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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
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POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING |
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Position Number: 00256507 |
Description Activated On: 7/14/2026 8:15:33 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 is responsible for in depth review of Public Water System applications in the Southeast Region to ensure that all systems are properly planned, designed, constructed and operated in accordance with the Safe Drinking Water rules and regulations. Work assignments typically involve a variety of advanced environmental engineering related tasks that require judgment and independent evaluation, including the application and interpretation of regulatory requirements, the application of engineering design principles and standards, and an understanding of public water supply treatment systems and technologies. If this position is filled as an Environmental Engineering Trainee, there is a 12-month training period during which time the incumbent will be trained to perform the duties of an Environmental Engineering Specialist. The work products produced are reviewed by the supervisor before being issued or released |
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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 Reviews Public Water System (PWS) Construction Permit, Operations Permit and Permit Transfer applications submitted in accordance with Chapter 109 of the PA Safe Drinking Water Act. Reviews permit applications, modules, engineering reports, plans and specifications that are submitted for new or modified public water systems. Reviews application 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, innovative technologies, pumping stations, intake structures, transmission mains and distribution systems. Prepares various documents such as: administrative letters, technical deficiency letters, cover letters, permits, and internal reviews and recommendations (IR&R). References the regulations in all documents when applicable. Reviews 4-log disinfection certification requests in order to verify compliance with the Groundwater Rule. Reviews pilot study reports and innovative permit applications. Prepares technical review letters and pilot study approval letters. Reviews operations permits requests in coordination with Safe Drinking Water Operations staff requirements. This includes Reserve Source Designations, Designation of Treatment Segments for Giardia Disinfection, Certification of 4-Log Treatment of Viruses, and more. Reviews allocation permits for surface water sources and subsidiary water allocation permits for transfer of surface water supply. Reviews and approves general permits for simple public water supply system modifications if and when the process for general permits becomes available for regional use. Reviews corrosion control treatment (CCT) feasibility studies in accordance with the Lead and Copper regulations under Chapter 109. Prepares technical review letters and CCT feasibility study approval letters. Coordinates permit reviews with outside agencies including the Delaware River Basin Commission, Susquehanna River Basin Commission, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, Public Utility Commission, and Pennvest. Participates in meetings with various parties, such as the applicant and their consultant, to discuss issues that may arise during a PWS permit application review. Follows Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) when reviewing applications. Identifies problems encountered during a review and recommends solutions to Section Chief. PENNVEST Participates in Pennvest Planning Consultations and performs Prefeasibility Assessments to identify and screen alternative solutions; examine alternative funding sources; and discusses with potential Pennvest applicants the procedures and information needed to complete the application process. 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. Prepares, in consultation with the Section Chief, Evaluation and Recommendations Reports for Pennvest applications using the on-line, web-based Pennvest application program. Ranks, and justifies the ranking of Pennvest projects using the on-line, web-based Pennvest applications program. Attends preconstruction conferences with Pennvest recipients. Schedules and participates in interim and final construction inspections of Pennvest projects. Reviews and makes recommendations to Pennvest regarding “Change in Scope” requests for active construction projects. Reviews construction change orders and provides a final ‘approve or deny’ recommendation to the Section Chief. INSPECTIONS Participates in pre-operation inspections of newly constructed facilities as a prerequisite for issuance of a PWS operation permit. Verifies that the facilities have been constructed in accordance with the PWS construction permit, approved plans, specifications, special conditions and IR&R. Participates in inspections of existing, modified or newly constructed water systems, systems in violation, systems with operational problems, or systems experiencing emergency situations and recommends appropriate action or adjustments. Writes letters describing deficiencies found during inspections and follows-up in conjunction with Operations staff. CONSULTATION AND MEETINGS Provides technical assistance, engineering consultation, and regulatory guidance to staff, water supply operators, and consultants regarding: PWS permit applications, proposed treatments, innovative technologies, experimental permits, operation and maintenance of facilities, proposed regulatory revisions, and treatment techniques. Attends meetings with PWS's regarding: pending applications, design and construction issues, adequacy of existing facilities, etc... Provides information to the public and public officials regarding Departmental programs and functions. Participates in meetings with the public, legislators, protestors, etc. concerning controversial issues. Assists Central Office and/or regional attorneys with controversial issues involving public water supply systems. Reviews proposed legislation, statewide policies and technical guidance documents. Provides recommendations and comments to the Section Chief. Participates in statewide committees charged with reviewing proposed legislation, statewide policies and technical guidance documents. Attends meetings on behalf of Section Chief when requested to do so. Attends and participates in staff meetings. COORDINATION Coordinates permit application reviews with other Department programs to ensure that a project obtains all required permits and approvals. In particular, coordinate with the Clean Water program to ensure that filter backwash and sludge disposal issues are addressed. Coordinates with other Department programs as needed when information is discovered that warrants their attention. Coordinates with a hydrogeologist on PWS permits that involve development and permitting of groundwater wells. Enters appropriate data into eFACTS and ePermitting for permit coordination. Conducts PNDI computer searches to determine potential impacts to rare and endangered animals and plant species. Implements PHMC policy and coordinates with them, as necessary. Prepares notices on permit cases for publication in the PA Bulletin. Informs Section Chief of legislative contacts. EMERGENCIES Responds to emergencies associated with contaminated public water supplies, waterborne disease outbreaks, or water supply shortage/droughts at PWS's. Meets with water suppliers and their consultants to offer assistance and technical guidance during water emergencies. Implements program responsibilities for various events to protect the public from risk due to drinking water emergencies. ENFORCEMENT Prepares case documentation and history to legal staff which may be needed for prosecution or enforcement. Upon request, acts as a witness in enforcement actions and provides testimony before the Environmental Hearing Board, Commonwealth Court, DRBC or SRBC on permitting matters. Participates in Administrative Conferences on problem cases. Provides input to Section Chief in preparation of, but not limited to, Notices of Violation and Compliance Orders to inform parties of violations when facilities are built and operated without a PWS permit. MISCELLANEOUS Attends training in Safe Drinking Water related topics. Completes timely filing of public records. Conducts or participates in water quality sampling. Accesses the PADWIS database to verify the accuracy of information regarding PWS permits. Continues productive work habits during telework scenarios. 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. 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. 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 Section Chief. |
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. Most work results from public demand, which cannot always be anticipated. Routine work is prioritized based on Departmental policies. Non-routine work is prioritized at the direction of the Section Chief. There is some freedom in scheduling and completing non-routine work. Most work is performed independently but is reviewed upon completion by the Section Chief. Problems are brought directly to the attention of the Section Chief. Routine correspondence is reviewed by the Section Chief. When a permit review is completed, an IR&R is prepared and forwarded to the Section Chief. Work in this area falls within the guidelines of the Department’s Policy on Professional 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: 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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