Technical Environmental Specialist
Indianapolis, IN, US, 46224
Work for Indiana
Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.
About the Indiana Department of Environmental Management:
Our mission is to implement federal and state regulations to protect human health and the environment while allowing the environmentally sound operations of industrial, agricultural, commercial, and governmental activities vital to a prosperous economy. We issue air, water, and solid and hazardous waste permits that restrict discharges to environmentally safe levels. Staff members inspect and monitor regulated entities; provide compliance and technical assistance; monitor and assess air, land, and water quality; use enforcement actions as necessary to ensure compliance; and respond to incidents involving spills to soil or waters of the state.
Role Overview:
The Technical Environmental Specialist will support the entirety of the Petroleum Branch. These programs provide oversight for the prevention of Underground Storage Tank leaks (LUSTs), remediation of Petroleum releases to the environment, and the Excess Liability Trust Fund. Tank owners and responsible parties much follow state and federal regulations for prevention and cleanup of releases to the environment (IC 13-23, 329 IAC 9, and 40 CFR Part 280). The incumbent will be tasked with various projects including coordinating and conducting cross training between sections, researching complex technical problems related to petroleum remediation, analyzing code and regulations to identify improvements and efficiencies, and determining outreach needs for our regulated community. The ideal candidate is a self-starter with a strong technical background in remediation projects who works well independently.
The incumbent will be required to have a valid Indiana driver's license.
Salary Statement:
The salary for this position traditionally starts at $67,314.00 but may be commensurate with education or work experience.
A Day in the Life:
The essential functions of this role are as follows:
- Serves as a senior level environmental technical advisor for upper-level program development and high-level technical decisions within the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM).
- Works with a variety of branch and section chiefs to provide the technical and program expertise necessary to assist management with staff and program issues.
- Researches complex problems and provide guidance to senior management staff.
- Plans, coordinates, conducts assessment surveys and/or audits, including providing staff reviews for technical quality, content, and format. Prepares ad hoc or periodic written reports and/or updates.
- Provides sampling analytical method selection advice and assist in sampling project design. Reviews quality control data and suitability of sample analysis.
- Processes analytical reports.
- Completes data review and analytical reports based on priority.
- Reviews and responds to technical or legal issues from staff and/or the regulated community.
- Serves as a liaison or subject-matter expert representing IDEM.
- Provides suggestions, recommendations, and solutions to complex problems.
- Works with others to formulate and develop effective implementation strategies to achieve compliance.
- Works with the appropriate staff to provide training and assistance, program development, technical or legal knowledge and regulatory interpretation.
- Reviews overall program and suggest improvements; provide general, technical and/or regulatory assistance to the public and regulated community.
- Assists Branch Chief and others to develop and establish policies and SOPs.
- Coordinates inter-branch and inter-office projects.
- Assigns and directs staff workload, mentors staff, and performs quality reviews.
- Provides excellent customer service by serving as a technical resource for internal and external customers and serve as a technical negotiator and advisor for inter-office and/or inter-agency environmental issues.
- Reviews highly complex documents and/or other documents written by staff to ensure consistency and applicability of legal, technical and/or policy application.
- Responds to regulatory development queries and requests for information.
The job profile is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.
This position is exempt from overtime compensation for additional work hours which may be required to complete essential functions or other assigned work. Exempt employees may work more than 75 hours in a pay period without additional compensation and must report a minimum of 75 hours per pay period of work hours and/or paid leave taken to receive their base biweekly salary.
What You'll Need for Success:
You must meet the following requirements to be considered for employment:
- a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Environmental Science, Environmental Policy, Chemistry, Biology, Geology, Public Health or a related field.
- Seven (7) years of professional experience in an environmental science related field. At least two (2) years of the required experience must be in an administrative, leadership, managerial, or supervisory capacity.
- Substitutions: Accredited college training may substitute for the required experience, except for the administrative, leadership, managerial, or supervisory experience, with a maximum substitution of four (4) years.
Related certifications and coursework may be considered for education or experience.
- Extensive knowledge of and the ability to research, interpret and apply a wide variety of Federal and State laws, rules and regulations in order to provide technical or legal recommendations, propose/draft new rule language, SOPs, non-rule policies, etc.
- Working knowledge of using word processing, database and spreadsheet software applications, and other available information in order to complete work assignments.
- Excellent communication skills, especially on high level technical or legal/enforcement issues; this includes the effective use of diplomacy, procedure and protocol, negotiation, debate, reading comprehension, and consensus building. Writing skills must demonstrate the ability to produce clear, concise, and correct letters, instructions, fact sheets, reports, permits, grants and other documents for the agency
- Ability to manage several projects simultaneously, establish short- and long-term project management goals and objectives, as well as the skill to plan and coordinate varied and changing operations in order to achieve these goals and objectives.
- Able to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:
Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:
The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:
- Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
- Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
- Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
- Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match
- Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
- A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
- 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers
- Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
- Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
- 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
- Education Reimbursement Program
- Group life insurance
- Referral Bonus program
- Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
- Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
- Free Parking for most positions
- Free LinkedIn Learning access
Equal Employment Opportunity:
The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at jobs@spd.IN.gov.
Nearest Major Market: Indianapolis
