Environmental Specialist 1

Description

Position Overview

BLOC Resources LLC is seeking a detail-oriented, motivated, and environmentally conscious Environmental Specialist 1 to support Southern Company's environmental compliance, biological monitoring, water quality studies, regulatory affairs, and sustainability initiatives at its Calera, Alabama location.

This position plays an important role in supporting environmental field studies, collecting and analyzing environmental data, assisting with regulatory compliance activities, and helping ensure that utility operations meet applicable federal, state, and local environmental requirements.

The Environmental Specialist will work collaboratively with environmental professionals, project teams, regulatory stakeholders, and other internal and external partners to monitor environmental conditions, minimize environmental impacts, and support responsible environmental management practices.

The ideal candidate will possess a bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Biology, Environmental Engineering, Fisheries, Ecology, Chemistry, or a closely related scientific discipline, along with one to five years of relevant experience in environmental sampling, biological studies, water quality monitoring, or environmental compliance.

This position requires the ability to conduct outdoor fieldwork in varying weather conditions. Experience operating power boats or other watercraft is also important to the role.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities
Environmental Field Sampling & Biological Monitoring

• Assist with planning, coordinating, and conducting environmental field sampling and monitoring activities.
• Participate in biological studies, aquatic environmental assessments, and water quality monitoring projects.
• Collect, document, and organize environmental field data in accordance with established sampling procedures.
• Support water quality studies involving environmental conditions, aquatic ecosystems, and biological resources.
• Assist with collecting environmental samples and preparing associated field documentation.
• Maintain accurate sampling records, field observations, and supporting environmental data.
• Help identify environmental conditions or findings requiring further investigation or reporting.
• Support fieldwork involving lakes, rivers, reservoirs, and other aquatic environments, as assigned.
• Assist with the preparation and organization of environmental monitoring results and technical documentation.

Environmental Compliance & Regulatory Support

• Assist with maintaining compliance with applicable federal, state, and local environmental regulations.
• Support environmental permitting, regulatory reporting, and documentation activities.
• Help monitor compliance with established environmental procedures, permits, and operational requirements.
• Assist with environmental inspections, compliance reviews, and regulatory assessments.
• Maintain organized environmental records to support reporting and audit readiness.
• Identify and communicate potential environmental compliance concerns to appropriate personnel.
• Collaborate with environmental professionals to address regulatory questions and operational requirements.
• Support the implementation of corrective actions and environmental improvement initiatives when necessary.

Watercraft Operations & Outdoor Field Activities

• Participate in environmental field assignments requiring the use of power boats or other watercraft.
• Assist with the safe operation, preparation, and use of boats and field sampling equipment, consistent with training and authorization.
• Follow established boating, water safety, and environmental fieldwork procedures.
• Support field activities conducted near or on bodies of water.
• Inspect and maintain assigned environmental sampling equipment and field supplies.
• Work outdoors in varying weather and environmental conditions.
• Coordinate with field teams to complete assigned sampling and monitoring activities safely and efficiently.
• Follow applicable personal protective equipment requirements and established safety protocols.

Environmental Data Collection, Analysis & Reporting

• Collect, review, and organize environmental sampling and monitoring data.
• Assist with analyzing field observations, biological information, and water quality results.
• Identify data inconsistencies and communicate findings requiring additional review.
• Prepare field summaries, environmental documentation, and supporting technical reports.
• Maintain accurate electronic and physical records of environmental studies and monitoring activities.
• Support the preparation of reports for internal stakeholders and regulatory purposes.
• Use available software and reporting tools to organize environmental information.
• Ensure environmental data is documented accurately, consistently, and within established deadlines.

Project Coordination & Stakeholder Collaboration

• Support multiple environmental projects and assigned compliance initiatives simultaneously.
• Coordinate fieldwork activities, project documentation, and reporting deadlines.
• Work collaboratively with environmental specialists, engineers, operations personnel, and project teams.
• Communicate with internal and external stakeholders regarding environmental project activities.
• Assist with tracking project progress, deliverables, and outstanding environmental requirements.
• Participate in project meetings, environmental reviews, and planning discussions.
• Provide timely updates regarding field activities, environmental findings, and assigned responsibilities.
• Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability as project priorities and fieldwork requirements change.

Sustainability & Environmental Stewardship

• Support initiatives intended to reduce environmental impacts associated with utility operations.
• Assist with identifying opportunities to improve environmental practices and resource management.
• Participate in environmental protection and sustainability-related projects.
• Promote responsible environmental stewardship through adherence to established procedures.
• Support continuous improvement in environmental monitoring, compliance, and reporting practices.

Required Qualifications
Education

• Bachelor's degree required in one of the following fields:
  
  • Environmental Science
  • Biology
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Chemistry
  • Fisheries
  • Ecology
  • Or a closely related scientific discipline

Professional Experience

• One to five years of relevant experience in environmental sampling, environmental compliance, biological monitoring, water quality studies, or a closely related field.
• Familiarity with environmental fieldwork, sampling procedures, and environmental data collection.
• Basic knowledge of federal, state, and local environmental regulations and permitting processes.
• Ability to participate in biological and/or water quality studies.
• Experience operating power boats or other watercraft.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team while managing responsibilities across multiple projects.
• Ability to perform outdoor fieldwork in varying weather conditions.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication abilities.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accurate documentation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience conducting biological assessments, aquatic studies, or water quality monitoring.
• Previous environmental fieldwork experience involving lakes, rivers, reservoirs, or similar aquatic environments.
• Familiarity with environmental sampling equipment and field monitoring procedures.
• Experience supporting environmental compliance activities within utilities, energy, industrial operations, or environmental consulting.
• Familiarity with environmental permitting, reporting, and regulatory documentation.
• Experience collecting and organizing scientific field data.
• Familiarity with environmental project coordination and technical reporting.

Technical Skills, Knowledge & Competencies

Environmental & Scientific Knowledge

• Environmental sampling and monitoring
• Biological and aquatic environmental studies
• Water quality monitoring
• Environmental compliance principles
• Environmental regulations and permitting processes
• Scientific data collection and documentation

Field Operations

• Power boat and watercraft operation
• Outdoor environmental fieldwork
• Sampling equipment preparation and use
• Field safety procedures
• Environmental observations and reporting

Professional Competencies

• Analytical thinking and problem-solving
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Project organization and time management
• Written and verbal communication
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Adaptability to changing field conditions
• Environmental responsibility and safety awareness

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

• Work may be performed in office, field, and outdoor environmental settings.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying temperatures, weather conditions, and terrain.
• Field assignments may involve working near or on lakes, rivers, reservoirs, and other bodies of water.
• Ability to safely participate in activities involving power boats and other watercraft.
• Frequent standing, walking, bending, and movement associated with environmental fieldwork.
• Ability to transport, handle, and operate environmental sampling equipment as required.
• Must follow applicable safety requirements, including the use of personal protective equipment.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is an early-career environmental professional who combines a strong scientific educational foundation with practical fieldwork experience and a commitment to environmental protection.

This individual should be comfortable working outdoors, participating in water quality or biological studies, operating watercraft, documenting scientific findings, and supporting environmental compliance activities.

Successful candidates will demonstrate strong attention to detail, a willingness to learn, the ability to work independently and collaboratively, and the flexibility to support multiple environmental projects.