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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
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POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING |
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Position Number: 50297310 |
Description Activated On: 7/14/2026 3:50:22 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. If this position is filled as an Environmental Trainee, the incumbent will participate in a one-year formal and on-the-job training program to learn the duties of a Water Quality Specialist. During this training period the incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the section supervisor and field inspectors and other staff members in the performance of the specified duties. The incumbent will attend all training as required by the Governor’s Office of Administration, the Department and the Civil Service Commission for this training period. If the position is filled as a Water Quality Specialist, the incumbent will work as a Water Quality Specialist in the Northcentral Region's Oil & Gas Program by performing routine inspections, investigating complaints, providing notification of violations, taking water samples and enforcing applicable laws, regulations and acts. |
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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. Conduct routine inspections of oil and gas development activities, and Oil and Gas related ESCGP cases, including conducting virtual administrative inspections when necessary to efficiently complete telework that accomplishes the agency’s mission in accordance with Management Directive 505.36 Telework. These activities may include site preparation, road building, well drilling, waste disposal, pollution prevention measures, site restoration or production activities. These inspections are for the purpose of determining compliance with The Clean Streams Law, the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act, the Solid Waste Management Act, and the Pennsylvania Oil & Gas Act. The major emphasis of inspection is environmental protection through pollution prevention measures and erosion and sedimentation control measures. Conduct inspections of various oil & gas operations utilizing Department issued electronic equipment to record and document all inspection results. Utilize Department issued electronic equipment to record and document inspection results of various oil & gas operations. When necessary, utilize VDI / VPN and other available technology to input investigation details, sample information, and inspection data into OGSAIR, CTS, SIS, and eFACTS systems. Properly care for and maintain Department issued electronic equipment. Respond to citizen complaints of environmental damage or health/safety threats or water supply problems caused by oil and gas development activities. Complaints typically involve damage to groundwater, water wells, springs, or streams. Investigate to determine if complaint is valid, to identify cause, and to rectify situation. Assist hydrogeologist in investigations of groundwater contamination or gas migration. Cooperate with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission in stream pollution incidents. Notify operators of violations found by phone and/or by sending them a Notice of Violation. Initiate enforcement actions to resolve problems caused by oil and gas activities and to assure compliance with The Clean Streams Law, the Pennsylvania Oil & Gas Act, the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act, the Solid Waste Management Act, and the regulations pursuant to each. Enforcement may include, Criminal Citation, Criminal Complaints, Consent Assessments, and Consent Orders and Agreements. Assist legal staff in preparation of complaints for civil penalties. Act as expert witness at hearings. Review of PPC Plans, E & S Plans, waste control and disposal plans, and brine spreading plans submitted by operators. Correspond with operators to get necessary additional information to make these plans acceptable. Respond to questions by citizens and operators relative to The Clean Streams Law, the Oil & Gas Act, the Dam Safety and Encroachment Act, and the regulations pursuant to each. Represent the Department at industry-related, public, and enforcement meetings and seminars. Operate various scientific instruments such as pH meter, specific conductivity meter and explosive meter during investigations. Take representative samples of water, wastewater, and sediment suitable for evidence and/or information during investigations. Samples must be taken properly, put into proper containers and must be properly preserved to assure the validity and credibility of analysis. Take photographs and videotapes to be used for documentation of violations. Compile case history and evidence for enforcement actions, including photographs, permits, correspondence, sample analysis, and inspection reports, for referral to legal staff and for use in hearings, trials, orders, and civil penalties. Conduct reviews of operators’ requests for waivers of distance requirements from streams or water supplies and make recommendations to permitting section. Conduct compliance sampling and monitoring inspections under the ESCGP program. Conduct inspections prior to the release of an operator’s bond to assure that bond release requirements have been met. Research courthouse records for documentation to show ownership of oil/gas properties for legal purposes. Properly care for and maintain equipment. Provide assistance to the public and to business interests to help them comply with the laws of the Department. Input investigation, sample, and inspection data into complaint tracking, SIS, and eFACTS systems. Adhere to Departmental Policies concerning Safety, Occupational Safety Footwear, Occupational Safety Eyewear, Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan, Medical Monitoring Policy, Confined Spaces Policy, Governors Money Back Guarantee program, and Violence in the Workplace, among others. Report all accidents and injuries as soon as possible. Evaluates and assists business and industry in pollution prevention and energy efficiency initiatives relative to program specific issues. Assist with regional OPPEA by attending site visits as assigned. Provides pollution prevention and energy efficiency information during the course of daily relationships with regulated community. Responds to Right-to-Know requests and file review requests. Gathers responsive documents and reviews documents for compliance with Right-to-Know and file review exemptions. Provides documents to file review coordinator and/or Office of Chief Counsel. 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 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. Overtime may be required due to certain circumstances and situations. |
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 assignments of an Environmental Trainee are designed to develop the employee’s technical proficiency. Work assignments increase in scope and complexity as the employee gains technical proficiency in the work. Once the employee demonstrates the ability to perform the work, specific tasks are assigned, and the employee performs the work under the technical guidance of the supervisor. Work is reviewed in progress and upon completion for personal development, completeness, technical accuracy, and quality. Specialist work assignments are made by supervisor through regular mail, e-mail, phone, or meetings. Timeframes are set by the Water Quality Specialist Supervisor. Scheduling the work is done by the supervisor within the established timeframes. Work is reviewed by supervisor (reports, memos, complaints) on a routine basis. Legal actions are reviewed/approved/recommended by supervisor. Overall performance is summarized through the yearly employee performance reviews. |
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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. 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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