|
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
|
|
POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING |
|
|
Position Number: 00042281 |
Description Activated On: 7/14/2026 11:43:29 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. The Environmental Protection Specialist functions as a Recycling and Planning Coordinator in the SERO, Waste Management Program. The Environmental Protection Specialist demonstrates a professional level of knowledge regarding the management of solid waste particularly in the areas of planning and recycling. This knowledge, in the form of technical assistance and professional support, is provided on an as-needed base or when required to promote the goals and priorities of the Department as they relate to the understanding and the complying with the solid waste management statutes, regulations, policies and guidance. |
|
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. Administer Act 101 Solid Waste Management Planning, Recycling and Household Hazardous Waste Collection Grants program in the region. This responsibility shall include conducting pre-application meetings with officials who are preparing and submitting applications, reviewing and prioritizing applications, reviewing invoices, approving/disapproving reports, and acting as project officer on all municipal waste grant contracts within the region (i.e. FRIG, Act 101, Act 190, Act 155, etc.). Serve as the primary regional contact for the Bureau of Waste Management (“Central Office”) staff relative to municipal waste planning, recycling, and waste minimization and reduction. Coordinate planning and recycling activities with other regional and Central Office staff, as well as county and municipal officials to ensure the administration of an effective planning, recycling, and waste reduction program in the region and in the Commonwealth. Provide technical assistance to county and municipal officials and consultants in the preparation and revision of municipal solid waste management plans. Review municipal solid waste management plans and determine compliance with the municipal solid waste planning mandates under Act 101. Monitor plan development and implementation. Provide prioritized deadlines for compliance and recommend enforcement action as deemed necessary. Conduct the Act 190 Small Business and Household Pollution Prevention Grant Program. Provide technical assistance to counties, municipalities, small businesses, consultants and the public relative to the development and grant funding of educational programs for pollution prevention and household hazardous waste management. Conduct pre-application conferences, completeness and technical reviews of grant applications, draft notices of deficiency, and develop funding recommendations and priorities for the region. Conduct the Act 101 Municipal Waste Planning Grant Program. Provide technical assistance to counties and consultants relative to municipal waste planning and grant assistance. Conduct pre-application conferences, completeness and technical reviews of grant applications, draft notice of deficiencies, and develop funding recommendations and priorities for the region. Conduct the Food Recovery Infrastructure Grant Program. Conduct pre-application conferences, completeness and technical reviews of grant applications, draft notices of deficiency, and provide technical assistance to counties, municipalities, and consultants relative to the grant program. Develop FRIG grant funding recommendations and priorities for the region. Conduct the Act 101- Act 190 Small Business and Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection and Management Program. Provide technical assistance to counties, municipalities, and the private sector relative to the development, registration and grant funding of HHW, electronics and waste tire collection programs. Conduct pre-application conferences, completeness and technical reviews of registration and grant applications, draft notices of deficiency, and develop funding recommendations and priorities for the region. Conduct the Act 101 Municipal Waste Recycling Development and Implementation Grant Program. Provide technical assistance to county and municipal officials, and consultants in the preparation and submission of applications for grant assistance. Conduct pre-application conferences, completeness and technical reviews of grant applications, draft notices of deficiency, and review additional information to complete the applications. Coordinate all reviews with program staff and develop grant funding recommendations and priorities for the region in accordance with established funding policies, priorities and mandates under Act 101. Provide review and oversight of all grant disbursements in the region. Conduct grant related equipment audits in the region. Determine conformance to the intended purposes and conditions of grant funding. Promote and emphasize recycling and waste reduction in the region. Provide consultation, technical assistance, and guidance to government officials, consultants, civic organizations, industrial, commercial, and business establishments, federal, state, and local agencies, and interested persons on all matters relating to municipal solid waste planning, recycling, resource recovery, and waste reduction. Perform a workload analysis to determine the amount of time spent on meetings, grant reviews, contracting, special projects, and the average number of each type of activity over the year. Periodically evaluate all policies and procedures relative to the Planning, Recycling, and Waste Reduction Program. Develop or revise work procedures in accordance with established regional and statewide policies and procedures. Maintain and update the Recycling Coordinator’s Handbook. Review and coordinate, as assigned, Mushroom Farm Environmental Management Plans or other written Best Management Practices for compliance with Best Practices for Environmental Protection in the Mushroom Farm Community and other related environmental concerns. Assist in the performance of and/or conduct inspections of municipal and residual waste facilities such as composting operations, Land Clearing, Grubbing and Excavation (LCGE) waste operations, etc., to ensure compliance with the Department’s Rules and Regulations and guidance. Conduct complaint investigations pertaining to planning/recycling issues, and composting and LCGE waste operations. Provide briefings, program status reports, and other information as required to the Environmental Group Manager-Operations Section to ensure that all work is completed in a timely manner, and in accordance with all Department policies, procedures, rules, regulations, and the regional program plan. Ensure the development and maintenance of an efficient record keeping, monitoring, and reporting system to effectively administer and track the planning, recycling, and waste reduction program in the region. This includes the tracking of all grant applications and disbursements requests, county municipal waste plan development and implementation, the status of community recycling programs, and other requirements under Acts 101, 190, and 57. Interpret rules, regulations, policies, and procedures regarding municipal waste planning, recycling, and waste reduction for the Waste Management Program personnel and other interested persons. Coordinate any interpretations, when needed, with appropriate regional and Central Office and legal staff. Review and provide comment on proposed solid waste management rules, regulations, policies and procedures. Recommend certain legal actions regarding procedures and approaches in unique cases where prosecution may be necessary in order to gain compliance with Act 101 and its regulations ensuring that the municipal solid waste planning and recycling mandates are implemented in the region. Initiate and participate in various types of legal actions in accordance with Department policy. This includes providing expert testimony in the field of municipal solid waste management. Arrange, attend, and participate in meetings with public officials, the regulated community, and/or citizens concerning planning and or recycling. Attend and participate in Departmental and approved out-service training courses pertaining to personnel safety and protection, and the field of solid waste management. Operate a motor vehicle to travel in the administration of the recycling program and to attend meetings and conferences. Respond to Right-to-Know requests and file review requests. Gathers responsive documents and reviews documents for compliance with Right-to-Know and file review exemptions. Provide documents to file review coordinator and/or Office of Chief Counsel. Utilize computer technology to efficiently perform all job functions. Promotes and exemplifies the Department’s Mission, Vision, and Values in all aspects of work performance and professional conduct. 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. 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. Complies with all applicable laws, regulations, policies, procedures, guidance, and training requirements related to assigned duties and DEP electronic data systems. 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. 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. Plan, schedule, organize, and determine workflow for assigned projects and perform other work duties and assignments as needed and assigned. This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. The employee will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor. |
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. The employee in this position receives work assignments primarily from the Waste Management Program’s Environmental Program Manager. The employee exercises considerable independence in planning, scheduling and completing the work assignment. The assignments involve the employee working in a cooperative manner with mandated municipal recycling programs, and with counties preparing county municipal waste management plans. Public response projects are assigned on as–needed bases. The employee determines an appropriate type of action, consults with the Environmental Program Manager, and prepares the necessary documents/response for signature. |
||||||||||||||||||||
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.
|