SUPERVISING ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST

Code: 07530 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, supervises and performs the work involved in conducting investigations and inspections, and in gathering information for the purpose of identifying, evaluating, preventing, and eliminating environmental health hazards; does other related duties as required.

Examples of work

• Plans, organizes, and supervises projects designed to study and evaluate the impact of proposed and ongoing projects and activities on the physical, social, and economic environment of the community.
• Conducts, plans, organizes, and supervises field investigations of complaints concerning environmental problems, and appraises and makes recommendations for corrective action.
• Develops procedures relating to preparation of environmental studies and reports.
• Supervises all phases of investigations, inspections, and studies of a specific source or sources of pollution including air, hazardous and/or toxic substances, noise, solid waste, and/or water, and the recommendation of abatement action and if necessary initiation and completion of legal documentation and testimony in court.
• Contracts with consulting, engineering, and testing firms for studies, tests, and other work, and oversees their work.
• Uses and supervises the operation and maintenance of technical equipment and devices such as sampling and testing instruments.
• Supervises the preparation of and interprets environmental reports and data such as hazard chemical usage reports.
• Trains subordinates in the exercise of their duties and responsibilities.
• Collects data and provides expertise regarding toxic chemical usage in the jurisdiction.
• May develop and implement environmental emergency planning and response including participation in the local emergency planning commission and the hazardous material response team.
• Inspects firms which handle hazardous chemicals or wastes to ensure that they are storing, using, and disposing of these materials properly.
• Informs the public regarding the disposal of household hazardous wastes, and helps establish and oversee a household hazardous waste management program.
• Supervises and monitors a local program to control spraying of pesticides
• Establishes and coordinates a program to ensure proper disposal of medical wastes from doctors' offices, clinics, and so forth.
• Responds to and investigates citizen complaints, and observes environmental problems regarding such things as odors, smoke, noise, spills, discharges to streams, and so forth.
• Inspects and approves underground tank installations, modifications, and removals, and ensures that leak testing of underground tanks is being done.
• Inspects facilities regarding asbestos removal, and oversees removal at any facilities which require asbestos removal.
• Reviews environmental assessments or reports received by the local Planning Board.
• Conducts surveys of companies for drainage fields, sewer tie-ins, improper storm sewer connections, improper water system connections, and sewer and stream discharges.
• Maintains records regarding environmental permits issued to various facilities.
• Expresses to appropriate officials the concerns of the jurisdiction regarding the issuance of new environmental permits.
• Ensures proper cleanup of spills, releases, and ground contamination by investigating reported or suspected releases, and monitors progress on cleanup of known contaminated locations.
• Plans and supervises field surveys to determine actual and potential environmental damage which may result from a proposed regulated facility.
• Attempts to resolve, through negotiation and advisory efforts, conflicts between the interests of the local jurisdiction and the needs of new or expanded state and federal agencies.
• Plans and supervises the review of environmental impact statements submitted with permit applications.
• 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, demoting, and/or disciplining of subordinates.
• Meets with professional groups, industrial management, private organizations, government agencies, and the public to explain environmental precepts and promote environmental protection.
• Resolves conflicts between state and federal environmental procedures and regulations when no precedent for such resolution has been established.
• Supervises the preparation of clear, sound, accurate, and informative reports on enforcement actions.
• Drafts technical and other correspondence in the course of official duties.
• Prepares clear, technically sound, scientifically accurate, and comprehensive statistical reports, budget requests, and any other documents.
• Supervises the maintenance of essential records and files.
• 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

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

Experience

Four (4) years of experience in environmental control work involving investigations, inspections, and the preparation of reports on the environment, 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 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, 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 of specific policies, standards, and procedures used in making them effective after a period of training.
• 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 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.
• Knowledge of supervisory techniques.
• Ability to plan, organize, delegate, and control assigned environmental health program activities.
• Ability to discuss and explain effects of environmental contaminants on health, comfort, well-being, and property.
• Ability to analyze, interpret, and apply basic laws, rules, and regulations relating to environmental health.
• Ability to interpret laboratory reports.
• Ability to plan and supervise field surveys for the determination of environmental pollution.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with representatives of local governments, civic associations, and others interested in or concerned with environmental pollution.
• Ability to supervise chemical, mechanical, and electronic analyses.
• Ability to compose technical correspondence.
• Ability to interpret scientific data and make evaluations and recommendations.
• Ability to assign and instruct employees and supervise and evaluate the performance of their work.
• Ability to prepare complete and accurate reports on environmental and related matters based on field studies and research work in environmental matters.
• Ability to investigate environmental problems using reference or research materials and to 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 supervise the collection of samples or perform tests in the field and make field evaluations and analyses.
• Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate, and informative reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations based on data assembled.
• Ability to maintain essential 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, and 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 definition and 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 required experience.