TDEC ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION SPECIALIST 1 - 04212026-77005
State of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
Job Information
State of Tennessee, Department of Environment & Conservation, Knoxville, TN.
Opening Date/Time: 04/21/2026 12:00AM Central Time
Closing Date/Time: 05/11/2026 11:59PM Central Time
Salary (Monthly): $4,057.00
Salary (Annually): $48,684.00
Job Type: Full-Time
Qualifications
Education and Experience:
Graduation from an ABET accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree or higher in engineering or engineering technology program.
Necessary Special Qualifications:
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. An employee in this class learns a variety of environmental engineering duties and may perform environmental program and/or regulatory duties in a specific specialty area such as air pollution, water resources, remediation, solid waste management, toxics, or underground storage tanks. A successful candidate will be reclassified to TDEC Environmental Protection Specialist 2* after completion of a mandatory one‑year training period; inadequate or marginal performance will result in automatic termination.
Responsibilities
Perform environmental inspections, complaint investigations, remediation, monitoring, and surveys; evaluate pollution levels and ensure compliance with laws, regulations, and standards. Develop or assist with corrective action recommendations and enforcement actions if necessary.
Review and analyze engineering designs, reports, plans, and specifications; verify calculations and assess adequacy and compliance with design criteria and regulations.
Conduct research on regulatory information and studies of environmental pollution to develop or revise regulations, technical policies, and standard operating procedures. Communicate revisions to stakeholders.
Prepare technical information and documents (records, drawings, permits, TMDLs, correspondence) in a concise and defensible manner, and maintain data and documentation per agency requirements.
Operate, maintain, troubleshoot, and calibrate field equipment (flow meters, samplers, shockers, photionization detectors, pH meters, GPS, etc.) to ensure compliance with regulations.
Assist management with budget adherence by ensuring contractor work complies with established rates; provide technical oversight, review, and project management for ongoing grant and loan programs.
Foster mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among staff and stakeholders through education of system operations, equipment, and programs.
Provide technical assistance to regulated operations, stakeholders, internal staff, and other personnel in response to routine environmental incidents and inquiries.
Competencies (KSA's)
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
State of Tennessee, Department of Environment & Conservation, Knoxville, TN.
Opening Date/Time: 04/21/2026 12:00AM Central Time
Closing Date/Time: 05/11/2026 11:59PM Central Time
Salary (Monthly): $4,057.00
Salary (Annually): $48,684.00
Job Type: Full-Time
Qualifications
Education and Experience:
Graduation from an ABET accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree or higher in engineering or engineering technology program.
Necessary Special Qualifications:
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. An employee in this class learns a variety of environmental engineering duties and may perform environmental program and/or regulatory duties in a specific specialty area such as air pollution, water resources, remediation, solid waste management, toxics, or underground storage tanks. A successful candidate will be reclassified to TDEC Environmental Protection Specialist 2* after completion of a mandatory one‑year training period; inadequate or marginal performance will result in automatic termination.
Responsibilities
Perform environmental inspections, complaint investigations, remediation, monitoring, and surveys; evaluate pollution levels and ensure compliance with laws, regulations, and standards. Develop or assist with corrective action recommendations and enforcement actions if necessary.
Review and analyze engineering designs, reports, plans, and specifications; verify calculations and assess adequacy and compliance with design criteria and regulations.
Conduct research on regulatory information and studies of environmental pollution to develop or revise regulations, technical policies, and standard operating procedures. Communicate revisions to stakeholders.
Prepare technical information and documents (records, drawings, permits, TMDLs, correspondence) in a concise and defensible manner, and maintain data and documentation per agency requirements.
Operate, maintain, troubleshoot, and calibrate field equipment (flow meters, samplers, shockers, photionization detectors, pH meters, GPS, etc.) to ensure compliance with regulations.
Assist management with budget adherence by ensuring contractor work complies with established rates; provide technical oversight, review, and project management for ongoing grant and loan programs.
Foster mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among staff and stakeholders through education of system operations, equipment, and programs.
Provide technical assistance to regulated operations, stakeholders, internal staff, and other personnel in response to routine environmental incidents and inquiries.
Competencies (KSA's)
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