Solid Waste Hydrologist - Hydrologist 3
Working Title: Solid Waste Hydrologist
Job Class: Hydrologist 3
Agency: Pollution Control Agency
• Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted : 02/20/2024
• Closing Date : 03/042024
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Pollution Control Agency / Pollution Control-MAPE
• Division/Unit : MPCA- RMAD PSM SolidWastePermitUnit
• Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift
• Days of Work : Monday - Friday
• Travel Required : Yes - Up to 10% of the time
• Salary Range: $32.71 - $48.51 / hourly; $68,298 - $101,288 / annually
• Classified Status : Classified
• FLSA Status : Exempt - Professional
• Telework Eligible : Yes
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : Yes
• This position may be located at one of the MPCA office locations: Duluth, Brainerd, St. Paul, Rochester, Detroit Lakes, Marshall or Mankato.
Make a difference in the lives of Minnesotans.
The work you’ll do is more than just a job. Join the talented, engaged and inclusive workforce dedicated to creating a better Minnesota.
This posting is being used to fill 2 vacancies.
The incumbent will perform comprehensive hydrogeologic evaluations and provide technical support for permitted solid waste facilities in order to ensure protection of human health and the environment. This includes reviewing permit applications and developing site-specific hydrologic and monitoring requirement for new and expanding landfills, permit reissuances and closure determinations. The incumbents’ responsibilities include ensuring adequate monitoring networks exist, evaluating groundwater and other environmental data, and requesting necessary investigation or corrective action to prevent, mitigate or remediate environmental impacts. This position also includes assisting with documentation and technical support for enforcement and litigation activities. These positions are leadership positions and include mentoring and taking a lead role in program and policy development.
One position will take the lead on review and analysis of PFAS groundwater sampling results collected by the MPCA and by permittees, working with multiple parties in mapping out next steps and priorities for the solid waste permitting program’s implementation of the MPCA’s PFAS Blue Print.
Both Positions Take a Leadership Role In
• Determining corrective actions at individual landfills and at leachate land application fields.
• Developing consistent communication tools for sharing information with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
• Developing protective permit conditions.
• Evaluating site hydrogeologic conditions.
This position must have the ability to interpret data that pertains to the release of contaminants, including PFAS, in the environment by reviewing data collected from hydrogeologic investigations at solid waste facilities and evaluating the risk to downgradient receptors. Determining contaminant plume delineation/remediation and monitoring the ability to efficiently analyze large groundwater quality data sets is part of the skill set for this position. This position will need to have the ability to work on several projects at a time with multiple project timelines across multiple small teams. This position should be familiar with various databases and be able to develop data visualization tools to present to a variety of audiences.
This position will also work with landfill permittees and perform comprehensive hydrogeologic evaluations and provide technical support for permitted solid waste facilities in order to ensure PFAS and other chemical of concern releases are addressed and protective of human health and environment. This includes reviewing and analyzing data and permit applications, developing site-specific corrective actions and determining requirements for new and expanding landfills .
Minimum Qualifications
A Bachelor‘s degree in one of the following areas, or closely related equivalent: Geology; Hydrogeology; Geochemistry or related degree with (3) three years of professional experience as a Hydrologist or equivalent, showing the incumbent has performed comprehensive hydrogeologic evaluations on the nature and occurrence of groundwater, groundwater flow, groundwater contaminant transport and groundwater-surface water interaction.
The incumbent must have a solid understanding of geology and hydrogeology, along with the skills and capabilities needed to conduct technical assessments and offer recommendations.
Demonstrated leadership abilities.
Good communication, problem solving, and negotiation skills.
Ability to work as a team and communicate site decisions.
Possess a Valid Driver‘s License (see Additional Requirements).
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency will not sponsor applicants for work visas. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.
Preferred Qualifications
Technical knowledge of contaminant chemical characteristics, fate and transport, migration tendencies and public health risks of contaminant releases to the environment.
Demonstrated success in evaluating options and choosing appropriate methods for investigating complex contaminated sites in a timely manner.
Demonstrated ability to analyze complex and technical data, reports, and problems.
Demonstrated ability to lead other program staff sufficient to meet established timetables and quality standards and complete program objectives.
Human Relations skills sufficient to build networks of colleagues throughout the public and private sectors and to effectively persuade interested parties, private sector, and other government officials by understanding complex and competing relationships and political agendas.
Possess excellent communication skills and the ability to present complex information to the public.
Physical Requirements
Requires occasionally lifting and/or carrying such articles as file folders, ledgers, and small equipment. Although a sedentary job is defined as one which involves sitting, a certain amount of walking on uneven ground at a landfill and standing is often necessary in carrying out job duties.
Additional Requirements
A driver’s license is an essential function of this position. This requires possession of an unrestricted Class D Driver’s License. The job offer is contingent on confirmation of a valid driver’s license AND a satisfactory DLR check.
Requires a Class D driver´s License: a single unit vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of less than 26,000 pounds. This is a basic driver’s license. Operators may also tow vehicles/trailers as long as the gross combination weight does not exceed 26,000 pounds.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.
Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us . Please indicate what assistance is needed.
Government Administration
Other
Full-time