Overview
Physical science professionals in state government use scientific research, testing and analysis to help agencies understand natural systems, protect public health and safety, and make informed decisions about environmental and resource management.
They may study air, water, soil, minerals, energy systems, hazardous materials or other physical conditions that affect communities across the state. This work is ideal for those who enjoy scientific problem-solving, field or laboratory work, data analysis and applying technical expertise to real-world public needs.
What You Might Work On
In state government, professionals in this field often:
- Monitor air, water or soil quality to identify environmental risks and support regulatory decisions
- Conduct laboratory or field analyses to evaluate samples, investigate contamination or track changes in natural resources
- Review technical data, reports and permit applications to ensure compliance with state and federal standards
- Support emergency response, public health or environmental protection efforts by interpreting scientific findings for decision-makers
Is This a Good Fit?
While roles and responsibilities vary, you might enjoy this field if you:
- Are curious about how natural and physical systems work
- Enjoy collecting, analyzing and interpreting scientific data
- Want to use science to protect people, communities and the environment
- Can communicate technical information clearly to both scientific and non-scientific audiences
Where You Could Work
State government is broad — so where do you start?
One approach is to focus on a type of role. Another is to focus on a mission area or the kind of impact you want to make (i.e., in public health, education, transportation or elsewhere).
Keep in mind: mission areas often span multiple agencies, so you may find relevant roles in places you wouldn’t expect!
Professionals in this field work across many state agencies depending on mission area, including:
- Environmental protection: New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
- Natural resources and conservation: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
- Public health laboratories: North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
Sample positions
Chemist 2
| Employer / agency | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Environmental Protection |
| Location(s) | Harrisburg, Pennsylvania |
| Mission context | Public servants in this role conduct laboratory testing that helps protect Pennsylvania’s environment and public health. |
In this role, you may:
- Prepare and analyze environmental samples using chromatography, LCMSMS systems and other laboratory instruments
- Support quality control, safety compliance and method development to ensure accurate and reliable laboratory results
Geology Specialist 13, Ground Water Geology and Data Management Specialist
| Employer / agency | State of Michigan, Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy |
| Location(s) | Lansing, Michigan |
| Mission context | Public servants in this role help protect Michigan’s environment and public health by maintaining groundwater data used by state agencies, federal partners, researchers and the public. |
In this role, you may:
- Manage and improve groundwater data systems to support access, reporting and long-term stewardship of geological information
- Collaborate with geology, IT and GIS staff to ensure groundwater data is accurate, usable and available to internal and external partners
Science and Engineering Unit Supervisor, Environmental Engineer 5
| Employer / agency | State of Washington, Department of Ecology |
| Location(s) | Richland, Washington |
| Mission context | Public servants in this role help protect Washington’s environment by supporting cleanup and regulatory oversight at the Hanford nuclear waste site, one of the nation’s most complex environmental cleanup efforts. |
In this role, you may:
- Provide senior-level engineering review for nuclear waste cleanup, hazardous waste permitting and contaminated site remediation
- Supervise and mentor a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers working on complex environmental projects
Environmental Impact Specialist 1, 2, or 3 — Biologist
| Employer / agency | State of Louisiana, Department of Transportation and Development |
| Location(s) | Baton Rouge, Louisiana |
| Mission context | Public servants in this role help transportation projects move forward responsibly by studying environmental and biological resources, evaluating potential impacts and supporting compliance with environmental laws. |
In this role, you may:
- Conduct field investigations and environmental surveys related to wetlands, endangered species, habitats and other natural resources
- Prepare technical reports, coordinate with agencies and stakeholders, and recommend ways to reduce environmental impacts
