environmental resources.
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Coordinate with stakeholders for consultations, meetings, workshops and joint projects.
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Informs stakeholders of public participation opportunities, policy and regulation changes.
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Participate in public participation opportunities as assigned.
Performing Administrative Activities:
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Drafts and/or develops documents for review and signature within the required timeframe.
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Enters time and leave and expenses within the designated computer program in a proper and timely manner.
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Ensures all information is properly filed.
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Complete required documentation for travel and/or field use of vehicle (e.g. mileage logs, travel time, vehicle inspection checklist).
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Distribute documents to appropriate parties to ensure proper routing.
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Recognizes and coordinates interpretation or translation services, as needed.
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Ensures files are managed according to the Records Disposition Authorization.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates:
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Provide relevant, effective and routine written or verbal communication to supervisors or peers.
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Advise management about work issues of concern as they occur.
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Disseminate information as appropriate within the agency.
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Recognizes, provides, and communicates potential areas of improvement.
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public:
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Schedules, attends, observes, and/or participates in public meetings or public outreach, as required.
