11/30/2011 14235

ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST, DMVA

DEFINITION: This is professional environmental compliance work within the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA).

An employee in this job ensures DMVA’s properties and activities adhere to federal, military, state, and local environmental laws, policies, rules, and regulations. Work involves inspecting and analyzing grounds, resources, buildings, construction plans, or National Guard training plans for environmental impact; completing environmental inspection, assessment, or internal audit reports or plans to enforce or demonstrate environmental compliance and to recommend remedial action or changes as necessary; performing air, water, or soil sampling and testing for hazardous substances; and overseeing related contracted environmental services. Work includes ensuring the Department is in compliance with applicable environmental laws and other requirements, such as the National Environmental Policy Act, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the Clean Water Act, the Environmental Performance Assessment System, and Air Quality Management. Work may also include coordinating or participating in environmentally hazardous spills cleanup with emergency responders and qualified personnel. Work is assigned by an Environmental Supervisor, DMVA and is reviewed through reports, conferences, and results achieved.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Inspects departmental facilities and grounds for compliance with environmental laws and related requirements.

Prepares Records of Environmental Consideration, Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Statements to analyze and describe the impact that construction projects and military training will have on the surrounding environment and to ensure compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

Completes Environmental Baseline Surveys as required by the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).

Develops waste water, drinking water, and storm water program reports for submission to federal, state, and local government.

Ensures compliance with the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) through storage tank management and waste management programs to include overseeing the proper monitoring, storage, handling, and disposal of hazardous materials and waste.

Prepares Air Inventory Management System (AIMS) reports.

Conducts reviews of new sources of air pollution and obtains the necessary air quality permits from the Department of Environmental Protection.

Prepares Record of Non-attainment Assessments for new PA Army National Guard activities and construction projects.

Inspects the environmental programs in use at DMVA-operated military facilities to ensure compliance with the National Guard Bureau’s Environmental Performance Assessment System (EPAS) and recommends corrective action for program areas found to be noncompliant.

Reviews contractors’ work for technical accuracy, soundness of methods used, and for overall satisfaction.

Conducts site research through interviews and reviews of historical documents, maps, and aerial photographs.

Identifies and requests needed repairs to damaged underground and above-ground storage tanks.

Assesses corrective action plans to remedy storm water drainage problems, such as weed removal and installation of pollution prevention devices.

Collects and sends for testing soil and water samples from assigned locations and their adjacent sites to determine the presence and level of hazardous substances.

Reviews construction plans, blueprints, and National Guard training plans to determine environmental impact and conformance with environmental laws, policies, rules, and regulations.

Responds to chemical spills and releases after the site is assessed as safe by emergency responders to ensure the event is documented and to provide direction to abatement staff.

Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

An employee in this job may participate in the performance of subordinates’ work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

Performs related duties as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the biological sciences related to environmental protection.

Knowledge of the chemical sciences related to environmental protection.

Knowledge of the physical sciences related to environmental protection.

Knowledge of environmental relationships and ecologic processes.

Knowledge of the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act.

Knowledge of the requirements of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act.

Knowledge of the requirements of the Clean Water Act.

Knowledge of the requirements of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.

Knowledge of methods and equipment used in the storage and cleanup of hazardous materials.

Ability to interpret written material.

Ability to interpret the impact of environmental plans and practices.

Ability to interpret blueprints, sketches, building plans, and aerial photographs.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Ability to communicate effectively orally.

Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Two years of professional environmental protection program experience and a bachelor’s degree, which includes 24 credits in the physical, biological, or environmental sciences;

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An equivalent combination of professional experience and training, which includes 24 college credits in the physical, biological, or environmental sciences.

POST EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENT: Certain positions in this job are required to obtain valid certification in 40-hour Hazardous Waste Operations, Procedures and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) training within six months of hire and successfully complete 8-hour annual HAZWOPER refresher training thereafter.