Environmental Scientist

Environmental Scientist

Purpose:

Under limited supervision and using comprehensive knowledge, conduct and/or manage environmental protection and assessment projects and programs of diverse scope and complexity. Exercises judgment within defined methods, procedures and practices.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Perform project planning, prioritization, and tracking of technical resources
• Conduct site selection and study design
• Operate/calibrate equipment
• Perform chemical, biological and physical testing and classification
• Interpret water quality, flow and biological data
• Conduct training in sampling and analysis
• Organize and prepare reports and memos based on data evaluation
• Review and interpret policies, codes, regulations and ordinances
• Perform environmental assessments on proposed capital projects, systems, programs and development plans
• Assist in development of code changes and rules development

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of applicable processes, techniques, and methods.
• Knowledge of city practice, policy, and procedures.
• Skill in handling conflict and uncertain situations.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Skill in using computers and related software applications.
• Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective communication and working relationships with city employees and the public.
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Life Science, Natural Science or related field plus four years of relevant experience
• One additional year of experience may substitute for one year of the required education with a maximum substitution of four years.
• Master's Degree may substitute for two years of the required experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with the operation and maintenance of high‑volume, ambient‑air particulate sample collectors.
• Experience collecting, handling, documenting, and shipping environmental or air quality samples while maintaining chain‑of‑custody procedures.
• Experience conducting field work in varying weather conditions and traveling to multiple monitoring locations to install, inspect, maintain, and retrieve air monitoring equipment.
• Experience working independently in the field while effectively managing multiple monitoring sites and competing priorities.
• Experience deploying temporary or mobile air monitoring equipment for special events, emergency response, or community concerns.
• Completed ICS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, 800.
• Experience in public health emergency preparedness.

Notes to Candidate:

Position Overview:

The Environmental Scientist performs ambient air quality monitoring activities to support Austin Public Health's Whole Air Monitoring Program. This position is responsible for deploying, operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting air monitoring equipment; collecting and managing environmental samples and data; conducting quality assurance activities; coordinating with internal and external partners to support routine and special event monitoring; and preparing technical reports to inform public health decision-making.

Salary Range: Min: $29.89 to Mid: $37.37

Location: 5202 E. Ben White Blvd. Suite 600

General Work Schedule:

Monday – Friday: 5:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Grant Funded Position:

This position is grant-funded, meaning its financial support comes from allocated funds that may be modified, reduced, or canceled at the discretion of the City of Austin or the grant provider.

Who We Are:

Austin Public Health (APH) works to ensure that the community is protected from disease and other public health threats, and to empower others to live healthier, safer lives. This position supports Austin Public Health's Mission and Core Purpose identified in the Austin Public Health Strategic Plan.

Visit our website to learn more about what services, programs, and resources our team at Austin Public Health provides to the Greater Austin community.

Why Join Us?

Meaningful Work

Contribute to services and programs that improve the lives of the people in our community. Your work directly enables our department to deliver tangible resources, knowledge, and services in high-impact areas.

Innovation and Collaboration

Collaborate with diverse and talented teams, leveraging technology, continuous improvement, and best practices to drive progress and deliver meaningful services to the Greater Austin Area.

Professional Growth and Development

Achieve your professional goals. APH offers opportunities to advance in multiple career paths, including nursing, medical fields, program management, environmental health, finance, business administration, process improvement, and data analytics. Education assistance is available through our tuition reimbursement program, and other financial and professional development support for continuing education, licenses, and certifications may be available.

Work-Life Balance

Enjoy a balanced lifestyle in a city renowned for its quality of life, outdoor activities, and cultural experiences. Our employees also enjoy the ability to work up to 60% remotely, depending upon position and business needs.

Health and Wellness

The City of Austin is committed to providing cost-effective, sustainable benefits that assist employees in being physically and mentally healthy. For employees that are covered this includes low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, training opportunities and more. Click here to review the City of Austin's Employee Benefits Guide.

To learn more about working with the City of Austin, click here to watch a short video!

Application Details:

A detailed, complete City of Austin employment application is required to help us better evaluate your qualifications. Please be thorough in completing the employment application and list all experience that is relevant to this position.

• If you are selected as the top candidate for a position, we may be contacting your current and former employer listed on the application for reference checks as a part of the pre-employment verification process.
• If you are identified as a top candidate, verification of your education, which may include High School graduation or GED equivalent, undergraduate and/or graduate degrees, will be required depending on position requirements.

Additional Details:

• This position may require a skills assessment.
• The Austin Public Health Department may close this job posting at any time after it has been advertised for seven (7) days, please apply as soon as possible if interested.
• Please be aware that the Job Posting Close Date reflects the final day to apply, but the posting will close at 11:59 PM the day before the date listed. All application steps, including attachments and submissions, must be fully completed before that time.
• We also recommend that you save or print a copy of the job posting for your records. Once a posting has closed, it will no longer be viewable in the system.
• This position will require a pre-employment Criminal Background Investigation (CBI).

Immunization Requirement:

Austin Public Health employees must comply with the department's immunization policy. Proof of having had certain vaccinations is required for employees that work in an environment that involves face-to-face interaction with pregnant women, infants, children, STI/TB clients, immunocompromised clients, and clients at high risk for TB on a routine basis.

Tobacco-free Workplace:

The City of Austin is a tobacco-free workplace. Use of tobacco products and/or e-cigarettes is not permitted on any City of Austin worksite- including construction sites, parking lots, garages, or in personal vehicles parked on the premises.

Travel:

The Austin Public Health Department is comprised of multiple facilities located throughout the Greater Austin area. If you are selected for this position and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin, you may drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties. Otherwise, you are responsible for getting to and from these locations.

Driving Requirement:

This position requires a Valid Texas Class "C" Driver's License. External New Hires must meet the City of Austin's Driver