Environmental Specialist

~ The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation exists to enhance the quality of life for citizens of Tennessee and to be stewards of our natural environment. ~

We accomplish this by:

• Protecting and improving the quality of Tennessee’s air, land, and water through a responsible regulatory system;
• Protecting and promoting human health and safety;
• Conserving and promoting natural, cultural and historic resources; and
• Providing a variety of quality outdoor recreational experiences.

Our department is committed to providing a cleaner, safer environment that goes hand-in-hand with economic prosperity and increased quality of life in Tennessee. We deliver on our mission through managing regulatory programs that maintain standards for air, water and soil quality while providing assistance to businesses and communities in areas ranging from recreation to waste management. We also manage the state park system and programs to inventory, interpret and protect Tennessee’s rich natural, historical and archaeological heritage.

Position Overview

Under general supervision, the Environmental Specialist is responsible for professional environmental, natural resources and/or similar science related program work of considerable difficulty; and performs related work as required.
 
Distinguishing Features:

This is the advanced working level in the Environmental Specialist sub-series. An employee in this class may perform a full range of complex environmental compliance inspection, monitoring, problem identification, corrective action and enforcement duties in an environmental regulatory or assistance division.  An employee in this class may perform natural resource management and/or inventory in conservation or other non-regulatory programs. 

An employee in this class may supervise one subordinate environmental professional. This class is flexibly staffed with and differs from Environmental Specialist 1 in that an incumbent of the latter functions at the entry level. This class differs from Environmental Specialist 4 in that an incumbent of the latter functions as a first line supervisor of at least two environmental professionals or is a technical program specialist without statewide responsibility.

Qualifications

Education and Experience: 

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in environmental science, biology, chemistry, geology, physics, ecology, sustainability, applied science in sustainability, or other acceptable science or natural resource related field and 2 years of full time professional environmental, sustainability, or natural resource conservation program work.

Substitution of Experience for Education: 

Qualifying full time environmental, sustainability, or natural resource conservation program experience may substitute for the required education, on a year-for-year basis, to a maximum of four years. 

Substitution of Education for Experience: 

• Graduate coursework in environmental science, biology, chemistry, geology, physics, ecology, sustainability, or other acceptable science or natural resource related field may be substituted for the required experience, on a year-for-year basis, to a maximum of one year (24 semester hours is equivalent to one year).

OR 

• 2 years of fulltime professional environmental, sustainability, or natural resource conservation program work with the State of Tennessee.

Necessary Special Qualifications: 

• Applicants for this class must possess a valid motor vehicle operator's license at the time of appointment in some positions.

Note: Applicants for positions in the Department of Military must:

1. Be willing to and able to qualify with, carry, and use assigned weapons as designated by the appointing authority.
2. Be eligible to receive and maintain a security clearance in accordance with applicable agency regulations, as designated by the appointing authority.
3. Be at least eighteen (18) years of age.
4. Be a citizen of the United States.
5. Have a good moral character, as determined by investigation.
6. Complete a criminal history disclosure form in a manner approved by the appointing authority.
7. Agree to release all records involving their criminal history to the appointing authority.
8. Supply a fingerprint sample in a manner prescribed by the TBI for a fingerprint based criminal history records check as designated by the appointing authority.
9. Not have been convicted or pleaded guilty to or entered a plea of nolo contendere to any felony charge or to any violation of federal or state laws or city ordinances relating to force, violence, theft, dishonesty, gambling, liquor, or controlled substances, Tennessee Code Annotated 7-86-205.
10. Not have been discharged under any other than honorable conditions from any branch of the United States armed forces.
11. Pass a physical examination administered by a licensed physician that is consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act and that relates to the essential functions of the position as designated by the appointing authority.
12. Pass a psychological evaluation administered by a licensed mental health professional that is consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act and that relates to the essential functions of the position as designated by the appointing authority.

Examination Method: Education and Experience,100%, for Preferred Service positions.

Competencies:

1. Ethics & Values
2. Integrity & Trust
3. Functional/Technical Competency
4. Written Communications
5. Technical Learning
6. Time Management
7. Customer Focus
8. Problem Solving
9. Composure
10. Timely Decision Making
11. Learning on the Fly

Knowledge:

1. Mathematics
2. Customer and Personal Services
3. Education and Training
4. Biology
5. Chemistry
6. Computers and Electronics
7. Clerical 

Skills:

1. Reading Competencies
2. Writing
3. Complex Problem Solving
4. Speaking
5. Science
6. Mathematics
7. Active Listening
8. Time Management
9. Judgment & Decision Making
10. Active Listening
11. Critical Thinking
12. Monitoring
13. Instructing
14. Negotiation
15. Service Orientation
16. Coordination
17. System Evaluation
18. Trouble Shooting 

Abilities:

1. Oral Comprehension
2. Oral Expression
3. Written Expression
4. Written Comprehension
5. Speech Clarity
6. Deductive Reasoning
7. Problem Sensitivity
8. Speech Recognition
9. Inductive Reasoning
10. Selective Attention
11. Number Facility
12. Information Ordering
13. Mathematical Reasoning