WHO WE ARE
We are the Metropolitan Council, the regional government for the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. We plan 30 years ahead for the future of the metropolitan area and provide regional transportation, wastewater, and housing services. More information about us on our website.
Join an award-winning wastewater industry leader in protecting our environment! Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (MCES) operates and maintains the wastewater collection and treatment system in the Twin Cities metropolitan region. It also provides coordinated long-range water resources and supply planning, and air and water quality monitoring to meet future needs. MCES treatment plants consistently earn state and national awards for complete compliance with their environmental permits. MCES received a Governor’s Award as a Great Place to Work.
To find out more about the Environmental Services division, please click on the link for more information: https://metrocouncil.org/Wastewater-Water.aspx.
The Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (MCES) division is accepting applications for one (1) full-time Senior Environmental Scientist OR one (1) full-time Principal Environmental Scientist.
How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region: The Principal Environmental Scientist/Senior Environmental Scientist will lead key environmental compliance programs for Environmental Services (ES) at a time when wastewater regulations are changing quickly.This role ensures current and future compliance by developing and implementing practical program strategies; managing permits and regulatory obligations; and working directly with plant operations, engineering, and field staff to build compliance into daily work. The position includes preparing and submitting required plans and reports; conducting field verification and site coordination; and developing tools and guidance that strengthen our Compliance Management System and data-driven decision making. The person in this role tracks and interprets new regulatory developments, helps the organization plan for future limits and treatment needs, and represents ES in discussions with regulatory agencies and regional partners. What you would do in this job
- Lead the Environmental Compliance Department’s air quality compliance program for ES wastewater treatment facilities and associated emission sources.
- Manage and maintain air quality permits, regulatory requirements, compliance documentation, monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting for facilities throughout the ES system.
- Provide technical guidance and regulatory interpretation related to air emissions, including Title V permits, state permits, Option D permits, biogas systems, incinerators, generators, gas dispensing facilities, and other regulated emission sources.
- Review facility operations, construction projects, and proposed modifications to identify air quality permitting and compliance requirements and ensure requirements are incorporated into project planning and implementation.
- Coordinate air quality monitoring, emissions calculations, testing, inspections, notifications, reports, and other permit-required activities, ensuring requirements are completed accurately and timely.
- Evaluate compliance information, operational data, and regulatory requirements to identify potential issues, trends, and opportunities to improve air quality compliance systems and processes.
- Investigate and coordinates resolution of air quality compliance issues, including developing corrective actions and working with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, and other staff to implement solutions.
- Serve as the primary technical resource for air quality compliance, communicating requirements and providing guidance to facility staff, management, project teams, and other stakeholders.
- Coordinate with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and other regulatory agencies regarding air quality permitting, compliance, inspections, reporting, and regulatory requirements.
- Lead efforts to keep abreast of changes in air quality regulations, permits, and emerging issues and recommend program improvements to maintain compliance and support ES operations.
- Lead or support other Environmental Compliance programs and projects as assigned, such as biosolids, hazardous waste, tanks, stormwater, watersheds, remediation, groundwater, and NPDES.
What education and experience are required for this job (minimum qualifications) Any of the following combinations of education (in Environmental Sciences, Chemistry, Biology or related field) and experience in management analysis or related analytical experience:
- Masters degree and three (3) three years of professional-level experience in a scientific field related to the position.
- Bachelor's degree and five (5) of professional level experience in a scientific field related to the position.
- Associates degree and seven (7) years of professional-level experience in a scientific field related to the position.
- High School diploma or GED and eight (8) years of experience in professional-level experience in a scientific field related to the position.
What additional skills and experience would be helpful in this job (desired qualifications):
- Experience with air quality permitting, compliance, monitoring, emissions calculations, or reporting.
- Knowledge of Minnesota air quality regulations and permitting requirements, including Title V, state air permits, Option D, and applicable emission standards.
- Experience interpreting environmental permits, regulations, and regulatory guidance and translating requirements into operational practices.
- Experience managing multiple regulatory programs, permits, deadlines, and compliance requirements across multiple facilities or locations.
- Experience with environmental data management, analysis, and reporting, including identifying trends, discrepancies, and potential compliance issues.
- Experience developing or improving compliance tracking systems, procedures, documentation, and quality-control processes.
- Experience working collaboratively with regulatory agencies, facility Operations and Maintenance staff, engineers, consultants, and other technical professionals.
- Knowledge or experience with wastewater treatment operations and related environmental compliance programs, such as NPDES, stormwater, biosolids, groundwater, watershed management, hazardous waste, tanks, or environmental remediation.
- Ability to work effectively across business units and with external regulators in a collaborative, respectful, and solution-focused manner consistent with Working Together.
What knowledge, skills, and abilities you should have within the first six months on the job:
- Knowledge of MCES air quality requirements and emission sources, including applicable permits, regulations, monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements.
- Ability to independently manage assigned air quality compliance requirements, including tracking deadlines, coordinating required activities, maintaining documentation, and completing submittals.
- Ability to interpret environmental regulations, permits, and agency guidance and apply requirements to facility operations, projects, and compliance situations.
- Knowledge of wastewater treatment operations and processes sufficient to understand how facility activities and equipment relate to environmental compliance.
- Ability to analyze environmental and operational data to evaluate compliance, identify discrepancies or trends, and support recommendations and corrective actions.
- Ability to effectively communicate environmental compliance requirements and technical information to Operations, Engineering, management, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders.
- Ability to contribute to and support multiple Environmental Compliance programs, including air quality, NPDES, stormwater, biosolids, groundwater, remediation, and watershed-related requirements, while effectively prioritizing competing work.
What you can expect from us:
- We offer the opportunity to make a difference and positively influence the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
- We encourage our employees to develop their skills through on-site training and tuition reimbursement.
- We provide a competitive salary, excellent benefits and a good work/life balance.
More about why you should join us! Additional information Union/Grade: AFSCME, Grade I FLSA Status: Exempt Safety Sensitive: No
Work Environment:
Work is performed in a standard office setting. Some positions may require travel between primary work sites to other sites.
What steps the recruitment process involves:
- We review your minimum qualifications
- We rate your education and experience
- We conduct a structured panel interview
- We conduct a selection interview
Once you have successfully completed the steps above, then:If you are new to the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a background check which verifies education, employment, and criminal history. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the job. If you have a criminal conviction, you do not automatically fail. The Metropolitan Council considers felony, gross misdemeanor and misdemeanor convictions on a case-by-case basis, based on whether they are related to the job and whether the candidate has demonstrated adequate rehabilitation.If you are already an employee of the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a criminal background check if the job you're applying for is safety sensitive, is a supervisory or management job, is in the Finance, Information Services, Audit, or Human Resources departments, or has access to financial records, files/databases, cash, vouchers or transit fare cards. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the position.IMPORTANT: If you make a false statement or withhold information, you may be barred from job consideration.The Metropolitan Council is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and veteran-friendly employer. The Council is committed to a workforce that reflects the diversity of the region and strongly encourages persons of color, members of the LGBTQ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. If you have a disability that requires accommodation during the selection process, please email HR-OCCHealth@metc.state.mn.us.
Benefits
We believe our employees are a key to our agency's success! In order to attract and retain high quality employees, the Council provides a highly competitive benefits package both in choice and coverage levels. Some highlights about our benefits are listed below:
- Guaranteed monthly retirement income through Minnesota State Retirement System pension fund
- Opportunity to save additional funds for retirement on a tax-deferred basis through a voluntary deferred compensation (457) plan
- Two or more medical plans from which to choose, with employer contribution towards premiums over 80%
- Dental insurance, life insurance and vision insurance
The following benefits are provided to all employees as part of working for the Council. You will have access to free:
- Well@Work clinic
- bus/rail pass valued at over $1200 per year
- parking at many job locations
- fitness centers at many job locations
- Employee Assistance Program
- extensive health and wellness programs and resources