ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST WASTEWATER PRETREATMENT

Code: 07501 Local Competitive

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under direction, performs technical and scientific work involved to ensuring compliance by industry with regulations governing the discharge of industrial wastes into the sewer and/or sanitary sewage systems; does related work as required.

Examples of work

• Identifies the presence and source of chemical substances in influent/effluent and in various stages of wastewater processing.
• Conducts water sampling, monitoring and observation activities.
• Reviews industrial wastewater treatment operations and procedures.
• Prepares written reports of compliance inspections and investigations including notices of violation or noncompliance.
• Advises industrial officials of environmental protection standards, regulations, and laws.
• Collects, calculates or records the results of wastewater samples in order to determine concentration rates of various chemical agents and/or flow rates.
• Monitors the processing, elimination, containment, and/or disposal of pretreatment industrial waste according to regulation and permit guidelines.
• Installs, calibrates, inspects chemical indicators, measurement devices, or other instrumentation for monitoring chemical levels, temperatures, and other data.
• Analyzes pretreatment processes, systems to explain deficiencies or reasons for nonconformance with environmental protection laws, regulations and standards.
• Interprets and evaluates results from sampling/laboratory testing and analysis programs to determine their validity and scientific significance, and to ensure that necessary technical information is developed or obtained.
• Processes applications for pretreatment permits/licenses; explains user standards, inspection surveys, compliance standards, reporting requirements and ensures that various standards are upheld.
• Reviews industrial production and operating reports to determine treatment patterns, effectiveness and compliance with terms of user permit standards and regulations.
• Evaluates results of sampling surveys and laboratory analysis to determine types and levels of chemical substances for monitoring and enforcement purposes.
• Prepares report and recommendation for issuance of violation notices or civil penalties or other similar actions.
• May testify in legal proceedings.
• Conducts industrial plant evaluations concerning the type of industrial waste discharged into the sanitary or storm systems.
• Obtains samples of industrial wastes at various plants and transports them to the laboratory for testing and analysis.
• Reads various publications provided by federal, state, and local Environmental Protection Agencies in order to convey information to industrial firms concerning the use of the sewer system and discharge limitations.
• Investigates reported discharge of pollutants into the sanitary sewer, storm sewer, river or ditch in order to locate the source.
• Determine the type of pollutants discharged and ensures that corrective action is initiated by the polluter.
• Conducts field visits to plants and tributaries to conduct surveys, reads meters or monitors plant discharges.
• Enforces agency rules and regulations and assists plant personnel in the completion of various environmental and industrial report forms.
• Compiles and records data necessary to prepare reports.
• Visits municipal and other officials to gather or verify tax data and water consumption data.
• Monitors and implements all aspects for industrial wastewater sampling program compliance.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Education

Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major course of study in the physical, chemical, biological or environmental sciences or environmental engineering including or supplemented by at least 12 semester credit hours in chemistry.

Experience

One (1) year of experience in conducting surveys, inspections or investigations in order to insure compliance with environmental protection regulations and laws involving wastewater treatment.

License

Appointees will be requested to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of wastewater processing and pollution control systems and equipment.
• Knowledge of wastewater collection, treatment and sludge disposal practices and process.
• Knowledge of inspection and investigative procedures used in enforcing environment laws
• Knowledge of some of the various processes and operating systems, and methods and equipment used in industrial manufacturing.
• Knowledge of the general effects on health of the various chemical substances and specific hazards of exposures and safety measures and equipment.
• Knowledge of the provisions of various Federal and state laws, and regulations, as they apply to the particular inspection, monitoring, and enforcement program.
• Knowledge of legal remedies available in an environmental protection enforcement program.
• Ability to gather scientific data in order to enforce environmental protection laws.
• Ability to recommend corrective action relating to deficiencies encountered in waste water processing operations.
• Ability to use specialized testing and sampling equipment and techniques.
• Ability to review and evaluate industrial waste collection, treatment and disposal (sludge) processes and systems for conformance to federal/state standards.
• Ability to develop, implement, and monitor pollution control projects and procedures when they apply to wastewater processing, treatment, storage and disposal.
• Ability to read and understand laws, standards, and requirements for industrial and utility type wastewater treatment systems.
• Ability to review and interpret scientific data related to chemical manufacturing processes, and waste treatment processes.
• Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

Possession of a master's degree in the physical, chemical, biological or environmental sciences or environmental engineering from an accredited college or university may be substituted for one (1) year of experience.