Exempt Scientist Manager I, Spills Section Team Leader

Job Description

PLEASE ATTACH THE ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS LISTED AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE

Job ID: 35040
Agency: Agriculture & Natural Resources
Location:Pierre, SDSalary: $80,000 - $85,000 Annual Salary, depending on qualifications
Pay Grade: SM1
Closing Date: 04/22/2026

This is a Full-Time position with the Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources. For more information on the Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources, please visit https://danr.sd.gov/ .

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. 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.

This Exempt Scientist Manager I, Spills Section Team Leader ensures the protection of South Dakota's natural resources by managing a team of environmental scientists that provide the state regulatory response, direction, and oversight of spills and release of regulated substances in South Dakota. Employees in this position are required to have a thorough knowledge of department environmental laws, rules, and policies, grant-management requirements for federal grants, and ability to address complex environmental issues. This position will evaluate available information regarding environmental spills and releases and determine the response and level of effort required needed to achieve compliance with state regulatory requirements and protection of sensitive environmental receptors. Only applicants possessing a Bachelor of Science or Master of Science degree in geological, environmental, civil, or a related technical field will be considered.

We are looking for applicants that have 4 or more years of progressive assessment and remediation experience as a Certified Petroleum Release Remediator. Applicants should have a working knowledge of state government, experience and skill with grant and budget-management, the ability to guide a team of technical professionals, and significant experience with contaminant-release assessment and remediation.

Information regarding Scientist Track positions and compensation within State Government is available at:

• https://www.sd.gov/bhra?id=cs_kb_article_view&sys_id=713abf248772b690a086bae9cebb3589
• https://www.sd.gov/bhra?id=cs_kb_article_view&sys_id=bab149581b713290ff55631ee54bcbeb

The successful applicant must have or be eligible to obtain and maintain a Certified Petroleum Release Remediator (CPRR) certificate. Costs associated with obtaining and maintaining CPRR certification are reimbursed by the department. Licensing activities can be completed during normal work hours.

This exempt position is located in Pierre, and is not eligible for remote work. Working conditions are mostly inside a state office building with some overnight travel. Normal work hours for this salaried position are typically 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. However, fieldwork, spill response activities, emergency operations center activities, and other duties as assigned may require flexing of the work schedule to include longer work days and working on 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.

Licenses and Certifications:
The selected applicant must have or obtain and maintain a Certified Petroleum Release Remediator certificate.
This position requires a valid driver's license.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:
We are looking for candidates that have experience with:

• South Dakota geology, hydrology, and/or environmental sciences;
• practical application of scientific principles, procedures, techniques, and methods to provide solutions for environmental and natural resources problems;
• spill response, assessment and remediation processes and procedures;
• state environmental rules and regulations;
• department and federal policies and procedures regarding the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Program, the Clean Water Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, state environmental protection laws SDCL 34A-12, SDCL 34A-2-98, and SDCL 34A-2-99.

Skill to:

• acquire and maintain the technical background and knowledge of contaminant exposure pathways, potential impacts to land, water, and air, and and methods for protecting South Dakota and its inhabitants from harm due to contaminant releases;
• use scientific rules and methods to solve problems;
• communicate in a clear and concise manner, treat everyone as a customer, and provide exceptional customer service that exceeds the expectations of all customers.

Ability to:

• establish goals and expectations for the team members and make recommendations on resources and budgetary requirements;
• take after-hours spill reports and direct emergency response, assessment and remediation activities;
• enforce environmental policies, rules and regulations;
• coordinate activities and plans, direct and utilize available resources across a broad area of responsibility to provide effective team/project management, achieve state, federal, and/or local goals, and ensure work is completed in accordance with established policies, laws, and rules;
• develop or evaluate and approve standards and criteria established by professional staff; review and approve staff-prepared technical reports, recommended cleanup, and enforcement actions;
• collaborate and communicate with other teams and technical experts to provide information and needed resources, and also communicate with the media and our customers in easy-to-understand terms;
• educate professional staff on new developments and communicate critical information to ensure compliance and advancements in methods and techniques; encourage staff to keep current on technical advancements through newsletters, technical journals, conferences, EPA training, membership in technical societies or organizations; and encourage attainment of professional licenses such as Certified Petroleum Release Assessor or Remediator, and other appropriate professional certifications;
• initiate, prepare, negotiate, and manage grants and contracts to support the goals of the team and department and to maintain federal equivalency;
• determine implications of legislative and regulatory changes and make recommendations on action to address them; monitor the effectiveness and consistency of internal practices, procedures, and policies; and recommend improvements.

Additional Requirements: To be considered, please attach your resume, current documentation of licensure as a Certified Petroleum Release Remediator, if licensed, and a writing sample

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=3OA
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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