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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
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POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING |
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Position Number: 00188769 |
Description Activated On: 1/5/2026 11:21:07 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. Reviews surface and underground coal and noncoal mining permit applications. Assists compliance staff with technical issues that arise on existing mining sites. All professional geologic work performed is reviewed by a professional geologist in accordance with Act 367, Engineer, Land Surveyor and Geologist Registration Law. The person in this position will participate in a one-year formal and on-the-job training program to learn the duties of a Geoscientist. |
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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. Reviews surface and underground coal and noncoal mining permit applications to determine accuracy of information and ensure that proposed mining operation complies with all state and federal regulations. Prepares deficiency letters, with regulatory citations, to be submitted to applicant. Corresponds with applicant and consultant as necessary, conducts a field view of area proposed to be mined, reviews and makes recommendation to supervisor concerning permitting decision. Prepares cumulative hydrologic impact assessments (CHIA) for new surface and underground coal mining permit applications and submits written findings to supervisor with recommendations. Reviews groundwater modules. Reviews bond calculations associated with coal and noncoal permit applications to ensure that all areas proposed to be affected and currently affected by mining activities are properly bonded. Reviews small noncoal surface mining applications, general permit applications, government financed construction contracts, and coal and noncoal permit waiver for exploration requests. Prepares deficiency letters, with regulatory citations, to be submitted to applicant. Corresponds with applicant and consultant as necessary, conducts a field view of area proposed to be mined, reviews and makes recommendation to supervisor concerning permitting decision. For all new application reviews, conducts or reviews PNDI searches for potential impacts to threatened, endangered, special concern species and special concern resources in PA. Coordinates with US Fish & Wildlife Service, PA Department of Conservation & Natural Resources, PA Game Commission, and PA Fish & Boat Commission to ensure that proposed projects do not impact these species or habitat. Reviews applications to renew, revise, or transfer existing surface and underground coal and noncoal mining permit applications. Prepares deficiency letters, with regulatory citations, to be submitted to applicant. Submits written findings to supervisor with recommendations. Reviews applications to beneficially use waste products, coal ash, biosolids, and mine reclamation fill on surface mining permits. Assists supervisor in determining the feasibility of utilizing these materials on active and abandoned mine sites. Conducts hydrogeologic investigations, with supervision from Professional Geologist, as assigned. Investigates well loss and/or contamination and/or diminution complaints allegedly caused by mining activities. Also investigates sinkhole and subsidence complaints allegedly caused by mining activities. Prepares a technical report to the supervisor, complainant, and mining operator summarizing findings, responsibility, and corrective action deemed necessary to restore lost/degraded water supply or repair subsidence area. Reads and interprets anthracite underground mapping to assist in the review of coal permit applications and hydrogeologic investigations. Assists Professional Geologists in the evaluation of highwall stability analyses relative to proposals to remove safety benches at quarries. Attends and participates in public meetings relative to assigned permit applications and/or hydrogeologic investigations. Prepares public hearing reports to be submitted to supervisor, applicant, and meeting attendees listing the concerns brought up at the meeting and the Department's response to each concern. Reviews NPDES discharge permit applications associated with mining operations. Ensures that discharge limits comply with receiving stream designation and waste load allocations. Prepares draft NPDES permit and supporting documentation for EPA review and comment for all NPDES permit applications on TMDL streams. Makes recommendations to supervisor concerning permit decisions. Answers questions from the public, applicants, and consultants concerning permitted and proposed mining activities. 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 job description in no way states or implies that the above 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 assignment given 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 reports to the Chief, Permits & Technical Services Section. Surface mining permit applications, water supply complaints, and acid mine drainage discharge investigations are individually assigned according to workload, difficulty, or complexity of task. All draft permit review letters, hydrologic reports, and draft permit write-ups are reviewed with and approved by the Permits Chief or a Licensed Professional Geologist before they are finalized. Supervisory reviews are conducted at several stages to ensure consistency and adherence to Departmental regulations and policies. All surface mining permits receive a final review by the Chief, Permits & Technical Services who possesses a professional geologist license. |
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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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