Job Description
Who We Are:
The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) seeks to protect, preserve, and enhance Massachusetts' environmental resources and create a clean energy future for all residents. Through the stewardship of open spaces, the protection of environmental resources, and the advancement of clean energy, EEA works tirelessly to make Massachusetts a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family. Our commitment to environmental justice ensures that every resident, regardless of background or location, can live in a safe, clean environment and shares equally in the benefits of the clean energy transition.
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is the state agency responsible for ensuring clean air, land, and water. Our work impacts every aspect of people's lives and is critical to the health and wellbeing of our residents and visitors. MassDEP is the lead agency for safe management of toxics and hazardous materials, promotion of waste reduction and recycling, preservation of the state's wetlands and coastal resources, air quality monitoring and pollution reduction, and so much more.
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Who We Are as an Employer:
At EEA, we create meaningful, inclusive opportunities that empower our employees to make a real difference in shaping the environmental future of Massachusetts. We foster a workplace culture where diversity is valued, innovation is encouraged, and collaboration thrives. Our employees play a vital role in advancing sustainability, environmental justice, and clean energy solutions, ensuring a positive and lasting impact on Massachusetts and its residents.
Description:
MassDEP seeks applicants for the position of Environmental Analyst IV in the Division of Watershed Management Program's Wastewater Management Programs. This position will be based in MassDEP's Boston Office and will report to the NPDES/Surface Water Discharge Program Section Chiefs or their designee in Boston.
Under the direction of the NPDES/Surface Water Discharge Program's Section Chief, or his/her designee, the EA IV performs duties to support a suite of duties and responsibilities related to the industrial permits section. This position involves permitting of industrial facilities that discharge effluent and stormwater to surface waters, including review of plans, applying principles of hydrology, pollutant load calculations, review of plans of facilities including flow pathways, and sources of pollutants for the purpose of permitting under the state's Clean Waters Act and the federal Clean Water Act. Additional duties include project management; coordination with internal and external stakeholders; supervision of data systems and other duties related to the supervision of the NPDES/Surface Water Discharge Permit Program.
General Statement of Duties and Responsibilities:
- Under the direction of the Division of Watershed Planning & Permitting Manager or his/her designee, the Environmental Analyst IV performs analytical support for MassDEP's wastewater management programs including, NPDES/Surface Water Discharge, and Watershed Planning.
- Review draft and final EPA industrial NPDES Permits, issue MassDEP Surface Water Discharge Permits, and issue Clean Water Act Section 401 Water Quality Certifications.
- Perform site visits.
- Review and comment on draft NPDES fact sheets and permits.
- Prepare parallel state Surface Water Discharge permitting documents.
- Conduct antidegradation reviews, as needed.
- Prepare water quality certifications.
- Plan for public notice periods and outreach.
- Review EPA's response to comments documents.
- Prepare a MassDEP response to comments documents, if needed.
- Plan and attend public hearings.
- Provide technical/permitting information for permit appeals as needed.
- Serve as the MassDEP lead for the NPDES Dewatering and Remediation General Permit.
- Lower Charles River/Charles Basin and Alewife Brook/Upper Mystic River CSO Variances.
- Process the adoption of new Variances every few years. This includes preparing documents, working with others to revise and finalize documents, plan meetings, prepare outreach documents, interact with advocacy groups, work with others to draft the response to comments document, and draft the request for EPA approval after issuance.
- Review submittals/activities required by the CSO Variances.
- Review Massachusetts Water Resources Authority ambient monitoring activities.
- Review MWRA's ambient monitoring results and other related NPDES permit submittals.
- Review ambient monitoring requirements in the draft NPDES permit for the MWRA Deer Island Treatment Facility.
- Work with EPA to plan meetings of the Outfall Monitoring Science Advisory Panel (OMSAP) and its subcommittee, the Public Interest Advisory Committee (PIAC).
Preferred Qualifications:
- The Wastewater Management Program seeks a candidate who can provide analytical support specific to industrial facilities for MassDEP's NPDES Program, and Watershed Planning. A preferred candidate will be knowledgeable in engineering/scientific practices with experience in the following:
- Industrial facilities design and operation
- Supervision of employees
- Data Management
- Interpreting and clearly conveying the requirements of wastewater guidelines, policies and regulations
- Knowledge of water quality issues in Massachusetts.
- Working knowledge of the Federal Clean Water Act and Massachusetts Clean Waters Act.
- Experience/working knowledge of MS Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint.
- Knowledge of the principles and practices of environmental/sanitary engineering.
- Knowledge of the terminology and standard abbreviations used in environmental/sanitary engineering.
- Knowledge of the engineering properties of soils, including the compressibility and shear strength of soils.
- Knowledge of the methods of soil testing including soil classification, and triaxial strength tests.
- Knowledge of the mechanical properties of fluids, including statics, continuity and momentum in conduits under pressure and pipe systems and momentum, critical flow and flow resistance in open channels.
- Knowledge of the principles of hydraulics applied to surface runoff, drainage, pipes and culverts, erosion, and sedimentation.
- Knowledge of the principles of hydrology, including hydrologic cycle, groundwater flow, flood, and flood control and runoff storage.
- Knowledge of mathematical computations used to solve environmental/sanitary engineering problems.
- Ability to analyze and determine the applicability of environmental/sanitary engineering and water quality data to draw conclusions and make appropriate recommendations.
- Ability to read and interpret documents such as plans, specifications, blueprints, drawings, etc.
- Ability to understand and apply laws, rules, and regulations concerning the environment in connection with the construction and maintenance of pollution control facilities and equipment.
- Ability to understand, apply and explain the laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, specifications, and guidelines governing program activities.
- Ability to perform mathematical calculations using formulae to solve environmental/sanitary engineering problems
- Ability to prepare technical and general reports.
- Ability to prepare and use charts, graphs, and tables.
- Ability to maintain accurate records.
- Ability to write and communicate orally in a clear and concise manner, and to develop ideas in a logical sequence.
- Ability to assemble items of information according to established procedures.
- Ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with others and to deal tactfully with others.
- Ability to work independently.
- Ability to adapt to varying work situations.
Qualifications
First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.
MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Applicants must have at least (A) five years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, technical or professional experience in the field of environmental science, biology, chemistry, earth science, environmental health, meteorology, natural science, toxicology or public health, of which (B) at least three years must have been in a professional capacity, and of which (C) at least one year must have been in a supervisory, managerial or administrative capacity, or (D) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the following substitutions.
Substitutions:
I. An Associate's degree with a major in the field of environmental science, biology, chemistry, earth science, environmental health, meteorology, natural science, toxicology or public health may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required (A) experience.
II. A Bachelor's degree with a major in the field of environmental science, biology, chemistry, earth science, environmental health, meteorology, natural science, toxicology or public health may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required (A) experience.
III. A Graduate degree with a major in environmental science, biology, chemistry, earth science, environmental health, meteorology, natural science, toxicology or public health may be substituted for a maximum of three years of the required (A) experience and one year of the required (B) experience.
Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.
NOTE: Educational substitutions will only be permitted for a maximum of one year of the required (B) experience. No substitutions will be permitted for the required (C) experience.
Comprehensive Benefits
When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.
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An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.