PFAS Branch Chief - Bureau of Waste Site Cleanup

Who We Are:

The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) seeks to protect, preserve, and enhance Massachusetts’ environmental resources and create a clean energy future for all residents. Through the stewardship of open spaces, the protection of environmental resources, and the advancement of clean energy, EEA works tirelessly to make Massachusetts a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family.   Our commitment to environmental justice ensures that every resident, regardless of background or location, can live in a safe, clean environment and shares equally in the benefits of the clean energy transition.

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is the state agency responsible for ensuring clean air, land, and water. Our work impacts every aspect of people's lives and is critical to the health and wellbeing of our residents and visitors. MassDEP is the lead agency for safe management of toxic and hazardous materials, promotion of waste reduction and recycling, preservation of the state's wetlands and coastal resources, air quality monitoring and pollution reduction, and so much more.

Who We Are as an Employer:

At EEA, we create meaningful, inclusive opportunities that empower our employees to make a real difference in shaping the environmental future of Massachusetts. We foster a workplace culture where diversity is valued, innovation is encouraged, and collaboration thrives. Our employees play a vital role in advancing sustainability, environmental justice, and clean energy solutions, ensuring a positive and lasting impact on Massachusetts and its residents.

Description:

MassDEP seeks applicants for the position of Environmental Analyst IV – PFAS Branch Chief within the Bureau of Waste Site Cleanup (BWSC). BWSC is charged with ensuring immediate and effective response to environmental emergencies, such as oil spills and chemical fires, as well as timely assessment and cleanup of hazardous waste sites by private parties responsible for them.

This position will be based in MassDEP’s Central Regional Office (CERO), Worcester, MA and will act as a Branch Chief of the PFAS Section. This position will report to the PFAS Section Chief. The position will supervise and manage direct staff to meet BWSC program objectives, general BWSC & regional goals; supervise and manage direct and indirect staff for public or private cleanups; oversee state contractor activities; prepare and implement enforcement actions; lead and participate in PFAS site management activities, participate in policy and program development; conduct/attend technical, management and public meetings; manage staff & conduct performance reviews; ensure staff comply with Department workplace rules, procedures and guidelines; maintain high level of knowledge and understanding of state and federal laws, regulations, guidance and policies, and perform other related duties as required.  MassDEP's Central Regional Office serves 77 cities and towns situated in central Massachusetts.

Working at MassDEP is a great opportunity to do meaningful work that helps reduce the impacts of climate change and air pollution for all people of the Commonwealth now and for future generations.  MassDEP personnel are remarkably talented, dedicated, enthusiastic, and supportive.

Key responsibilities:

• Serve as Site Manager on Direct Oversight sites and Immediate Response Actions; manage large and complex sites; identify risk reduction measures;

• Review and approve complex assessment and remediation plans, technical reports and analytical data.

• Write, review and coordinate correspondence, memoranda, technical reports, policy, enforcement documents and other technical or legal instruments.

• Provide information including applicability of regulations and policies to the regulated community and others.

• Supervise, direct and train staff of lower grade. Manage staff work to ensure efficiency, productivity, quality and timely work. Assign projects and work. Conduct performance planning and reviews.

   

• Supervise, coordinate, and provide technical support to professional staff for both office and field related activities.

• Conduct, approve, and/or provide oversight of source discovery work including communication and coordination with residents.

• Maintain routine communication with supervisors and managers on status of projects and conformance with roles and responsibilities as established for project.

• Track and manage work products, meet timelines and maintain appropriate administrative record of events, correspondence, decisions, meetings and other logs of records.

• Participate as appropriate in Section, Bureau and Regional Sr. Staff meetings and provide comment or input to matters relating to the BWSC Program or job duties.

• Prepare documentation and conducts enforcement conferences and technical meetings and represents the Department at public meetings. 

• Participate in technical conferences and attend, present or facilitate technical, enforcement and public meetings.

• Oversee and execute enforcement actions and provide expert testimony.

• Participate in development of policy, compliance and enforcement strategies, program plans and technical guidelines; provide information and advice including application and interpretation of environmental regulations and policies to management, the regulatory community and others; participate in public involvement and outreach efforts.

• Comply with all Department workplace rules, regulations and policies. 

• Perform other duties as necessary.

• Must express ideas clearly, both orally and in writing.

Preferred Work Experience:

• Comprehensive knowledge of the Massachusetts Contingency Plan (310 CMR 40.0000) and other state and federal statutes and regulations relating to site remediation including BWSC policies and guidance documents.

• Substantial experience investigating and assessing the environmental transport, fate and ecological/ public health impacts of contamination.

• Experience in project management, organizing, and prioritizing complex projects.

• Experience in sampling, analysis, and field screening techniques of various media.

• Considerable knowledge of risk assessment, risk management, and risk communication with the general public.

• Considerable knowledge of PFAS chemistry and environmental fate and transport.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Must express ideas clearly, both orally and in writing. Substantial experience in technical writing and editing the work of others.

• Thorough knowledge of interdisciplinary environmental science principles in the areas of biology, chemistry, geology, hydrogeology, public health, and/or toxicology. 

• Considerable experience in investigating and assessing disposal sites resulting from releases of oil and hazardous materials, including environmental fate and transport processes, ecological and public health impacts of contaminants, and in evaluating feasibility of remedial alternatives. 

• Ability to maintain appropriate complete and accurate records.

• Ability to work in fast-paced, evolving regulatory program.

• Supervisory experience preferred. 

• Possession of a valid Massachusetts driver's license or equivalent is required.