SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES

Code: 07503 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, takes the lead over other environmental specialists and/or performs the more difficult and complex technical field environmental investigations and inspections associated with spills and discharges of hazardous substances and the clean up, removal, and containment of such material; does related work as required.

<b>DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:</b>

Positions in this class perform most of the following leadership responsibilities on a regular and continuous basis.

Distributing and balancing the workload among employees in accordance with established work flow or job specialization, assuring timely accomplishment of the assigned workload.

Observing the status and progress of the work and making necessary adjustments in accordance with established priorities, notifying the supervisor as to the works progress and status and requesting advice or needed information regarding problems that arise, passing on to the other workers the instructions received from the supervisor and demonstrating proper work methods.

Answering questions of other workers regarding procedures, policies, regulations, and instructions, and instructing them in specific tasks and job techniques.

Checking on work in progress and completed to see whether the supervisor's instructions have been carried out properly.

Answering questions of the supervisor regarding overall work operations and problems.

Orientating new employees in accordance with established procedures and practices, and informing them of available services and agency regulations.

Resolving simple informal complaints of employees and referring all others to the supervisor.

Informing supervisor as to the progress and training needs of employees and making suggestions as to disciplinary matters, promotions, reassignments, dismissals, and other personnel problems.

Employees in such leadership capacities are responsible to their superiors for leading other workers and assuring that their work assignments are carried out properly.

However, such employees are not accountable as supervisors for planning, scheduling, and directing work operations, evaluating and rating subordinates on their work performance, and other supervisory duties to assure that the work of subordinate employees meets standards of quantity and quality.

In addition to or independent of the responsibilities described above, the duties of positions in this class may also involve making a determination as to what needs to be done in a given situation based upon an analysis of the subject, phase or issues involved in each assignment, and the course of action to be taken which may have to be selected from among several possible alternatives.

Decisions by the employee regarding the course of action to be taken include the assessment of unusual circumstances, variations in approach and incomplete or conflicting data.

At this level, the employee having developed expertise in this line of work is responsible for planning and carrying out work assignments independently, resolving most of the conflicts which arise, coordinating the work with others as necessary and interpreting policy on own initiative in terms of established objectives; in some assignments, the employee may also determine the approach to be taken and the methodology to be used; the employee keeps the supervisor informed of progress, potentially controversial matters or far reaching implications.

The employee uses independent judgment in interpreting and adopting guidelines such as agency policies, regulations, precedents and work directions for application to specific cases or problems.

At this level, instructions are given by the supervisor on the priorities concerning categories of assignments, along with general instructions on limitations, deadlines, and how the work is to be completed.

The employee works independently in carrying out normal work assignments. Further instructions are provided when unusual assignments present problems, call for deviations from established procedures or otherwise require specific instruction. When the work is unusual, it is spot checked for adherence to specific instructions provided.

Work assignments at this level involve greater variety than those performed at the next lower level and require the application of considerable knowledge of program policies, procedures, regulations and guidelines in the handling of individual situations.

Examples of work

• Takes the lead over other environmental specialist and perform the work involved in:
• Reviewing and analyzing engineering projects and development site plans to ascertain their environmental impact and makes recommendations regarding the reduction of their impact on the environment.
• Reviewing site decontamination plans and recommending changes in such plans if required.
• Reviewing applications for industrial connections and discharges to the local sewer system.
• Reviewing and analyzing the reports of other environmental specialists and makes appropriate recommendations based on these reports.
• Gathering data and conducting on-site investigations of illegal discharges and accidental spills of hazardous substances.
• Utilizing field monitoring equipment to conduct tests and assess the condition and damages caused to the environment by the releasing or discharging of hazardous substances.
• Gathering and analyzing samples of specimens from on-site pollution discharges and transports samples to laboratories for further examination and analysis.
• Conducting technical studies, surveys and other investigations involving the manufacture, processing, storage, disposal and environmental releases of hazardous and other toxic substances.
• Investigating complaints of illegal discharge or abandonment of hazardous substances on public and private property.
• Reviewing and interpreting plans and specifications submitted by major petroleum facilities for the handling and transportation of petroleum and other hazardous substances.
• Conducting investigations and surveys of major facilities handling petroleum or other hazardous substances to ascertain their compliance with public law.
• Investigating and reporting on complaints from citizens on hazardous substances being discharged or spilled on public and private land or in bodies of water; issuing notice of violation to insure compliance of public law.
• Assisting in the preparation of evidence for use in court actions and hearings associated with the enforcement of hazardous substance control requirements and giving testimony under oath.
• Preparing clear, technically sound, accurate and informative reports on hazardous substance response and control matters containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Maintaining essential records and files.
• Conducts studies on hazardous waste management projects and provides information on treatment and containment of hazardous waste.
• Surveys industries to determine typed and magnitude of disposal problem.
• Assesses available hazardous waste treatment and disposal alternatives and costs involved, to compare economic impact of alternative methods.
• Reviews facility plans for spill prevention.
• Provides technical assistance in event of hazardous chemical spill and identifies pollutant; determines hazardous impact, and recommends corrective action.
• Responds to environmental emergencies for purpose of assessing environmental impacts of hazardous substances.

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.

Experience

Two years of professional experience in environmental control work involving performing field surveys, investigations, inspections, and the preparation of reports on the environment and/or the preparation/review of environmental impact statements and/or the prevention or elimination of one or more environmental health hazards.

License

Appointees will be required 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

• Considerable knowledge of the principles and techniques involved in oil and hazardous substances spill program.
• Considerable familiarity with the legal requirements and proper procedures needed for collecting samples and specimens and the proper storage and transportation methods used in connection with hazardous substances.
• Considerable knowledge of the use of specific equipment for hazardous substance containment and removal.
• Considerable knowledge of the principles, techniques and methodologies and equipment used to monitor and assess the potentially public health significance and/or environmental impact of the discharge/spill of hazardous substances.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of the position. Communication may include such forms as American Sign Language or braille.
• Ability to conduct environmental impact studies, investigations and inspections.
• Ability to analyze and evaluate the data collected and to draw sound conclusions thereof.
• Ability to collect samples or perform tests in the field and make evaluations and analysis.
• Ability to analyze and interpret laws, rules and regulations on matters having an impact on the environment.
• Ability to cooperate with the county, community and individual citizens on matters affecting the environment, and to organize assigned field and technical work and develop effective work methods.
• Ability to follow established safety rules, policies and procedures in work assignments.
• Ability to acquire basic knowledge of federal and state laws, regulations, and requirements pertaining to spills and discharges of hazardous substances.
• Ability to acquire a basic knowledge of the responsibilities, programs, policies and procedures of the Department of Environmental Protection related to hazardous substance prevention and control.
• Ability to organize assigned field and other technical work and develop effective work methods.
• Ability to work alone or as one of a team and to work harmoniously with coworkers and members of the public and other agencies.
• Ability to give testimony under oath and act as a witness at hearings and/or in courts.
• Ability to prepare clear, technically sound, accurate and factual reports of inspections and investigations containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Ability to follow complex oral and written directions.
• Ability to investigate and report on complaints.
• Ability to respond to emergency situations with clear and accurate decisions.
• Ability to provide instructions, guidance and advice to other employees.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the 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

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 year of experience.