UST Cleanup Technical Case Manager - Tellus Civic Science

Background

Tellus Civic Science Corporation (Tellus) provides world-class science, engineering, research, planning, and consulting solutions focused on resource conservation and restoration, carbon reduction, and sustainability to mitigate the impacts of climate change, strengthen community resilience, preserve our environment, and create a more equitable society for all. We are a team of environmental scientists, planners, engineers, policy experts, geospatial analysts, and data scientists with a passion to improve our local, national, and global environment. We seek highly motivated professionals to join our team who share this passion!

Tellus seeks a Geologist, Engineer, or Environmental Scientist to provide support to the California State Water Resource Control Board Underground Storage Tank (UST) Cleanup Program for leaking UST cases with responsible parties that have applied for funding programs under the UST Cleanup Fund, including the Orphan Site Cleanup Account.

The UST Cleanup Technical Project Manager will interface with regulators, consultants, and responsible parties to facilitate funding effective cleanup of UST cases in California. They will use review case histories, develop conceptual site models, evaluate technical merits of funding applications, help determine paths to regulatory closure, and conduct additional follow-up on executed funding grants to ensure work is performed as agreed. The position would be open to remote work, provided the working location is within the State of California and occasional trips can be made to an office location in Sacramento.

Responsibilities for the LUST Technical Project Manager include:

• Act as liaison between oversight agencies, the State Water Board, and U.S. EPA in resolving challenging issues with Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST) cases with applications for funding programs.
• Organize and attend meetings with UST Program stakeholders to address program issues and concerns.
• Assist with training case managers on the skills needed to identify and locate responsible parties, conduct investigative research, and provide step-by-step technical and funding program guidance, via phone and in-person meetings.
• Review LUST cases to determine if they are eligible for the Low Threat Closure Policy and assist case managers with developing comprehensive Path to Closure Plans and appropriate scopes of work.
• Conduct online research to locate RP contact information and obtain information about site status.
• Review lead Reginal Water Board files, parcel records, and local regulatory agency files, to determine who can be considered a potentially responsible party (PRP).
• Review grant applications for technical soundness and work with lead agencies to evaluate budgets for work necessary to meet the Low Threat Closure Policy Criteria.
• Track progress at sites that have received grant funding and work with lead regulatory agencies to ensure funded work is completed.
• Develop progress reports and provide regular updates on program accomplishments.
• Prepare case summaries, compile attachments, and assemble memos to support grant development and execution.

Minimum Basic Requirements for Skills, Experience, Education and Credentials for the LUST Technical Project Manager include:

• Bachelor's degree in environmental/civil engineering, chemistry, geology, biology, environmental science, or related field is required; a Master's degree is preferred.
• Ability to develop strategies to correct problems, coordinate with appropriate personnel and (where appropriate) determine the need for an environmental study of the problem.
• A minimum of 6 years prior work experience including dealing with UST cleanup (in California is preferred).
• Ability to develop productive working relationships with State and local agencies.
• Ability to effectively communicate policy, regulations, and technical issues with a variety of audiences both verbally and in writing.
• Self-starter that takes initiative.
• Strong MS Office skills.

Additional Preferred Skills, Experience, Education and Credentials for the LUST Technical Project Manager include:

• Registration as a professional engineer or geologist in California is preferred.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, balancing multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Detail-oriented and well organized.
• Strong verbal communication skills and a high level of professionalism.
• Excellent writing, computer, and internet skills, including use of spreadsheets. Advanced use of MS Excel preferred.