10/19/1998 28595

SMALL BUSINESS OMBUDSMAN, DEP

DEFINITION:

This is responsible administrative work advocating the needs and concerns of small businesses and directing the small business assistance programs as they relate to the policies and procedures of the Department of Environmental Protection.

The employee in this class is responsible for serving as the primary confidential point of contact for small business owners and operators (defined as companies with 100 or fewer employees) on issues relating to compliance with regulations promulgated and enforced by the Department of Environmental Protection, or relating to pollution prevention and environmental management systems. The employee in this class is responsible for developing policies that advocate and promote the interests of small businesses on issues related to environmental regulations and pollution prevention, and for developing and implementing economic development policies and initiatives that encourage strategic environmental management techniques. Work involves establishing effective relationships with the small business community, gathering data from small businesses to assess needs, determining program goals and objectives, developing policies, procedures, standards, and guidelines to promote and manage the small business assistance programs, developing recommendations for policy and procedure changes in other program areas to help small businesses meet their environmental obligations and mandates, and interpreting regulations and policies to small business owners and operators. An important aspect of this work is receiving and responding to requests for assistance or complaints from the business community about agency programs and personnel, and working with department executive staff, program managers, and legislators to resolve issues wherein regulations place disproportionate burdens on small businesses. The employee in this class serves as a member of the agency's executive staff, works closely with the Department of Community and Economic Development to develop and manage funding programs, works with the members of the Pennsylvania Environmental Assistance Network, and reports annually to the federal Environmental Protection Agency on the operation of the Small Business Assistance Program. The employee also represents the state at the national level on issues related to the Small Business Assistance Program, serves as a member of the department's Small Business Compliance Advisory Committee and, when necessary, writes legislation to develop and support the department's small business assistance programs. Work also involves planning, organizing, and assigning work to subordinate staff, recommending employee selection, evaluating employee performance, and evaluating employee training needs. Work is assigned in the form of broad program goals and objectives, and the employee exercises considerable freedom in planning, scheduling, and assigning work to ensure goals are achieved. Work is reviewed on completion by an administrative superior through reports and conferences for attainment of goals and objectives and overall program quality.

EXAMPLES OF WORK:

Develops program objectives and action plans for the implementation of small business assistance programs related to environmental protection issues.

Administers a technical assistance program to assist the small business community meet environmental mandates and implement pollution prevention initiatives.

Reviews proposed legislation for its impact on the small business community.

Develops policy recommendations of department-wide significance. Reviews program policies from line program areas and discusses the impact on the small business community with line program managers.

Develops and implements outreach activities to provide information to the small business community.

Assists small businesses in locating sources of funding for compliance with environmental regulations and for implementing pollution prevention and energy efficiency projects. In conjunction with program staff, interprets departmental rules and regulations to the small business community.

Develops and delivers speeches and presentations to special interest groups, trade associations, bar associations, service providers, industrial resource centers, economic development authorities, chambers of commerce, and the media on the small business assistance programs, pollution prevention initiatives, and strategic environmental management.

Conducts confidential investigations into complaints by small business owners regarding agency programs and personnel.

Through subordinate staff, administers loan and grant programs in cooperation with the Department of Community and Economic Development.

Serves on the department's Small Business Compliance Advisory Committee.

Coordinates and networks with the EPA Office of Small Business Ombudsman and counterparts in other state environmental protection agencies.

Prepares an annual report of activities for inclusion in the agency annual report.

Employees in this class may participate in the performance of their subordinates work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of the principles and practices of small business administration and management.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration.

Knowledge of the state and federal laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and guidelines governing pollution prevention and control.

Knowledge of the concepts and benefits of pollution prevention, energy efficiency, and environmental management systems.

Ability to express ideas effectively and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Ability to read and comprehend and interpret complex legislative proposals, policy issues, and related materials, and to relate them to the small business assistance programs.

Ability to interact with a wide range of public and private sector officials and small business owners.

Ability to exercise judgement and discretion in applying and interpreting departmental policies and procedures to the small business community.

Ability to develop, manage and publicize grant and loan programs targeted to assist the small business community.

Ability to carry out assignments requiring the obtaining of facts, organization of material, evaluation of data, and development and presentation of recommendations.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:

A Bachelor's degree in business administration, business management, management science, marketing, public administration or management information systems, or a related field of study; and five years of responsible and varied business management experience, at least two of which were in a small private business operation;

                                                                                                                                                  or

A Bachelor's degree in a scientific field related to environmental protection; and five years of responsible and varied business management experience, at least two of which were in a small private business operation;

                                                                                                                                                 or

Any combination of experience and training which affords the applicant the required knowledges, skills, and abilities.

Graduate level coursework in any of the fields listed above may be substituted for experience to a maximum of two years.