Environmental Scientist 1

The State of Nevada is seeking an Environmental Scientist 1 in Carson City, NV. This role involves conducting research, planning, permitting, compliance monitoring, and providing technical support for environmental programs related to air and water. Candidates should have a relevant bachelor's degree or equivalent experience. Duties include developing program documents, conducting public hearings, and collaborating with various agencies to enhance Nevada's environmental protection efforts.
Job Summary
The mission of the Division of Environmental Protection is to preserve and enhance the environment of the State in order to protect public health, sustain healthy ecosystems, and contribute to a vibrant economy. The almost 300 members of our team work together to ensure that Nevada's communities have safe water to drink, healthy air to breathe, and a safe secure environment to enjoy.


Environmental Scientists perform program research, planning and development, permitting, compliance monitoring, inspections/enforcement, and technical support services in relation to air, water, federal facilities, corrective action, mining, biology and waste environmental programs.


Essential Qualifications

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in the physical, natural resource or life sciences, engineering or closely related field; OR graduation from high school or equivalent and two years of technical environmental experience which involved assisting in environmental program research and planning; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience as described above.

Job Duties

Develop program documents such as the annual program plan, quarterly activities report, environmental assessments, technical reports, and environmental impact statements in accordance with federal and State requirements; review existing program standards; research, compile and verify available data; analyze data and trends including the projected impact of federal, State and local regulations; propose new or revised standards; develop regulations, procedures and protocols and draft legislation; provide information and technical assistance to the general public and regulated community; develop and provide training to staff and the regulated community; prepare various reports as required for planning or in response to requests from the legislature, general public, regulated community, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), or Division of Environmental Protection (DEP) administration; conduct public hearings; justify with fact sheets and discussion as required.
Conduct research through the use of technical, scientific and historical data to provide a tool for administrative and resource planning and decision making; coordinate with other agencies involved in the implementation of environmental programs; represent the division or agency at various meetings involving federal, State and local regulatory and resource agencies, the public, non-governmental organizations and the regulated community; participate in federal, State and local policy and regulation development.
Develop grant applications, proposals for performance, grant workplans, budgets and applications using federal and State policies and procedures; negotiate commitments with federal, State and local agencies; solicit project proposals; negotiate workplans and draft contract documents and required amendments; monitor grant performance, expenditures and contracts.
Develop and draft permits for industry and governmental entities; compile facility data; examine and adapt the permit to applicable standards; establish limitations; review permits for regulatory compliance; perform public permit notification and final permit issuance.
Perform compliance monitoring; analyze submitted environmental reports in relation to technical, scientific and legal criteria and make recommendations to ensure compliance; take periodic samples according to established protocol and transport to appropriate laboratories; operate various monitoring equipment; evaluate new and existing sample sites for usefulness.
Respond to environmental complaints through investigation, determination of complaint validity and determination of appropriate action to be taken.
Conduct inspections to ensure compliance with federal, State and local regulations; inspect pollution control equipment; take or observe others taking samples; determine whether violations are occurring; make a detailed report and recommendation to the appropriate entity; determine appropriate enforcement action to be initiated; prepare notices of violation; meet with the regulated community, potentially responsible parties and attorneys to present findings and negotiate resolutions, administrative settlements and civil penalties; give depositions, testify in court as required and serve as the State's expert witness in lawsuits and other court matters.
Perform various technical services required to carry out any of the above-mentioned duties, including calculating pollutant concentrations, calibrating a variety of sampling equipment and preparing monitoring sites.
Input and access data to and from a national data system maintained by the EPA in accordance with federal grant requirements; perform computer modeling using computer programs to manipulate data; evaluate environmental data and make decisions based on this information.
Incumbents receive training in the performance of the duties described above and may progress to the next level upon meeting the minimum qualifications, satisfactory performance and with the approval of the appointing authority.
Perform related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
General knowledge of: the physical and biological aspects of the environment including zoology, biology, hydrology, bioclimatology, ecology, geology, physics and organic/inorganic chemistry; environmental terminology.


Ability to: read and comprehend technical and legal documents including scientific papers, regulations, statutes, engineering plans and specifications, legal agreements and EPA and other federal and State technical guidance manuals and policies; prepare and present written reports; apply mathematical concepts and principles including algebra, trigonometry, geometry and statistics; operate personal computers and corresponding software.


The State of Nevada is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to building diverse, inclusive, and innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. All applicants are considered without regard to race, color, national origin, religion or belief, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, domestic partnership, genetic information (GINA), or compensation and/or wages.