01/18/1997 75470

SEWAGE PLANNING SPECIALIST 1

DEFINITION: This is professional work involving the implementation of the Sewage Facilities Act and related program activities within an assigned geographical area of the Commonwealth.

An employee in this class performs a variety of duties to ensure compliance with the rules and regulations of the Commonwealths Sewage Facilities Act. Work involves reviewing and recommending approval or disapproval of sewage planning modules for new land development and planning grant applications. Work also involves conducting site surveys to verify the suitability of a site for the proposed treatment system, to ensure the proper construction and operation of the approved system, or to investigate complaints. Work includes providing advice and information to municipal officials, sewage enforcement officers, engineering consultants, surveyors and planning commissions on Departmental rules, regulations, policies and procedures governing the sewage facilities program. An important aspect of the work involves evaluating the performance of sewage enforcement officers and local agencies, recommending appropriate action to resolve deficiencies, and providing training and guidance to enhance their effectiveness. Work is assigned in the form of specific goals and objectives and the employee exercises considerable freedom in scheduling and completing the work. Work may be reviewed in progress on new or difficult assignments and is reviewed periodically by a professional supervisor for completeness, technical accuracy and overall quality.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Implements provisions of the Sewage Facilities Act within an assigned geographic area of the Commonwealth in order to protect public health and prevent pollution.

Reviews and evaluates sewage planning modules, including new land development plan revisions and exceptions to planning, and recommends approval or denial.

Conducts site surveys to determine soil characteristics, limiting zones, slope, isolation distances, wetland boundaries, and potential discharge points for proposed treatment systems.

Conducts surveys of on-lot sewage systems to determine the extent or magnitude of conditions in a defined problem area.

Investigates complaints from the public regarding malfunctioning sewage systems or sewage enforcement officer misconduct.

Reviews planning grant applications for completeness and conformance to rules, regulations, policies and procedures, resolves any discrepancies and recommends approval or disapproval.

Participates in the review of official sewage plans and update revisions by providing comments to the supervisor or responsible engineer on specific aspects of the proposals, such as existing conditions in identified problem areas and growth projections.

Reviews proposals for alternate and experimental on-lot sewage disposal systems, and provides results, comments and recommendations to the local agency, sewage enforcement officer and central office staff.

Evaluates the performance of sewage enforcement officers, including reviewing on-lot permits issued and conducting field verifications of site evaluations, and recommends appropriate action to improve performance.

Evaluates the performance of local agencies in fulfilling their obligations and responsibilities under the Sewage Facilities Act and provides technical support to improve their effectiveness.

Provides advice to local agency personnel and sewage enforcement officers on difficult or unusual problems.

Presents training programs to sewage enforcement officers, local agency personnel, installers, engineers, consultants and the public on the planning, siting, design, installation and maintenance of on-lot sewage disposal systems.

Researches case files and prepares documentation for use in prosecution of cases.

Prepares supporting documentation for the revocation or suspension of sewage enforcement officer certifications.

Testifies as a material witness before district magistrates, the State Board for Certification of Sewage Enforcement Officers, the Environmental Hearing Board, or the courts.

Participates in meetings with legislators, local government officials, special interest groups, and citizens to explain the program and to resolve issues and problems.

Operates a motor vehicle to travel to various work sites.

Performs similar work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the environmental, biological and chemical sciences related to sewage treatment and disposal.

Knowledge of the Commonwealths Sewage Facilities Act.

Knowledge of Departmental rules, regulations, policies and procedures governing municipal sewage facilities planning, sewage facility permitting and municipal wasteload management.

Knowledge of municipal government organization and comprehensive municipal planning under the Pennsylvania Municipal Planning Code.

Knowledge of the principles and techniques for the proper planning, design, siting, installation and maintenance of on-lot sewage disposal systems.

Knowledge of the procedures used in the review of planning grant applications and reimbursement requests.

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Ability to identify and characterize soils, wetlands and other site conditions.

Ability to review and evaluate sewage planning modules for new land development.

Ability to evaluate the effectiveness of the sewage facilities program within an assigned area through the evaluation of sewage enforcement officers and local agencies.

Ability to read, interpret, and evaluate engineering and surveying plans and specifications submitted with sewage planning modules and official base plan updates.

Ability to deliver effective presentations and training sessions for a wide range of audiences, including municipal officials, sewage enforcement officers, consultants, developers, planners, landowners and the public.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, legislators, county and municipal officials, sewage enforcement officers, consultants, developers, planners, funding agencies and the public.

Ability to operate a motor vehicle.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: One year as an Environmental Trainee in the sewage facilities planning program;

                                                                                                                                                           or

Any equivalent combination of experience or training which affords the applicant the required knowledges and abilities.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Possession of a valid Pennsylvania drivers license.