Environmental Specialist III
Opening Date: December 11, 2024
Closing Date: December 26, 2024
Job Class Code: 9253
Grade: 04-23 (Pro / Tech)
Salary: $49,275.20 - $69,139.20 per year
Position Number: 02032-1924
Location: Augusta
This is a full-time, limited period position located in Augusta Maine. This opportunity allows partial tele-work with management approval.
This is currently a limited period position. It is expected, but not guaranteed, that the position will either be made permanent, or renewed prior to expiring.
Are you looking for a fulfilling career that allows you to make a positive impact on public health and the environment? The Maine CDC's Drinking Water Program is seeking an Environmental Specialist III to be a key player provide technical support and assistance in implementing the rules and regulations associated with the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), with an emphasis on perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water.
What We Do:
The Drinking Water Program is tasked with overseeing public drinking water systems throughout Maine and administering federal and state safe drinking water regulations to ensure that the Maine citizens have safe, secure and reliable drinking water.
Reasons to Work with Us:
1. Meaningful Impact: As an Environmental Specialist III in the Drinking Water Program, you will be at the forefront of protecting public health and ensuring safe drinking water for communities across Maine.
2. Flexibility and Work-Life Balance: We understand the importance of work-life balance, and that's why we offer partial tele-work options, up to 3-days per week. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually and have peace of mind with our excellent benefit packages and retirement pension plan!
3. Professional Growth: As a key member of our team, you'll have the opportunity to attend relevant trainings, work sessions, and conferences both in-state and out-of-state. We believe in empowering our employees to stay updated with the latest trends and practices in the industry.
4. Collaborative Work Environment: Join a team that values a supportive and collaborative work environment. You'll have the chance to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse group of internal and external partners.
Core Responsibilities:
As a key member of the Drinking Water Program, your core responsibilities will include:
• Track compliance with various drinking water rules to aid with compliance decisions.
• Assist with compliance determinations including review of all candidate violations, assisting with the determination/issuing of appropriate violations and resolving violations.
• Develop expertise in specific SDWA Rules, including the PFAS Rule, and be responsible for keeping up-to-date on regulatory changes and in-depth aspects of these regulations in order to oversee their implementation.
• Review documents for compliance with rule requirements.
• Review high sample results and provide information to staff to assist with determinations on the appropriate course of action to be taken.
• Review testing requirements for public water systems and set up/change appropriate sample schedules.
• Provide rule assistance for the new well approval process, treatment reviews and other public water system issues.
• Provide rule expertise during the development of policies, rules and procedures related to drinking water.
• Provide training and support for staff and other entities on drinking water rule information and changes to those rules.
• Develop and write letters related to schedule changes, violations, plan approvals, rule requirements and other issues related to drinking water rules.
Minimum Qualifications:
(Entry level knowledges, skills, and/or abilities may be acquired through, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO the following coursework/training and/or experience).
A six (6) year combination of education and/or experience in environmental, biological, physical science, or engineering which includes two (2) years of environmental experience. Qualifying education must include at least 15 credit hours of science or engineering coursework from an accredited educational institution.
Preferred candidates will also have:
• Knowledge of federal and state laws, rules and regulations related to drinking water.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Access, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Knowledge of issues related to water and water pollution.
• Knowledge of biological, chemical, physical, geological, ecological and/or engineering principles as well as water chemistry and treatment processes.
• Knowledge of standard lab procedures as well as chemicals and chemical characteristics.
• Knowledge of environmental sampling and testing methods and practices.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to develop and implement training related to rules and regulations.
• Ability to develop tools to assist with understanding and implementing rule requirements.
• Ability to read and interpret complex rules and regulations and share that knowledge in an easily understood format.
• Ability to utilize rule knowledge to make recommendations to changes in procedures, policies, rules and regulations.
• Ability to work well in a team environment and be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Thinking about applying?
Research shows that people from historically excluded communities tend to apply to jobs only when they check every box in the posting. If you’re currently reading this and hesitating to apply for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! Let us know how your lived experience and passion set you apart.
Agency information:
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is dedicated to promoting health, safety, resilience, and opportunity for Maine people. The Department provides health and social services to approximately a third of the State's population, including children, families, older Mainers, and individuals with disabilities, mental illness, and substance use disorders. The Department also promotes public health, operates two state psychiatric hospitals, and provides oversight to health care providers.
The mission for the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), within which this position is located, is to develop and deliver services to preserve, protect, and promote the health and well-being of the citizens of Maine.
Application Information:
For additional information about this position please contact Amilyn Stillings, Rules Manager, Drinking Water Program, at 207-287-6472 or Amilyn.Stillings@Maine.gov
*To apply, please upload a resume and cover letter with your application.
Please submit all documents or files in PDF format.
To request a paper application, please contact Mandy.L.Harman@Maine.gov
Benefits of working for the State of Maine:
No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:
- Work-Life Fit – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
- Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-95% of employee-only premiums ($11,196.96 - $12,514.32 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.
- Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($387.92 annual value).
- Retirement Plan – The State contributes the equivalent of 13.29% of the employee's pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS).
- Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including fathers and adoptive parents—receive six weeks of fully paid parental leave. Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
State employees are eligible for an extensive and highly competitive benefits package, covering many aspects of wellness. Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.
Note: Benefits may vary somewhat according to specific collective bargaining agreements and are prorated for anything less than full-time.
There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role.
As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics.
If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.