Risk Assessor: Land Quality

Work for Indiana

Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.

About Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM):

Our mission is to implement federal and state regulations to protect human health and the environment while allowing the environmentally sound operations of industrial, agricultural, commercial, and governmental activities vital to a prosperous economy. We issue air, water, and solid and hazardous waste permits that restrict discharges to environmentally safe levels. Staff members inspect and monitor regulated entities; provide compliance and technical assistance; monitor and assess air, land, and water quality; use enforcement actions as necessary to ensure compliance; and respond to incidents involving spills to soil or waters of the state. 

Role Overview:

This position is based in Risk Services Section at Office of Land Quality (OLQ). The position will provide risk evaluation expertise to OLQ remediation project managers, thereby assisting them in achieving closure at properties where unpermitted chemical releases have occurred.

The incumbent’s main responsibility will be to review site data from project managers to determine the need for/ appropriateness of remedies based on risk exposure pathways.

The postion requires the following training or skills.

• Knowledge and skills typically acquired through a Baccalaureate degree or higher graduate education in natural, physical, biological or environmental science, or engineering;
• Knowledge of or willingness to learn environmental risk assessment relating to the evaluation of contaminant exposure pathways, contaminant fate and transport, and the contaminant's potential effects on human health and the environment; 
• Ability to read remediation documents, interpret findings and make recommendations;
• Knowledge of remedial and corrective action technologies needed in environmental clean-up situations;
• Ability to perform in a professional manner and make sound recommendations;
• Excellent writing skills for preparing accurate, precise, clear and thorough reports;
• Ability to effectively interact and communicate with parties with diverse levels of environmental expertise;
• Ability to develop and define procedures and accomplish objectives within the appropriate and established deadlines; and
• Desire to provide excellent customer service.

Daily physical efforts are minimal, but occasional field activities may require walking over rough and uneven terrain.

Salary:

The salary for this position traditionally starts at $53,222.00 but may be commensurate with education and work experience. Use our to view the total compensation package.

A Day in the Life:

The essential functions of this role are as follows: 

Environmental Technical Advisory & Program Support

• Serves as an environmental expert and provides guidance to regulated communities, government officials, attorneys and staff responsible for a variety of programs and program elements.
• Conducts technical analysis and/or provides technical insights to assess environmental impacts with goals to meet state and national regulations.
• Provides technical and regulatory guidance to the regulated community in their assigned geographic area.
• Performs project management duties to ensure effective and timely management of program area needs, attends meetings, and responds to telephone calls, e-mails, etc., as required. Acts as a technical point-of-contact for assigned programs administering environmental programs which may include, but not limited to, environmental media sampling, data analysis, technical writing, work plan and report preparation, technical reviews, etc.
• Works to support the various programs in assigned agency in multiple capacities.

Permitting & Regulatory Review

• Researches state and federal guidance, laws, and regulations related to permits. Contacts applicants to request additional information to process applications, when necessary. Responds to comments from applicants, defends permit terms and conditions, and interacts with permittees to resolve permitting issues. Attends and participates in public meetings and hearings regarding permit actions throughout Indiana and/or appears in legal appeals of permit actions.

Regulatory Compliance & Field Operations

• Conducts surveys, inspections and investigations of facilities and sites, review projects/situations, reads plans, interprets findings, and cites appropriate violations of state and federal regulations. Provides technical and regulatory guidance to the regulated community in their assigned geographic area.
• Uses all compliance, enforcement tools, and resources available to ensure that regulated sources return to compliance with state and federal laws, regulations, and standards in a timely manner.
• Assists with the preparation of sampling and analysis work plans. Conducts field work as necessary following agency/section Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for assigned sites.
• Communicates effectively with responsible parties, consultants, and/or their representatives, affected stakeholders, and interested parties such as citizens, public officials, and interest groups in a courteous and professional manner regarding permits, laws, questions, and program-related inquiries.

The position involves routine travel to conduct inspections, investigations, and field reporting at regulated sites. Work hours may vary to meet operational demands and ensure efficient completion of assignments. The employee attends occasional meetings or events at the agency office.

The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

This position is exempt from overtime compensation for additional work hours which may be required to complete essential functions or other assigned work. Exempt employees may work more than 75 hours in a pay period without additional compensation and must report a minimum of 75 hours per pay period of work hours and/or paid leave taken to receive their base biweekly salary.

What You'll Need for Success:

Individuals in this role should minimally be able to articulate or demonstrate the following:

• Broad knowledge of theories, environmental protection principles and practices, specialty area, and program area. 
• Thorough knowledge of chemistry, biology, hydrology, mathematics, engineering, and other environmental sciences as they relate to program area. 
• Thorough knowledge of soil, water, air sampling, laboratory analysis and interpretation as it relates to program area. 
• Ability to conduct surveys, inspections and investigations of facilities and sites, review projects/situations, read plans, interpret findings, and make recommendations. 
• Ability to prepare documents for administrative and regulatory action. 
• Excellent research and writing skills for preparing accurate, precise, clear, and thorough reports. 
• Ability to effectively interact and orally communicate with parties with diverse levels of environmental expertise particularly for purposes of meetings, hearings, and negotiating critically sensitive issues. 
• Ability to interpret and apply legal terminology and practices, and the ability to apply these in a variety of conditions and situations. 

A degree is not required. However, at least five (5) years of environmental or environmental public health experience applying the outlined knowledge, skills, and abilities in a similar role may be considered.

Individuals should have the ability to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:

This role may be utilized in a supervisory capacity based on agency needs.

Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:

The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes: 

• Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
• Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
• Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
• Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match
• Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
• A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
  • 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers
  • Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
• Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
• 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Group life insurance
• Referral Bonus program
• Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
• Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Free Parking for most positions
• Free LinkedIn Learning access

   

Equal Employment Opportunity:

The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at View email address on us.fitly.work .