Site Assessment Unit Chief

We respect and embrace the experiences, knowledge and contributions of our team members. We strive for a culture of belonging and balance by upholding our values : Stewardship, Integrity, Collaboration, Respect and Innovation. We are passionate about Missouri, our role to preserve, protect and enhance our environment and we are committed to serving its citizens. We believe our mission and vision serve a greater purpose and will be felt for generations to come.

This position will be located at 1730 E. Elm Street, Jefferson City, MO within the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Division of Environmental Quality, Superfund Section.

In this role, you’ll lead the Site Assessment Unit, which conducts pre-remedial investigations of potential hazardous substance sites under authority of the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA, or Superfund law). The unit also conducts project management oversight of Superfund National Priority List (NPL) and sites in state cleanup programs. The position will supervise five Environmental Program Assistants/Analysts and one Environmental Program Specialist. You will supervise the unit’s work on a range of sites in various geographical and geological settings across the state.

• Serve as Chief of the Site Assessment Unit, supervising five Environmental Assistants/Analysts and one Environmental Scientist who conduct pre-remedial investigations and oversee the investigation and cleanup of NPL and state-lead sites under CERCLA authority.
• Serve as the State Project Officer for the Pre-Remedial portion of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Superfund Consolidated Cooperative Agreement, which includes ensuring that all Pre-Remedial commitments are met and all administrative tracking and reporting requirements are completed. This includes preparing the Pre-Remedial portion of the Consolidated Cooperative Agreement Semi-Annual Report.
• Review and ensure the quality of all pre-remedial site assessment investigation reports and ensure site assessment decisions are consistent and defensible.
• Develop work plans and budgets with the department’s Missouri Geological Survey and Environmental Services Program to provide site assessment support. Coordinate with other department programs, state and federal agencies, and local government leaders on cross-functional issues.
• Written and oral communication. Respond to public inquiries, participate in public meetings, and make presentations regarding the Superfund process, laws, and regulations, and specific site assessment investigations for high profile sites.
• Support cross-training through coordinating assignments for oversight work at NPL and state-lead sites. This involves reviewing and commenting on documents associated with the Superfund cleanup process; negotiating with potentially responsible parties; and coordinating project activities with various federal, state, and local government agencies and private parties.
• Manage and oversee work conducted with the Greenfield Environmental Multistate Trust, a $5 million award for the department to investigate and clean up sites within areas of Missouri where the former Kerr-McGhee Corporation and Tronox Incorporated conducted historic mining activity.

To be successful in this position, a candidate will need the following skills:

• Analytical Thinking/Problem Solving : Uses a logical, systematic, sequential approach to address problems or opportunities or manage a situation by drawing on one’s knowledge and experience base and calling on other references and resources as necessary.
• Earth Science : Knowledge of interdisciplinary disciplines associated with the earth’s composition, structure, or other physical aspects, including atmosphere.
• Computer Skills : Uses computers, software applications, databases, and automated systems to accomplish work.
• Comprehension : Ability to comprehend, interpret, and/or apply laws, regulations, policies, guidance procedures, maps, plans, and reports.
• Developing Others : Develops the ability of others to perform and contribute to the organization by providing ongoing feedback and by providing opportunities to learn through formal and informal methods.
• Vehicle Operation : Knowledge of procedures for operating motor vehicles, including cars, trucks, or watercraft.

Equivalent to those typically gained by:

• A Bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences/natural resources/physical sciences and 4-6 years of relevant experience

Training, certification, and/or education in continuous process improvement programs such as Lean Six Sigma as well as completion of Missouri Way, Leadership Academy, and similar programs is preferred.

Lack of post-secondary education will not be used as the sole basis denying consideration to any applicant.

Benefits & Work-life Balance

Our benefits package and flexible 40-hour work week promotes the mental and physical health of you and your family as you work towards achieving your professional goals. Benefits include paid vacation and sick leave, paid life insurance, medical, dental, vision and prescription insurance. Learn more here .

How we invest in you:

• Exceptional professional development: mentoring from experienced professionals, cross-media training, career advancement opportunities, paid trainings and continuing education tuition assistance.
• Support for professional registrations when required, through paid study materials, fees, study time, test time, exam fees and licensure renewal fees.

• 

• State of Missouri

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