Mobile Monitoring Scientist - Job ID 90252

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

Job Summary

This position is located in the Air Laboratory and Mobile Monitoring unit and works closely with the Mobile Monitoring Coordinator in the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the Mobile Monitoring Program. The position’s primary role is to serve as the lead data researcher for the program. In this role, the position develops, implements, and continuously improves the data infrastructure and analyzes, summarizes, reports, and publishes and presents data from the mobile monitor. The position also assists with deploying the mobile monitor and its day-to-day operation and maintenance.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications 

A master’s degree in environmental sciences, data science, or related field

OR 

A bachelor’s degree in in environmental science or related field AND two (2) years of professional level experience in environmental monitoring and assessment. 

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency will not sponsor applicants for work visas including F-1 STEM OPT extensions. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. Individuals must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Preferred Qualifications 

Experience in applied environmental data science or similar field. 

Experience in a data analysis/scientist role working with real-time monitoring data or similar. 

Experience in a regulatory setting, including work on required quality assurance/quality control procedures and documentation. 

Experience with field deployable equipment, including air monitoring instrumentation or similar. 

A thorough understanding of the Clean Air Act and associated federal regulations, particularly those related to air quality standards. 

Knowledge of scientific, experimental and research techniques sufficient to understand, design and conduct comprehensive and sophisticated scientific research. 

Experience interpreting highly complex scientific results in the form of technical manuscripts, guidance documents, as well as the ability to present those results in a non-technical written format such as news articles, etc. 

Experience presenting complex scientific work to both technical and non-technical audiences and to defend their work in the face of criticism. 

Experience in the use of R, Python, or other open-source programs to interpret large data sets and produce data visualizations. 

Experience developing and managing projects and contracts. Experience in using statistical tools, geospatial analysis or applying GIS tools to evaluate environmental issues.

Physical Requirements 

Requires occasionally lifting and/or carrying such articles as file folders, ledgers, and small equipment. Although a sedentary job is defined as one which involves sitting, a certain amount of walking and standing is often necessary in carrying out job duties. 

Additional Requirements 

Position duties may require travel but driving is not a minimum qualification or essential function of this position. Employees who may drive for state business will need their driver’s license checked prior to operating a state vehicle. 

It is the policy of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency that all candidates submit to a background check prior to employment. 

The background check may consist of the following components: 

• Conflict of Interest Review 
• Criminal History Check 
• Education Verification 
• Employment Reference / Records Check
• License / Certification Verification where applicable

About Pollution Control Agency 

Our mission is to protect and improve the environment and human health. We work with many partners (citizens, communities, and businesses, all levels of government, environmental groups and educators) to prevent pollution, conserve resources, and to help ensure polluting does not have disproportionate impact on any groups of people. We emphasize work-life balance with flex schedules, compressed schedules, and options to telework for some positions.