Full Time Environmental Justice 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:

MassDEP seeks applicants for the position of Environmental Analyst II (EA II) within the Bureau of Waste Site Cleanup (BWSC), Technical Support/FAST program, in the Northeast Regional Office (NERO) in Woburn, Massachusetts.  This is a full-time position (37.5 hours work week), which is presently a hybrid position requiring office time, field work and telework. The BWSC is charged with regional implementation of the Massachusetts Contingency Plan (MCP), codified as 310 CMR 40.0000.

This position will be responsible for the investigation, assessment, and remediation of sites contaminated by a release of Oil and Hazardous Materials, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and involves research, field work, and office work of significant technical complexity.

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

• Review site assessment reports and interpret results of analytical data to determine the extent of site contamination and the need for further assessment, including for PFAS compounds.

• Articulate the conclusions of the review and recommendations for further assessment, both orally at meetings with supervisors and in writing.

• Conduct field inspections, and research land-use history and industrial/commercial activities where PFAS and other hazardous materials contamination has been discovered or is suspected.

• Identify/secure access/Dig-Safe locations where additional groundwater monitoring points are necessary to define or more fully characterize the source and extent of subsurface contaminant plumes.

• Plan and implement site investigation activities to obtain soil, sediment, groundwater, surface water, drinking water, ambient air, soil gas, and/or indoor air samples.

• Transport and use portable generators, hammer drills, and other equipment weighing up to 75 pounds.

• Install direct-push groundwater monitoring wells using a hammer drill, piping, well-screens, equipment and procedures developed by the MassDEP Northeast Regional Office.

• Sample direct-push wells and/or obtain samples for analysis in the regional office laboratory or commercial laboratory for VOCs, PFAS, and other analytes.

• Where in-house direct-push wells are not feasible, mobilize, direct, and oversee a state-contracted drilling company.

• Identify source area(s) of contamination and notify Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs) of their potential liability.

• Provide concise and timely situation summaries and updates to supervisors as needed.

• Provide support to the Field Assessment and Support Team (FAST) as directed, including routine calibration and care of field analytical instrumentation.

• Analyze samples on a gas chromatograph and provide data reports on standard forms.

• Perform other duties as directed by a supervisor.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge and proficiency in physical, organic, and/or analytical chemistry.

• Knowledge of basic geology, hydrogeology, and biology.

• Ability and willingness to read, comprehend, and apply written technical and operational guidelines and directives.

• Ability and willingness to install monitoring wells using a Hammer Drill.

• Good organizational and time management skills.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

• Good oral, writing and communication skills.

• Valid Massachusetts driver's license.

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

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: 
 

Applicants must have at least (A) three years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, technical or professional experience in the field of environmental science, biology, chemistry, earth science, environmental health, meteorology, natural science, toxicology or public health, of which (B) at least one year must have been in a professional capacity, or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the following substitutions.

Substitutions: 

I. An Associate's degree with a major in the field of environmental science, biology, chemistry, earth science, environmental health, meteorology, natural science, toxicology or public health may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required (A) experience.* 

II. A Bachelor's degree with a major in the field of environmental science, biology, chemistry, earth science, environmental health, meteorology, natural science, toxicology or public health may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the required (A) experience.*  

III. A Graduate degree with a major in environmental science, biology, chemistry, earth science, environmental health, meteorology, natural science, toxicology or public health may be substituted for the required experience.* 

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

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.