Planning Specialist – Environmental Technologies Coordinator

Overview

kPOSITION:  Planning Specialist – Environmental Technologies Coordinator
CLASSIFICATION:  Full Time, Exempt, Union
SALARY RANGE:    $64,662-$93,760
POSTING PERIOD:  12/29/2022 – 01/22/2023

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The New Jersey Pinelands Commission is an independent state agency whose mission is to preserve, protect, and enhance the natural and cultural resources of the Pinelands National Reserve, and to encourage compatible economic and other human activities consistent with that purpose. The Commission implements a comprehensive plan that guides land use, development, and natural resource protection programs in the 938,000-acre Pinelands Area of southern New Jersey.

The Commission’s Planning Office is seeking a full-time engineer / environmental scientist. This position will be responsible for coordinating the Commission’s wastewater management program, stormwater management program, sanitary landfill assessment program and a variety of other projects that arise to meet emerging environmental and regional planning priorities of the Commission.

Key responsibilities include: review, assess, manage and report on innovative wastewater treatment technologies; review wastewater discharge monitoring reports to ensure compliance with the Commission’s surface and groundwater nitrogen standards; statistical analysis of water quality data; authorship of environmental program implementation reports; public presentations of science-based planning office program initiatives; review of development applications to determine compliance with water quality standards; run mass balance nitrogen dilution models; develop and review hydrogeological framework models and conceptual site models at legacy landfill sites; evaluate water quality data and compare to ecological screening benchmarks; develop state of the art stormwater management regulations; provide technical assistance to individuals, groups, county agencies and municipalities on innovative wastewater treatment, surface and groundwater quality and stormwater management; grant acquisition and management; and public outreach and education.

Duties and Qualifications

Well-qualified candidates will have excellent communication skills, and considerable knowledge and experience with environmental engineering / environmental science principles.  The ability to read and interpret engineering plans, environmental laboratory data reports, regional land use regulations, municipal ordinances and state regulations, the ability to collaborate effectively with other staff and across a diverse region with state agencies, local governments, NGOs, and the ability to conduct research in support of emerging environmental engineering and science initiatives will be necessary.  The incumbent should be able to define problems, apply concepts, and make oral presentations at public meetings. A willingness to research and identify solutions is essential.  Applicants should be interested in promoting responsible environmental resource management along with gaining an understanding of the Pinelands Area, Pinelands ecosystems, the Pinelands Comprehensive Management Plan, and the Pinelands Commission’s operating procedures.  The incumbent must work successfully both individually and as part of a team to achieve goals.  Commission staff often work simultaneously on multiple projects and must be able to prioritize and manage time efficiently to meet project deadlines.  Some local travel will be required to perform site inspections and other field work and to attend meetings within central and southern New Jersey.

Required skills include proficiency with Microsoft Office tools such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, as well the ability to use Teams to facilitate remote collaboration. A thorough understanding of advanced wastewater treatment, hydrogeology, soil science, and innovative stormwater management is required.  Some experience in developing climate change adaptation policy and water supply management will be helpful as collaboration with other Commission staff is anticipated.  A Driver’s license is required.  Desired skills include proficiency with ArcGIS and other ESRI products or similar GIS software. The ability to interpret and/or produce maps including distance, scales, and legends is required.  This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Salary will be commensurate with experience, starting at $64,664. Full benefits package including paid vacation leave, paid sick leave, health and dental insurance, life insurance, and enrollment in the public employee’s retirement system. The position will be eligible for participation in the State’s telework pilot program.

REQUIREMENTS:

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE: A Bachelor’s degree in environmental science or civil, environmental or chemical engineering or a related field and two years of experience is required. A Master’s degree in a related field may substitute for one year of experience. Possession of a Registered Environmental Health Specialist License, a Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator License, a Subsurface Evaluator License, a Professional Engineer License and/or a Licensed Site Remediation Professional credential is desirable.

RESIDENCY:  The New Jersey First Act (P.L. 2011, c. 70) requires all new employees to reside in the State of New Jersey, unless exempted under law. If you do not reside live in New Jersey, within one year of hire, you must either establish residency in the State of New Jersey or successfully receive an exemption from the Employee Residency Review Committee.

INTERESTED CANDIDATES:  Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume and writing sample via e-mail to humanresources@pinelands.nj.gov by the closing date. Only candidates selected for interview will be contacted.