Department

Department of Health

Division

Environmental Services

Salary

$91,198.00 - $102,920.00

Job Profile

JC-02511400-92 - Environmental Scientist III (NEARI PSA DOH)

Scheduled Work Days & Work Hours

Monday - Friday; 8:30am - 4:30pm

Non-Standard 35.0

Restricted/Limited to the Leave of the prior incumbent

Job Requisition Number

JR104148 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST III (Open)

Pay Grade

C00334 A

Classification

Environmental Scientist III

Class Definition

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES: To be responsible for assisting in the supervision and direction of an assigned section, special projects and phases of major projects including the administration of an environmental program; to perform professional scientific and/or engineering work within the section involving difficult and complex environmental issues of compliance, permitting, pollution prevention or management as it pertains to environmental protection; and to do related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Works under the general supervision of superior with wide latitude for the exercise of initiative and independent judgement; work is subject to review through consultation and submitted reports for conformance to established policies and objectives and accepted environmental control methods and techniques.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: As assigned, may plan, supervise and/or review the work of professional, technical, and/or clerical staff or other staff within an assigned section.

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED:

• To be responsible for assisting in the supervision and direction of an assigned section, special projects and phases of major projects including the administration of an environmental program; to perform professional scientific and/or engineering work within the section involving difficult and complex environmental issues of compliance, permitting, pollution prevention or management as it pertains to environmental protection; and to do related work as required.
• To be responsible for the supervision of an allotted section, including the administration of a specific environmental program, as assigned.
• To perform complex scientific or engineering work in a statewide environmental program.
• As assigned, to assign and instruct the technical work of others engaged in environmental programs and serve as project coordinator where applicable.
• To provide direction, advice, assistance and consultation on specialized scientific programs, permits, regulatory approvals and problems.
• To develop content and budgets for grant proposals for external funding in accordance with departmental policies, where applicable.
• To serve a liaison between the department and federal, state, or other organizations, agencies or stakeholders and to represent the department in meetings with stakeholders, federal, state, regional and local environmental agencies.
• To prepare, review or contribute to technically sound and scientifically accurate technical plans and/or documents that may include findings, conclusions and recommendations regarding the implementation of federal and state environmental standards that includes, but is not limited to, the fields of air pollution, hazardous and solid waste, water pollution, wetlands, underground and above ground storage tanks, and/or any other relevant environmental field.
• To collect and analyze complex data, conduct research, and/or develop remedial action plans related to the identification, causes, and effects of environmental pollution and possess the ability to accurately interpret findings, communicate summations and make recommendations.
• To conduct technical inspections of complex sources of pollution to assure compliance with applicable federal and state regulations and provide technical advice relating to the solution of environmental problems.
• To prepare, review or direct the development of clear, technically sound and scientifically accurate reports, technical plans, summaries and/or documents that may include findings, conclusions and recommendations.
• To provide expert advice, input and guidance to internal or to external partners, stakeholders or other organizations when appropriate.
• To perform professional scientific or engineering work within the section involving difficult and complex problems in environmental protection.
• To do related work as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS FOR APPOINTMENT:

KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS AND CAPACITIES: A thorough knowledge of the principles, practices, procedures and technology employed to preserve, protect and restore the environment of the state; a thorough knowledge the state laws and regulations as they relate to environmental protection and the ability to interpret and apply such laws; the ability to read and interpret complex scientific or engineering plans and specifications, particularly those relating to industrial, municipal and institutional facilities; the ability to make recommendations on complex environmental issues relating to the improvement of design, location, operation and maintenance of such areas/facilities; the ability to plan, supervise and participate in environmental investigations; the ability to evaluate complex data with regard to environmental issues or regulations and associated standards; and related capacities and abilities.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Education: Possession of a Bachelor of Science degree in environmental, physical, or biological sciences; chemical, civil or environmental engineering; environmental economics; or a closely related field; and

Experience: Minimum of five (5) years employment in a position in the field of environmental science or engineering.

Or, any combination of education and experience that shall be substantially equivalent to the above education and experience.

Supplemental Information

This position is located within the Center for Drinking Water Quality and will assist with the implementation and enforcement of the Public Drinking Water Regulations with particular emphasis on returning public water systems to compliance when they have fallen out of compliance with the various drinking water Rules mandated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. The main activities of this position are to function as the rule manager for the Surface Water Treatment Rule (SWTR) and the Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (DBPR) within the Center for Drinking Water Quality. As rule manager for these rules, this position is responsible for assuring that disease-causing microorganisms in drinking water are minimized. This includes reviewing treatment plant operating reports, distribution system operating reports, conducting inspections of surface water treatment plants, reviewing and writing inspection reports, and working with public water systems by providing technical assistance and other various tasks designed to assist public water systems with maintaining compliance. This also includes leading the planning, regulatory revisions, and implementation of the EPA Microbial and Disinfection Byproducts Rule Revisions anticipated in summer 2027.

This position will also assist the Center for Drinking Water Quality by utilizing experience and knowledge of water chemistry and microbiology; working with stakeholders and the regulated community to solve complex problems related to water contamination; and provide technical guidance and be responsible for communicating highly technical information effectively to non-technical individuals.

Frequent verbal and written communication with coworkers, regulated entities, and water quality laboratories. Attention to detail, organization, and proficiency or the ability to quickly respond during time-sensitive situations. This position oversees the water quality surveillance program and drinking water sample collecting for a significant portion of the state’s required sampling.

Benefits

For information regarding the benefits available to State of Rhode Island employees, please visit the Office of Employee Benefits' website at http://www.employeebenefits.ri.gov/.
 

Also, be advised that a new provision in RI General Law 35-6-1 was enacted requiring direct deposit for all employees. Specific to new hires, the law requires that all employees hired after September 30, 2014 participate in direct deposit. Accordingly, any employee hired after this date will be required to participate in the direct deposit system. At the time the employee is hired, the employee shall identify a financial institution that will serve as a personal depository agency for the employee.