Aimee Reynolds
Officially - Solid and Hazardous Waste Specialist
Unofficially - Voluntary Cleanup/Controlled Allocation Coordinator/Risk Assessor
Remediation Division
Hazardous Waste Site Cleanup Bureau
Site Response Section
Background... Aimee has a degree in Biology/Ecology from the University of New Mexico and worked as an environmental consultant in Albuquerque before coming to DEQ.
Time at the DEQ... Aimee started in February 1992 and has been with the department 12 years. She started as a Project Officer working on smaller, low and medium priority state Superfund sites and managing a database. In 1995 she was promoted and was given the management of the high priority, high profile Missoula White Pine Sash state Superfund facility. In 1999, she was promoted again to her current position.
Why the DEQ... Aimee says, "I like working for the good guys. I've always wanted to do environmental work and making sure environmental messes are cleaned up sounded very rewarding. When I met my husband and decided to move to Helena to be with him, I had several interviews with consulting firms and also applied for a state job I saw advertised in the paper. After a great telephone interview with DHES (now DEQ), I knew that's where I wanted to work."
Job duties... Aimee coordinates the Voluntary Cleanup and Controlled Allocation Programs under our State Superfund Law and act as Risk Assessor for DEQ. She develops guidance and does outreach for both. In addition, when a facility goes through either program, it is assigned a Project Officer and an attorney. When those liable for cleanups submit documents to DEQ, the Project Officer, the attorney, and Aimee all review the documents to provide a team approach. Aimee says that, "seeing facilities get cleaned up voluntarily and appropriately is very rewarding. The Controlled Allocation part of my job is very interesting because I get to negotiate shares of liability associated with facilities and provide state funding to help pay for the cleanup." She added that, "I also wear the hat of Risk Assessor, reviewing the risk assessment documents submitted under state and federal Superfund and providing risk assessment guidance to other entities within DEQ and helped develop the DEQ Risk-Based Corrective Action Guidance for Petroleum Releases."
Typical day... A typical day for Aimee is spent reviewing voluntary cleanup plans and reports, reviewing risk assessment documents, and providing information regarding voluntary cleanup and risk assessment to staff, consultants, and liable persons. She says that she, "occasionally gets to go out in the field to provide oversight of voluntary cleanup activities. When we are working on a controlled allocation, I get to develop and negotiate liability allocations."
Qualities needed for the job... Aimee believes that a science background is an absolute must for this job. In addition, one must be skilled at communicating with all types of people. She says. "I enjoy public speaking and have developed more skills in this area during my time here at DEQ. I use several kinds of computer software, including our Access database, and would find my job difficult if I did not have these skills. Like everyone in my Section, I have a heavy workload and must be able to manage it without becoming overwhelmed. I have also attended many training courses over the years that have improved both my technical skills and my people skills."
Job satisfaction... Aimee says that she feels like she is doing something really worthwhile by seeing that the environment is cleaned up so that Montanans enjoy a clean and healthful environment. She added that the redevelopment of facilities also provides the additional reward of jobs and taxes for the state. Aimee says, "Even after 12 years here at DEQ, I still find my job challenging and rewarding. I find that situations still come up frequently that I have never encountered before and that require innovative approaches. I also really enjoy providing assistance to my coworkers and the regulated community. I work with so many truly amazing people that coming to work is a positive experience."
