Environmental Protection Specialist I, Hazardous Materials - Denver Metro

The Environmental Protection Specialist I for Hazardous Materials at the State of Colorado involves applying scientific principles to manage hazardous materials, ensuring compliance with regulations, and protecting public health. Responsibilities include monitoring environmental conditions, issuing permits, collaborating with agencies, and managing projects related to hazardous materials. Candidates should have at least 5 years of relevant experience, including project management. The position is remote, allowing work from anywhere.
About the position

As the Hazardous Materials Specialist, you will apply professional scientific application work in applying regulations for the monitoring, controlling, preserving, reclaiming, or mitigating of hazardous materials in the environment in which people live and work. You will primarily serve as the Region 1 hazardous materials specialist during the project lifecycle process.

Responsibilities
• Learn to apply the theories, principles, and models of the physical sciences to planning, implementation, and evaluation of projects and programs aimed at preserving and improving the use of these physical, natural resources and protecting the public health.
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• Learn to apply CDOT standards and specifications for hazardous materials management while reviewing and commenting on construction engineering plans to avoid, minimize and mitigate for hazardous materials and to protect worker health and safety from hazardous materials during construction.
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• Monitor and inspect right of way lands, properties and facilities and the environment to determine their qualities and identify pollutants and contaminants.
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• Issue environmental permits/clearances for hazardous materials, inspect, monitor compliance, and reclaim and revitalize the natural resources and the environment.
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• Work with private companies and governmental agencies to enforce laws and regulations aimed at protecting the public health and safety and/or remediating the environment.
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• Work with contractors and private corporations in preventing hazards or pollutants from entering the environment; review contractor plans, remedial action and design documents, and proposals for compliance with regulations, laws, and policies.
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• Research, analyze, and review regulations.
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• With guidance from the team and senior staff, oversee projects or programs oriented towards removing pollutant or contaminant hazards from existing sources by managing state and federal projects in these areas.
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• Organize, track, and map hazardous materials data for projects; data may include, but not be limited to, recognized environmental conditions of hazardous materials sites, ground water monitoring wells, hazardous materials mitigation sites, and hazardous waste remediation sites.
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• Utilize various GIS data sources including, but not limited to, OTIS, ArcGIS, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), US Forest Service, US Geological Survey, US Environmental Protection Agency, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, and ERIS (which was formerly known as Geosearch).
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• Serve as a NEPA project manager for environmental clearances for transportation projects.
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• Work with consultants, managing contracts and task orders and reviewing deliverables and invoices.
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• Support the Region 1 Environmental Unit and may serve on statewide work groups, committees or research projects.
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• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements
• At least 5 years of experience related to geology, hydrology, chemistry, biochemistry, environmental science, environmental engineering, natural resource management, water resources or watershed science, biology, botany, or other natural science experience.
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• At least one year of this experience must have a primary focus on environmental project management, monitoring compliance with environmental laws and regulations, and/or preventing or mitigating hazards or pollutants from entering the environment.
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• A combination of relevant education and experience equal to at least 5 years.
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• Education from an accredited college or university with coursework in geology, hydrology, chemistry, biochemistry, environmental science, environmental engineering, natural resource management, water resources or watershed science, biology, botany, natural sciences, or another field of study related to the duties of this position will be considered.

Nice-to-haves
• Demonstrated success with the duties listed in the Description of the Job section.
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• Years of State service experience related to the duties of this position.
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• Knowledge of and experience with environmental laws and regulations, which may include but not be limited to the following federal laws: Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), Resource Conservation and Recovery act (RCRA), Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), Clean Water Act (CWA), and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
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• Experience identifying, preventing, and/or mitigating hazardous waste and pollutants.
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• Experience managing environmental projects, preferably related to transportation.
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• Experience organizing, tracking, and mapping data for projects.
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• Experience with GIS data and systems.
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• Experience with OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Act).
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• Ability to work under tight deadlines and be adaptable to changing assignments.
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• Ability to take initiative to solve problems in an innovative manner.
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• Ability to work with a variety of stakeholders with sensitivity to their needs, priorities, promises made and commitments.
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• Effective interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
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• Strong time and project management skills, including prioritization and multi-tasking ability.
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• Excellent reasoning, investigative, analytical, and problem-solving ability.
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• Excellent facilitation, presentation, and communication skills, both written and oral.
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• Strong attention to technical detail and accuracy.
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• Passion for safety.
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• Fluency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Gmail and Google Applications, SAP, GIS applications/systems, and the ability to quickly learn other software systems.

Benefits
• Biweekly pay periods.
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• Opportunity to make a difference in Coloradans' lives.
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• Excellent benefits package.