Environmental Intern (35 Hour)

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is charged with conserving, improving and protecting the natural resources and the environment of the state of Connecticut as well as making cheaper, cleaner and more reliable energy available for the people and businesses of the state.  The agency is also committed to playing a positive role in rebuilding Connecticut’s economy and creating jobs and to fostering a sustainable and prosperous economic future for the state. 

The Bureau of Materials Management and Compliance Assurance (MMCA) is responsible for the proper management of wastes, chemicals and other materials that are critical to the protection of the environment, public health and safety.  The Water Permitting and Enforcement Division is responsible for regulating wastewater discharges.

DEEP currently has an opportunity for an Environmental Intern within MMCA, Emergency Response and Spill Prevention Division, Storage Tank and PCB Enforcement Unit. This position will assist with preparing enforcement actions, reviewing plans and reports and meeting federal grant commitments. 

The PCB Program is a high volume program with a large workload of high priority matters.  The PCB Program is preventive in nature with the goal of protecting human health and the environment from exposure to PCB and its hazards as well as to assure compliance with applicable Connecticut General Statutes relating to PCBs (CGS Sec. 22a-463 through 22a-469a) and the federal PCB regulations pursuant to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) at 40 CFR 761.  PCBs can be present in a variety of high risk applications prior to their manufacture being banned by EPA.  Today they are frequently found in a variety of locations where exposure risk is high such as schools and other buildings as well as waterways and groundwater including where used for drinking.  Through inspections, enforcement, and oversight of removal the Program compels compliance with the PCB requirements. 

This is a 35 hour, full time, first shift position. 

Applicants must upload a cover letter with their applications.

Applicants must include a resume within the "Resume Tab" of their applications.

(Note: In order to upload documents you must ensure that your internet browser's 'pop-up' blocker is off.  Failure to do so may prevent you from being able to upload documentation and submit your application.)  Questions about these required documents should be directed to the hiring agency's human resources office:  Anne Dana, anne.dana@ct.gov, (860) 424-3354.

 

This is a non-competitive position. Open to the public.

The selected candidate must possess a valid driver's license.  May be required to travel.

Candidates selected for interview must provide the following at the time of interview:  

- Copy of College Transcripts. The final transcript and/or diploma must be submitted prior to hire.

- Current State employees are also required to provide last two performance appraisals.

Failure to provide the required documents or submit your application accurately and on time, will eliminate you from the recruitment process.

In a state agency receives training in introductory professional environmental work for the development of technical and professional skills and knowledge in order to qualify for advancement to the professional environmental work of the agency; performs a wide variety of increasing difficult duties as technical skills are acquired during the course of the training period.

This position will assist with (i) the investigation of PCB issues and complaints; (ii) evaluation of cleanup of PCB contamination and impacts; (iii) addressing PCB exposures such as PCB in building materials in schools; as well as (iv) preparing and overseeing activities pursuant to PCB enforcement actions including pollution abatement of PCB contamination in the environment.  Specifically, this involves assisting in the drafting of formal and informal enforcement actions; assisting in the review of investigation and cleanup/remedial action plans for technical content and conformance with applicable state and federal requirements such as the PCB regulations under TSCA and the RSRs; assisting in the conducting and review of field investigations; participating in meetings regarding recommendations for abatement strategies and methods; assisting with tracking compliance with sampling and abatement plans and enforcement actions; assisting with grant reporting for EPA; participation in Unit enforcement meetings; assist with and participate in public meetings such as those held for parents regarding PCBs in schools; assisting with preparation of case documents including Enforcement Action Summaries; and obtain and maintain training and compliance with OSHA requirements and Department training policies for compliance monitoring and enforcement staff, including pursuing federal TSCA credential criteria, as needed. 

Some knowledge of basic theories, principles and practices of environmental and policy analysis; some knowledge of basic statistics; general knowledge of environmental program planning principles and practices; interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; analytical skills; research and organizational skills; ability to understand and interpret legislation and technical data; ability to utilize computer software.

A Bachelor's or Master's degree in a scientific or technical discipline related to the environmental field including but not limited to the biological, earth, or physical sciences; environmental planning; environmental law; leisure services; geographic information systems; geography with a concentration in geographic information systems; environmental or natural sciences; or natural resources.

·        Knowledge of principles and practices in the areas of environmental science, environmental law, chemistry, geology and hydro geology;

·       Knowledge of the principles and practices, with an emphasis on technical aspects, related to the investigation and cleanup of soil and ground contamination;

·       Ability to interpret chemical analytical data related to a variety of media including soil and groundwater contamination, particularly for PCB’s;

·       Ability to utilize computer software including various databases and Microsoft Office products and geographic information systems (GIS);

·       Ability to multitask;

·       Ability to review and write technical reports;

·       Knowledge of safety issues related to environmental fieldwork such as personal

·       protective equipment (PPE);

·       Strong interpersonal skills and oral communication, including the ability to effectively communicate in person, on the phone, and in writing with a variety of constituents including the public, the regulated community, and other agencies regarding UST issues;

·       Ability to effectively organize technical and regulatory information;

·       Knowledge of methods used to collect environmental samples such as soil samples, surface water, and well sampling, as well as product sampling.

·       OSHA 40 hr training is a plus

Incumbents in this class may be exposed to some danger of injury or physical harm from on site environments and moderate degree of discomfort from exposure to year round weather conditions.

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.