Environmental Scientist 3

Division Overview:

The Natural Resource Damage Program (NRDP), administratively attached to the Legal Services Division of the Montana Department of Justice, is responsible for preparing natural resource damage assessments and lawsuits pursuant to the federal and state laws in order to recover damages for injuries to natural resources caused by releases of hazardous substances and oil and developing and implementing natural resource restoration plans that guide the expenditures of the recovered damages in compliance with these laws.

The NRDP has 12 full-time employees (currently two attorneys, six scientists, and three administrative/fiscal/contract staff) and was originally created in 1990 to prepare and litigate the State's natural resource damage lawsuit against the Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO) for injury to natural resources in the Upper Clark Fork River Basin (UCFRB). In addition to the ARCO natural resource damage lawsuit and settlements, the State has also initiated and settled other lawsuits that have resulted in the State receiving additional settlement funds for restoration activities at other sites, including the Upper Blackfoot Mining Complex, East Helena Smelter site, the 2011 Yellowstone Oil Spill, Libby Asbestos, and the Bridger Yellowstone River 2015 spill. To learn more see

Job Overview:

The Natural Resource Damage Program (NRDP) is responsible for:

• Preparing natural resource damage (NRD) assessments and negotiations/litigation pursuant to the federal and state laws in order to recover damages for injuries to natural resources caused by releases of hazardous substances and oil
• Developing and implementing natural resource restoration plans, in accordance with the NRD laws and regulations, which guide the expenditure of the natural resource damages recovered in such lawsuits or settlements.

This position is an Environmental Scientist Specialist for the NRDP with its office assignment as the NRDP's office in Helena. The Environmental Scientist position is primarily responsible for the development of conceptual and final restoration plans and related reports. In addition, this position is responsible for scientific and technical oversight, evaluation, monitoring, and implementation of restoration projects throughout Montana.

Duties include evaluating, developing, implementing, and managing restoration projects; performing advanced research, monitoring and special studies; and conducting public outreach and agency coordination. Another important responsibility of the position is to provide technical support regarding NRD settlement/litigation issues and work to support existing consent degrees. The position reports to the Program's Environmental Program Manger but may also be assigned work by the Program's Chief Legal Counsel or Program Administrator. A significant responsibility of the position is oversight of certain NRDP contracts with engineers, construction contractors, local governments, non-profits and other contractors performing work for the Program.

Minimum Qualifications:

The minimum qualifications for this position are typically acquired by a combination of education and experience as follows:

• Bachelor's degree in physical, earth, or life sciences.
• Four years of directly related experience.
• Other combinations of education and experience may be substituted.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in physical, biological, earth, or environmental toxicology, or environmental sciences or environmental or civil engineering and at least four years of progressively responsible experience, including experience relating to environmental project management, natural resource injury assessment, restoration, Superfund response actions, environmental monitoring, environmental regulation, and/or contract administration.
• Preferably this position should have experience with a concentration in environmental engineering, aquatic ecology, or environmental toxicology.
• Other combinations of education and experience than those listed above will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

A training assignment may also be considered.

All the following knowledge, skills and abilities are not minimum qualifications. The ability to obtain these knowledge, skills and abilities is required.

Knowledge:

• Considerable knowledge of the concepts and theories of the principles and practices of environmental sciences related to natural resource restoration, such as environmental toxicology, hydrogeology, geochemistry, geomorphology, pollutant fate and transport in streams, soils, and groundwater, biology (fish and wildlife), plant and soil science, and mine site reclamation/remediation.
• Working knowledge of both the natural resource damage provisions in federal and State law .
• Working knowledge of other state and federal environmental laws and regulations related to the remediation and restoration of natural resources, including those pertaining to Superfund response actions, water quality protection, and environmental review.
• Working knowledge of hazardous substance and oil releases and the impact of these releases on the natural resources specific to the State of Montana.
• Working knowledge of oversight of environmental and civil engineering, public works projects, and construction practices, cost estimating, financing, and management.

Skills:

• Planning, managing, evaluating, and overseeing restoration projects.
• Excellent and effective oral and written communication, including relaying technical information to a wide variety of people.
• Contract management.
• Understanding and evaluating technical reports and scientific data.
• Coordinating as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Working cooperatively with the public and state and local officials to solve problems.

Abilities:

The position requires the ability to work independently; write clearly and in an organized and concise manner; develop and organize projects; communicate effectively with NRDP staff and with public; evaluate complex issues, including mixed technical, legal, and administrative issues, and determine their effects; independently establish goals and objectives; develop work plans, contracts, and time tables; evaluate and implement restoration projects; organize and present written and verbal information clearly; understand legal, environmental, and administrative documents; and deal effectively with confidential or sensitive materials.

Special Instructions:

The selection procedures to be used in evaluating the applicant's qualification may include, but are not limited to, an evaluation of the cover letter, resume, a structured interview, performance test, academic transcripts, reference/background checks and fingerprint checks.

Additional materials, references or information submitted by the applicant, but not requested, will not be considered.

Successful applicant(s) will be subject to:

• Criminal History Fingerprint / Name-based Check
• Driving History

HOW TO APPLY:

To be considered for this position, you must attach a cover letter and resume at the time of application.

Tip: When attaching your resume, you must mark the attachment as a "Relevant File".

Your Cover Letter: Please include a writing sample describing how your experience and education will benefit the NRDP in meeting its responsibilities.

Your Resume: Please include all work experience as well as job duties that demonstrate your qualifications for this position. Include dates of employment (month & year- start & end) and the reason you left each job.

A complete online state application is not required. To initiate an application, attach the cover letter and resume to be considered for this position. Failure to attach a cover letter and resume will result in an incomplete application that will not be considered further.

Only electronic applications will be accepted. Materials submitted but not requested will not be considered in the selection process.

All documents for Veteran or Disability preference must be received or date stamped by the closing date. Please submit preference documentation to Terri Christianson at ... via File Transfer Service.

To request an accommodation with the application process, please contact the HR office.

Your service is rewarded with competitive compensation and generous State of Montana Benefits.

• Medical, dental and vision coverage
• Retirement plans
• Generous paid vacation, sick and holidays
• Pre-tax Flexibility Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program

State of Montana employment may qualify for student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

This Organization Participates in E-Verify.

Woman and minorities are under-represented in this position and are encouraged to apply.

This position is/may be covered by a Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA).