SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST (WASTEWATER PRETREATMENT)

Code: 07537 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.

Examples of work

• Takes the lead over other environmental specialists and performs such pretreatment functions as the:
• Identification of the presence and source of chemical substances in influent/effluent and in various stages of wastewater processing. .
• Conducting water sampling, monitoring and observation activities.
• Reviewing industrial wastewater treatment operations and procedures.
• Preparing written reports of compliance inspections and investigations including notices of violation or noncompliance.
• Advising industrial officials of environmental protection standards, regulations, and laws.
• Collects or 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.
• May install, calibrate, inspect chemical indicators, measurement devices, or other instrumentation for monitoring chemical levels, temperatures, and other data.
• Analyzes pretreatment processes, systems, etc., in order 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 insure that necessary technical information is developed or obtained.
• Processes applications for pretreatment permits/licenses and explains user standards, inspection surveys, compliance standards, reporting requirements in order to insure that various standards are upheld.
• Reviews industrial production and operating reports; for example, machine and equipment layouts, water consumption chemical and raw material purchases, etc., to determine treatment patterns and effectiveness and compliance with terms of user permit standards and regulations.
• Evaluates results of sampling surveys, laboratory analysis, etc., 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 and becomes familiar with 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.
• Helps to determine the type of pollutants discharged and insures that corrective action is initiated by the polluter.
• Makes 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 various 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.
• Reviews and analyzes the reports of other environmental specialists and makes appropriate recommendations based on these reports.
• Assists higher levels of management in the preparation of short and long-range plans and operating budgets for the pretreatment program.
• Coordinates multi-jurisdictional pretreatment activities among various municipalities.
• Makes day-to-day decisions regarding pretreatment policy and utilizes information obtained from other staff members in the decision-making process.
• Participates in all major meetings with representatives of Federal and State regulatory agencies on matters pertaining to the pretreatment program.
• Assists sewage plant operating personnel in assessing the impact of industrial waste discharge on plant operations and process control.
• Provides input and/or prepares an evaluation and recommendations regarding sewage plant process control.

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 hours of credit in chemistry.

Experience

Two years 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.

<b>KNOWLEDGE</b>

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; for example, analysis of operating records, and laboratory results, observation of physical conditions (including industrial type equipment, etc.).

Knowledge of some of the various processes and operating systems, and methods and equipment used in industrial manufacturing (for example, electroplating, manufacturing of steel or explosives, etc.).

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 laws, and regulations, as they apply to the particular inspection, monitoring, and enforcement program, some of which are as follows:

1. Clean Water Act of 1977 (as amended).

2. New Jersey Water Pollution Control Act, 40 CFR.

3. United States Environmental Protection Agency Pretreatment Standards.

4. New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Standards and Regulations.

Knowledge of legal remedies available in an environmental protection enforcement program.

Skill in inspection and fact finding investigations (determining basic facts, conditions, circumstances, and conclusions).

Skill in oral and written communication in order to interpret and explain technical and operating requirements and standards set by federal and state laws and regulations.

<b>ABILITY</b>

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 gather scientific data in order to enforce environmental protection laws.

Ability to recommend corrective action relating to on 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 provide instructions, guidance and advice to other employees.

Ability to develop, implement, and monitor pollution control projects and procedures (for example, permitting, licensing, inspection, etc.), in particular when they apply to wastewater processing, treatment, storage and disposal.

Ability to comprehend laws, standards, and requirements for industrial and utility type wastewater treatment systems.

Ability to review and interpret scientific data relating to chemical manufacturing processes, and waste treatment processes.

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 the one year of experience.