Job Description

ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY SPECIALIST

JOB CODE 51520

Effective Date:	01/95A

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

The fundamental reason this classification exists is to ensure that management staff are kept fully informed in environmental technical and regulatory issues and concerns. The incumbents assist in coordinating environmental technical and regulatory work with a variety of City departments and functions and interacting with regulatory agencies and other entities. Additional duties include providing technical oversight of consultants hired by the City to conduct environmental quality investigations, pollution control assessments and corrective actions, and conducting field environmental monitoring and investigation activities, as well as pollution prevention assessments of the environmental impacts of various City activities. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Compliance and Regulatory Affairs Administrator, Pollution Control Superintendent, Environmental Programs Specialist or other supervisor and is measured on the basis of established objectives and results achieved.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Analyzes proposed/final environmental quality legislation and regulations, and provides input and determines impact on City operations;
• Works with City departments in implementing environmental quality regulations;
• Develops and implements environmental quality monitoring pollution prevention, and environmental compliance programs;
• Analyzes final water quality legislation/regulations and determines the impact on City activities;
• Provides oral testimony and comments to regulatory agencies;
• Assists with the preparation and submittal of permit applications;
• Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality seamless customer service.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• The principles and practices of hydrology, hydrogeology, environmental engineering, biology, hazardous materials management, chemistry, or other related environmental disciplines.
• Field environmental assessment and monitoring protocols, methods, and equipment.
• Technical programs, research, and trends in the practice of environmental quality investigations, pollution control, and remediation.
• Research methods and techniques.
• Environmental quality regulatory programs.

Ability to:

• Work cooperatively with City departments, regulatory agency technical staff, community groups, consultants, committees, and the public.
• Conduct technical research and make sound judgments based upon analyses.
• Analyze regulations and environmental issues, provide input, and define impact on City facilities.
• Conduct environmental assessment, investigation, monitoring, remediation, and pollution control activities.
• Enter data or information into a terminal, PC, or other keyboard device.
• Produce written documents with clearly organized thoughts using proper English sentence construction, punctuation, and grammar.
• Comprehend and make inferences from written material in the English language.
• Communicate orally with individuals and groups in face-to-face, one-on-one settings, in group settings, or using a telephone.
• Work safely without presenting a direct threat to self or others.
• Travel over rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces.
• Move objects (up to 20 pounds) short distances (less than 20 feet).

Additional Requirements:

• Some positions require the use of personal or City vehicles on City business. Individuals must be capable of operating the vehicles safely, possess a valid driver license, and have an acceptable driving record. Use of a personal vehicle on City business will be prohibited if the employee is not authorized to drive a City vehicle or if the employee does not have personal insurance coverage.
• Some positions will require the performance of other essential and marginal functions depending upon work location, assignment, or shift.

ACCEPTABLE EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:
Two years of professional level experience in the field of ground or surface water, air, or soils management and a bachelor's degree in hydrology, environmental engineering, geology, environmental science, hydrogeology, biology, chemistry, hazardous materials management, or a related field. Other combinations of experience and education that meet the minimum requirements may be substituted.