|
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
|
|
POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING |
|
|
Position Number: 50703171 |
Description Activated On: 3/4/2026 7:20:46 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. Reviews Plan Approval and Operating Permit applications submitted to allow the construction, modification and operation of air contamination sources and/or control devices. Recommends the issuance or denial of Plan Approvals and Operating Permits to the Regional Program Manager and the Environmental Engineer Manager on the basis of review of the applications. Per licensure requirements, this employee is under the responsible charge of a licensed engineer in the Air Quality Program in the Southwest Regional Office. If this position is filled as an Air Quality Engineering Trainee, the incumbent will participate in a one-year formal and on-the-job training program to learn the duties of an Air Quality Engineering Specialist. |
|
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. Conducts activities on facilities requiring engineering skills; ensuring that all existing or potential air pollution problems are reviewed, handled and resolved in a manner consistent with Pennsylvania's Air Pollution Control Act and the Rules and Regulations thereunder. 1. Reviews and processes Plan Approval and Operating Permit Applications in accordance with Title 25 of the Pennsylvania Code concerning the construction, modification, reactivation, and operation of air contamination sources and control devices. Also reviews other air quality applications such as amendments, modifications, requests for determination, tax certifications, emission reduction credits, and others. a. Performs administrative review and technical evaluation of assigned applications which may include: 1) ensuring that all application components are complete and providing written notice of completeness or deficiency; 2) utilizing experience and knowledge in the practical application of the theory and basic principles of combustion, industrial processes, and air pollution control engineering; 3) utilizing knowledge of regulations, procedures, and policies; 4) reviewing proposed control device specifications to ensure adequate capacity and control efficiency for the subject emission source; 5) ensuring monitoring devices are in place for verification that sources and controls are operating within designed parameter ranges; and 6) requiring that preventative maintenance programs are in place for long term effective operation of sources and control devices. b. Reviews applications for conformance with Pennsylvania and Federal rules such as Best Available Technology (BAT), New Source Performance Standards (NSPS), National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAPS), New Source Review (NSR), Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD), and Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT). 1) NSR review includes evaluation of the applicant's Lowest Achievable Emission Rate (LAER) analysis and emission offsetting requirements. 2) PSD review includes evaluation of the applicant's Best Available Control Technology (BACT) analysis and air dispersion modeling in conjunction with the Bureau of Air Quality's (Bureau's) Air Quality Modeling Section. c. Develops plan approval and operating permit conditions to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and application specifications, and to protect the public health and environment. d. Prepares correspondence and technical review memos including requests for supplemental technical information, the application technical review document, and responses to public and U.S. EPA comments. 2. Performs facility inspections in conjunction with operations staff to ensure source and control operation in compliance with the Department's Rules and Regulations and issued plan approvals and operating permits. 3. Participates in planning and development of assigned case enforcement actions. Obtains all information which may be necessary to bring the facility into compliance. a. Makes engineering field evaluations and conducts active case follow-up inspections. This involves: 1) interviewing source operators to determine which operations might cause a problem; 2) inspecting air contaminant sources and air cleaning devices to ascertain their operating parameters and operating characteristics; 3) making recommendations to source operators for the abatement of air pollution problems; 4) writing technical reports and memos concerning findings of investigation; 5) and writing letters to source operators outlining problems and/or violations of the Department's Rules and Regulations and recommending appropriate action for the abatement of air pollution problems. b. Monitor stack tests conducted by engineering consultants or by the Bureau's Source Testing and Monitoring Division. This involves: 1) accompanying personnel on pre-test inspections to determine the adequacy of sampling facilities; and 2) monitoring and recording process and control equipment operating parameters to assure representative conditions during source testing. c. Other associated work includes: 1) participating in meetings and abatement conferences with industrial, governmental and/or community representatives to evaluate air pollution control programs and to resolve specific conflicts or problems evolving from any particular case; 2) monitoring order and agreement dates to ensure compliance; 3) conducting follow-up inspections when appropriate and updating the computerized order listings; and 4) disseminating and explaining the Air Pollution Control Act and the Rules and Regulations thereunder to company representatives and the public. 4. Participates in the development of source specific ambient air sampling programs for specific cases. a. Develops general and investigative sampling program strategies including sampling site location, sampling frequency, sampling duration, and what type analysis is done on the samples. Assimilates and evaluates the sampling data results to determine if Ambient Air Quality Standards are being exceeded, if an air pollution problem exists, what the probable source of the problem is and what departmental action should be initiated as a result of the sampling conclusions. b. Requires and reviews industrial pollutant sampling programs designed to demonstrate compliance with the Ambient Air Quality Standards. 5. Other work related duties. a. Participates in activities with the Bureau's Central Office and other Regional Offices. This involves: 1) providing information for special air pollution studies conducted by the Bureau's Air Resource Management Division; 2) reviewing point source emission inventories prepared by private consultants; 3) assisting the Planning and Development Section in evaluating air quality conditions for the Region; 4) attending meetings and seminars organized by Central Office on technical projects and studies; and 5) participating in inter-regional inspections and tours to evaluate programs and controls of other sources located within the Commonwealth. b. Attends job-related training courses as required for professional development. c. Maintains monthly records of program activities as required. This involves: 1) completing reports and/or providing information as required by U.S. EPA; 2) completing the Field Office Monthly Report for program activities completed during the monthly reporting period; and 3) completing travel expense vouchers for reimbursable expenses and out service training authorization paperwork. d. Attends meetings and speaks on Department activities with public interest groups, private consultants, and city planning commissions; providing public information. e. Participates in litigation with Regional legal counsel to defend technical decisions. 6. Maintains a valid driver's license to operate a State vehicle whenever it is required. 7. When requested, attends evening meetings as necessary to complete job duties. 8. Travels within and outside the State including overnight stay whenever it is required. 9. Other duties as assigned. This job description in no way 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. The Section Chief assigns various permit applications and other projects. The work assignment is briefly discussed. The Section Chief, the program staff in Harrisburg, and other staff in the Region may be consulted whenever major issues or very complex technical questions are raised. Major work assignments are briefly reviewed by the Section Chief for adherence to engineering standards and administrative approach and for compliance with program requirements. The trainee level requires direct supervision by the supervisor for a period of 12 months, not to exceed 24 months. Assignments will increase in scope and complexity as experience is gained. Assignments will be assessed by the supervisor for accuracy and completeness with increasing independence throughout the training period. Employee performance is reviewed under the Commonwealth’s EPR system, with a review occurring at least semi-annually. |
||||||||||||||||||||
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 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.
|