|
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
|
|
POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING |
|
|
Position Number: 00015263 |
Description Activated On: 9/17/2026 11:56:31 AM |
Position Purpose: Describe the primary purpose of this position and how it contributes to the organization’s objectives. Example: Provides clerical and office support within the Division to ensure its operations are conducted efficiently and effectively. If the position is filled as an Environmental Trainee, the incumbent will participate in a one-year formal and on-the-job training program to learn the duties of a Water Quality Specialist in the Northwest Region's Oil & Gas Program. During this training period, the incumbent will work under the supervision of the section supervisor, field inspectors and other program staff in the performance of the specified duties. The incumbent will be expected to complete all trainings required during the training period by the Governor's Office of Administration and the Department. If the position is filled as a Water Quality Specialist, the incumbent will work as a Water Quality Specialist in the Northwest Region's Oil & Gas Program by performing routine inspections, investigating complaints, providing notification of violations, taking water samples, and enforcing applicable laws, regulations, acts and permits. |
|
Description of Duties: Describe in detail the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Descriptions should include the major end result of the task. Example: Types correspondence, reports, and other various documents from handwritten drafts for review and signature of the supervisor. A. Conduct inspections of various oil & gas operations utilizing Department issued electronic equipment to record and document all inspection results. As technology allows, input investigation, sample, and inspection data into CTS, SIS, and eFACTS systems. These activities may include site preparation, road building, well drilling, waste disposal, pollution prevention measures, impoundment construction, pipeline construction/installation, site restoration or production activities. These inspections are for the purpose of determining compliance with The Clean Streams Law, the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act, the Solid Waste Management Act and the Pennsylvania Oil & Gas Act. The major emphasis of inspection is environmental protection through pollution prevention measures and erosion and sedimentation control measures. This work is to be done within established time constraints. B. Respond to complaints of environmental damage or health/safety threats or water supply problems caused by oil and gas development activities. Complaints typically involve impact to groundwater, water wells, springs, or streams. Investigate to determine if complaint is valid, to identify cause, and to rectify situation. Assist hydrogeologist in investigations of groundwater contamination or gas migration. Cooperate with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission in stream pollution incidents. C. Notify operators and other responsible parties of any violations found by various means including in person conversation, phone call, e-mail, inspection report and Notice of Violation. Initiate second level enforcement actions to resolve problems caused by oil and gas activities and to assure compliance with The Clean Streams Law, the Pennsylvania Oil & Gas Act, the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act, the Solid Waste Management Act, the regulations promulgated under each and applicable permits including General Permits. Second level enforcement may include, Criminal Citations, Criminal Complaints, Consent Assessments, and Consent Orders and Agreements. Assist legal staff in preparation of complaints for civil penalties. Act as expert witness at hearings. D. Review of various plans including: Erosion and Sediment Control General Permits (ESCGP), E & S Plans, PPC Plans, Control and Disposal Plans, and Alternative Waste Disposal Plans submitted by operators. Correspond and work with the regulated party and other appropriate District staff to ensure plans are complete and accurate. Work with staff and regulated parties to assure Plans are complied with. E. Respond to questions by citizens and operators relative to The Clean Streams Law, the Oil & Gas Act, the Dam Safety and Encroachment Act and the regulations pursuant to each. F. Represent the Department at industry-related, public, and enforcement meetings and seminars. G. Operate various scientific instruments such as pH meter, specific conductivity meter and multi-gas meter during investigations. H. Take representative samples of water, wastewater, gas and sediment suitable for evidence and/or information during investigations. All Bureau of Labs and Department standard operating procedures must be followed to ensure samples are taken properly, proper containers are used, samples are properly preserved and chain of custody is properly documented. I. Take digital photographs and videos to be used for documentation of violations. J. Compile case history and evidence for enforcement actions, including photographs, permits, correspondence, sample analysis, and inspection reports, for referral to legal staff and for use in hearings, trials, orders, and civil penalties. K. Conduct reviews of operators’ requests for termination of ESCGPs, record results of this review in an inspection report and mail the inspection report and the approval or denial form letter to the operator. L. Conduct inspections prior to the release of an operator’s bond to assure that bond release requirements have been met. M. Research courthouse records for documentation to show ownership of oil/gas properties for legal purposes. N. Properly care for and maintain all Department issued equipment and technology, electronic and otherwise. O. Provide assistance to the public and to business interests to help them comply with the laws of the Department. P. Adhere to Departmental Policies concerning Safety, Occupational Safety Footwear, Occupational Safety Eyewear, Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan, Confined Spaces, Governors Money Back Guarantee program, Sexual Harassment, Discrimination and Violence in the Workplace and personal conduct, among others. Q. Report all accidents and injuries as soon as possible. R. Operate a motor vehicle to travel to field sites. S. Promotes and exemplifies the Department’s Mission, Vision, and Values in all aspects of work performance and professional conduct. T. Advances DEP’s strategic priorities through collaboration, commitment to data-driven decision-making, delivery of high-quality customer service, and active participation in modernization and continuous improvement initiatives. U. Inputs, maintains, and updates data in prescribed formats to meet data quality standards established through guidance, training, policy, and procedure across all DEP electronic data systems. Responsibilities include ensuring the accuracy, completeness, consistency, and integrity of all entries, as well as utilizing available system tools and validation processes to minimize duplicate records and data quality issues. V. Complies with all applicable laws, regulations, policies, procedures, guidance, and training requirements related to assigned duties and DEP electronic data systems. W. In conjunction with the supervisor, participates in knowledge management and knowledge transfer efforts by identifying key aspects of assigned duties and proactively sharing knowledge with other employees to support continuity of operations and organizational effectiveness. X. Develops, maintains, and annually updates a comprehensive desk manual documenting essential duties, standard operating procedures, workflows, system processes, key contacts, reference materials, and other critical operational information necessary to support continuity of operations and effective knowledge transfer. Employees are responsible for ensuring desk manuals remain accurate, current, and accessible in accordance with Department requirements. Y. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform any other job-related duties as requested by their supervisors. Overtime may be required due to certain circumstances and situations. |
Decision Making: Describe the types of decisions made by the incumbent of this position and the types of decisions referred to others. Identify the problems or issues that can be resolved at the level of this position, versus those that must be referred to the supervisor. Example: In response to a customer inquiry, this work involves researching the status of an activity and preparing a formal response for the supervisor’s signature. Work assignments for the Water Quality Specialist are made by the Supervisor through regular mail, e-mail, phone, text, or meetings. Timeframes are set by Supervisor. Scheduling the work is done by the Specialist within the established timeframes. Work is reviewed by supervisor (reports, memos, complaints) on a routine basis. Legal actions are reviewed/approved/recommended by supervisor. Overall performance is summarized through the yearly Employee Performance Review. |
||||||||||||||||||||
Requirements Profile: Identify any specific experience or requirements, such as a licensure, registration, or certification, which may be necessary to perform the functions of the position. Position-specific requirements should be consistent with a Special Requirement or other criteria identified in the classification specification covering this position. Example: Experience using Java; Professional Engineer License Experience: Licenses, registrations, or certifications: 1. Class C Driver's License 2. N/A 3. N/A 4. 5. 6. |
||||||||||||||||||||
Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.
|