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 Engineer III (EE III). This position is assigned to the Southeast Regional Office (SERO) Bureau of Water Resources (BWR) Wastewater Management located in Lakeville, MA. Lakeville is nestled in the geographic heart of the region, just 45 minutes from Boston, Providence, and the beaches of the South Shore, South Coast and Cape Cod.
Under the general supervision of an Environmental Engineer IV or a position of higher grade, the EE III will perform tasks to advance the regional implementation of wastewater regulations including permitting, compliance, and enforcement activities. The EE III will write groundwater discharge permits and review and make recommendations to his/her supervisor on groundwater discharge permit applications. The EE III will provide technical assistance to Boards of Health on interpretation and application of 310 CMR 15.000. The EE III will be required to conduct routine, and non-routine compliance inspections as well as compose inspection reports of observations and conduct needed follow-up after inspections.
Major duties of the positions include:
- Conduct pre-permitting meetings as needed and review plans and specifications for Groundwater Discharge Permits permitted under 314 CMR 5.00.
- Review reports, permit applications and other materials relative to Larger Title 5 Systems permitted and regulated under 310 CMR 15.000.
- Provide technical assistance to Boards of Health on septic system design and review plans, specifications and variances for Title 5 applications permitted under 310 CMR 15.000.
- Prepare detailed technical and administrative letters, permits, enforcement documents, project summaries, memoranda, and other correspondence relating to all aspects of wastewater management.
- Conduct enforcement activities as directed, including preparation of documentation and participation in enforcement conferences and technical meetings. Advise legal staff on technical matters related to case. Prepare documents and data to assist with enforcement conference or courtroom testimony.
- Assisting Towns with sanitary sewer overflow (SSO) and Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) reporting and following up with remediation actions if necessary.
- Witness Soils testing as part of the hydrogeological Evaluation Report Application (WP83).
- Investigate complaints as directed.
- Work with communities on all aspects of wastewater management and related project development.
- Represent MassDEP by presenting and attending wastewater and water resources conferences and conventions as directed by the supervisor.
- Assist in the review and scoring of Project Evaluation Forms (PEFs) related to decisions to fund or not to fund State Revolving Fund (SRF) projects.
- Monitor the activity of contractors and municipal officials by conducting compliance inspections as directed, including review of monitoring data, enforcement history, past performance and prepare inspection reports in a professional and timely manner.
- Assist communities in the development of Wastewater Management Plans focused on surface water quality compliance using Total Maximum Daily Load Reports and Massachusetts Estuary Project Reports.
- Assist in the review of Wastewater Management Plans to assure nutrient reduction towards habitat restoration of embayments.
- Coordinate internally with other MassDEP programs such as the Innovative/Alternative Title 5 Program, Cranberry Bogs & Wetlands and Drinking Water Program as needed for Municipal wastewater programming.
- Lead permitting meetings and review plans and specifications for large-scale State Revolving Fund projects specifically as related to wastewater treatment design and operation.
- Assist in the development of technical policies and guidance documents.
- Perform any other necessary duties as directed.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Ability to adhere to timelines and manage multiple projects.
- Registered Professional Engineer.
- Practical experience in the permitting, design and/or evaluation of wastewater treatment facilities.
- Working knowledge of 314 CMR 5.00, 310 CMR 15.000, 314 CMR 12.00, 314 CMR 4.00, 257 CMR 2.00 and 310 CMR 44.00
- Extensive knowledge of a wide variety of traditional and non-traditional strategies for nutrient management is required.
- Ability to evaluate submittals quickly, thoroughly, and be able to prepare and convey recommendations to address such issues.
- Experience performing compliance inspections and conducting compliance evaluations.
- Excellent communication skills including technical writing and editing skills and the ability to express ideas clearly and concisely.
- Ability to use hand tools and instruments, climb ladders, and move equipment up to 50 lbs in weight.
- Possession of a valid Massachusetts driver's license or its equivalent is required.
- Experience conducting soil evaluations in Massachusetts with a soil evaluators license
- Proficiency in use of Microsoft Word and Excel
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) four years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, technical or professional experience in the field of environmental engineering. civil engineering, sanitary engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering or public health engineering and (B) of which at least two years must have been in a professional capacity, or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.
Substitutions:
I. An Associate's degree with a major in civil engineering or civil engineering technology may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required (A) experience.
II. A Bachelor's degree with a major in environmental engineering, civil engineering, civil engineering technology, sanitary engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering or public health engineering may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the required (A) experience.
III. A Graduate degree with a major in environmental engineering, civil engineering, sanitary engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering or public health engineering 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.
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.