ATOPS Air Toxics Monitoring Scientist - PSRS II

This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado 

ABOUT CDPHE:

Colorado for All Philosophy: Colorado for All means working toward a Colorado where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. It means we support the basic human rights of our neighbors regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship status, education level, disability, socio-economic status, or any other visible or invisible identity.

At The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) we are dedicated to the Colorado for All philosophy - working toward a Colorado where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. Join us in serving our communities to advance Colorado's health and protecting the places we live, work, learn, and play to create a healthy and sustainable Colorado where current and future generations thrive.

Join us in serving our communities and advancing Colorado’s health and protecting the places we live, work, learn and play in this beautiful state we call home.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
This position will have hybrid workplace options available, at the discretion of the supervisor and based on business needs.  The employee will still be required to report to the agency address listed on this announcement.

CDPHE offers: 

• Free parking and access to RTD bus lines.
• Flexible working arrangements
• Retirement (PERA options), Medical and dental health plans
• Defined Benefit Plan or the PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus optional 401K and 457 plans
• Paid life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• 11 paid holidays per year and generous personal time off
• Tuition assistance 
• Wellness programs
• Professional development opportunities on a wide variety of subjects
• Career advancement opportunities throughout the State system

Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. For more information, go to: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service

The Work Unit:

The Air Toxics and Ozone Precursor Section [ATOPS] exists within the Air Pollution Control Division [APCD], a division within the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment [CDPHE], to provide technical ambient air monitoring support for stationary air toxics, ozone precursor, and special projects monitoring. The Stationary Air Toxics [SAT] monitoring unit develops, maintains, evaluates, and modifies all stationary ATOPS monitoring assets. This work unit collects and analyzes data from all stationary platforms within ATOPS; collaborates with the ATOPS Data and Quality Assurance [DAQ] work unit to ensure that data from the stationary monitoring network is validated and of the highest quality possible. This work unit compiles, processes, and compares air quality data to perform advanced analysis to further our understanding of air quality issues within Colorado, and communicates results to all interested stakeholders, which may include: unit, section, and division staff; other local, state, regional and federal government agencies; industry partners; researchers; and other collaborators. The SAT unit is also responsible for technical support of special ambient air monitoring projects that fit within the expertise of this unit.

What You Will Do:

The purpose of this position is to function as a staff level scientist within the SAT monitoring unit that designs, develops, and implements regulatory and non-regulatory air toxic, ozone precursor, and special ambient air monitoring projects. This position will operate ambient air monitoring projects; process, analyze, and quality control data collected from these projects; develop internal and public facing documentation reports supporting all aspects of these projects; and perform other duties as assigned.

Key Responsibilities:

• SAT Unit Monitoring Operations  
  The SAT unit monitoring operations includes: designing, developing, and implementation of ambient air monitoring operations as it pertains to stationary data collection of air toxics and ozone precursors. Design duties include researching site locations through aerial photographs, maps, modeling results and visual observations; develop and submit siting documentation that meets federal guidelines; and establish site agreements with land owners. Development duties include purchasing or obtaining equipment and shelters, obtaining power and communications, obtaining any necessary leases/agreements and installing shelters/monitoring equipment. Implementation duties include performing periodic zero/span reviews, on-site maintenance and sampler operations, filter changes, sample cartridge or canister change outs, shipping samples to appropriate laboratories, adhering to the national sampling schedule for physical on-site sample setup and retrieval, flow verifications, sample line changes, filling out on-site maintenance forms, performing annual equipment maintenance, and equipment repair as needed. This includes work at remote sites for quarterly calibrations, maintenance and coverage for remote operators when needed.

• SAT Unit Data Processing and Analysis  
  Data processing and analysis includes design, development, and implementation of data collected during ambient air monitoring projects. Design duties include determining sampling protocols, schedules, quality control and quality assurance guidelines for finalizing datasets. Development duties include determining appropriate analysis methodologies and analysis tools. Implementation duties include processing and interpreting data for final reporting and dissemination to the public.

• SAT Unit Special Projects  
  Deploy and operate stationary air toxics monitoring equipment, portable air toxics and ozone precursor monitoring equipment, PM10 equipment, and other air toxics monitoring systems and associated instrumentation in response to regulatory requirements, addressing citizen concerns and air emissions regarding industry, enforcement, hot-spot identification and fence line monitoring.

• SAT Unit Documentation  
  Prepares and publishes reports on monitoring projects and other special purpose monitoring projects.  This includes the development of standard operating procedures as needed in support of those projects, development of annual reports for routine/long-term data, development of ad hoc reports on special studies, and development of quality assurance project plans. Much of this work will be performed electronically on a PC using Microsoft Word, Google Docs or other software.

• Other Duties as Assigned
  Attends meetings, serves on task forces or teams, completes projects, and performs other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Residency Requirement:

This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application.

Class Code & Classification Description:

I3B3** Physical Science Researcher/Scientist II

Minimum Qualifications:

NOTE: An applicant may meet the minimum qualifications for this job in one of two ways: They may qualify through their work experience alone or through a combination of education and work experience.
Experience Only:

Six (6) years of experience in, atmospheric science, environmental science, environmental engineering, earth science, meteorology, physics, chemistry, biology, and applied mathematics or a closely related field.

Or

Education and Experience:

A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in atmospheric science, environmental science, environmental engineering, earth science, meteorology, physics, chemistry, biology, and applied mathematics or a closely related field equal to six (6) years

**This experience must be substantiated within the Work Experience section of your application. "See Resume" will not be accepted. In addition, part-time work will be prorated.**

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

In addition to the minimum requirements, the successful candidate in this position will have the following highly desirable experience and competencies:  

• Relevant experience with the State of Colorado

• Field experience operating and maintaining air quality monitoring instrumentation, including sampler set up, flow checks, calibrations and preventative maintenance.

• Writing procedural and quality assurance documentation related to air quality monitoring instrumentation and or environmental monitoring instrumentation.

• Strong communication, organization and problem-solving skills.

• Strong mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting skills to diagnose and repair electronics and or air quality monitoring instrumentation or environmental monitoring instrumentation.

• Environmental data analysis and data review experience, including data validation, completeness checks, QA/QC review and air monitoring data interpretation. 

• Computer experience including google workspace, microsoft excel, microsoft word and powerpoint. 

• Experience maintaining detailed field logs, equipment records, calibration records and maintenance logs. 

• Familiarity with EPA air toxics monitoring methods. 

• Experience using power tools.

• Project management experience and designing air quality monitoring studies.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: 

• A pre-employment background check will be conducted as part of the selection process.

• TRAVEL:  2-4x per week to maintain stationary monitoring sites in different areas of the state.
  

• SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS: Valid Colorado Driver’s License

• PHYSICAL DEMANDS: ability to lift 50 lbs and climb monitoring station ladders

Appeal Rights:

As an applicant who has been removed from consideration during the selection or comparative analysis process, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board and/or request a review by the State Personnel Director. A standard appeal form is available on the State Personnel Board website, https://spb.colorado.gov/forms-and-filing. If you appeal, your appeal must be submitted in writing on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative, and received at the following address within ten (10) days of your receipt of this notice: Colorado State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director, Attn: Appeals Processing, 1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver, CO 80203. Fax: 303-866-5038. Phone: 303-866-3300. Email address: [email protected]. The ten-day deadline and these appeal procedures also apply to all charges of discrimination. Refer to Chapters 4 and 8 of the State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, 4 CCR 801, for information about the appeals process. The State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures are available at spb.colorado.gov.

A complete application packet must include:

• Completed State of Colorado application.

• If using education to qualify for this position a copy of your transcripts (unofficial acceptable) or diploma must be provided with application. Transcripts must be attached to your colorado.gov/jobs application.

• If you are a veteran, a copy of your DD214 must be attached to your colorado.gov/jobs application.

The Selection Process:

• All applications that are received by the closing of this announcement will be reviewed against the Minimum Qualifications in this announcement. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications proceed to the next step.

• Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted based on merit and fitness through a comparative analysis process.

Part of, or all of, the comparative analysis for this position may be a structured application review, which involves a review of the information you submit in your application materials by Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) against the preferred qualifications.

• A top group, up to six candidates, will be invited to schedule an interview with the hiring manager.

E-Verify: 

CDPHE uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.

ADAAA Accommodations:

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator at [email protected] or call 303-692-2060, option 5.