ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST 4 WATER RESOURCES

Definition

Under the direction of a managerial official in the Department of Environmental Protection, or in a local jurisdiction, provides direction, advice, assistance and consultation on specialized scientific programs and problems, including regulatory problems associated with water quality modeling and load allocations, water supply and water quality management, computer applications, applied mathematics, themo-dynamics, water and waste treatment and disposal, and/or fields related to engineering and water quality management; does other related duties.

Examples of work

• Organizes and conducts special studies relating to thermal discharges, toxic and hazardous wastes.
• Develops groundwater-permitting programs.
• Prepares documentation for proposed water quality models.
• Develops policies and guidelines for environmentally sound residual waste disposal programs to avoid impact to ground and surface waters.
• Modifies existing water quality models.
• Develops water treatment technology for removal of toxic and hazardous pollutants, and reviews applicability to ground and surface water contamination.
• Monitors water quality modeling, systems analysis, related technical contracts, and/or groundwater protection and residual waste disposal programs.
• Conducts meeting and conferences with the public, consultants, and contractors involving water quality models, special studies relating to thermal discharges and/or toxic and hazardous wastes.
• Provides technical advice in the development of new water resources and supply projects.
• Organizes and conducts scientific studies involving water quality and water supply.
• Prepares reports of environmental problems and ecological matters regarding with water quality or supply, containing findings, conclusion recommendations.
• Provides assignments and instructions to Environmental Scientist and other staff and supervises their performance.
• Provides advice on technical matters and recommends solutions to technical questions or problems.
• Represents the Department at meetings relating to scientific and technical aspects of water quality modeling programs.
• Keeps current with literature and new developments in water quality modeling, risk assessment and nonprofit source analysis.
• Prepares scientific reports, papers and correspondence.
• Establishes and maintains records and files.
• Will be required to learn to utilizes various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office or related units.

Education

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Doctorate degree in one of the physical biological or environmental sciences or, in a field of engineering relating to water resources.

Experience

Four (4) years of experience in water quality modeling, water supply management and/or environmental engineering involving ground and surface water programs.

License

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of the principles and practices, of environmental science and ecology.
• Knowledge of water quality modeling and computer applications.
• Knowledge of the ecological and toxicological effects of water pollution and their interaction.
• Knowledge of research methods.
• Knowledge of the methods used to conduct studies and surveys.
• Ability to assign, supervise and coordinate the activities of professional specialists in a variety of scientific and engineering disciplines.
• Ability to coordinate specific disciplines with specialists in varied fields.
• Ability to analyze water pollution problems and other related environmental protection problems.
• Ability to analyze and interpret technical material, engineering specification, reports and other scientific documents.
• Ability to prepare, modify and monitor water quality models.
• Ability to read and interpret laws, rules and regulations relating to the environment and apply them to specific situations.
• Ability to develop water treatment technology.
• Ability to prepare correspondence.
• Ability to develop, organize and conduct scientific programs and studies for water quality or resource management.
• Ability to provide technical advice and assistance.
• Ability to prepare scientific reports containing findings, conclusions and formal recommendations.
• Ability to maintain records and files.
• Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

Two (2) additional years of experience, as indicated, may be substituted for the Doctorate degree. A Master's degree in one of the above disciplines is the minimum education requirement.