Entry Level Ecological Risk Assessment Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Who We Are:

The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) seeks to protect, preserve, and enhance Massachusetts' environmental resources and create a clean energy future for all residents. Through the stewardship of open spaces, the protection of environmental resources, and the advancement of clean energy, EEA works tirelessly to make Massachusetts a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family. Our commitment to environmental justice ensures that every resident, regardless of background or location, can live in a safe, clean environment and shares equally in the benefits of the clean energy transition.

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is the state agency responsible for ensuring clean air, land, and water. Our work impacts every aspect of people's lives and is critical to the health and wellbeing of our residents and visitors. MassDEP is the lead agency for safe management of toxic and hazardous materials, promotion of waste reduction and recycling, preservation of the state's wetlands and coastal resources, air quality monitoring and pollution reduction, and so much more.

Who We Are as an Employer:

At EEA, we create meaningful, inclusive opportunities that empower our employees to make a real difference in shaping the environmental future of Massachusetts. We foster a workplace culture where diversity is valued, innovation is encouraged, and collaboration thrives. Our employees play a vital role in advancing sustainability, environmental justice, and clean energy solutions, ensuring a positive and lasting impact on Massachusetts and its residents.

Description:

The Remedial Project Manager (RPM) is within MassDEP's Bureau of Waste Site Cleanup (BWSC) whose mission is to implement M.G.L.Chapter 21E statute and administer its regulation, the Massachusetts Contingency Plan (MCP, 310 CMR 40.0000).  The Program has been set up to ensure timely and effective responses to over 1,500 environmental emergencies (e.g. oil spills, chemical fires) per year, as well as timely assessment and cleanup of the more than 58,000 confirmed and suspected hazardous waste sites across Massachusetts by the private parties responsible for them.

The Remedial Project Manager (RPM) will oversee the investigation and cleanup of federal hazardous waste sites across Massachusetts. Working collaboratively with federal agencies, responsible parties, contractors, and internal stakeholders, you will help ensure that response actions comply with CERCLA, the Massachusetts Contingency Plan (MCP), and other applicable regulations while protecting human health and the environment.

Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Serve as the Remedial Project Manager (RPM) for assigned Massachusetts CERCLA and/or Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDS), representing MassDEP's interests throughout investigation and cleanup activities.

• Review technical documents, work plans, sampling plans, Quality Assurance Project Plans (QAPPs), environmental data, and technical reports to ensure compliance with CERCLA, the Massachusetts Contingency Plan (MCP), and applicable federal and state requirements.

• Evaluate site investigations, human health and ecological risk assessments, feasibility studies, and remedy selection documents to ensure response actions are protective of human health and the environment.

• Conduct field oversight of investigation and remedial activities to monitor progress, verify compliance with project plans, and ensure work is completed effectively.

• Prepare and communicate technical comments, recommendations, and findings through written reports, correspondence, and project meetings.

• Collaborate with MassDEP staff, attorneys, EPA, the Department of Defense, responsible parties, consultants, and other stakeholders to advance site investigations, remedy selection, and cleanup activities.

• Assist in identifying Applicable or Relevant and Appropriate Requirements (ARARs) and support the development and negotiation of legal agreements, including Consent Decrees, Statements of Work, and Institutional Controls.

• Manage MassDEP contractors performing remedial investigations, operations, maintenance, and monitoring activities, including developing scopes of work, overseeing schedules and budgets, and reviewing deliverables.

• Support the procurement of environmental contractors for state-managed CERCLA projects and technical review activities.

• Represent MassDEP's interests with federal partners to ensure federal sites are managed in accordance with CERCLA, the MCP, and state environmental priorities.

• Supervise, mentor, and provide technical guidance to lower-level staff, as assigned.

• Maintain technical and regulatory expertise through ongoing professional development and perform other related duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of the CERCLA program, including applicable federal statutes, regulations, and guidance.

• Knowledge of the Massachusetts Contingency Plan (MCP) and M.G.L. Chapter 21E, including their application to hazardous waste site cleanup.

• Experience managing or overseeing complex environmental site investigations, risk assessments, remedial design, cleanup, and long-term monitoring.

• Experience interpreting and applying CERCLA, MCP, and Applicable or Relevant and Appropriate Requirements (ARARs) during site assessment and remediation.

• Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, including technical, legal, regulatory, and financial stakeholders.

• Experience managing environmental contractors, including procurement, scopes of work, budgets, schedules, and performance oversight.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including preparing technical reports and presenting information to diverse audiences.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (especially Excel) and database tools for data analysis, reporting, and technical documentation.

• Ability to adapt to changing priorities, manage multiple projects, and respond effectively to emerging program needs.

• Demonstrated sound judgment, professionalism, and discretion when handling confidential information.

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: 

Applicants must have at least (A) five years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, technical or professional experience in the field of environmental engineering, civil engineering, sanitary engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering or public health engineering and (B) of which at least three years must have been in a professional capacity and (C) of which at least one year must have been in a supervisory, managerial or administrative capacity, or (D) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.
 

Substitutions: 

I. An Associate's degree with a major in civil engineering or civil engineering technology may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required (A) experience.* 

II. A Bachelor's degree with a major in environmental engineering, civil engineering, civil engineering technology, sanitary engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering or public health engineering may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the required (A) experience * 

III. A Graduate degree with a major in environmental engineering, civil engineering, sanitary engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering or public health engineering may be substituted for a maximum of three years of the required (A) experience and one year of the required (B) experience.* 

*Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed. 

NOTE: Educational substitutions will only be permitted for a maximum of one year of the required (B) experience.  No substitutions will be permitted for the required (C) experience.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.  Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.  Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements.  We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.