Public Jobs in Worcester, MA

PFAS Branch Chief

MassDEP seeks applicants for the position of Environmental Analyst IV PFAS Branch Chief within the Bureau of Waste Site Cleanup (BWSC). BWSC is charged with ensuring immediate and effective response to environmental emergencies, such as oil spills and chemical fires, as well as timely assessment and cleanup of hazardous waste sites by private parties responsible for them. This position will be based in MassDEP's Central Regional Office (CERO), Worcester, MA and will act as a Branch Chief of the PFAS Section. This position will report to the PFAS Section Chief. The position will supervise and manage direct staff to meet BWSC program objectives, general BWSC & regional goals; supervise and manage direct and indirect staff for public or private cleanups; oversee state contractor activities; prepare and implement enforcement actions; lead and participate in PFAS site management activities, participate in policy and program development; conduct/attend technical, management and public meetings; manage staff & conduct performance reviews; ensure staff comply with Department workplace rules, procedures and guidelines; maintain high level of knowledge and understanding of state and federal laws, regulations, guidance and policies, and perform other related duties as required.

MassDEP's Central Regional Office serves 77 cities and towns situated in central Massachusetts. Working at MassDEP is a great opportunity to do meaningful work that helps reduce the impacts of climate change and air pollution for all people of the Commonwealth now and for future generations. MassDEP personnel are remarkably talented, dedicated, enthusiastic, and supportive.

Key responsibilities include serving as Site Manager on Direct Oversight sites and Immediate Response Actions; managing large and complex sites; identifying risk reduction measures; reviewing and approving complex assessment and remediation plans, technical reports and analytical data. Writing, reviewing and coordinating correspondence, memoranda, technical reports, policy, enforcement documents and other technical or legal instruments. Providing information including applicability of regulations and policies to the regulated community and others. Supervising, directing and training staff of lower grade. Managing staff work to ensure efficiency, productivity, quality and timely work. Assigning projects and work. Conducting performance planning and reviews. Supervising, coordinating, and providing technical support to professional staff for both office and field related activities. Conducting, approving, and/or providing oversight of source discovery work including communication and coordination with residents. Maintaining routine communication with supervisors and managers on status of projects and conformance with roles and responsibilities as established for project. Tracking and managing work products, meeting timelines and maintaining appropriate administrative record of events, correspondence, decisions, meetings and other logs of records. Participating as appropriate in Section, Bureau and Regional Sr. Staff meetings and providing comment or input to matters relating to the BWSC Program or job duties. Preparing documentation and conducts enforcement conferences and technical meetings and represents the Department at public meetings. Participating in technical conferences and attending, presenting or facilitating technical, enforcement and public meetings. Overseeing and executing enforcement actions and providing expert testimony. Participating in development of policy, compliance and enforcement strategies, program plans and technical guidelines; providing information and advice including application and interpretation of environmental regulations and policies to management, the regulatory community and others; participating in public involvement and outreach efforts. Complying with all Department workplace rules, regulations and policies. Performing other duties as necessary.

Must express ideas clearly, both orally and in writing. Preferred work experience includes comprehensive knowledge of the Massachusetts Contingency Plan (310 CMR 40.0000) and other state and federal statutes and regulations relating to site remediation including BWSC policies and guidance documents. Substantial experience investigating and assessing the environmental transport, fate and ecological/public health impacts of contamination. Experience in project management, organizing, and prioritizing complex projects. Experience in sampling, analysis, and field screening techniques of various media. Considerable knowledge of risk assessment, risk management, and risk communication with the general public. Considerable knowledge of PFAS chemistry and environmental fate and transport. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Must express ideas clearly, both orally and in writing. Substantial experience in technical writing and editing the work of others. Thorough knowledge of interdisciplinary environmental science principles in the areas of biology, chemistry, geology, hydrogeology, public health, and/or toxicology. Considerable experience in investigating and assessing disposal sites resulting from releases of oil and hazardous materials, including environmental fate and transport processes, ecological and public health impacts of contaminants, and in evaluating feasibility of remedial alternatives. Ability to maintain appropriate complete and accurate records. Ability to work in fast-paced, evolving regulatory program. Supervisory experience preferred. Possession of a valid Massachusetts driver's license or equivalent is required.

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 science, biology, chemistry, earth science, environmental health, meteorology, natural science, toxicology or public health, of which (B) at least three years must have been in a professional capacity, and of which (C) 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 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 one year 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 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.