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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
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POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING |
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Position Number: 50460866 |
Description Activated On: 9/30/2024 7:14:31 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. The Water Quality Specialist will be responsible for performing routine inspections, investigating complaints, providing notification of violations, collecting water samples, and conducting monitoring and compliance activities related to the enforcement of the Oil and Gas Act, Conservation Law, Coal and Gas Resource Coordination Law, as well as the rules and regulations and established policies promulgated under them, for the Northwest District’s Oil & Gas Program. This position will also be tasked with assisting in the development, review and completion of plugging projects under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. If this position is filled as an Environmental Trainee, the individual will serve a 12-month training period. During this training period, there will be greater oversight of the employee's duties, formal training, and on the job training to perform the Water Quality Specialist duties and implement the objectives of the Oil & Gas Program. |
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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. A. Conduct routine inspections of oil and gas development activities, and Oil and Gas related NPDES cases. 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, the Pennsylvania Oil & Gas Act, the regulations promulgated under each and applicable permits including General Permits. The major emphasis of inspection is environmental protection through evaluation of pollution prevention measures and erosion and sedimentation control measures. B. 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 alleged impact to groundwater, drinking 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. C. Notify well operators and other responsible parties of any violations various means including personal conversation, phone call, inspection report and Notice of Violation. Initiate second-level enforcement actions to resolve violations caused by oil and gas activities and to assure compliance with The Clean Streams Law, the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act, the Solid Waste Management Act, the Pennsylvania Oil & Gas Act, the regulations promulgated under each and applicable permits including General Permits. Second-level enforcement may include Criminal Citations, Criminal Complaints, Consent Assessments, Administrative Orders, Compliance Orders and Consent Order and Agreements. Assist legal staff in preparation of complaints for civil penalties. Act as expert witness at hearings. D. Review of various plans including PPC Plans, E & S Plans, Control and Disposal Plans, Alternative Waste Disposal Plans submitted by regulated parties. Work with the regulated party, Environmental Protection Specialist and other appropriate District staff to ensure plans are complete and accurate. Work with staff and regulated parties to assure Plans are complied with. E. 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. F. Represent the Department at industry-related, public, and enforcement meetings and seminars. G. Operate various scientific instruments such as pH meters, specific conductivity meters, multi-gas detectors and explosive gas meters during investigations. H. Take representative samples of water, wastewater, soil and sediment suitable for evidence and/or information gathering during investigations. All Bureau of Labs and Department standard operating procedures must be followed to ensure samples are taken properly, proper containers are used, samples are properly preserved, and chain of custody is properly documented. All analytical results must be forwarded to the owner/operator of the sampled source within seven (7) days of receipt of the results. I. Take photographs and videotapes to be used for documentation of violations. J. 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. K. Conduct reviews of operators’ requests for waivers of distance requirements from streams or water supplies and make recommendations to permitting section. L. Conduct compliance sampling and monitoring inspections under the NPDES program. M. Conduct inspections prior to the release of an operator’s bond to assure that bond release requirements have been met. N. Research courthouse records for documentation to show ownership of oil/gas properties for legal purposes. O. Properly care for and maintain equipment. P. Provide assistance to the public and to business interests to help them comply with the laws of the Department. Q. Input investigation, sample, and inspection data into CTS, S.I.S., and eF.A.C.T.S. systems. This work is to be done within established time constraints. R. Adhere to all Departmental Work Rules and the Policies concerning Safety, Occupational Safety Footwear, Occupational Safety Eyewear, Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control, Medical Monitoring, Confined Spaces, Governors Money Back Guarantee program, Sexual Discrimination, Discrimination and Violence in the Workplace, use of Flame-Resistant Clothing, Vehicle use and maintenance, Maintenance of itineraries and personal conduct, among others. S. Report all accidents and injuries as soon as possible. T. 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. U. 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 perform any other job-related duties as requested by their supervisors. 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: Work assignments for the Water Quality Specialist are made by the WQS Supervisor through regular mail, e-mail, phone, or meetings. Timeframes are set by the Supervisor. Scheduling the work is done by the Specialist within the established timeframes. Work is reviewed by Supervisor (reports, memos, complaints) on a routine basis. Legal actions are reviewed/approved/recommended by the Supervisor. Overall performance is evaluated by the Supervisor and summarized through the Progress Review and yearly Employee Performance Review. 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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