PHYSICAL SCIENCE RESEARCHER/SCIENTIST I - Water Quality Scientist - 1036

Salary: $5,639.00 - $8,330.00 Monthly

Location : Denver, CO

Job Type: Full Time

Job Number: FAA01036-01/06/2025

Department: Department of Public Health & Environment

Division: Water Quality Control Division

Opening Date: 01/06/2025

Closing Date: 1/21/2025 5:00 PM Mountain

FLSA: Determined by Position

Type of Announcement: This position is open only to Colorado state residents.

Primary Physical Work Address: 4300 Cherry Creek South Drive, Denver, CO 80246

FLSA Status: Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.

Department Contact Information: Mike Houlihan at michael.houlihan@state.co.us

Salary Note: Although the full salary range for this position is provided, appointments are typically made at or near the range minimum.

How To Apply: Please submit an online application for this position at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado. Reach out to the Department Contact to apply using a paper application, including any supplemental questions. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before the closing date and time listed.

Department Information

This job announcement is only open to current residents of the State of Colorado.

This job announcement will be used to fill multiple vacant positions.

Be BOLD and make a real difference . . .

Do you desire a career that provides you with opportunities to improve the world around you? The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is seeking diverse individuals from all backgrounds to apply for a position that makes a direct impact on improving the lives of Coloradans. Our mission is to advance Colorado's health and protect the places we live, work, learn, and play. Our vision is to create a healthy and sustainable Colorado where current and future generations thrive.

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, consider joining the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Our tobacco-free campus offers free parking and is conveniently located near RTD bus lines, Glendale City Set, and the Cherry Creek bike path. In addition to a great location and rewarding, meaningful work, we offer:

• Employee wellness programs and facilities
• Extensive internal professional development opportunities on a wide variety of subjects
• Bike to work programs, including access to storage lockers and bike racks
• Distinctive career advancement opportunities throughout the State system
• Strong, yet flexible retirement benefits including a choice of the PERA Defined Benefit Plan or the PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus optional 401K and 457 plans
• Medical and dental health plans
• Paid life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• 11 paid holidays per year plus generous personal time off
• Mentoring program with opportunities for mentors and mentees
• Tuition assistance for college level courses including Master's degree programs
• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, and a variety of employee resource groups
  
  

Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, go to: https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/pslfFlow.action#!/pslf/launch

We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of diverse backgrounds and abilities.

Description Of Job

Work UnitThe Environmental Data Unit exists within the Water Quality Control Division (WQCD) to gather, assess, and report data regarding the chemical, physical, and biological integrity and quality of state surface waters for the Federal Clean Water Act (CWA) 303(d) List of Impaired Waters and the 305(b) Report of Status of Water Quality in Colorado as the EPA Integrated Report. This unit is responsible for designing and managing monitoring and assessment systems and models to support environmental policy and regulatory decision making; collecting and analyzing chemical and biological samples in the field; preparing samples for laboratory analysis; ensuring that analytical results are properly entered into a computerized information management system; ensuring that all environmental information collected by the unit is uploaded into an EPA database as required by the EPA and for issuing state 401 water quality certifications of Federal permits. The unit also provides the necessary data analysis to the WQCD Standards Unit for its use in basin regulations rulemaking hearing with the Colorado Water Quality Control Commission (WQCC).

About The Position

This position(s) are a PSRS I role in which the Assessment Workgroup Leader and Unit Manager will provide training and develop the new staff members to fully operational levels. This position(s) exists within the Assessment Group to design, formulate, and conduct analysis of complex water quality investigations for the purpose of evaluating the status of water quality in Colorado and to recommend certification or conditional certification of federal licenses or permits through the Clean Water Act Section 401 water quality certifications program. Among other responsibilities, one of these roles will have Clean Water Act Section 401 water quality certification duties and the other will have benthic macroinvertebrate water quality assessment duties. The position(s) interact with a broad array of local government, state and federal agencies, local water quality interests, and environmental interests often through participation in various technical work groups. Technical issues such as data collection techniques, models used in water quality assessments, interpretation of federal and state regulations, scientific principles, etc. may be discussed at these workgroups. The position(s) will negotiate to obtain consensus within the work groups to minimize disagreements between parties and the WQCD at rulemaking and administrative action hearings with the WQCC. The position(s) will present written and oral testimony to the WQCC for regulatory hearings. The position(s) may also collect physical, chemical and biological information and data.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

(Option 1)

Five years of experience collecting, analyzing, evaluating, and/or interpretation of environmental data.

(Option 2)

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in biology, chemistry, engineering, environmental science, geology, hydrology, or a closely related field and one year of experience collecting, analyzing, evaluating, and/or interpretation of environmental data.

(Option 3)

A graduate degree in biology, chemistry, engineering, environmental science, geology, hydrology, or a closely related field will substitute for the required bachelor's degree and one year of experience.

The required experience must be substantiated within the work experience section of your application. Your resume will not be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications; only the work experience section of your application will be reviewed to determine this. "See Resume" statements on the application will not be accepted. In addition, part-time work will be prorated.

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications and Essential CompetenciesThe preferred experience, competencies and abilities are highly desirable for this position and will be considered in selecting the successful candidate:

• Experience designing and implementing water quality (or other environmental) studies.
• Relevant years of State service shall be considered.
• Experience collecting benthic macroinvertebrate data and evaluating these data to determine stream water quality.
• Experience with the Clean Water Act Section 404 permitting process and/or Section 401 water quality certifications or similar programs.
• Experience collecting physical, biological and chemical water quality related samples.
• Experience with quality control and quality assurance procedures for environmental data.
• Experience managing and processing laboratory data.
• Experience performing statistical analyses on environmental data and applying water quality models.
• Ability to synthesize complex information into concise and effective written reports and presentations and communicate this information to an audience of diverse technical backgrounds. .
• Ability to pay close attention to detail.
• Critical thinking ability with demonstrated talent for analyzing and assessing all sides of a question or an issue in order to make a more informed decision.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Experience managing contracts, including billing agreements, invoicing, etc.
  
  

Conditions of Employment

• The positions requires about 3-4 days of travel a year. Travel is statewide and you will mainly be traveling with colleagues. Some overnights will be required.
• A pre-employment background check will be conducted as part of the selection process.
  
  

Supplemental Information

A Complete Application Packet Must Include

• A completed State of Colorado application.
• If using education to qualify, or to demonstrate completion of preferred coursework, a copy of your college/university transcripts. Transcripts can be attached to your CO Jobs application. Late transcripts will not be accepted.
• A Cover Letter, describing how you meet the requirements for this position.
• Answer to supplemental questions.
  
  

The Selection Process

• All applications that are received by the closing of this announcement will be reviewed against the Minimum Qualifications in this announcement. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications proceed to the next step.
• Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted based on merit and fitness through a comparative analysis process. Part of, or all of, the comparative analysis for this position may be a structured application review, which involves a review of the information you submit in your application materials by Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) against the preferred qualifications.
• A top group, up to six candidates, will be invited to schedule an interview with the hiring manager.
  
  

Appeal Rights: If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for the position or that as a result of no longer being considered, you were discriminated against, you may protest the action by filing an appeal with the State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director within 10 days from the date you receive notice of the elimination. Also, if you wish to challenge the selection and comparative analysis process, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director within 10 days from the receipt of notice or knowledge of the action you are challenging. If an applicant seeks to have an allegation of discrimination reviewed by the Board, that person must file an appeal (petition for hearing) within 10 days of the action or receipt of any final written selection decision. Refer to Chapters 4 and 8 of the State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, 4 CCR 801, for more information about the appeals process. The State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures are available at www.colorado.gov/spb. A standard appeal form is available at: www.colorado.gov/spb. If you appeal, your appeal must be submitted in writing on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative, and received at the following address within 10 days of your receipt of notice or knowledge of the action: Colorado State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director, Attn: Appeals Processing, 1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver, CO 80203. Fax: 303-866-5038. Phone: 303-866-3300. The ten-day deadline and these appeal procedures also apply to all charges of discrimination.

E-Verify: CDPHE uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.

You must be legally eligible to work in the United States to be appointed to this position. CDPHE does not sponsor non-residents of the United States.

ADAAA Accommodations

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator at cdphe.humanresources@state.co.us or call 303-692-2060, option 5.

Benefits

The State of Colorado offers permanent employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, as well as a comprehensive leave program. Please click the following link for detailed information:

Please note that each agency's contact information is different; therefore, we encourage all applicants to view the full, official job announcement which includes contact information and class title. Select the job you wish to view, then click on the "Print" icon.

01

Applicants for State of Colorado classified positions must be current residents of Colorado. Are you a current resident of the State of Colorado who can provide proof of Colorado residency?Are you a current CDPHE employee?

• Yes
• No
  
  

02

A pre-employment background check will be conducted as part of the selection process. Felony convictions or conviction of crimes of moral turpitude or convictions of misdemeanors related to job duties may disqualify you from being considered for this position. Should your background check reveal any charges and convictions, it is your responsibility to provide the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Human Resources office with an official disposition of any charges. Do you accept this condition of employment?

• Yes
• No
  
  

03

This position requires about 1-5 days of travel a year. Travel is statewide and you will mainly be travelling with colleagues. Some overnights will be required.Are you willing and able to meet this condition of employment?

• Yes
• No
  
  

04

CDPHE-Part of, or all of, the selection/comparative analysis process for this position may involve a review of the information you submit in your application materials. One of the documents required to apply for this position is a cover letter. Your cover letter should describe the extent that you possess the education and experience relating to the minimum AND preferred competencies for this position. Failure to include a cover letter may prevent you from competing in subsequent measures used to arrive at a top group of applicants. Have you prepared a cover letter and attached to your application? (If not, you may go back and do so now.)

• Yes
• No
  
  

Required Question