03/30/2007 14535

ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER CONSULTANT

DEFINITION: This is consultative and highly advanced professional environmental engineering work.

An employee in this job performs highly advanced analytical, developmental, evaluative and consultative work in developing solutions to environmental engineering problems that require the advanced or innovative application of engineering principles. Work requires the application of the environmental engineering discipline to an important agency program or functional area. Work involves advising agency senior management concerning the effects of new and emerging theories, concepts and techniques in a specialized area of engineering as they pertain to agency programs and work methods. Work may involve
designing, conducting and evaluating engineering research projects to develop or change engineering standards or regulatory requirements. Work may also involve leading the evaluation of unusually complex and controversial permit applications, investigations or enforcement actions. Work may include statewide responsibility for designing, maintaining permits, managing construction, and reviewing consultant designs of sewage and water systems for an agency. Important aspects of this work include serving as a principle technical knowledge transfer agent within the agency and providing definitive and authoritative testimony during legal proceedings as required. Employees do not normally perform the full range of supervisory duties, but work may require leading a team of professional employees on complicated projects and studies, and providing responsible charge oversight to unlicensed staff. Research assignments are received with no technical instructions, and employees independently identify the nature and extent of problems, select courses of action and develop findings and recommendations under broad administrative and policy direction. Work is reviewed by a program manager for overall effectiveness and satisfactory completion of assigned projects.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Provides engineering leadership and coordination on complex agency projects and initiatives.

Provides expert engineering advice and explanations to agency managers, staff, consultants and public officials.

Serves as a technical authority in the analysis and interpretation of guidelines or the application of new and emerging technologies.

Serves as the agency’s contact with the federal government, other states, the academic community and professional organizations on controversial or strategic issues.

Conducts studies into the feasibility of changing engineering operating procedures, processes, or standards in response to changes in innovative technology, administrative direction, or funding in the engineering program area to which assigned.

Researches innovative technologies, techniques and methods for building systems and energy sources that support environmental sustainability.

Provides expert engineering advice to senior managers and program staff in the development of agency regulations, policies and procedures.

Conducts investigations into engineering failures caused by unusual environmental conditions or suspected faulty design and develops solutions or alternatives to resolve difficult engineering problems.

Develops training plans and methods in order to introduce new concepts or techniques to agency engineering staff.

Reviews or develops plans and specifications for construction projects that involve unusual environmental conditions or suspected faulty designs and develops solutions or alternatives to resolve problems.

Meets with concerned officials, the public, and news media to explain professional methods and practices as they relate to Commonwealth engineering projects on a statewide basis.

Conducts emergency inspections in response to unique and potentially life threatening situations and recommends immediate solutions to mitigate risk to the environment and to public health and safety.

Serves as an expert witness in hearings and court actions involving the agency and the Commonwealth on technical engineering matters related to agency projects and programs.

Provides technical guidance and specifications to District Offices for the operation, maintenance and construction of sewage treatment and water supply facilities and performs liaison functions with State and local regulatory agencies to monitor, implement and maintain operating policies in accordance with current permits and regulations.

Travels to various field sites.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the federal and Commonwealth laws, regulations and legal precedents governing environmental protection.

Knowledge of environmental engineering principles and practices and their relation to other engineering and scientific disciplines.

Knowledge of physical, chemical and biological treatment processes.

Knowledge of treatment plant design, operation and performance.

Knowledge of the procedures and techniques used in reviewing applications for environmental permits.

Knowledge of the practices and objectives of environmental planning and the procedures and techniques used in reviewing and evaluating local, regional and state environmental plans.

Knowledge of the engineering principles used in the development of drawings and specifications for components of engineering projects.

Knowledge of the relationships of environmental conditions to human health.

Knowledge of hydrologic systems and watershed processes.

Knowledge of the engineering principles of construction cost estimating and construction inspection.

Knowledge of the characteristics and properties of natural and manufactured materials used in construction.

Knowledge of engineering economics.

Knowledge of computer modeling techniques used in engineering analyses.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of project management and contract administration.

Ability to critically review and evaluate engineering projects in the planning, design or construction stages from the standpoints of technical accuracy, conformance with sound engineering concepts, feasibility, costs/benefits and satisfying agency objectives.

Ability to read and interpret inspection and testing reports, engineering drawings and specifications, and topographic and other maps.

Ability to plan broad and complex environmental engineering investigations.

Ability to integrate project components into a complete engineering system.

Ability to analyze and present technical data in clear, concise engineering reports.

Ability to read and interpret federal, state and local codes, regulations and standards applicable to the design, construction or evaluation of engineering projects.

Ability to effectively communicate orally.

Ability to effectively communicate in writing.

Ability to read and interpret Commonwealth and Departmental administrative rules, regulations, policies and procedures.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Two years as an Environmental Engineer or an Air Quality Engineer;

                                                                                                                                                   or

Five years of professional engineering experience in environmental protection or in environmental project development, design and/or construction.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Possession of a valid Professional Engineer license issued by the Pennsylvania State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT: Certain positions in this job will require possession of a valid driver’s license.