Job Description
PLEASE ATTACH THE ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS LISTED AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE Job ID: 33916
Agency: Agriculture & Natural Resources
Location:Pierre, SDSalary: $27.88 - $29.00 Hourly, depending on qualifications
Pay Grade: S1 or S2
Closing Date: 12/15/2025
The mission of the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) is to protect and preserve agriculture, environment, and natural resources through effective regulatory services, natural resource conservation, and financial and technical assistance. DANR treats every person as a customer and maintains a high level of integrity through transparent government services and science-based decision making.
Are you looking for an organization that values a work-life balance? This position includes paid vacation leave, sick leave, and family leave, and staff work a 40-hour week. The state of South Dakota also offers a generous health benefits package which includes options for health, vision, and dental insurance in addition to one of the strongest retirement systems in the nation.
Do you desire a career that will provide you with professional growth opportunities? The successful applicant will be a member of the DANR Inspection, Compliance, and Remediation Program (ICRP) and will have the opportunity to work with many other DANR programs as well as other local, state, and federal agencies. DANR invests in each employee through our onboarding program, mentoring, and by offering a variety of work experiences that will provide you with new challenges. We have assembled a strong and dedicated team of Engineers, Scientists, Program Specialists, Inspectors, and Secretaries. We are seeking an individual who has a strong desire to learn and an interest in building a career. The dedicated staff of professionals in DANR work hard to create and sustain a vision for South Dakota that is prosperous and diverse with clean air, clean water, and healthy families.
Do you desire a career that makes a real difference in protecting and improving the world around you? This
Environmental Scientist position is in the DANR ICRP Spills/Environmental Remediation section. This Environmental Scientist position will perform professional level environmental and physical science work. requiring the application of basic scientific principles and practices, while following established procedures and standards related to spill response, assessment and remediation, and water protection. We offer training and development opportunities to build your skills and knowledge. Advancement opportunities are offered in both technical and managerial tracks. This is not just a job; it is an opportunity to build a career.
Duties may include the following:
- collecting environmental samples, measurements, and information;
- conducting field inspections and preparing inspection reports;
- directing responsible parties to perform cleanup activities and conduct site inspections as needed;
- reviewing and evaluating data from various environmental media including air, vegetation, soil, surface water, and ground water;
- reviewing soil and groundwater contamination investigation reports;
- ensuring that state rules and regulations are being followed so agriculture and natural resources are protected;
- managing projects that may include complex environmental issues;
- presenting technical data to internal and external customers in briefings and presentations;
- preparing technical reports and file reviews;
- drafting regulatory correspondence;
- working closely with county emergency managers, fire departments, and other agencies during emergency response activities and during department or state planning efforts;
- providing technical information and assistance to colleagues, other state and federal agencies, and members of the public in an excellent customer service manner;
- organizing and maintaining environmental databases and program files;
- occasionally answering after-hours, weekend, and holiday spill report calls;
- working in South Dakota's Emergency Operations Center during times when the Governor declares an emergency;
- performing Quality Assurance/Quality Control reviews of sample analysis data;
- other duties as assigned.
Based on the applicant's knowledge, skills, abilities, and work experience, this position may be hired as a Scientist I or Scientist II at the appropriate salary for the Environmental Scientist level hired. Information on the Environmental Science career family and Scientist positions can be viewed at: https://www.sd.gov/sys_attachment.do?sys_id=354a86ad1b766a10f744edb5604bcbeb
This is a Full-Time 40 Hours Weekly position. For more information about the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, visit: https://danr.sd.gov/
This position will primarily be in a typical office setting, with occasional daily and overnight travel required. Fieldwork is typically outdoors, may occur in a wide range of weather conditions, and may occasionally require the lifting of up to 50 pounds. Normal work hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. However, spill oversight activities may require flexing the work schedule to include longer work days, weekends, and holidays. This position will be trained in the Incident Command System and will be available to work in South Dakota's Emergency Operations Center during times when the Governor declares an emergency. This may include working outside the standard 8 to 5 workday, on holidays and weekends.
Licenses and Certifications:
This position requires a valid driver license.
The Ideal Candidate Will Have:
Our ideal candidate is someone that desires to learn, has a strong work ethic, good interpersonal and customer service skills, and is seeking a career opportunity in public service. Familiarity with South Dakota geology, hydrology, and/or environmental sciences is preferred. Only applicants that possesses a Bachelor of Science or Master of Science degree in geology, hydrology, environmental studies or a related physical science field will be considered.
We are looking for candidates that have: - knowledge of environmental, physical and chemical principles and processes;
- ability to manage multiple tasks in an organized and timely manner;
- ability to learn and a willingness to be challenged;
- ability to review and interpret technical reports and ensure state requirements are met;
- ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing;
- ability to set goals and work independently to meet goals;
- proficiency with software such as Microsoft Office;
- skill to communicate with the public, be self-motivated, and organized;
- ability to work in collaborative team environments.
Additional Requirements: To be considered, please attach your resume, transcript and writing sample. This position is eligible for Veterans' Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.
The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.
The State of South Dakota offers $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information here . This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.
Must apply online: https://gen-stateofsouthdako-trn.inforcloudsuite.com/hcm/xmlhttp/shorturl.do?key=2XC
You must apply online, emailed resumes or submissions will not be accepted.
South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources
Telephone: 605.773.3148 Email: careers@state.sd.us
http://bhr.sd.gov/workforus
"An Equal Opportunity Employer"
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