Total Maximum Daily Load Scientist - Job ID 81565

This position may be located at one of the MPCA office locations: St. Paul, Brainerd, Duluth, Detroit Lakes, Rochester, Marshall, or Mankato.

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

Join our passionate team as a TMDL Scientist, where you will get to work on challenging lake and stream water quality issues throughout Minnesota’s diverse landscape. You’ll be overseeing development of Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) studies to identify measures necessary to restore Minnesota’s lakes and rivers. You’ll also provide technical solutions to wider range of water resource issues statewide. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Lead the Charge: Work with, and in some cases, lead, interdisciplinary teams to tackle complex water quality projects and issues throughout the State. 

• Investigate & Innovate: You will be required to problem solve every day, making the best use of available tools and Minnesota’s abundant water quality data, to conduct investigations on the protection and restoration of lakes and streams. 

• Data Detective: Collect, analyze, and synthesize environmental data to inform strategic decisions. 

• Collaborate & Create: Work with all levels of government (local, county, state, tribal, and federal) to solve problems, provide technical support, and develop reports and studies. Conduct research to better characterize water quality and the factors needed to make improvements. 

• Develop & Grow: Expand your technical and subject matter expertise through project-based experiences. 

• Engage & Educate: Communicate findings to stakeholders translating complex data into clear, actionable insights.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Two (2) years of advanced professional-level environmental protection or pollution control experience which includes working knowledge of water resource concerns, hydrology, and understanding of water pollution control science and technology (e.g., advanced professional level experience is equivalent to Senior Environmental Specialist/Environmental Specialist 3 level work.) 

Ability to coordinate and lead a group or groups of watershed stakeholders (including state agency staff, soil and water conservation districts, watershed districts, counties, local resource professionals, and citizens) with diverse memberships and occasional conflicting priorities. 

Communication, interpersonal, collaboration, technical writing, and planning/organization skills sufficient to independently perform senior-level professional work. 

Ability to independently write scientific water quality reports. 

Advanced knowledge of computer programs such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft Outlook, and Excel. 

Familiarity with water quality models and the application of their outputs in watershed management.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency will not sponsor applicants for work visas. 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.

Preferred Qualifications

Working knowledge of watershed management principles and practices, (e.g., limnology, hydrology, stream ecology, and contaminant transport principles), with an understanding of social, political, and economic considerations. 

Demonstrated ability to independently complete projects and deliverables pertaining to water quality restoration and protection. 

Knowledge of water quality standards and designated uses to be able to sufficiently explain to stakeholders and to develop projects that will return water quality to standards and designated uses. 

Extensive experience with writing TMDLs, WRAPS, or other equivalent water quality analysis reports. 

Proficient in Geographic Information System (GIS) software manipulation and editing. Proficiency with Python and R for manipulating and displaying data and model outputs. 

Experience and training related to Tribal – State Relations.
 

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand and walk and step over obstacles in uneven terrain. The employee is occasionally required to sit, climb, or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Requires occasionally lifting and/or carrying such articles as file folders and boxes, tools, or heavier materials with help from others and/or moving light objects frequently. A job in this category may require maintaining a stationary position to a significant degree or may involve a certain amount of moving 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.

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.