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Form of work
SalaryWHO WE ARE
We are the Metropolitan Council, the regional government for the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. We plan 30 years ahead for the future of the metropolitan area and provide regional transportation, wastewater, and housing services. More information about us on our website.
Join an award-winning wastewater industry leader in protecting our environment! Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (MCES) operates and maintains the wastewater collection and treatment system in the Twin Cities metropolitan region. It also provides coordinated long-range water resources and supply planning, and air and water quality monitoring to meet future needs. MCES treatment plants consistently earn state and national awards for complete compliance with their environmental permits. MCES received a Governor’s Award as a Great Place to Work.
To find out more about the Environmental Services division, please click on the link for more information: https://metrocouncil.org/Wastewater-Water.aspx.
The Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (MCES) division is accepting applications for one (1) full-time Environmental Scientist OR Senior Environmental Scientist.
NOTE: The location of this role is currently in St. Paul, MN. and will move to Eagan, MN. in the 4th quarter of 2024.
How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region:
The Environmental Scientist/Senior Environmental Scientist - Air Quality (AQ) and Odor Monitoring will work in the MCES Air Quality Monitoring Program. The Air Quality Monitoring Program monitors Air Quality associated with MCES facilities to ensure permit requirements are met; assists in the control, optimization, and/or modification of system operations; and identifies and/or mitigates potential odor and air emissions problems. This qualified individual will sample and characterize odors from odor control units at MCES wastewater collection and treatment facilities, as well as perform testing of incinerator emissions, and auditing of continuous emissions monitoring systems (CEMS).
What you would do in this job
Air Quality-Odors and Emissions Monitoring
- Obtain odor samples from odor control units at MCES wastewater collection and treatment facilities throughout the Metro Area to determine the ongoing effectiveness of these units for removing odors.
- Lead odor characterization of these samples in the AQ Odor Lab using an olfactometer and an odor panel of five trained people.
- Organize and report Odor Lab data.
- Monitor odors (primarily hydrogen sulfide) at and near MCES wastewater collection and treatment facilities.
- Organize and report monitoring data.
- Assist with air emissions monitoring of biosolids incinerators at the Metro and Seneca wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) as required by Air Quality permits.
- Assist in the preparation for emissions testing, assist with emissions testing and laboratory analysis, ensure adequate testing equipment and supplies, and maintain and calibrate the testing equipment.
- Assist with permit-required audits and certifications of continuous emissions monitoring systems (opacity, total hydrocarbon-THC, and oxygen analyzers) at the Metro and Seneca WWTPs.
- Calibrate and troubleshoot AQ monitoring equipment, maintain AQ monitoring supplies, help identify and evaluate non-standard monitoring results, and help develop processes to resolve monitoring problems.
- Serve on MCES ad hoc teams and provides support for other MCES and AQ activities as necessary. May include supporting opportunities to provide education and outreach on MCES environmental monitoring efforts and environmental resource protection.
- Perform related duties as assigned.
What education and experience are required for this job (minimum qualifications)
Education/Experience:
Environmental Scientist
Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Sciences, or related scientific field.
Senior Environmental Scientist
Bachelor's degree in Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Sciences or related degree.
AND
Three years of professional level experience in a scientific field related to the position.
What additional skills and experience would be helpful in this job (desired qualifications):
- Air quality monitoring experience (odor sampling, odor testing/odor characterization, stack-testing, and/or auditing of continuous emissions monitoring systems).
- Strong attention to detail
- Comprehension of technical data collected and reported.
- Ability to follow technical and scientific Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) as they pertain to Air Quality monitoring areas.
- Ability to write basic correspondence.
- Technical reading skills to read and understand SOPs.
- Basic mathematical skills.
- Ability to communicate effectively with both internal and external stakeholders.
- Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office Word, Excel, and Outlook.
- Skills in data entry and internet research.
- Knowledge of environmental field monitoring and analytical procedures.
- Knowledge of safety procedures related to field monitoring and handling of laboratory materials.
- Knowledge of and skill in the use of Air Quality monitoring equipment, such as continuous monitoring equipment, stack testing equipment, odor sampling equipment and olfactometers.
- Ability to identify and troubleshoot issues that deviate from SOP.
- Ability to perform basic to advanced troubleshooting and adjustments of tools and monitoring equipment.
- Ability to complete data analysis using calculations, graphs, and tabulations.
- Ability to meet required deadlines.
- Ability to work on multiple tasks simultaneously and skill in prioritizing/organizing work activities.
- Ability to distinguish and characterize odors.
- We offer the opportunity to make a difference and positively influence the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
- We encourage our employees to develop their skills through on-site training and tuition reimbursement.
- We provide a competitive salary, excellent benefits and a good work/life balance.
Additional information
Environmental Scientist
Union: AFSCME Grade F
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Safety Sensitive: No
Full Salary Range: $32.09 – $48.44 hourly/$66,747 – $100,755 annually
Senior Environmental Scientist
Union/Grade: AFSCME Grade G
FLSA Status: Exempt
Safety Sensitive: No
Full Salary Range: $34.70 – $52.36 hourly/$72,176 – $108,908 annually
Work Environment
The work environment varies with the work assignments accomplished. Work will be performed in an office, in a laboratory environment, and in the field, with exposure to outdoor weather conditions. The position's job functions include tasks associated with fumes, airborne particles, or occasionally toxic or caustic chemicals. Work may be occasionally performed near moving parts or equipment and in high places. The position's job functions include working outdoors, working in industrial settings, including those around incineration processes, and in areas with moderate noise levels. MCES has a strong safety ethic and program that addresses the work it performs. The position requires local travel in the Metro Area, by MCES vehicle.
Physical Requirements
This position must be able to smell to perform odor evaluation. A smell sensitivity assessment is required as part of the hiring process. This position occasionally requires standing, walking, or sitting for long periods. This position is required to speak and frequently read and write. The position has vision requirements (close, distance, and peripheral, depth perception, ability to focus). This position requires sufficient manual dexterity to operate personal computers and laboratory and field monitoring equipment. Must have mobility and physical strength to handle and move heavy field monitoring equipment. The position is required to reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and climb or balance, and turn, twist and bend at the waist. The position must be able to list/carry/push and pull up to 50 pounds on a regular basis.
The responsibilities listed are typical of the positions included in the job classification; however, not all duties are necessarily performed by each specific position or incumbent. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties of the position. Regular attendance is an essential responsibility.
What steps the recruitment process involves:
- We review your minimum qualifications.
- We rate your education and experience.
- We conduct a structured panel interview.
- We conduct a selection interview.
If you are new to the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a drug test (safety sensitive positions only), and a background check which verifies education, employment, and criminal history. A smell sensitivity assessment is required as part of the hiring process. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the job. If you have a criminal conviction, you do not automatically fail. The Metropolitan Council considers felony, gross misdemeanor and misdemeanor convictions on a case-by-case basis, based on whether they are related to the job and whether the candidate has demonstrated adequate rehabilitation.
If you are already an employee of the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a drug test (if moving from a non-safety sensitive position to a safety sensitive position) and criminal background check if the job you're applying for is safety sensitive, is a supervisory or management job, is in the Finance, Information Services, Audit, or Human Resources departments, or has access to financial records, files/databases, cash, vouchers or transit fare cards. A smell sensitivity assessment is required as part of the hiring process. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the position.
IMPORTANT: If you make a false statement or withhold information, you may be barred from job consideration.
The Metropolitan Council is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and veteran-friendly employer. The Council is committed to a workforce that reflects the diversity of the region and strongly encourages persons of color, members of the LGBTQ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. If you have a disability that requires accommodation during the selection process, please email HR-OCCHealth@metc.state.mn.us.
We believe our employees are a key to our agency's success! In order to attract and retain high quality employees, the Council provides a highly competitive benefits package both in choice and coverage levels. Some highlights about our benefits are listed below:
- Guaranteed monthly retirement income through Minnesota State Retirement System pension fund
- Opportunity to save additional funds for retirement on a tax-deferred basis through a voluntary deferred compensation (457) plan
- Two or more medical plans from which to choose, with employer contribution towards premiums over 80%
- Dental insurance, life insurance and vision insurance
- Well@Work clinic
- bus/rail pass valued at over $1200 per year
- parking at many job locations
- fitness centers at many job locations
- Employee Assistance Program
- extensive health and wellness programs and resources
