Job Description

Description and Functions

Open Until Filled

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

This is a senior level professional position performing high level and complex technical, coordination, and enforcement tasks within the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality - Land Quality Division District II office. The position reports directly to the District II Supervisor.

Human Resource Contact: Dezzaree Schott / 307-777-6287 /

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: The listed functions are illustrative only and are not intended to describe every function which may be performed in the job level.

• Functions as a technical expert for wildlife related issues and participates in reviews of complex permitting actions and special projects within the District with possible wildlife stipulation or mitigation components.
• Provides technical expertise and serves as an expert witness in contested case hearings before the Environmental Quality Council.
• Acts as a team leader and serves as the permit coordinator for specific mineral exploration and mining operations as assigned by the District Supervisor.
• Performs periodic inspections of specific exploration and mining operations and prepares detailed reports documenting compliance with applicable State environmental law, confirmation of mining volumes, and evaluation of reclamation progress and success.
• Reviews annual reports, coordinates technical reviews with LQD staff and other State and Federal agencies as appropriate and generates written reviews of superior quality. Evaluates mining operations and reclamation to determine the adequacy of bonds to ensure State of Wyoming is protected if a site is abandoned.
• Has direct authority to issue on-site Notices of Violation and Cessation Orders for coal operations. Prepares Notices of Violation and recommends remediation actions and penalty assessments for the LQD District II Supervisor and LQD Administrator for non-coal operations.
• Coordinates appropriate enforcement actions for assigned mining operations within the District to ensure consistency, including conference and conciliation discussions, notices of violation, orders, etc. These actions may include the development of compliance plans, settlement agreements and penalty assessments when appropriate. Tracks ongoing enforcement actions for assigned mining operations within the District to ensure that deadlines are met and that compliance with the terms of compliance plans or settlement agreements is achieved.
• Tracks the progress of permitting actions for assigned mining operations within the District to ensure that all statutory and regulatory time frames involving public notices, affidavits, reviews and approvals are met.
• Works with the District II Supervisor to coordinate with other state and federal agencies on permitting and enforcement actions to ensure compliance with Memoranda of Understanding and other agency procedures and responsibilities. Also coordinates efforts with other state and federal agencies on wildlife related topics and issues.
• Responds to and helps to resolve concerns and complaints raised by the general public, the mining industry, other agencies, and environmental groups.
• Reviews and audits highly complex bond estimates provided by mining and exploration operations to ensure consistency within the District and ensure that sufficient funds are available to the State in the event that an operation is abandoned and must be reclaimed.
• Assists in the development and revision of rules, guidance documents, and procedures to improve the LQD regulatory program and ensure consistency in its application. Serves as a team leader in the development of guidance documents and regulations focusing on wildlife related topics and issues. This task will include conferencing with LQD staff, public officials, representatives of private industry and consultants, and environmental groups.
• Performs additional duties as assigned by District Supervisor and/or LQD Administrator.

Qualifications

PREFERENCES:

Bachelor\'s Degree required with a preference in range or wildlife management, reclamation science, energy resource management, geology, or other earth science PLUS 2-4 years of progressive work experience in the sciences.

KNOWLEDGE:

• Superior scientific and technical writing skills are essential to this position. The ability to communicate complex technical analyses and reviews in concise written form with minimal review are required.
• Knowledge of wildlife management and protection practices as related to mining practices in Wyoming.
• Knowledge and familiarity with Wyoming Executive Orders pertaining to wildlife management and protection as related to mining practices in Wyoming.
• Knowledge of mining and reclamation technology, environmental laws and regulatory programs.
• Skill in application of scientific principles to effectively analyze problems and situations involving activities which may potentially threaten the environment due to mining related activities.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

Bachelor\'s Degree (typically in The Sciences)

Experience:

1-2 years of progressive work experience (typically in The Sciences) with acquired knowledge at the level of a(n) Natural Resources Analyst

OR

Education & Experience Substitution:

4-6 years of progressive work experience (typically in The Sciences) with acquired knowledge at the level of a(n) Natural Resources Analyst

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

None

Necessary Special Requirements

PHYSICAL WORKING CONDITIONS:

Field site visits are necessary and the candidate must be capable of site inspections that may include hiking over rough terrain. Overnight travel may be required.

NOTES:

• FLSA: Exempt

Supplemental Information

020-Department of Environmental Quality - Land Quality

Click to view the State of Wyoming Classification and Pay Structure.

URL:

The State of Wyoming is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively supports the ADA and reasonably accommodates qualified applicants with disabilities.

Class Specifications are subject to change, please refer to the A & I HRD Website to ensure that you have the most recent version.

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