06/17/2002 75450

AIR QUALITY PROGRAM SPECIALIST

DEFINITION: This is professional work in the field of air quality management.

An employee in this class performs a variety of duties in the statewide air quality management program to ensure compliance with the Commonwealth's rules and regulations governing air quality management and to ensure that uniformity of actions and that technical program requirements are met. Work involves developing rules, regulations, policies and procedures for the air quality management program; recommending changes to air quality management rules, regulations, policies and procedures; reviewing proposed changes to air quality management rules, regulations, policies, and procedures; and interpreting air quality management rules, regulations, policies and procedures for co-workers and field personnel. Work also involves preparing Departmental Orders, attending enforcement conferences, preparing case documentation, and reviewing documentation for enforcement cases and cases settled out-of-court. Work includes reviewing proposed legislation for possible impacts on the air quality management program; reviewing and commenting on Environmental Impact Statements; compiling and presenting data for use in program planning; and proofreading or copy reading technical air quality management material. Work also includes providing advice to engineers, architects, facility operators, governmental officials, and the public on Departmental rules, regulations, policies and programs; providing advice to co-workers or field personnel on the handling of enforcement cases; and providing advice to local government officials on the development of air quality regulations. Work involves preparing and delivering formal presentations to special interest groups; preparing news releases; providing information to reporters involving cases or incidents; providing information to special interest groups; preparing news releases; and providing information to engineers, architects, facility operators, and the public on Departmental programs, functions, rules, and regulations. Work is assigned in the form of goals and objectives, and the employee exercises considerable freedom in scheduling and completing the work. Work is reviewed upon completion by a professional supervisor for completeness, technical accuracy, and quality.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Prepares Departmental Orders indicating violations that were discovered, corrective action required, control measures or devices to be installed, and time frames for their accomplishment.

Attends enforcement conferences to provide background data on the case, to answer questions, and to assist in explaining Departmental Orders or Consent Order/Agreement.

Reviews case documentation for violations discovered, appropriate rules and regulations, enforcement action taken, required corrective action and time limitations for its correction for submittal to the legal staff.

Develops rules, regulations, policies, and procedures for the air quality management program.

Recommends changes to air quality management rules, regulations, policies and procedures.

Reviews and comments on proposed changes to air quality management rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Interprets air quality management rules, regulations, policies, and procedures for coworkers and field personnel.

Reviews documentation on cases settled out-of-court to determine uniformity and fairness of action taken, and if program goals and objectives are met.

Reviews proposed legislation and prepares comments on possible impacts on the air quality management program.

Recommends the position the air quality management program should take on proposed legislation.

Researches case files and prepares documentation for use in prosecution of cases by field personnel or legal staff.

Reviews and prepares comments on Environmental Impact Statements.

Researches files to compile and present technical data for use in program planning, and evaluating air quality program.

Proofreads or copyreads technical air quality material prepared for publication.

Prepares and delivers formal presentations to special interest groups on Departmental functions and programs.

Prepares news releases regarding air quality program functions and activities.

Informs facility operators and the public of changes in Departmental rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Meets with Commonwealth, municipal, and Federal officials to explain Departmental programs.

Assists in providing on-the-job training to Environmental Trainees including advising management of the effectiveness of the training program and their progress.

Provides information to reporters regarding air quality cases or incidents.

Provides information to the public either in writing or over the telephone regarding Departmental functions.

Provides advice to engineers, architects, governmental officials, facility operators, and the public on permit or compliance appeals.

Prepares and publishes reports in the area of air quality compliance activities.

Provides advice on the Air Quality Compliance Program at the regional and statewide level.

Provides advice to municipal officials, municipal authorities, planning commissions, architects, engineers, and facility operators on the development of official community air quality improvement plans.

Provides technical advice on air quality activities to other Commonwealth agencies.

Serves as liaison for the air quality program with other agencies.

Represents the air quality program in dealings with Federal or interstate agencies.

Provides advice to co-workers and field personnel on difficult or unusual problems.

Prepares letters, reports, and correspondence to exchange information with the public, facility operators, engineers, architects, governmental officials, and supervisor.

Operates a motor vehicle to travel to various work sites.

An employee 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 biological, chemical, and physical sciences as related to air quality control and air quality management.

Knowledge of the Department's rules, regulations, policies, and procedures governing air quality management.

Knowledge of the procedures, techniques, and formats utilized in the preparation of Departmental Orders and Consent Order/Agreements.

Knowledge of the procedures and techniques utilized in the documentation of violations.

Knowledge of the Commonwealth's and Departmental rules, regulations, policies, and procedures governing travel, lodging, expense vouchers, and reporting requirements.

Ability to prepare Departmental Orders describing violations discovered, corrective action required, control measures or devices to be installed, and time frames for their accomplishment.

Ability to develop rules, regulations, policies, and procedures for the air quality management program.

Ability to review and comment on proposed air quality management rules, regulations, policies and procedures.

Ability to interpret air quality management rules, regulations, policies and procedures for co-workers, field personnel, governmental officials, facility operators and the public.

Ability to review and organize documentation required for enforcement cases.

Ability to review proposed legislation for possible impacts on the air quality management program.

Ability to prepare and deliver special presentations to special interest groups on Departmental functions and programs.

Ability to apply air quality rules, regulations, policies and procedures during the preparation of violation letters, Departmental Orders and Consent Orders/ Agreements.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisor, facility operators, governmental officials, and the public.

Ability to operate a motor vehicle.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Two years of experience as an Air Quality Specialist;

                                                                                                                                                                     or

One year of experience as an Air Monitoring Program Supervisor;

                                                                                                                                                                     or

Three years of professional work in the control and abatement of air pollution and a Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Engineering, or an environmental field closely related to Air Quality Management;

                                                                                                                                                                     or

An equivalent combination of experience and/or training.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Possession of a valid Pennsylvania driver's license.