Particulate Monitoring Scientist - PSRS I

This position is only open to Colorado state residents.

APPLY EARLY! This position will close once 50 applications have been received .

Although the full salary range for this position is provided, appointments are typically made at or near the range minimum.

Be BOLD and make a real difference ...

We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of diverse backgrounds and abilities

The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness.

The State is resolute in non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities.

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, consider joining the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Our tobacco-free campus offers free parking and is conveniently located near RTD bus lines, Glendale City Set, and the Cherry Creek bike path. In addition to a great location and rewarding, meaningful work, we offer:

• Employee wellness programs and facilities
• Extensive internal professional development opportunities on a wide variety of subjects
• Bike to work programs, including access to storage lockers and bike racks
• Distinctive career advancement opportunities throughout the State system
• Strong, yet flexible retirement benefits including a choice of the PERA Defined Benefit Plan or the PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus optional 401K and 457 plans
• Paid life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• 11 paid holidays per year plus generous personal time off
• Mentoring program with opportunities for mentors and mentees
• Tuition assistance for college level courses including Masters degree programs
• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, and a variety of employee resource groups

Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, go to: The Work Unit :

This work unit exists for the management and implementation of scientific air quality programs within the Air Pollution Control Division (APCD) Technical Services Program (TSP), including ambient air monitoring for particulate criteria pollutants, support of special air monitoring projects within and external to CDPHE, and sensor/analyzer research and development. The Criteria Monitoring Unit (CMU) is responsible for collecting, verifying, analyzing and writing reports from air quality data; distributing data, reports, and information to other government agencies and the public; evaluating and modifying the air monitoring network; providing technical support to other government agencies, industry and the public; Designing, developing, screening and implementing new air monitoring technologies and methodologies; and sustaining quality control of particulate air monitors in the network.

What you will be doing

The purpose of this position is to function as a staff level independent scientist that works as an integral member of the CMS monitoring group that applies the scientific method, theory and principles in the development and implementation of air quality research projects. Research project support can include the design of research project elements and the acquisition, validation, statistical analysis, and reporting of air quality data. The acquisition of air quality data can further include the maintenance and repair of analytical, calibrators, and meteorological sensors; maintenance of laboratory standards; and the performance of verifications on precision sources. Also included are:

• development, configuration and implementation of new technologies in both field and laboratory environments;

• planning, organizing, writing, publishing and reviewing of program scientific reports and standard operating procedures;

• backup support for performance of field calibrations;

• provide field support in the routine maintenance and repair of air monitoring analyzers and shelters

Job Duties:

Maintain, Evaluate and Operate Monitoring Network, Including Training others
As an independent scientist, review, evaluate and recommend new particulate monitoring technologies and equipment. Determine and implement changes to the particulate monitoring network and operations to improve data quality and efficiencies. Perform all duties associated with the collection of filter-based low-volume and high-volume particulate samples, speciation samples, and continuous particulate data collection in accordance with APCD SOPs, USEPA and OEM guidelines, manufacturer operating manuals, and best practices. Perform all the necessary duties independently and in a manner to ensure the field component associated with overall data quality is maintained. These duties include instrument verifications, routine checks, and preventative maintenance, instrument and equipment troubleshooting and repair. Set up new sites and decommission old sites as needed. Train local site operators of collecting filters, data and doing first level maintenance on the samplers and instruments. Train other unit staff on particulate network operations. Oversees routine sample collections on filter-based particulate sampling instruments, speciation particulate samplers, and continuous particulate analyzers in accordance with APCD and EPA protocols as an assistive effort to other staff and local county agency staff working in the program. Communicates with supervision any deviation from SOPs, safety concerns as well as operational needs and corrective actions.

Quality Assurance / Maintaining and writing Standard Operating Procedures
Performs paperwork reviews and periodic editing updates of various quality control and maintenance documentation to help ensure compliance by local operators with Unit SOPs, US EPA guidance, manufacturer guidelines, and best practices. Independently develops new SOPs for new technology and periodically updates existing SOPs. As an independent scientist help develop SOPs or help revise SOPs developed by other staff for accuracy, readability and format.

Perform Data Validation
Independently perform first-level Data Validation associated with high-volume, low-volume, speciation and continuous particulate data collection. First-level data validation ensures that the correct sample is associated with the corresponding data and paperwork, that the chain of custody has been properly filled out for legal defensibility, and that necessary QC was performed on time and the results fall within APCD, EPA and instrument specifications. As an independent scientist this position will make decisions on what data needs to be invalidated from a first-level perspective.

Equipment Repair and Oversight of the Workshop Area
This position will perform repairs and ensure that repairs are completed on particulate monitoring equipment. This position will be the expert in the technologies and functioning of the monitoring equipment. The position will provide guidance to other staff, oversee the maintenance of the particulate monitoring workshop areas and ensure that repairs are completed on particulate monitoring equipment. These duties may include monitoring the areas for safety and to ensure the proper tools, supplies, and physical space is available to perform necessary maintenance-related activities. This position will do periodic inventories of spare parts and supplies and purchase needed parts and supplies within budget constraints. This position will perform these duties according to manufacturer guidelines, known instrument issues, SOPs, and best practices with an awareness of the effect on overall data quality.

Other Duties as Assigned
Attends meetings, serves on task forces or teams, completes projects, and performs other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Residency Requirement:

This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application.

Five (5) years of relevant experience in performing field work for air pollution monitoring activities or closely related work assigned to this position

A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in engineering, environmental sciences (biology, chemistry, geology, hydrology) or a related field, AND air monitoring experience equal to five (5) years

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

In addition to the minimum requirements, the successful candidate in this position will have the following experience:

• Experience performing equipment operations and repair in a field setting.
• Direct experience with particulate matter sampling, calibration and maintenance equipment.
• Experience using Microsoft Office products
• Experience working with large data sets.
• Experience with computer/data logger programming
• Experience with information technology/modem communications

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• A pre-employment background check will be conducted as part of the selection process.
• TRAVEL: Daily for Denver metro sites and along the front range sites, and there will be overnight travel to distant sites approximately 5% of the time.
• SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS: Critical Status: Must be available in the event of an emergency, (e.g., bio-terrorist attack, chemical attack, disease outbreak or all hazards) and be required to report to work immediately at the regular or alternate location. During this time, travel restrictions may be in place.

Appeal Rights: (Updated)

An applicant who has been removed from an employment list or removed from consideration during the selection process may request a review by the State Personnel Director.

As an applicant directly affected by the results of the selection or comparative analysis process, you may file a written appeal with the State Personnel Director.

Review of the completed, signed and submitted appeal will be timely on the basis of written material submitted by you, using the official appeal form signed by you or your representative. This form must be completed and delivered to the State Personnel Board by email at ... within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the Departments action.

For further information on the Board Rules, you can refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov/board-rules .

A complete application packet must include:

• Completed State of Colorado application.
• Answered supplemental questions.
• If using education to qualify for this position a copy of your transcripts (unofficial acceptable) or diploma must be provided with application. (if either are unavailable please email the department contact for this posting, listed above)
• If using work experience to qualify for this position, please provide an adequate description in the work experience section of the application. Do not write "see resume".
• If you are a veteran, a copy of your DD214 attached to your colorado.gov/jobs application.

The Selection Process:

1. All applications that are received by the closing of this announcement will be reviewed against the Minimum Qualifications in this announcement. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications proceed to the next step.
2. Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted based on merit and fitness through a comparative analysis process.

• Part of, or all of, the comparative analysis for this position may be a structured application review, which involves a review of the information you submit in your application materials by Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) against the preferred qualifications.

1. A top group, up to six candidates, will be invited to schedule an interview with the hiring manager.

E-Verify: CDPHE uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about

ADAAA Accommodations :

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator at ... or call ..., option 5.