SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST

Code: 07529 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 lower level environmental health specialists and/or performs the more difficult and complex technical work involved with conducting of investigations, inspections, and gathering of information for the purpose of identifying, evaluating, preventing, and eliminating environmental health hazards; does related work as required.

Examples of work

• Independently plans, develops, and implements studies designed to evaluate the environmental impact of various projects on the environment.
• Reviews and assesses environmental impact statements submitted to ensure compliance with state law and makes appropriate recommendations to superiors.
• Interprets bacteriological and chemical analyses of air, water, and/or soil samples and prepares reports based on the data gathered for use in the evaluation of environmental impact statements.
• Assists superiors in planning, development, and evaluation of environmental health policies and programs.
• Assists superiors in preparing special environmental health reports.
• May represent superiors at environmental health meetings with federal, state, county, local government, private individuals and organizations, and industry and business representatives.
• Plans and develops specific phases of investigations involving air, hazardous substances, noise, solid waste, and/or water pollution control.
• Is responsible for planning and developing all phases of investigations and studies of a specific source of pollution; for example, air, hazardous substances, noise, solid waste and/or water, including recommendation of abatement action and initiation and completion of legal action including preparation of legal documentation and testimony in court.
• Organizes technical and enforcement work, analyzes environmental health problems, and assists in developing effective work programs and procedures.
• Provides appropriate assignments, instructions, technical directions, and guidance to assigned employees.
• Takes the lead over enforcement activities concerned with environmental health prevention and control programs.
• Assists state, county and local enforcement/legal authorities in preparing and prosecuting environmental health violations.
• Plans and oversees tests to determine actual and potential violations of environmental health standards.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of environmental control devices and procedures used or to be used in industrial/manufacturing processes.
• Directs and oversees the design, use, maintenance, and repair of various chemical, mechanical, electrical, and electronic devices used in environmental monitoring.
• Meets with professional groups, industrial/business management, governmental agencies, and private organizations to promote awareness of environmental health.
• Prepares and oversees field, office, and laboratory work.
• Prepares reports of enforcement actions, monitoring, environmental health quality evaluations, and special environmental health studies.
• Drafts technical and other correspondence in the course of official duties.
• Prepares clear, technically sound, scientifically accurate, and comprehensive statistical reports and other records and files.
• Maintains records and files.
• Plans, organizes, and assigns the work of the organizational unit and evaluates employee performance and conduct, enabling the effective recommendation of the hiring, firing, promoting, and disciplining of subordinates.
• May participate in the preparation of the annual program budget.
• Conducts field investigations of proposed construction projects to assess their potential environmental impacts which are to be utilized as the basis for establishing the level of environmental studies and documentation.
• Prepares and writes technical environmental studies of the effects of construction projects related to air quality, noise levels, aquatic and terrestrial ecology and energy consumption.
• Runs computer programs to predict noise levels resulting from proposed construction projects and to determine mitigation measures to reduce noise levels by use of barriers, roadway design, or acoustic shielding.
• Prepares reports as to the scope of work to be performed and personnel cost estimates for projects requiring the use of environmental consultant services.
• Provides direction and guidance to environmental consultants in the preparation of environmental studies and reports.
• Reviews and comments on work prepared by environmental consultants including proposals, technical reports, environmental impact statements, or other environmental documents.
• Conducts onsite field investigations during construction of a project to determine the effectiveness of environmental mitigation and control measures.
• Organizes and takes the lead in projects designed to study and evaluate the impact of specific projects on the physical, social, and economic environment.
• Organizes and takes the lead in the conduct of studies to compile data from primary and secondary sources to be used in making tests and reports.
• Collects and evaluates technical scientific data to be used to provide solutions to environmental problems.
• Plans, organizes, and participates in field investigations of complaints concerning the environmental impact of construction projects.
• Prepares materials for inclusion in environmental impact statements and related reports.
• Meets with planning, design, and construction personnel to contribute reports and ideas for minimization of adverse impact on the environment.
• Meets with citizens, public officials, and others on environmental matters.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Education

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in the physical, chemical, biological, or environmental sciences, environmental engineering, or public health with a concentration in environmental health.

Experience

Two (2) years of professional experience in environmental control work involving performing field surveys, investigations, inspections, and the preparation of reports on the environment or the preparation/review of environmental impact statements and 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

• Knowledge of principles, theory, and techniques involved in the broad field of environmental sciences and of federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies pertaining to environmental pollution.
• Knowledge of principles of environmental health and/or administration of environmental health control principles and techniques and the techniques involved in the enforcement of environmental health laws.
• Knowledge of sources, travel scope, and effects of environmental pollutants.
• Knowledge of laws, rules, and regulations of the Department of Environmental Protection relating to environmental health and the specific policies, standards, and procedures used in making them effective.
• Knowledge of county, municipal, and intermunicipal environmental health laws, rules, and regulations.
• Knowledge of chemical, mechanical, electrical, and electronic devices used in environmental health control.
• Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures used to evaluate program activities.
• Knowledge of problems and techniques involved in the control of industrial wastes including chemical and other treatments designed to reduce environmental health related pollutants.
• Knowledge of quality assurance procedures relating to environmental monitoring and sampling.
• Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures involved in monitoring and sampling of air, noise, water quality, and hazardous materials.
• Knowledge of principles, methods, procedures, and problems involved in conducting environmental impact studies.
• Knowledge of methods and procedures associated with calibration and maintenance of sophisticated monitoring and testing equipment.
• Ability to plan, organize, delegate, and control assigned environmental health program activities.
• Ability to discuss and explain the effects of environmental contaminants on health, comfort, well-being, and property.
• Ability to organize assigned technical work, analyze technical problems, and develop effective work methods.
• Ability to analyze, interpret, and apply basic laws, rules, and regulations relating to environmental health.
• Ability to interpret laboratory reports.
• Ability to plan and oversee field surveys for the determination of environmental pollution.
• Ability to talk with and establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with the representatives of local governments, civic associations, and others interested in or concerned with environmental pollution.
• Ability to oversee the required chemical, mechanical, and electronic analyses.
• Ability to compose technical correspondence.
• Ability to interpret scientific data and make evaluations and recommendations.
• Ability to guide and instruct other employees.
• Ability to prepare intelligible, complete, and accurate reports on environmental and related matters based on field studies and research work in environmental matters.
• Ability to organize and participate in field testing, monitoring, and sampling programs and to perform field evaluations and analyses.
• Ability to investigate environmental problems using reference or research materials and communicate with related agency personnel.
• Ability to cooperate with the community and individual citizens on matters affecting the impact of construction projects on the environment.
• Ability to collect and oversee the collection of samples or perform tests in the field and make field evaluations and analyses.
• Ability to maintain records and files.
• Ability to learn 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, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the 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 with or without reasonable accommodation. 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.

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