Environmental Scientist (Air Quality)

Environmental Scientist (Air Quality)

Salary

See Position Description

Location

Regional Maintenance Facility (RMF) - Eagan, MN

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

2026-00167

Division

Environmental Services

Department

Supp Srvcs-Process Engineering

Opening Date

07/20/2026

Closing Date

8/3/2026 11:59 PM Central

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

WHO WE ARE

We are the Metropolitan Council, the regional government for the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. We plan 30 years ahead for the future of the metropolitan area and provide regional transportation, wastewater, and housing services. More information about us is on our website.

Join an award-winning wastewater industry leader in protecting our environment!

Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (ES) operates and maintains the regional wastewater collection and treatment system in the Twin Cities metropolitan region. It also provides coordinated long-range water resources and supply planning, as well as air and water quality monitoring, to meet future needs. ES treatment plants consistently earn state and national awards for complete compliance with their environmental permits. ES received a Governor's Award as a Great Place to Work.

To find out more about the Environmental Services division, please click on the link for more information: https://metrocouncil.org/Wastewater-Water.aspx.

The Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (ES) division is accepting applications for one (1) full-time Environmental Scientist.

How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region:

The Environmental Scientist - Air Quality (AQ) and Odor Monitoring will work in the ES Air Quality Monitoring Program. The Air Quality Monitoring Program monitors air quality associated with ES facilities to ensure permit requirements are met; assists in the control, optimization, and/or modification of system operations; and identifies and/or mitigates potential odor and air emissions problems. This qualified individual will monitor, sample, and characterize odors from odor control units at ES wastewater collection and treatment facilities, as well as assist with testing incinerator emissions and auditing continuous emissions monitoring systems (CEMS).

What you would do in this job

Air Quality-Air Permit Compliance, Monitoring and Testing

• Assist with air emissions monitoring of the incinerators at the Metro and Seneca water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs) as required by air quality permits.
• Assist in the preparation for emissions testing and in performing emissions testing and laboratory analysis, ensure adequate testing equipment and supplies, and maintain and calibrate testing equipment.
• Assist with permit-required audits and certifications of continuous emissions monitoring systems (opacity, total hydrocarbon-THC, and oxygen analyzers) at the Metro and Seneca WRRFs.
• Develop and apply knowledge of applicable state and federal rules and regulations.

Air Quality - Odors and Emissions Monitoring

• Collect odor samples from odor control units within the ES wastewater collection system and treatment facilities throughout the Metro Area to determine the ongoing effectiveness of these units for removing odors.
• Assist with odor characterization of these samples in the AQ Odor Lab using an olfactometer and an odor panel of trained odor assessors.
• Organize and report Odor Lab Data.
• Monitor odors (primarily hydrogen sulfide) along and within the ES wastewater collection system and treatment facilities.
• Organize and report monitoring data.

Air Quality-For All Areas

• Calibrate and troubleshoot AQ monitoring equipment, maintain AQ monitoring supplies, help identify and evaluate non-standard monitoring results, and help develop processes to resolve monitoring problems.
• Serve on ES ad hoc teams and provide support for other ES and AQ activities as necessary. May include supporting opportunities to provide education and outreach on ES environmental monitoring efforts and environmental resource protection.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

An Environmental Scientist will work with direction and review by Senior and Principal Scientists and by the Assistant Manager responsible for the Air Quality function.

What education and experience are required for this job (minimum qualifications)

Education/Experience:

Environmental Scientist

Bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, environmental sciences, or a related scientific field.

License

A valid drivers license is required.

What additional skills and experience would be helpful in this job (desired qualifications):

• One year of air quality monitoring experience (odor sampling, odor testing/odor characterization, stack testing, and/or auditing of continuous emissions monitoring systems), other environmental sampling experience (soil vapor, groundwater, or surface water), and/or compliance-related experience (following regulatory guidelines and requirements at the state or federal level).
• Strong attention to detail.
• Problem-solving skills.
• Comprehension of technical data collected and reported.
• Ability to follow technical and scientific Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) as they pertain to air quality monitoring areas.
• Ability to write basic correspondence.
• Technical reading skills to read and understand SOPs.
• Basic mathematical skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Skills in data entry and internet research.
• Experience working with diverse populations of internal and external customers.

What knowledge, skills, and abilities should you have within the first six months on the job (desired qualifications):

• Knowledge of environmental field monitoring and analytical procedures.

• Knowledge of safety procedures related to field monitoring and handling of laboratory materials.

• Knowledge of and skill in the use of air quality monitoring equipment, such as continuous monitoring equipment, stack testing equipment, odor sampling equipment, and olfactometers.

• Ability to identify and troubleshoot issues that deviate from SOP.

• Ability to perform basic to advanced troubleshooting and adjustments of tools and monitoring equipment.

• Ability to complete data analysis using calculations, graphs, and tabulations.

• Ability to meet required deadlines.

• Ability to work on multiple tasks simultaneously and skill in prioritizing/organizing work activities.

• Ability to distinguish and characterize odors.

What you can expect from us:

• We offer the opportunity to make a difference and positively influence the Twin Cities metropolitan area.

• We encourage our employees to develop their skills through on-site training and tuition reimbursement.

• We provide a competitive salary, excellent benefits, and a good work/life balance.

More about why you should join us!

Additional information

Environmental Scientist

Union: AFSCME Grade F

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Safety Sensitive: No

Full Salary Range: $36.43 - $59.13 hourly/$75,774 - $122,990 annually

What the Work Environment is:

The work environment varies with the work assignments accomplished. Work will be performed in an office, in a laboratory environment, and in the field. In this position, one may be exposed to or come in close proximity to moving parts, fumes, airborne particles, sewage, outdoor weather conditions, vibration, and occasionally toxic or caustic chemicals. Work may be occasionally performed in high places. The positions job function also includes working in industrial settings, including those around incineration processes, and in areas with moderate noise levels. Confined space entry in industry and various facilities may be required. ES has a strong safety ethic and program that addresses the work it performs. The position requires local travel in the Metro area by ES vehicle; a valid drivers license is required.

What the Physical Requirements are:

This position requires the ability to smell to perform odor evaluations. A smell sensitivity assessment is required as part of the hiring process. This position requires frequent speaking, reading, and writing. The position has vision requirements (close, distance, and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus). This position requires sufficient manual dexterity to operate personal computers and laboratory and field monitoring equipment. Must have mobility and physical strength to handle and move heavy field monitoring equipment. The position requires reaching with hands and arms; stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling; climbing or balancing; and turning, twisting, and bending at the waist. The position must be able to lift/carry/push and pull up to 50 pounds on a regular basis.

The responsibilities listed are typical of the positions in the job classification; however, not all duties are necessarily performed by every position or incumbent. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties of the position. Regular attendance is an essential responsibility.

What steps the recruitment process involves:

• We review your minimum qualifications.
• We rate your education and experience.
• We conduct a structured panel interview.
• We conduct a selection interview.
• A Smell Sensitivity Test and a Non-DOT drug test are required.

Once you have successfully completed the steps above, then:

If you are new to the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a background check that verifies education, employment, and criminal history. A driving record check, a smell sensitivity test, and a Non-DOT drug test are required. If you have a criminal conviction, you do not automatically fail. The Metropolitan Council considers felony, gross misdemeanor, and misdemeanor convictions on a case-by-case basis, based on whether they are related to the job and whether the candidate has demonstrated adequate rehabilitation.

If you are already an employee of the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a background check to verify your education, employment, and criminal history. A driving record check, a smell sensitivity test, and a non-DOT drug test are required.

IMPORTANT: If you make a false statement or withhold information, you may be barred from job consideration.

We believe our employees are a key to our agencys success! In order to attract and retain high quality employees, the Council provides a highly competitive benefits package both in choice and coverage levels. Some highlights about our benefits are listed below:

• Guaranteed monthly retirement income through Minnesota State Retirement System pension fund
• Opportunity to save additional funds for retirement on a tax-deferred basis through a voluntary deferred compensation (457) plan
• Two or more medical plans from which to choose, with employer contribution towards premiums over 80%
• Dental insurance, life insurance and vision insurance

The following benefits are provided to all employees as part of working for the Council. You will have access to free:

• Well@Work clinic
• bus/rail pass valued at over $1200 per year
• parking at many job locations
• fitness centers at many job locations
• Employee Assistance Program
• extensive health and wellness programs and resources

01

Applicant Instructions: It is important that your application shows all relevant education and experience you possess. The supplemental questions listed below are to further evaluate your education and experience and to determine your eligibility for this position. Answer each question completely, and please do not type "see resume." Otherwise, your application will be considered incomplete, and you will not receive further consideration for this position. The experience you indicate in your responses should also be consistent with the Work History section of this application. If you attach a resume and/or cover letter to your application, it will be reviewed at the education and experience review step. I have read and understand the above instructions regarding my application and supplemental questions.

• Yes
• No

02

How did you first hear about this job opening?

• CareerForce Center
• Community Event/Organization
• Employee Referral
• Facebook
• Glassdoor
• Indeed
• Job Fair
• LinkedIn
• Metro Transit Bus Advertisement
• X (formerly known as Twitter)
• Website: governmentjobs.com
• Website: metrocouncil.org
• Website: metrotransit.org
• Website: minnesotajobnetwork.com
• Other

03

If you selected Other, please describe where you first heard about this job. if you selected Employee Referral please enter the employees first and last name, ID number (if known), and job title. Type N/A if not applicable.

04

The Metropolitan Council recognizes that Artificial Intelligence (AI) and generative tools are increasingly used in application processes. While the Council permits the use of AI to assist in the preparation of application materials, all applicants must certify the following statement:

• I affirm that all information provided in my application including any uploaded documentation is true and accurate. I further affirm that I have personally reviewed, verified, and approved all content, including any content generated with the assistance of AI. I will provide all interview responses directly and in real-time without unauthorized assistance. I will not use AI avatars, external assistance in answering including computer-generated suggestions, or any recording and transcription tools during the interview process unless I have received prior approval from Human Resources for a disability-related reasonable accommodation.

05

Please briefly describe your educational background and how it prepares you for this position.

06

Do you have one year of verifiable work experience either in the field and/or in a compliance-related field?

• Yes
• No

07

Please provide a brief summary of your experience in environmental monitoring and/or in an environmental analytical laboratory.

08

Please describe two examples of your experience communicating or reporting out technical information.

09

Please indicate experience you have in air quality monitoring, including odor sampling, odor testing/odor characterization, stack testing, and/or auditing of continuous emissions monitoring systems. If this does not apply, please indicate "N/A."

10

This position interacts regularly with internal and external stakeholders, including residents living near Metropolitan Council facilities. Please explain your experience working with individuals from backgrounds different than your own.

11

Do you have a Drivers License with an acceptable driving record?

• Yes
• No

12

Do you have one year of verifiable work experience identifying odors? If so, provide a brief summary of your experience. If you do not have this experience, write N/A.

13

Do you understand that you will be required to pass a smell sensitivity assessment, if you are offered this position?

• Yes
• No

14

Please describe your experience working with diverse internal and external customer populations. If you dont have this experience, write N/A.

Required Question

Employer Metropolitan Council

Address 390 Robert St. N.

St. Paul, Minnesota, 55101

Website https://metrocouncil.org