Environmental Analyst III

Who We Are:

The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) seeks to protect, preserve, and enhance Massachusetts’ environmental resources and create a clean energy future for all residents. Through the stewardship of open spaces, the protection of environmental resources, and the advancement of clean energy, EEA works tirelessly to make Massachusetts a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family.   Our commitment to environmental justice ensures that every resident, regardless of background or location, can live in a safe, clean environment and shares equally in the benefits of the clean energy transition.

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is the state agency responsible for ensuring clean air, land, and water. Our work impacts every aspect of people's lives and is critical to the health and wellbeing of our residents and visitors. MassDEP is the lead agency for safe management of toxic and hazardous materials, promotion of waste reduction and recycling, preservation of the state's wetlands and coastal resources, air quality monitoring and pollution reduction, and so much more.

Who We Are as an Employer:

At EEA, we create meaningful, inclusive opportunities that empower our employees to make a real difference in shaping the environmental future of Massachusetts. We foster a workplace culture where diversity is valued, innovation is encouraged, and collaboration thrives. Our employees play a vital role in advancing sustainability, environmental justice, and clean energy solutions, ensuring a positive and lasting impact on Massachusetts and its residents.

Description:

MassDEP seeks applicants for the position of Environmental Analyst III.  will provide technical assistance and support for the Bureau of Water Resources Drinking Water Program Technical Services Section. This position will rely on hydrogeologic expertise in order to properly review and assess hydrogeologic reviews for the Drinking Water Program, along with various other reviews as they come in from several programs within DEP and other state agencies. The EA III will also be responsible for various tasks associated with Well Driller registrations/certifications, UIC, enforcement, and data entry.

Specific duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Principle Duties:

• Hydrogeologic reviews associated with the Source Approval Process, public water supplies, Groundwater Discharge Permits, and miscellaneous other programs within DEP.
• Technical review or expertise involving hydrogeological analyses relative to drinking water, wastewater, or other programs.
• Review and supply tactical comment, approval or denial of hydrogeologic reports submitted by proponents for regulated projects. These submittals are reviewed for technical completeness and review based upon the data provided according to scientific principles.
• Review and comment on numerical/analytical modeling of hydrogeologic systems for delineating zones of contribution and contaminant transport
• Review and evaluate groundwater modeling efforts associated with wastewater discharge, solute transport, hydraulic loading and contaminant plume analyses
• Review and comment on the design and installation of groundwater monitoring systems for wellhead protection and groundwater discharge systems
• Instructor and field exam proctor in courses related to certified soil evaluator training offered by NEIWPCC.
• Provide technical oversight of hydrogeological investigations by the USGS that are partially funded by the Safe Drinking Water Act’s SRF
• Review tributary mapping to PWS surface water supplies
• Provide technical support to GIS regarding tributaries, PWSs, source protection, etc.
• Collect, interpret, and present on subject matter relating to the Program such as water or geology of the Commonwealth.
• Perform field investigations relative to submitted project to verify the data provided.

Other duties:

• Provide guidance, review or technical expertise relative to environmental modeling.
• Provide expert testimony relative to subject’s involving enactments expertise, in particular when related to a project reviewed.
• Train staff (as needed).
• Participate in the drafting of DWP policies, guidelines and regulations and provides technical assistance on division and bureau activities as needed
• Provide technical support to regions
• Provide technical support for PFAS testing in private wells
• Provide support for the USGS Well Location project by locating previously unlocated wells in the Well Driller database
• Receive process and investigate complaints received by the Program. This may include hearings or providing expert testimony.
• Prepare briefs or presentations for the Department relative to the program, explaining the general purpose, function or specific tasks accomplished by the Program.
• Assist the Well Driller Program with registrations/certifications, compliance and enforcement, and data entry.
• Assist in technical reviews for UIC permits.
• Assist with documents, fact sheets, guidelines, SOPs, policies, and regulations associated with the Well Driller and UIC programs
• Tracking and reporting of trends, practices and outcomes via internal database queries and report writing.
• Providing training to both internal and external audiences.
• Receive technical inquiries and complaints and provide appropriate responses.
• Providing and updating content on the MassDEP DWP website.
• Coordinating with other MassDEP bureaus, programs and offices.
• Provide technical support to the Drinking Water Program as needed
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• The EA III will provide professional analytical work with considerable latitude for independent and un-reviewed action.

Preferred Qualifications:   

• Knowledge of geological and hydrogeological principles;
• Knowledge of the geology and soils of Massachusetts;
• Knowledge of aquifer testing and analysis principles;
• Knowledge of groundwater mounding principles
• Working knowledge of water resource practices;
• Knowledge of well drilling and development techniques;
• Knowledge of development, implementation and analysis of aquifer tests;
• Knowledge of Massachusetts Groundwater Quality Standards, Title 5 and Groundwater Discharge permits, Public Water
• Supply Source Approval, UIC, and Well Driller Programs;
• Knowledge of GIS and database tools;
• Ability to review and assess reports;
• Experience in Excel and Access databases;
• Excellent written and oral communications.
• Title 5 Soil Evaluator Certification;
• Understanding of concepts of induced infiltration, stream-aquifer relationships, effect of groundwater withdrawals by municipal wells on sensitive receptors;
• Experience with design and construction of groundwater monitoring systems, sampling protocols and the interpretation of water quality data;
• Understanding of groundwater discharge mechanics;
• Experience in the quantitative analysis of groundwater systems using analytical and numerical groundwater models
• Understanding of private well issues including water quality standards, calculation of well yield, design, construction and abandonment/decommissioning.
• Understanding of watershed mapping and surface water tributary mapping
• Understanding of GIS principles
• Understanding of well drilling packages

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: 

Applicants must have at least (A) four years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, technical or professional experience in the field of environmental science, biology, chemistry, earth science, environmental health, meteorology, natural science, toxicology or public health, of which (B) at least two years must have been in a professional capacity, or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below. 

Substitutions: 

I. An Associate's degree with a major in the field of environmental science, biology, chemistry, earth science, environmental health, meteorology,. natural science, toxicology or public health may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required (A) experience.* 

II. A Bachelor's degree with a major in the field of environmental science, biology, chemistry, earth science, environmental health, meteorology, natural science, toxicology or public health may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the required (A) experience.*

III. A Graduate degree with a major in the field of environmental science, biology, chemistry, earth science, environmental health, meteorology, natural science, toxicology or public health may be substituted for a maximum of three years of the required (A) experience and one year of the required (B) experience.* 

*Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

NOTE: Educational substitutions will only be permitted for a maximum of one year of the required (B) experience.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.  Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.  Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements.  We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.