Environmental Scientist & Specialist Supervisor

The State of New Mexico is hiring an Environmental Scientist & Specialist Supervisor in Santa Fe, NM, offering $32.84 - $52.54 hourly. This advanced role in the Solid Waste Bureau involves supervising staff, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations, and providing expertise in various scientific fields. Key responsibilities include reviewing permits, conducting field inspections, and mentoring team members to protect natural resources and public health.
$32.84 - $52.54 Hourly

$68,302 - $109,283 Annually

This position is a Pay Band 80

Posting Details

This posting will be used for ongoing recruitment and may close at any time. Applicant lists may be screened more than once.

Department Name:
Resource Protection Division
Program Area:
Solid Waste Bureau/Permit Section

Looking for a rewarding career and growth opportunity? The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) is seeking highly engaged talent to assist us in our mission to protect and restore the environment and foster a healthy and prosperous New Mexico for present and future generations. Come be a part of our great team for change! Learn more at: https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./

As a valued new employee to the NMED, you will receive five (5) full days of leave in your leave.

Why does the job exist?

This purpose of this position is to assist the Permit Section Manager with operations and staff management. It is an advanced professional position in the Solid Waste Bureau's Permit Section and is responsible for ensuring consistency and timely action in the protection of the environment, natural resources, and the public against the adverse impacts from solid waste facilities through the implementation of the Solid Waste Rules and the Solid Waste Act.

This purpose is achieved by devoting a substantial portion of time to assigning and directly supervising the work of at least two full-time Permit Section employees. The position makes certain that construction, operation, monitoring, closure and post-closure activities at solid waste facilities comply with regulatory requirements and are performed in a manner that is technically and scientifically appropriate. This purpose is further achieved by training, mentoring, and directing staff to ensure a coordinated team moves forward the goals of the Section.

How does it get done?

- Provide expertise in Geology, Hydrology, Geochemistry, Hydrogeology, Chemistry, or Environmental Science for reviewing solid waste facility permits and registrations.
- Assess facility operations and closure plans to ensure compliance with solid waste facility permits.
- Supervise at least two full-time employees and lead a team to ensure regulatory oversight.
- Provide guidance, training, and review of staff-prepared documents, including reports, letters, comments, and regulatory documentation.
- Review solid waste facility permit applications, closure plans, and construction quality assurance plans for feasibility and compliance with engineering design guidelines and standards
- Apply groundwater flow models and hydrologic models to analyze applicant-submitted simulations.
- Document findings and prepare requests for additional information, public hearing notices, technical testimony, and Administrative Records for permit applications.
- Evaluate groundwater and vadose zone monitoring plans and reports for regulatory compliance and technical adequacy.
- Conduct field inspections, measure water levels, perform groundwater sampling, and analyze data to verify groundwater protection at solid waste facilities.
- Assess corrective measures for groundwater contamination and oversee the installation of monitoring wells, vadose zone wells, and other subsurface monitoring instruments.
- Evaluate methane and leachate monitoring plans and reports for compliance and technical accuracy.
- Oversee corrective action measures, including the installation of methane extraction wells and leachate collection systems

Who are the customers?

- New Mexicans to protect and restore the environment
- Occasional contact with external Federal, State and Local regulatory bodies as well as contractors and environmental not for profit organizations
- Internal staff

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will have experience in the following:
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Supervising and training scientific staff
- Hydrogeology and Environmental Science
- Reviewing solid waste permit and registration applications
- Interpreting and implementing environmental policies, statutes, and regulations, including New Mexico Solid Waste Act, New Mexico Solid Waste Rules, Recycling and Illegal Dumping Act, Recycling, Illegal…