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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
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POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING |
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Position Number: 50658095 |
Description Activated On: 5/18/2026 2:45:38 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 major responsibility of an Environmental Engineering Specialist assigned to the Permits Section in the Clean Water Program is the technical and engineering review of PennVest Grant applications, and permit applications including total maximum daily load (TMDL) report preparation, development of effluent limits, and preparation of permit documents associated with the NPDES permit program to comply with Clean Water Act and Clean Streams Law. Review of Water Quality Management (Part II) applications under Clean Streams Law of PA, required for construction and operations of sewage and industrial wastewater conveyance and treatment facilities which discharge to the water of Commonwealth. In addition, assistance is provided to the Municipal Planning and Finance Section for review of Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) applications and annual reports. If this position is filled as a Environmental Engineer Trainee, the incumbent will participate in a one-year formal and on-the-job training program to learn the duties of a Environmental Engineer Specialist |
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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. In evaluating applications, the chief concern is that the Pennsylvania Clean Streams Law and the Federal Clean Water Act are complied with by municipalities, industries, institutions and persons involved with the discharge of wastewater to waters of the Commonwealth and construction of wastewater treatment and conveyance systems. Technical reviews are based on State and Federal regulations, guidelines, and policies, but in some cases involve an analysis and decision based upon best professional judgment. Specifically, the types of applications and associated responsibilities include the following: PennVest Program: Performs the functions required of the DEP as delineated in the Memorandum of Understanding between the DEP and Pennvest Authority for the construction of municipal, private, and industrial wastewater works under the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority Act. Reviews grant and loan application and amendment request, determines eligibility and provides input for the preparation of grant and loan documents. Reviews engineering, legal, administrative, and/or other sub agreements for conformance with applicable procurement regulations. Prepares final payment recommendations for projects to be administratively closed out. Participates in statewide PennVest meetings and conference calls. Reviews PennVest grant applications for consistency with appropriate criteria. Meets with municipal officials and other DEP staff to discuss grant applications. Coordinates review of grant applications with appropriate DEP staff, such as Sewage Planning Specialists and Water Supply staff. NPDES Program: Part 1 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permits: Under the Clean Water Act, this federal program has been delegated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to Pennsylvania for administration and includes the issuance of a permit (renewed every five years), establishing effluent limits and monitoring requirements for sewage, industrial waste and storm water discharges to surface waters. The Environmental Engineering Specialist in the Permits Section takes part in the establishment of water quality based effluent limits (WQBELS) which will protect designated present and potential future uses of Pennsylvania’s waters. This work involves contact and coordination with state, interstate, federal and county agency representatives. Water Quality Protection reports are prepared for wastewater discharges considering both the existing and potential uses of the receiving and secondary streams for each discharge in question. Stream assimilation calculations are performed using computer models. With these calculations, the concentrations of certain waste constituents which are allowable for discharge to a stream to protect its use and water quality standards are determined. In conjunction with Water Quality Protection reports, stream inspections may be required. Technology based limits are developed based upon EPA promulgated regulations or best professional judgment. These limits are compared to the water quality based effluent limits, other effluent standards, and prior permit limits to determine the appropriate limits to include in the permit. Monitoring requirements must be developed based upon guidelines and best professional judgment on a case-by-case basis. A file review must be conducted to determine past compliance history and expected compliance with the proposed effluent limits. A file review consists of reviewing the existing NPDES file correspondence, inspection reports and discharge monitoring reports. In some cases, a compliance schedule must be developed as part of the permit document. A draft permit is prepared and sent to the applicant for comment and to the Pennsylvania Bulletin for publication. In some cases, EPA and DRBC are provided copies for comment. Comments on the draft permit provided by the applicant, agencies or public are fully addressed in writing prior to or at the time of issuance. Changes are made to the draft permit as appropriate, and the permit documents sent through the Permits Chief for issuance. The NPDES file must be fully documented to establish the basis for all permit terms and conditions. In the event of an appeal of the permit issuance, the engineer shall assist the DEP attorneys to defend the action. Conduct a technical review of the NPDES Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Phase I and Phase II permit applications. This includes administrative processing of the permit renewal applications, review of TMDL implementation strategy and design detail within the assigned time frames, utilize department General MS4 permit & individual MS4 permit, coordinate with MS4 Compliance Specialist, Aquatic Biologist, and participate in Statewide and Regional workshops established to develop improved permits, reports submission and/or guidance. Conduct review of new and renewal of NPDES permit applications for pesticides applications. Also, coordinate a joint Chapter 91 permits with Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission for the use of algaecides, herbicides and fish control chemicals as needed. Part II Water Quality Management Permits Under the Clean Streams Law of Pennsylvania, a permit is required for construction and operation of sanitary sewers (if greater than 250 EDU's), sewage pumping stations, and for construction and operation of a sewage and industrial wastewater treatment facilities which discharge to Waters of The Commonwealth. An application (reports, plans, and specifications) is reviewed to ensure technical adequacy of technical analysis to ensure the proposed design will meet applicable effluent limits. A specific case analysis is required for new technologies. Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL): Environmental Engineering Trainee/Environmental Engineering Specialist may be required to prepare TMDL reports to be submitted to the U.S. EPA, which outline plans to achieve water quality standards in water bodies identified as impaired by the Department. Preparation of the TMDL report involves summary of background information and the assessment of pollutant sources, calculation of the maximum pollutant loadings that will achieve water quality criteria, determination of waste load allocations, load allocations, percent reductions needed and margin of safety. Information sheets and public notices are also prepared along with the TMDL report. In carrying out the processing of permit applications, there are considerable contacts (phone calls, letters, meetings) with applicants, consultants, other regulatory agencies, and groups or individuals that may have concerns about the proposal. In addition to preparing permit documents, there is a brief report prepared regarding the proposal following completion of review along with appropriate recommendations. While the position is principally an office position, field inspections are often required as part of application review to aid in familiarization with existing facilities and also after construction to determine whether the treatment facilities have been constructed in accordance with the approved permit documents. The employees must be able to drive personal and/or state vehicle to conduct site inspections. Other responsibilities include the following: Follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for review of all categories of applications. Meet or exceed performance metrics. Prepare administrative completeness review, technical review. Draft deficiency letters with regulatory citations if warranted. Written responses are prepared by the assigned due date for Permit related Correspondence. Achieve measurable performance goals. Teleworking as necessary. OnBase filling of documents. Technical Assistance: Assistance is provided to the Operations Section with respect to enforcement compliance matters as required. Such assistance includes participation in enforcement conferences, review of pollution abatement orders, and development of compliance schedules. Assistance is also provided to the clerical staff when needed in transferring permits or processing general permits. Permit Coordination and Processing: Frequently, a project will involve administrative coordination with the Delaware River Basin Commission, and/or with other Programs. Regional guidelines are followed for processing applications. Status Report: Various status reports for pending permit application are required to be submitted to the Permits Chief. These reports provide up-to-date information on the application status and strategies. Other Assignments: Other assignments such as the review and preparation of a response to temporary discharge requests, correspondence, inquiries, preliminary/feasibility rerate reports, toxics reduction evaluations, 401 Water Quality Certifications, and other permit condition submissions shall be reviewed by the established due date. Pollution Prevention: Promote the concepts of Strategic Environmental Management and Encourage identification of Pollution Prevention Opportunities with businesses, industries, and local governments. PCB Pollution Minimization Plan (PMP): Review of Annual PMP report and prepare response letter. Coordinate with DRBC. eFACTS: Maintain and update eFACTS database to include creating clients, sites, facilities, sub-facilities; completing task and subtask data fields; completing authorization information; linking sub-facilities; and completing sub-facilities details. Complete data management tasks in WMS following validating in EFACTs. Transmit final permit documents to regional file room. Communication and Training: Answers inquiries by telephone, from office visitors, by correspondence or email. Attends training courses and performs other duties as assigned. Meetings: The Permits Section is represented in office conferences regarding effluent limits for permit applications and 537 plan updates; stream inspection for proposed discharges, meetings related to municipal sewage facilities; field meetings regarding pollution problems and watershed management. 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 required by their supervisor. a. Promotes the Department’s mission. b. 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. |
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. Assignments are designed to develop the employee's technical proficiency. Work assignments increases in scope and complexity as the employee gains technical proficiency in the work. Once the employee demonstrates the ability to perform the work, specific assignments are given, 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. Direct supervision by an Environmental Engineer Manager who is, in turn, under the Clean Water Program Manager. Supervisor generally assigns projects and reviews progress on a periodic basis and as needed on key cases. Upon completion of the review of a permit application, a written summary (Fact Sheet) of the key issues included in the case, is prepared for submission to the supervisor for review and approval. Permit applications and other assignments are generally assigned based on Watershed and on type of application, existing workload, area of expertise and experience. In addition to general supervision, each individual’s workload is reviewed on a periodic basis within depth assistance on an “as-need” basis. In accordance with the responsible charge provision of Act 367, Engineer, Land Surveyor and Geologist Registration Law, the responsible charge professional providing review and oversight of your work is the Permit Chief. |
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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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