TDEC-ENV PROTECTION SPECIALIST 2* - 05182026-77774

Job Information

State of Tennessee Job Information

Opening Date/Time05/18/2026 12:00AM Central TimeClosing Date/Time05/31/2026 11:59PM Central TimeSalary (Monthly)$4,562.00 - $6,825.00Salary (Annually)$54,744.00 - $81,900.00Job TypeFull-TimeCity, State LocationKnoxville, TNDepartmentEnvironment and Conservation

LOCATION OF (1) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVATION, KNOX COUNTY

For more information, visit the link below:

https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/environment/job-announcements-/preferred-service/00041847_env_prot_spc_2_dmgr_kefo_tdec-job-opp_ps_ua.pdf

Qualifications

Education and Experience: Graduation from an ABET accredited college or university with a bachelor''s degree or higher in engineering or engineering technology and experience equivalent to one year of full-time professional environmental engineering work.

Substitution of Education for Experience: Graduate course work received from an accredited college or university in engineering may substitute for the required experience on a month-for-month basis to a maximum of one year (e.g., 24 graduate semester hours or 36 graduate quarter hours in engineering may substitute for the one year of required experience).

Necessary Special Qualifications: Applicants for this class:

1. Must possess a valid motor vehicle operator''s license at the time of appointment in some

positions.

Examination Method: Education and Experience, 100%, for Preferred Service positions.

Overview

Under general supervision, is responsible for professional environmental work of moderate difficulty; and performs related work as required.

This is the working level class in the TDEC Environmental Protection Specialist sub-series. An employee in this class performs environmental program and/or regulatory duties in a specific program specialty area such as air pollution, water resources, remediation, solid waste management, toxics, or underground storage tanks. This class is flexibly staffed and differs from TDEC Environmental Protection Specialist 1 in that an incumbent of the latter functions at the entry level. This class differs from the TDEC Environmental Protection Specialist 3 in that the incumbent of the latter functions at the lead and/or advanced working level of the TDEC Environmental Protection Specialist sub-series.

Responsibilities

1. Independently performs environmental inspections, complaint investigations, remediation, monitoring work (e.g. sampling and evaluation of environmental media and/or other materials),

environmental surveys, etc.; and/or inspections of equipment, structures, materials, and/or sites/facilities of moderate difficulty to evaluate levels of pollutants and/or to ensure proper

installation, maintenance, and/or operation and determine compliance with environmental laws, regulations, or other standards. Develops or assists with corrective action recommendations for identified problems, and if necessary, initiates enforcement action to effect compliance of established standards, laws, rules, regulations, or policies.

2. Under general supervision, obtains/receives, reviews, and analyzes engineering designs, reports, plans and specifications; applications; verifies calculations; and other environmental and

technical information (e.g. records, data, operational plans, enforcement action requests, environmental surveys, inspections, inventories, monitoring data, etc.) of moderate difficulty for adequacy and completeness and interpret findings and results to ensure compliance with established design criteria; operations of facilities and systems; and standards, laws, rules, regulations, or policies and procedures. Coordinates development and/or review of corrective action for identified problems, and if necessary, initiates enforcement action to effect compliance of established standards, laws, rules, regulations, or policies and procedures.

3. Performs or participates in research on regulatory information and studies of environmental pollution and its effects to develop or revise environmental and engineering regulations, technical policies, standard operating procedures (SOPs), etc. in order to stay current with local, state, and federal standards and/or procedures. Communicates and/or presents interpretations of and revisions to regulations, policies, etc. to stakeholders.

4. Prepares technical information (e.g. records, drawings and reports, data, operational plans, enforcement action requests, etc.) and technical documents (e.g. permits, Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL), correspondence, designs, layout, soil evaluations, etc.) of moderate difficulty in a concise and legally defensible matter to ensure Agency''s missions are met through interpretation of regulations, published guidelines, mathematical calculations, and/or engineering experience or judgement and communicates the interpretation of findings and results to stakeholders. Prepares and/or maintains data and documentation (e.g. records and reports of work activities, contacts, meetings, etc.) in accordance with division and agency requirements.

5. Independently operates, maintains, troubleshoots, and calibrates field equipment (e.g. flow meters, water samplers, backpack shocker, etc.) and electronic equipment (e.g. photo ionization

detector, pH meter, Global Positioning System (GPS), etc.) to ensure equipment is operating in accordance with manufacturer''s specifications so as to meet the requirements found in state and/or federal regulations. Ensures the malfunctioning equipment is repaired, replaced, or surplused according to state guidelines.

6. Assists management with the adherence to the budget by ensuring contractors'' proposed work activities comply with established rates; providing technical oversight, review, and/or project

management of ongoing state and/or federal grant/loan programs; and any other means necessary.

7. Fosters and encourages a mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among staff and stakeholders by providing and/or participating in coaching and/or educational training of system operations, equipment, and programs designed to reduce environmental damage caused by unacceptable practices.

8. Provides technical assistance to regulated operations, stakeholders, internal staff, and other necessary personnel in response to environmental incidents and/or environmental requests/inquiries of moderate difficulty.

Competencies (KSA''s)

Competencies:

1. Business Insight

2. Communicates Effectively

3. Decision Quality

4. Manages Complexity

5. Tech Savvy

Knowledges:

1. Engineering and Technology

2. Chemistry

3. Law and Government

4. Physics

5. Geology

Skills:

1. Reading Comprehension

2. Judgement and Decision Making

3. Active Learning and Listening

4. Complex Problem Solving

5. Critical Thinking

Abilities:

1. Written Comprehension

2. Deductive Reasoning

3. Inductive Reasoning

4. Mathematical Reasoning

5. Limb and/or Full Body Flexibility

Tools & Equipment

1. Computer/Printer/ Scanner/ Copier/ Fax

2. Telephone/ Cell Phone/ Pager/ Two-way Radios

3. Watercraft/ Motor Vehicles/ Tractors/ All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs)

4. Sampling, Monitoring Equipment and Supplies/ Tools

5. Radiation Detection Equipment/ GPS/ PPE/ Power Equipment and Hand Tools.

TN Driver Standards

State of Tennessee positions that may involve driving responsibilities require candidates to meet the following minimum driver qualifications:

• A valid driver''s license
• For the past five years, the candidate''s driver record must not have record of the following violations: driving under the influence (DUI), reckless driving, license suspension for moving violations, more than 4 moving violations.

Please include your Driver''s License Information under the Licenses and Certifications section of your application.

Agencies may allow an exception based on other factors.