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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
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POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING |
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Position Number: 00187604 |
Description Activated On: 2/2/2026 1:31:17 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 is a professional, technical position in the Waste Management Program in the Southcentral Region. This is advanced professional work in the field of geology requiring independent legal and professional responsibility for work products. The employee must be a PA Licensed Professional Geologist. The Licensed Professional Geologist is responsible for review of applications for permitting of hazardous, municipal and residual waste disposal, processing and treatment facilities; implementation of a groundwater protection strategy at solid waste facilities in the Southcentral Region; for monitoring the groundwater surrounding permitted/unpermitted waste facilities; and for reviewing/monitoring remedial activities at contaminated sites. The Licensed Professional Geologist provides responsible charge for the geologic trainees and geologic specialists in accordance with Act 367. |
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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. • Permit Application and Plan Review for the following types of facilities: 1. Hazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal. 2. Municipal, commercial, industrial waste treatment and disposal. 3. Demolition waste landfill. 4. Waste management facilities applying for closure plan approvals. This category involves the review of information submitted to the Regional Office in support of permit applications. Reviews the material for completeness, accuracy and conformance with applicable regulations. This process involves interaction with the applicant, other members of the technical staff, and use of outside sources of information, as necessary. At the completion of the review, provides in a summary of findings and recommendation to the Technical Services Section Manager/Supervisors. Permit application reviews will include the following activities: 1. Promotes the Department's mission. 2. 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 specific tools to ensure duplicative entries and data quality issues are minimized. 3. Follows Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). 4. Reviews permit applications and draft Record of Decision (ROD). 5. Enters appropriate data into eFacts. 6. Drafts deficiency letters with regulatory citations. 7. Identifies issues encountered and recommends solutions to Section Chief. • Field Investigations for many situations including: 1. Groundwater problems at permitted disposal sites. 2. Groundwater problems at unpermitted waste treatment, storage or disposal facilities. 3. Groundwater evaluations at properties adjacent to or affected by the land disposal of waste material. 4. To compile specific geologic data relative to the movement of groundwater. 5. Site investigations at disposal sites subject to the CERCLA (Superfund) Legislation. 6. To determine the rate and direction of groundwater flow. Field investigations are always conducted as part of the permit review process. Site specific information is necessary to determine geologic conditions and to confirm or modify published geologic information generated on a larger scale. Geologic instruments such as Brunton compass, geophysical equipment, soil gas and groundwater measuring and sampling devices are frequently used in this function, as well as global positioning system (GPS) units. The investigation may involve verification of information submitted as part of the application process or generation of new data. Investigations also typically include construction of Geographic Information System (GIS) projects in order to track and visualize various projects components. • Preparation of Technical Reports and Memoranda for a variety of situations. These may include: 1. Recommendations on permit applications to the Environmental Engineer Manager. 2. Remedial or spill response activities relating to groundwater contamination. Recommendations are made for expeditious clean-up techniques. 3. To satisfy EPA funding grant requirements, which includes, but is not limited to, the preparation of and/or review of contractor-prepared Environmental Indicator Determination Reports for RCRA Corrective Action facilities. 4. Construction of GIS maps and review of current and historical aerial photography as part of report preparation or data evaluation. 5. Special projects including data collection and literature review. 6. Respond to e-mails from the public or regulated community, or internal communications. Prepares a written technical report or memo as an integral part of the first three categories. The report contains data, conclusions and recommendations relative to the application, contamination event, or spill and may include photographs, sample results maps or charts. The report is used in the development of regional action policies relative to permit issuance or denial, legal action or an appropriate response to a contamination event or an evaluation of the status of a RCRA Corrective Action facility. • Development of Appropriate Groundwater Monitoring or Withdrawal Wells. 1. At proposed disposal sites. 2. To assess the effects of waste materials spill or disposal. 3. To serve as withdrawal points for contaminant recovery. The proper location of a groundwater well is essential to determine the effect of solid waste disposal on an aquifer. In the event of groundwater pollution, a properly located withdrawal well may be used in contaminant recovery and an abatement of the problem. If recovery is not warranted, groundwater monitoring is generally required. • Sample Collection. Samples of groundwater, surface water, soils or waste materials are collected for the following purposes: 1. Monitoring at land treatment or disposal facilities. 2. In support of legal actions. 3. In the course of an investigation. 4. To determine the progress of spill cleanup or aquifer restoration projects. 5. To satisfy the requirements of Federal Government Regulations or special State project. The collection of representative samples requires the use of pumps, generators, bailers, water level meters and recorders and field analytical instruments. Proper procedures must be followed, and a chain of custody maintained or sample results will not be valid. Coordination with personnel in the State Bureau of Laboratories is essential to the proper analysis of samples. • Groundwater Quality Data Collection and Analysis. 1. To determine ambient groundwater quality. 2. To determine the constituents of waste material which may have entered the groundwater. 3. To verify the integrity of waste disposal or treatment facilities. 4. To support legal actions by the Department. 5. To maintain the Region’s Groundwater Monitoring database. Data provided by facility operators is entered into the database for analysis. Monitoring data is collected and self-monitoring data is analyzed to ensure that environmental degradation does not result from waste disposal activities. Monitoring wells serve as an early warning system for off-site migration of contaminated waters and allow protection to downgradient users. Testimony as an expert witness to validate samples which employee collected at disposal sites may be a necessary part of this job. • Participation in meetings under the following circumstances: 1. With officials of other regulatory bureaus or agencies. 2. To develop compliance and enforcement activities. 3. To develop regulations and Regional policy. 4. With consultants. 5. With public and concerned citizens. 6. For training. 7. With the Hazardous Waste Task Force to develop policies and procedures statewide. 8. Legal procedures. Many regional activities are formulated by meetings with interested parties. The size of the meeting ranges from small informal sessions at the regional level to large public participation forums. The Department is constantly involved in legal procedures to defend our actions. The geologist is typically involved in such cases and required to be a recognized expert in the field. • Participation in Field Investigations. As a Licensed Professional Geologist, conducts inspection at permitted and unpermitted disposal facilities in the company of other members of the technical and operations staff. These inspections are for the purpose of determining compliance with existing regulations and the approved plan of operations. • Miscellaneous 1. Expected to serve as expert witness in the field of hydrogeology in cases before the Environmental Hearing Board, County or Commonwealth Courts. 2. Coordination of permitting and enforcement activities with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 3. May be asked to participate in developing Waste Management Regulations and participate in Task Force Groups to develop Department policies regarding Municipal, Residual and Hazardous Waste Management Regulations. 4. Review technical material for the State Superfund group in the Regional Office. 5. Read a broad spectrum of scientific literature and attend professional meetings and training seminars in order to keep abreast of developments in the profession. 6. Participate in “peer review” discussions with other DEP geologists to ensure that the geologist’s work is of high professional standards. There is no hierarchy of technical oversight within the Department to serve this purpose. 7. Employee will input necessary data into Departmental tracking systems to accurately reflect work performed during specified time periods. 8. Operate a motor vehicle to travel to various field sites. • Required to do one or more of the following in areas that do not exceed published exposure limits: Conducts on site spill investigations Investigates incidents and/or oversees cleanup operations Samples for harmful or hazardous materials or petroleum products Handles hazardous or harmful materials Conducts Trashnet inspections. Inspects reclamation sites where materials foreign to the site have been used or disposed of in areas that do exceed published exposure limits. This position 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. Priority for application review is established by the Regional Manager. Progress in meeting deadlines and schedules is reviewed periodically. Considerable latitude is permitted as long as work schedules are met and Bureau Objectives and policy are adhered to. |
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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. Professional Geologist 2. Class C Driver's License 3. Real ID or Equivalent 4. N/A 5. N/A 6. N/A |
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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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