TDEC-ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION SPECIALIST 1* - 02172026-75233
State of Tennessee, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Opening Date: 02/17/2026 12:00AM Central Time
Closing Date: 03/09/2026 11:59PM Central Time
Salary: $48,684 annually ($4,057 monthly)
Job Type: Full-Time
Location: Knoxville, TN – Department of Environment and Conservation, Knox County
Qualifications Education: Graduation from an ABET accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree or higher in engineering or engineering technology program.
Necessary Special Qualifications: Applicants must possess a valid motor vehicle operator’s license at the time of appointment in some positions.
Overview Under immediate supervision, this entry‑level class in the TDEC Environmental Protection Specialist sub‑series is responsible for professional environmental work of routine difficulty. The employee learns and performs environmental engineering duties in programs such as air pollution, water resources, remediation, solid waste management, toxics, or underground storage tanks. The incumbent may be reclassified to TDEC Environmental Protection Specialist 2* after successful completion of a mandatory one‑year training period; inadequate performance will result in termination.
Responsibilities
Perform environmental inspections, complaint investigations, remediation, monitoring, and surveys; evaluate equipment, structures, materials, and sites to determine pollutant levels and ensure compliance with environmental laws, regulations, and standards; develop corrective action recommendations and initiate enforcement actions if necessary.
Review, analyze, and verify engineering designs, reports, plans, and specifications for adequacy and completeness; interpret findings to ensure compliance with design criteria and regulations.
Conduct research on regulatory information and environmental pollution studies to develop or revise regulations, policies, and SOPs; communicate findings to stakeholders.
Prepare technical information, records, and documents such as permits, TMDLs, correspondence, designs, and soil evaluations; maintain data and documentation to meet agency requirements.
Operate, maintain, troubleshoot, and calibrate field and electronic equipment to ensure compliance with manufacturers’ specifications and regulations; repair or replace malfunctioning equipment.
Assist management with budget adherence by ensuring contractor activities comply with rates, provide technical oversight of grant programs, and perform project management as needed.
Foster mutual trust and cooperation among staff and stakeholders by educating about system operations, equipment, and programs that reduce environmental damage.
Provide technical assistance to regulated operations, stakeholders, and internal staff in response to routine environmental incidents and inquiries.
Competencies
Business Insight
Communicates Effectively
Decision Quality
Manages Complexity
Tech Savvy
Knowledges
Engineering and Technology
Chemistry
Law and Government
Physics
Geology
Skills
Reading Comprehension
Judgement and Decision Making
Active Learning and Listening
Complex Problem Solving
Critical Thinking
Abilities
Written Comprehension
Deductive Reasoning
Inductive Reasoning
Mathematical Reasoning
Limb and/or Full Body Flexibility
Tools & Equipment
Computer/Printer/Scanner/Copy/Fax
Telephone/Cell Phone/Pager/Two-way Radios
Watercraft/Motor Vehicles/Tractors/All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs)
Sampling, Monitoring Equipment and Supplies/Tools
Radiation Detection Equipment/GPS/PPE/Power Equipment and Hand Tools
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Qualifications Education: Graduation from an ABET accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree or higher in engineering or engineering technology program.
Necessary Special Qualifications: Applicants must possess a valid motor vehicle operator’s license at the time of appointment in some positions.
Overview Under immediate supervision, this entry‑level class in the TDEC Environmental Protection Specialist sub‑series is responsible for professional environmental work of routine difficulty. The employee learns and performs environmental engineering duties in programs such as air pollution, water resources, remediation, solid waste management, toxics, or underground storage tanks. The incumbent may be reclassified to TDEC Environmental Protection Specialist 2* after successful completion of a mandatory one‑year training period; inadequate performance will result in termination.
Responsibilities
Perform environmental inspections, complaint investigations, remediation, monitoring, and surveys; evaluate equipment, structures, materials, and sites to determine pollutant levels and ensure compliance with environmental laws, regulations, and standards; develop corrective action recommendations and initiate enforcement actions if necessary.
Review, analyze, and verify engineering designs, reports, plans, and specifications for adequacy and completeness; interpret findings to ensure compliance with design criteria and regulations.
Conduct research on regulatory information and environmental pollution studies to develop or revise regulations, policies, and SOPs; communicate findings to stakeholders.
Prepare technical information, records, and documents such as permits, TMDLs, correspondence, designs, and soil evaluations; maintain data and documentation to meet agency requirements.
Operate, maintain, troubleshoot, and calibrate field and electronic equipment to ensure compliance with manufacturers’ specifications and regulations; repair or replace malfunctioning equipment.
Assist management with budget adherence by ensuring contractor activities comply with rates, provide technical oversight of grant programs, and perform project management as needed.
Foster mutual trust and cooperation among staff and stakeholders by educating about system operations, equipment, and programs that reduce environmental damage.
Provide technical assistance to regulated operations, stakeholders, and internal staff in response to routine environmental incidents and inquiries.
Competencies
Business Insight
Communicates Effectively
Decision Quality
Manages Complexity
Tech Savvy
Knowledges
Engineering and Technology
Chemistry
Law and Government
Physics
Geology
Skills
Reading Comprehension
Judgement and Decision Making
Active Learning and Listening
Complex Problem Solving
Critical Thinking
Abilities
Written Comprehension
Deductive Reasoning
Inductive Reasoning
Mathematical Reasoning
Limb and/or Full Body Flexibility
Tools & Equipment
Computer/Printer/Scanner/Copy/Fax
Telephone/Cell Phone/Pager/Two-way Radios
Watercraft/Motor Vehicles/Tractors/All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs)
Sampling, Monitoring Equipment and Supplies/Tools
Radiation Detection Equipment/GPS/PPE/Power Equipment and Hand Tools
#J-18808-Ljbffr