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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
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POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING |
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Position Number: 00086877 |
Description Activated On: 9/24/2026 2:56:04 PM |
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. This position performs sanitary engineering work under the supervision of a licensed professional engineer. Responsible for the review and analysis of technical and non-technical engineering information associated with the implementation of Safe Drinking Water regulatory requirements for Public Water System (PWS) construction, modification, and operations. These duties are performed in the Technical Services Section of the Safe Drinking Water Program for an 11-county area in the Northeast Region of PA. Environmental Engineering Specialists and Environmental Engineering Trainees are expected to apply the knowledge and skills of sanitary engineering to detailed application review, the solution of practical problems; to recognize and define problems early in the project, and to develop solutions to problems which conform to agency policies, rules & regulations, as well as professional standards. If this position is filled as an Environmental Engineering Trainee, the incumbent will participate in a one-year formal on-the-job training program to learn the duties of an Environmental Engineering Specialist. |
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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. PERMITS/APPLICATIONS Reviews public water system permit applications and NonCommunity Public Water System Applications (NCWSA) including but not limited to: water system treatment facilities, new sources, distribution systems, pump station facilities, and water storage facilities to assure completeness, adequacy of design, mechanics of operation, and adherence to public water system design standards, and application of professional engineering standards. Writes technical reports pertaining to the permit applications and NCWSA applications and recommends issuance or denial of the permit and/or application to the Environmental Engineer Manager. Additionally, conducts preoperational inspections of public water systems and develops technical reports detailing the construction of the water system, and recommends operation permit issuance or denial. Participates in on-the-job training program if filled at the environmental engineer trainee level, for purpose of developing knowledge, skills, and abilities for the practical application of sanitary engineering principals. Reviews Public Water System (PWS) applications related to general design, pretreatment, solids removal, softening, filtration, disinfection, iron and manganese removal, corrosion control, taste and odor control, fluoridation, nitrate removal, radiological removal, Volatile Synthetic Organic Chemical (VOC) removal, ultraviolet (UV)disinfection, storage capacity, pumping stations, intake structures, transmission mains, distribution systems, and innovative technologies. Conducts field surveys, investigations, and inspections for public water system permit applications for treatment processes, treatment objectives, new sources, distribution systems, storage facilities, and pump station facilities. Reviews allocation permit applications for surface water sources and subsidiary water allocation permits for transfer of surface water supplies. Coordinates with Engineering Section Chief and SDW Central Office engineering staff as required for Yield Analysis Tool (YAT) model calculations, pass-by requirements, and associated permit recommendations. Participates in PENNVEST pre-application conferences with applicants and consultants to discuss all documentation needed for a complete PENNVEST application submittal. Reviews permit applications, plans, specifications, Uniform Environmental Review and related documents that support loan applications submitted to the PENNVEST Program. Provides technical assistance and engineering consultation relative to permitting and design requirements of public water supplies. This includes meeting with and corresponding with consulting engineers and applicants for pre-application conferences or to resolve deficiencies in their specific cases. Also technically advises and coordinates with other programs in the region on matters pertaining to water supply permits and water treatment facilities. Attends meetings with PWS's regarding pending applications, design and construction issues, adequacy of existing facilities, and related PWS engineering considerations. Prepares various documents such as: administrative letters, technical deficiency letters, cover letters, permits, internal reviews and recommendations (IR&R), and permit related notices for publication in the PA Bulletin. References or cites regulations in all documents, when applicable. Enters appropriate data into eFACTS for application milestone tracking and Permit Decision Guarantee (PDG) timelines. Consults with regional program hydrogeologists concerning applications for source construction, development and/or redevelopment of groundwater sources, adherence to PWS design standards, and Surface Water Identification Protocol (SWIP) determinations, as necessary. Reviews and makes recommendations regarding Feasibility Studies and Pilot Work Data for public water systems. Coordinates with district sanitarians for participation in operations inspections of water systems specific to permit requirements, as directed by the Technical Services Section Chief. Travel to regulated PWS sites, field areas, and staff training locations as needed. Responds to emergencies associated with potential contamination, tampering, waterborne disease outbreaks, flooding, droughts, or imminent threat issues at Public Water System Facilities as directed and coordinated through management staff. Provides input to the Section Chief in preparation of, but not limited to: Notices of Violation, Compliance Orders, Civil Penalty Assessments, etc., executed to inform responsible parties of violations when facilities are constructed, modified, or operated without a PWS permit. 1. Promotes and exemplifies the Department’s Mission, Vision, and Values in all aspects of work performance and professional conduct. 2. 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. 3. 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. 4. Complies with all applicable laws, regulations, policies, procedures, guidance, and training requirements related to assigned duties and DEP electronic data systems. 5. 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. 6. 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. 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 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 engineer position works independently on complicated projects. Work progress is reviewed upon completion for completeness, technical accuracy, compliance with Safe Drinking Water Regulations, design standards, departmental policies, and compliance with engineering principles and practices. |
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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: Engineer in Training working towards a Professional Engineer license Licenses, registrations, or certifications: 1. Class C Driver's License 2. N/A 3. N/A 4. 5. 6. |
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Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.
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