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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
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POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING |
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Position Number: 00092208 |
Description Activated On: 9/8/2026 9:40:16 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. This position works as lead reviewer and provides technical support in the preparation of existing and proposed Coal Mining Activity Permit (CMAP) and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting for underground mining and associated facilities. This position will also work as a reviewer and provide technical support in the review of stream recovery evaluation (SRE) reports for streams that have experienced a flow loss, heaving or pooling subsequent to being undermined. This position is in the technical section of the California District Mining Office and includes permit reviews for bituminous coal underground mines, coal preparation plants, and coal refuse disposal facilities. |
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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. Promotes the Department’s mission. Inputs appropriate data in a prescribed format to meet data quality standards set forth by guidance, training, and policy across all of DEP’s electronic data systems; to include ensuring accuracy and completeness of entries, and where available, the use of system specific tools to ensure duplicative entries and data quality issues are minimized. This position works as lead reviewer and provides technical support in the preparation of existing and proposed CMAP and NPDES permitting for underground bituminous mining and associated facilities. This position is in the technical section of the California District Mining Office and includes permit reviews for bituminous coal underground mines, coal preparation plants, and coal refuse disposal facilities. The incumbent will review and assess administrative, geologic and hydrogeologic information contained in CMAP and NPDES permit applications for bituminous underground mine, coal refuse disposal, coal preparation and coal handling/storage facilities. They will evaluate and interpret geologic data, hydrogeologic data, surface and groundwater monitoring data, overburden analysis, sealing plans, mine operation plans, chemical, and engineering data to determine with reasonable accuracy the impact of the proposed mining activities on both local and regional hydrologic regimes. They will also evaluation water quality data to develop effluent limits to facilitate the discharge of treated mining impacted water and stormwater runoff from the mining operations into the waters of the Commonwealth. As lead reviewer, coordinates the application review with the reviews conducted by other co-workers and agencies including but not limited to the engineering and compliance units, Mine Safety, Fish and Game Commissions, Bureau of Clean Water, PennDOT, Environmental Protection Agency and the Historical and Museum Commission. Communicates, both verbally and in writing, the results of the technical review to the applicant and consulting engineer. Prepares a comprehensive, well-organized technical deficiency letter to the applicant at the completion of each technical review, which outlines the deficiencies, omissions, inaccuracies, and/or inconsistencies discovered during the review of the applications. Consults with the applicant, engineering consultant, private citizens, and other Departmental personnel of the regulatory requirements concerning the permitting of facilities listed above. Recommends issuance or denial of permits based on the review of the application. Drafts permits and/or portions of permits including special conditions relative to the mining operations. Prepares reports outlining reasons for permit denial based on adverse impacts to the hydrologic balance. Will review SRE reports submitted by permittees determine if the streams have recovered following mitigation activities to address flow loss, heaving and/or pooling as a result of the stream being undermined. Will evaluate the flow data contained within the SRE, as well as evaluating precipitation data, to determine if flow was returned to pre-mining conditions, if additional mitigation is necessary or if there has been a permanent impact to the stream as a result of mining. The incumbent will also aid the licensed professional geologist perform water loss investigations to determine if the change in water supply quality or quantity is the result of mining. As part of this process, it may be necessary to collect groundwater quality samples, conduct a down-hole camera evaluation of the water supply well and to monitoring flow or groundwater elevations over a span of a couple of days or weeks. Will assist the licensed professional geologist in developing a water loss report detailing the findings of the water loss investigation and the determination if the change in water supply quality or quantity was the result of mining activities. Periodically conducts investigations and inspections of proposed and existing mine sites to determine potential or existing pollutional problems, to collect and compile groundwater and surface water quantity and quality data; and to determine the potential for adverse impacts on private or public water supplies. Schedules and participates in informal conferences and public hearings necessitated during the permit review process. Reviews revision applications for permitted mining activities. Areas of direct responsibility and related duties are the same as in duties listed above. Serves as lead reviewer for mid-term reviews of mining activity permits. Evaluates surface and groundwater monitoring results; recalculates bond if necessary; assesses the need for perpetual treatment; surveys the surface areas affected to verify compliance with approved plans; judges the adequacy of existing treatment facilities and water handling techniques by comparing performance requirements against DMRs and inspection reports; and other aspects that may be required by law, regulation, or Department policy. Serves as lead reviewer for mining activity permit renewal applications. Responsibilities are the same as in a mid-term review listed above, plus coordination of review with the Engineering Unit, Compliance Unit, Mine Safety, Bureau of Clean Water, the mine conservation inspector, and other people and agencies who have an interest in the application. If a renewal application includes a revision, then areas of direct responsibility and related duties are the same as in duties listed above. Serves as lead reviewer for final sealing plans and reclamation plans for mines and areas of mines where mining activity has ceased. Makes recommendations for Department approval or disapproval of the sealing/reclamation plan; performs a site survey with permittee consultant, Mine Safety, and mine conservation inspector; surveys inside the mine for appropriate location of seals; conducts follow-up surveys as necessary to assure that the approved sealing reclamation plan is adhered to; and reviews and evaluates post-mining surface water, groundwater, and mine pool monitoring results to assure that the permittee fulfills its mine closure environmental obligations. Assists in the training of new employees within the permit section. Serves as a witness, when necessary, in legal proceedings surrounding the issuance or denial of permits; the investigation of pollutional incidents; and the investigation of citizen complaints. Utilizes the AMD treat software program to assist in the calculation of perpetual treatment trust funds. Follows Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Reviews permit applications and draft Record of Decision (ROD). Enters appropriate data into eFACTS. Identifies issues encountered and recommends solutions to Professional Geologist Manager. Reviews and evaluates post-mining surface water, groundwater, and mine pool monitoring results to assure that the operator fulfills its mine closure environmental obligations. Periodically collects and compiles groundwater and surface water quantity and quality data to determine the potential for adverse impacts on private and public water supplies. Reviews various project proposals which are submitted to the Bureau and prepares a written response which indicates existing or proposed Departmental actions and permitting requirements for the proposed project. Reviews preliminary applications for underground mining storm water and treatment facility discharges and establishes discharge limitations in compliance with state water quality standards. NPDES permit applications are reviewed for new and existing discharges, ensuring compliance with water quality management objectives and standards, and federal regulatory requirements, including technology limitations developed using Best Professional Judgment. This also includes the daily use of a personal computer to run water quality models. • Follows Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). • Reviews permit applications and drafts Fact Sheets and permit documents. • Drafts deficiency letters with regulatory citations. Identifies issues encountered and recommends solutions to the Professional Geologist Manager. Meets with citizens, industry representatives, public officials, engineers, and others to resolve problems and questions on various Department matters involving the Permits Section. Prepares for and briefs other Bureau staff for such meetings. This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this position. Employee will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform any other job-related duties as requested by the 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. Employee will receive assignments from the Professional Geologist Manager for various permit applications and projects. The work assignments are discussed in detail, with various examples of who to contact or which informational sources to consult. The supervisor is consulted during the progress of the work assignment to provide guidance and training. All completed work assignments are reviewed in detail by the supervisor for compliance with state and federal requirements. This position performs professional work in geology and hydrology under the direction of a responsible professional geologist. Employee receives overall objectives and general instructions from the immediate supervisor and can seek the supervisor’s advice at any time. All work is reviewed in detail for completeness, technical accuracy, and soundness of approach. |
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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: 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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