Entry Level Conservation Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Job Information
State of Tennessee Job Information
Opening Date/Time 09/09/2026 12:00AM Central Time Closing Date/Time 09/22/2026 11:59PM Central Time Salary (Monthly) $4,057.00 - $6,099.00 Salary (Annually) $48,684.00 - $73,188.00 Job Type Full-Time City, State Location Chattanooga, TN Department Environment and Conservation
LOCATION OF (1) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT & CONSERVATION, HAMILTON COUNTY
This position requires a valid driver's license for overnight travel, holidays and weekends when necessary.
For more information, visit the link below:
https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/environment/job-announcements-/preferred-service/00105872_env_sci_1_rad_chefo_tdec-job-opp_ps_ua.pdf
Qualifications
Education and Experience: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's or higher in environmental science, physical sciences (e.g. physics, chemistry, geology, meteorology), ecology, sustainability or applied science in sustainability, life sciences (e.g. biology, microbiology, agricultural science, agronomy, health physics or biophysics), environmental health, pre-medicine, engineering or other acceptable science or natural resource related field. An acceptable, environmental, physical, or life science degree will be considered based on assignment by the specific program area.
Necessary Special Qualifications: Applicants for this class must:

1. Possess a valid motor vehicle operator's license at the time of appointment in some positions; if position requires operating a boat, must obtain a boater's license.
2. Applicants for the TDEC Environmental Scientist 1* in the Division of Radiological Health must successfully complete the training courses offered by the Division of Radiological Health, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, or other federal agencies.
3. TDEC Environmental Scientist's 1* performing geologic duties the major portion of their time must: have completed the required college course work at the time of appointment to be eligible to take the licensing examination offered by Tennessee's Department of Commerce and Insurance's Board of Professional Geologists, or b.) hold and maintain a current Geologic license from the State of Tennessee during employment or hold a current Geologic license from another State that Tennessee has evaluated and granted reciprocal licensing rights;
4. Some TDEC Environmental Scientist 1* positions assigned to function as Biologists must meet the specific educational requirements for Biologists, as follows: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree, including at least 36 quarter hours (or 24 semester hours) in biology, in one of the following areas: (1) biology or biological sciences, (2) botanical sciences, (3) environmental or conservation sciences, (4) zoological sciences, or (5) aquatic, terrestrial, or wetland biology or ecology or other acceptable biological science related field.

Overview
Under immediate supervision, is responsible for learning professional environmental, natural resources, sustainability, environmental assistance program, radiological health and/or similar science related program work of routine difficulty; and learns to perform related work as required. This is the entry level class in the TDEC Environmental Scientist subseries. An employee in this class may be assigned to learn a variety of environmental compliance inspection, monitoring, problem identification, corrective action and enforcement duties in an environmental regulatory or assistance division. An employee in this class may be assigned to learn natural resource management and/or inventory in conservation or other, non-regulatory programs. This class differs from TDEC Environmental Scientist 3 in that an incumbent of the latter performs environmental program duties at the advanced working or lead level under general supervision.
*An applicant appointed to this flexibly staffed class will be reclassified to TDEC Environmental Scientist 2* after successful completion of a mandatory one-year probationary period; inadequate or marginal performance during the probationary period will result in automatic termination.
Responsibilities

1. Conduct compliance inspections of x-ray producing equipment used at medical, veterinary, and dental offices; and radioactive material licenses in use at hospitals, private medical practices and industrial facilities throughout the Chattanooga/Cookeville regions.
2. Investigate complaints, allegations and incidents involving ionizing radiation.
3. Assist the regulated community in understanding and complying with any applicable state and federal regulations.
4. Ability to learn and apply radiation expertise and technical competency to make regulatory compliance decisions on the safe use of x-ray producing machines and radioactive material.
5. Participate in the fixed nuclear power plant exercises.

Competencies (KSA's)
Competencies:
1. Decision Quality
2. Communicates Effectively
3. Customer Focus
4. Tech Savvy
5. Business Insight
Knowledge:
1. Biology
2. Chemistry
3. Physics
4. Geology
5. Law & Government
Skills:
1. Critical Thinking
2. Active Learning and Listening
3. Judgement and Decision Making
4. Time Management
5. Writing
Abilities:
1. Written Comprehension
2. Inductive Reasoning
3. Deductive Reasoning
4. Limb and/or Full Body Flexibility
5. Prolonged Stamina
Tools & Equipment
1. Computer/Tablet/Printer/Scanner/Copier/Fax
2. Telephone/Cell Phone/Pager/Two-Way Radios
3. Watercraft/Motor Vehicle/ATV
4. Sampling, Monitoring Equipment and Supplies/Tools
5. GPS/PPE/Power and Hand Tools