Cheyenne, WY

Position Title: Natural Resources Program Principal

Organization: Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality

Location: Cheyenne, WY

Position Overview: This position is responsible for providing assistance in the preparation of cumulative hydrologic impact assessments (CHIA) of coal mining impacts to surface and groundwater. The employee will be responsible for completing independent analyses of hydrologic impacts from coal mining on a regional scale in order to make material damage findings for coal permitting actions. The employee is responsible for reviewing and providing quality assurance/quality control on hydrologic data submitted in coal annual reports for upload to the LQD hydrology database. The employee provides technical support for LQD e-permitting and inspection application initiatives. The employee routinely interacts with section Supervisors, division heads, agency heads, industry representatives, consultants and contractors. The employee writes and interprets rules and regulations, reviews permitting actions and makes critical decisions with little or no supervision.   As required the employee represents the division as an expert witness in administrative and judicial proceedings.   This position is critical to maintain compliance with the LQD coal program with the federal requirements of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA).

Duties:

• Assist in the preparation of cumulative hydrologic impact assessments (CHIAs) for coal mine permitting actions.
• Apply statistical methods to analyze hydrologic data, and create text, tables, and figures to derive CHIA conclusions and recommendations.
• Create GIS maps using raw data from the hydrology database and other sources as needed to support the CHIA. 
• Review hydrologic data submitted in coal mine annual reports and upload data to the LQD hydrology database.  
• Provide technical reviews of hydrology data submitted in annual reports to identify data management concerns.
• Provide technical and management support for the LQD e-permitting and inspection application initiatives.
• Support and manage the LQD electronic inspection application, including creating/updating user manuals and training new staff, troubleshooting issues, and working with the application maintenance contractor to resolve technical issues.
• Facilitate the design and development of an in-progress e-permitting portal that is being developed by a contractor. This includes collection of various user requirements, assistance in the continuous development and testing of the e-permitting portal.
• Training and coaching mine operators, consultants, other interested parties, and LQD technical (engineers and scientists) staff in using the e-Permitting application system, electronic workflow, and the electronic application review system. This includes traveling and/or using remote tools such as Google Meet.
• Prepare reports from the LQD e-permitting database for SMCRA oversight reporting and in response to the requests from the senior management and staff.
• Act as the liaison between the LQD staff and DEQ bonding group to resolve any reclamation liability bond related issues.
• Provide technical reviews of mine permit applications regarding the potential for hydrologic impacts.
• Participate in division workgroups.
• Provide expert witness testimony in administrative and judicial proceedings.

Qualifications:

• Ability to review and interpret environmental data.
• Proficient in hydrologic principles and practice.
• Ability to manage complex projects including IT initiatives and coordinate tasks in an efficient manner.
• Proficient and experienced with Geographical Information Systems (GIS) like ESRI ArcGIS.
• Strong skills in technical writing and the ability to prepare large environmental reports with legally defensible findings, including generation of tables, figures, and maps.
• Skill in evaluating and analyzing complex technical data and interpretation of data using statistical and spreadsheet tools. 
• Highly proficient with database management principles and techniques. 
• Computer skills, particularly with complex database usage, data entry, scanning, Adobe Pro, quality control of records and data, creating and manipulating spreadsheets from database queries. 
• Ability to interpret the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, Land Quality Division Rules and Regulations, Land Quality Division Guidelines, and Water Quality Division Rules and Regulations.
• Ability to work simultaneously on multiple projects with various deadlines and objectives, as well as being flexible and open-minded.
• Strong communication skills with proficiency in explaining complex, technical and/or regulatory issues and concerns to varied audiences.

Salary/Pay: $6,171.35 – $6,857.05 Monthly

Application Deadline: continuous 

How to Apply: Please use the online application to view the full job description as well as how to apply.