Environmental Scientist - Field Program Coordinator

The State of Utah is hiring an Environmental Scientist - Field Program Coordinator for the Department of Environmental Quality in Salt Lake City. This full-time position involves coordinating field monitoring programs, conducting sampling surveys, and managing data. Candidates should have experience in environmental fields, be able to work in both office and outdoor settings, and travel frequently. The role offers a flexible/hybrid remote work option.
Salary: $25.27 - $52.56 Hourly
Location : Salt Lake County, UT
Job Type: Full Time
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 46582
Agency: 480 Department of Environmental Quality
Unit: 7750 DEQ WQ Monitoring Program
Opening Date: 10/22/2025
Closing Date: 10/31/2025 11:59 PM Mountain
FLSA: Exempt
Recruiter: Coral Ortega | caortega@utah.gov
# of Openings: 1
Background Check: You must successfully pass a criminal history check.
Schedule Code: B - Competitive Career Service - Employment in this position requires a probationary period.
Benefits: This position is eligible for a full benefits package. See benefits tab below for details.
Driver License Requirements: Employees hired for this recruitment will be subject to the Driver Eligibility standards found at the following link: https://adminrules.utah.gov/public/search/driver%20eligibility/Current%20Rules
EEO Statement: The State of Utah is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.

Job Description
The Department of Environmental Quality is looking to fill an Environmental Scientist - Field Program Coordinator position in the Division of Water Quality. This position may be filled as an Environmental Scientist I or Environmental Scientist II within the levels listed below. Salary depends on experience and the job level offered within the series.

Principal Duties

As an Environmental Scientist - Field Program Coordinator you will:
• Coordinate field monitoring programs and conduct field sampling surveys
• Ability to work in team settings often and oversee work of others
• Ability to work in an office and field setting; travel multiple days a month
• Manage and organize field data
• Build and strengthen partnerships, both internal and external, to improve management of the Division's monitoring program

Ideal Candidate

The best qualified candidate for this position will have the following:
• Professional experience working in an environmental/natural resource based field
• Professional experience working in an outdoor field-based position (where overnight was common)
• Ability to work unexpectedly long hours sometimes as long as 12+ hours
• Ability to coordinate multiple field programs
• Develop/improve pre-existing field programs
• Ability to work in the field as well as an office setting; willingness to travel frequently
• Oversee seasonal technicians throughout the field season
• Reviews/inspects work for quality, accuracy, and completeness (field sampling and data compilation)
• Ability to follow, demonstrate, and train co-workers on field sampling techniques/procedures in the form of standard operating procedures (SOPs), sampling analysis plans (SAPs), and monitoring plans
• Experience with operating and maintaining scientific equipment especially related to water quality monitoring
• Experience with operating 4WD vehicles, boats, off-road vehicles, and towing trailers
• Ability to troubleshoot / repair equipment in the field
• Ability to maintain a positive attitude under stressful situations
• Experience building partnerships through teamwork and collaboration

Preferences

Preferences may be given to applicants with the following:
• Bachelor's Degree in environmental/natural resources based field or at least 3 years experience in a natural resource-based field
• Special consideration will be given to those that have a degree in a water-related field

Job Series

The selected candidate for this position may be brought in as an Environmental Scientist I with a salary range of $25.27 - $37.95, an Environmental Scientist II with a salary range of $29.73 - $44.66 per hour, an Environmental Scientist III with a salary range of $34.98 - $52.56 per hour.
Supplemental Information
• Risks which require the use of special safety precautions and/or equipment, e.g., working around operating machines, working with contagious diseases or hazardous chemicals, etc.
• Work requires physical exertion. May require the ability to stand; walk over rough surfaces; bend, crouch, stoop, stretch, reach, lift moderately heavy items (up to 50 lbs.) in a recurring manner and/or for long periods of time.

Benefits:
The State of Utah offers eligible employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, as well as a comprehensive leave program. Please click the following link for a detailed information page: To access a Total Compensation Calculator in Excel format click

FMLA General Notice:
(right click + open link in new tab)
(clic derecho + abrir en una pestaña nueva?)
01

All your responses to this application must be supported by your work history. "See Resume or Work History" is not an acceptable answer for any question. Failure to include your complete work history in your profile will result in disqualification from further consideration. Do you understand these terms?
• Yes
• No

02

The Department of Environmental Quality Code of Conduct states: "State of Utah employees shall be deemed ineligible for promotions, transfers, or job changes from another state agency or within the department if in the six (6) months prior to applying they have been on a performance improvement plan or have received a corrective or disciplinary action, including written warnings, for any reason."Have you been on a performance improvement plan or received corrective or disciplinary action, including written warnings, within the last six months?
• Yes
• No
• I am not a current State of Utah employee

03

Preference will be given to candidates with a bachelor's degree in a natural resources field. Additional preference will be given to candidates with a master's degree in a water-based natural resource field (e.g. hydrology, watershed science, fisheries) or other applicable field that is beneficial for the position. Select the highest level of academic education that you've completed.
• High School Diploma or GED
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• None of the above

04

What was the field of study of your academic education above?
• Watershed Science/Fisheries/Ecology
• Natural Resources management field
• Geology
• Environmental Studies/Sustainability
• Other
• None of the above

05

If you selected "other'' to the previous question, please type the field of study your degree is in. If you don't have a degree or selected "other", type "NA".
06

How many years of paid professional experience do you have working in an environmental related field? Ensure this information is included in your resume. Note: experience obtained through education and/or coursework does not count towards professional experience unless it can be clearly demonstrated that it was in addition to your degree/program requirements.Note: One year is equal to 12 months of work experience even if that year requires multiple calendar years of work to accumulate (i.e. two field seasons lasting six months each total one year of experience).
• No experience
• Less than 1 year
• 1 - 2 years
• 3 - 4 years
• 5 - 10 years
• 10 or more years

07

Regarding the previous question, please provide your experience collecting scientific data. If you answered "No experience" please type "NA" in the space provided.
08

Do you have any experience leading and directing field crews?
• Yes
• No

09

If yes, please provide details, including a specific example of your experience. If you answered "No" please type "NA" in the space provided.
10

This position requires extensive travel throughout the state of Utah during certain times of the year. At times, overnight travel may be necessary from one week to the next for multiple days (travel expenditures are covered by the state; state vehicle provided to conduct field surveys). Are you willing and able to travel frequently as needed?
• Yes
• No

11

Regarding the previous question, please provide your experience traveling for work, education, or research. If you answered "No" please type "NA" in the space provided.
12

What level of experience do you have communicating with groups, teams, organizations, the public, etc.?
• No experience
• Less than 1 year
• 1 - 2 years
• 3 - 4 years
• 5 - 10 years
• 10 or more years

13

Please describe your experience communicating with groups, organizations, and the public. If you answered "No experience" please type "NA" in the space provided.
14

Do you have experience developing standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the collection of environmental data?
• Yes
• No

15

If yes, please describe your experience developing standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the collection of environmental data. If you answered "No" please type "NA" in the space provided.
16

Do you have experience operating 4WD vehicles, off-road vehicles, watercraft, and towing trailers?
• Yes
• No

17

If yes, describe your experience with operating 4WD vehicles, off-road vehicles, watercraft, and towing trailers. If you answered "No" please type "NA" in the space provided.
18

Please indicate how you heard about this specific job posting.
• State of Utah job site (www.governmentjobs.com/careers/utah)
• Referred by a Friend or Family
• Indeed
• Other External Job Board or Site
• LinkedIn
• Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.)
• DWS job website (www.jobs.utah.gov)
• Advertisement (Digital Ad, Billboard, Print, etc.)
• Professional Network (Association, Membership, Work Colleague)
• University Network (Handshake, School Job Board, Career Center, etc.)
• Contacted by a Recruiter
• Career or Job Fair
• Internship
• Interviewed for different position
• Internal communications (Agency/Division, etc.)
• Other (not listed above)

Required Question