This class is the journey level in the series of classes responsible for environmental specialist work in a field office of either an environmental protection agency or the Department of Transportation. Positions in this class address issues that pertain to the maintenance, evaluation and protection of the environment by either focusing on a specific environmental program or multiple environmental program areas such as air quality, noise abatement, energy protection, water quality, toxic substances, hazardous waste, and special environmental concerns. In an environmental protection agency, positions at this level are responsible for project management or program coordination; response to and investigation of emergencies, such as major fish kills or pollution complaints; collection, analysis, interpretation of data and preparation of reports; site and facility inspection; field sampling; and other types of laboratory analysis. In the Department of Transportation, positions at this level analyze highway construction and maintenance projects’ impact on the environment; monitor construction and maintenance projects for compliance with environmental regulations; plan, organize, and oversee the research and preparation of detailed district environmental documents involving multiple environmental issues, the assembly and processing of water quality permits, and the conducting of special environmental studies; and design, research, conduct, and oversee technical and scientific environmental evaluations. This class is distinguished from the Environmental Specialist-Field class by a greater scope and complexity of assignments and the responsibility for functioning as a group leader, section coordinator, or project manager. The class is distinguished from the Environmental Manager-Field class by the latter’s responsibility for management of a specific environmental program in an environmental protection agency field office or multiple environmental program areas in a Department of Transportation district.

Complexity of Work: Performs work of moderate difficulty which involves overseeing the collection, review, analysis and documentation of environmental data. Positions in this class apply state and federal policy, regulations, and program requirements to activities, projects, and analyses affecting the environment; provide training to lower level technical and professional staff; and provide technical guidance in a particular discipline.

In an environmental protection agency this level manages aspects of pollution control programs such as discharge compliance, operation of municipal industrial wastewater facilities, enforcement issues, and other special studies. Reviews plans and specifications to evaluate wastewater handling proposals for construction of sewage treatment for compliance with regulations and standards. Compiles and interprets data in order to write reports or contingency plans, as well as to provide guidance and information to other field unit staff, industry, personnel, and the general public. Investigates major pollution complains such as fish kills, oil or chemical spills, or discharge violations, which may include participating on emergency response teams for such investigations. Performs field sampling at sites and prepares data and conclusions from results. Some positions may perform other laboratory testing work and maintain the equipment to assure accurate operation.

In the Department of Transportation, positions at this level manage aspects of environmental programs including permit review and process for construction projects; special environmental studies; environmental impact statements; highway project evaluation; benthic surveys; biological; monitoring; erosion/sediment control; and other technical studies. Monitors construction and maintenance projects for compliance with environmental regulations. Prepares final technical reports, water quality statements, environmental impact statements, and completes environmental documents and obtains approval of same. Determines, assesses, and documents expected impacts; evaluates and determines alternatives to reduce impacts, prepares scientific and technical reports on findings; develops procedures and guidelines; reviews consultant proposals, environmental studies, impact statements, draft documents, and technical reports for compliance with environmental regulations; monitors environmental consultant contracts; serves as liaison with state and federal agencies on environmental issues/concerns. Performs site inspections to determine construction compliance with environmental regulations, erosion, and sediment control measures, permit compliance, or operation compliance.

Supervision Given: Supervision is typically not a factor; however, positions may function as group leaders or section coordinators.

Supervision Received: Receives direction from an Environmental Manager-Field or other supervisor/management staff in an environmental discipline.

Scope: Work affects the environmental conditions of a specific geographic area.

Impact of Actions: Effective decisions facilitate the maintenance of a healthy environment and ensure accuracy in analyses and project completion. Errors in analysis of information may result in sanctions brought about by violations in laws. Such errors could result in harm to animal and plant life throughout the Commonwealth, and affect the safety of citizens.

Personal Contacts: Frequent contacts with individuals both inside and outside the agency on technical and scientific concerns, as well as issues, policies, and laws regarding the specific program area(s). Contacts include local, state, and federal officials, industry representatives and the general public.

Knowledge: Working knowledge of technical and scientific principles and procedures as they apply to pollution control and/or an environmental discipline(s); of agency programs. procedures, and policies related to pollution control and/or an environmental discipitne(s); of applicable state and federal regulations; of related data processing methods and techniques; and of field sampling techniques and operation and maintenance of scientific equipment.

Skills: None identified for this class.

Abilities: Demonstrated ability to apply technical and scientific principles and practices to a pollution control and/or environmental program area; to identify and analyze environmental data and interpret results; to design, conduct, and oversee technical and scientific environmental evaluations; to determine, assess, and document potential environmental impacts; to interpret and apply state and federal policies and regulations; to oversee the work of others; and to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDE*

License or Certification: None.

Education or Training: Graduation from an accredited college or university with course work in environmental science, environmental law, environmental planning, aquatic ecology, chemistry, biology, engineering, physics, landscape architecture, forestry, sociology, agronomy, hydrology, geology, ecology, aquatic chemistry, ichtyology, wastewater treatment, land preservation, or a related field.

Level and Type of Experience: Progressively responsible experience in applying technical and scientific pollution control and/or environmental principles and practices as related to the assigned program area(s).

An equivalent combination of training and experience indicating possession of the preceding knowledge and abilities may substitute for this education and experience.

This class was revised February 1988, as a result of the Classification Review/Specification Update Program. This class, along with the Environmental Program Analyst class, replaces the Pollution Control Specialist B and Highway Environmental Specialist B classes.

Last updated: 7/1/88