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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
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POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING |
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Position Number: 50592737 |
Description Activated On: 10/26/2026 1:45:03 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. The individual in this position will perform routine inspections, investigate complaints, provide notification of violations, take water samples, and enforce applicable laws, regulations and acts for the Northcenter Region's Clean Water Program. If the 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. If the position is filled as a Water Quality Specialist, the incumbent will perform the duties listed below within an assigned geographical area of the Commonwealth. |
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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. Follows standard operating procedures in the performance of all applicable job duties. 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. Participates in training related to job duties. Enriches personal knowledge of sewage and industrial waste treatment processes, departmental policy, rules and regulations, spill prevention/response procedures and other topics enhancing job performance. Conducts inspections of sewage collection systems, sewage and industrial wastewater treatment facilities and discharges from sewage and industrial wastewater treatment facilities to determine if they are being operated according to permit conditions. Reviews operational reports, compliance schedules, process control plans, facility specific standard operating procedures and any other report/requirement specified by permit, regulation or other enforceable document. Collects raw and treated wastewater samples; collects receiving stream water samples; conducts field tests such as: pH, chlorine residual, dissolved oxygen, temperature and conductivity. Reviews Preparedness, Prevention and Contingency Plans. Investigates and resolves complaints involving sewage and industrial waste discharges. Conducts inspections of permitted CSO, MS4, Stormwater, Pesticide Application & Hydrostatic Testing discharges. Documents operational status, compliance with permits, and proper application of Best Management Practices. Determines and utilizes appropriate chemical and / or physical preservation of all samples collected. Enters sample information into SIS. Utilizes eFACTS, Onbase and appropriate tracking spreadsheets to manage compliance status. Documents inspections/investigations through the completion of the appropriate inspection form; noting all observed violations. Uploads completed inspection forms for permitted facilities into eFACTS. Inputs information relative to all inspections and investigations into eFACTS. Closes pending eFACTS records where no violations exist. Enters data into the Complaint Tracking System upon completion of a complaint investigation. Reviews Discharge Monitoring Reports for accuracy, completeness and timeliness. Tracks compliance with the Chesapeake Bay cap limits. Identifies all DMR permit violations. Tracks all assigned facilities for submittal and compliance history. Maintains a field file for all facilities located within the Specialist's geographical coverage area. Appropriately labels and routes all original documents to the NCRO file room. Submits Enforcement Information Forms to management within the required time frames when violations are discovered. Provides program cost recovery data to the Water Quality Compliance Specialist following a response to a spill event. Prepares case documentation in terms of case history, past violations, and difficulties encountered for use by legal staff or field personnel in the prosecution of cases. Contact legal staff via appropriate management channels to discuss cases and to seek clarification on rules and regulations Prepares letters, reports, and correspondence to exchange information with facility operators, municipal officials, consultants, supervisors, and the public. Follows Writing and Processing Notice of violation guidance. Uses templates to draft Notice of Violations. Testifies as a material witness before District Magistrates, the Environmental Hearing Board, and the courts. Issues compliance orders in the field for specific violations addressed in the "Field Manual for Compliance Orders" and in accordance with the five criteria for issuing compliance orders also listed in the manual. Attends enforcement conferences or administrative hearings to provide background data on the case, answers questions, and assists in explaining Departmental Orders of Consent Orders/Agreements. Prosecutes cases before District Magistrates on behalf of the Commonwealth presenting data, examining and cross-examining witnesses; recommends imposition of fines to District Magistrates. Assists with stream surveys to determine water quality; collect water samples; conducts field tests such as pH, dissolved oxygen, and conductivity; prepares report of findings and recommendations. Assists with surveys of discharges by facilities to determine if they meet water quality standards, collects samples; conducts field tests such as pH, dissolved oxygen, chlorine residual and conductivity, reviews results and determines if facility is complying with water quality standards. Provides advice to facility operators, municipal officials, and the public on the disposal and handling of polluting substances under the Preparedness, Prevention & Contingency Program. Provides advice to sewage and industrial waste treatment plant operators on methods to solve operational problems. Provides information to facility operators, municipal officials, consultants, and the public on Departmental programs, functions, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures over the telephone or through correspondence. Meets with governmental officials to explain Departmental programs and functions. Responds to emergency situations such as spills, fish kills, or flood disasters to assist in or direct cleanup operations; coordinates acquisition of equipment or special services needed to facilitate cleanup after emergency situations; represents the Department at Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency Headquarters or area headquarters during emergency situations. Prepares work schedule of inspections according to established priorities and maintains an itinerary of the work schedule in Outlook. Reviews chemical and bacteriological report forms. Determines operational status and efficiencies of treatment facilities. Determines compliance/non-compliance of facility. Assists other bureaus, agencies and departments in investigations and inspections as appropriate. Operates a motor vehicle to travel to various work sites. 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. imized. Employee complies with all Department safety 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. |
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. Primary direction for the attainment of the goals and objectives of the Clean Water Program is contained in the program plan approved by supervisors. Inspection goals and frequency are established for the assigned work area. Specific work items are periodically assigned with deadlines given. Work specifically assigned is reviewed upon completion. Work generally assigned through the program plan is reviewed also upon completion and on a quarterly basis. Performance evaluation is a continuous process and is summarized in the annual performance evaluation report. The trainee level requires direct supervision by the supervisor for a period of 12 months, not to exceed 24 months. Employee performance is reviewed under the Commonwealth’s EPR system, with a review occurring quarterly. |
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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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