Definition: Serves as a staff environmental specialist performing one or more of the following functions independently with little direction and supervision: compliance and enforcement; development of draft legislation; develops, performs, coordinates, implements and evaluates scientific analyses, plans or services involving office or field projects; conducts surveys, analyses and records field conditions; project administration and environmental technical assistance for grants/contracts/loans; gathers and analyzes information to develop recommendations and make decisions; permit development, review and/or oversight. May lead assigned staff.

Typical Work

Independently performs the installation, operation and maintenance of environmental monitoring/sampling equipment; on an area or site list basis performs and/or provides guidance for surveys, field studies or other special data gathering activities;

Performs complex equipment repair and calibrations; reviews monitored data for evaluation of equipment performance;

Responds to and investigates complex or highly technical complaints/violations; performs complex inspections or field investigations; coordinates complaint/ enforcement priorities, schedules and assists in negotiating agreements/ settlements; prepares final permit evaluation/report for approval; may impose on-site enforcement action; performs follow-up inspections to ensure corrective action is implemented;

Plans, develops, researches, and conducts or oversees technical data collection and analyzes, evaluates, and interprets data; analyzes and/or interprets information requirements and coordinates information gathering for a team or other assignment outside of a team; writes reports and/or reviews draft reports;

Determines database/inventory requirements; works with agency and non-agency sources on data submittals; evaluates databases/inventories for analysis, reporting or compliance purposes; may design and/or develop databases/inventories to be utilized in support of technical projects;

Reviews permit applications for technical accuracy, negotiates permit conditions, conducts conflict resolution, and makes decisions regarding the scientific merit of the proposal; serves as a senior permit writer or historical/institutional memory for geographic area or complex site;

Develops and/or implements project plans, consent decrees, orders or scientific studies for cleanups, resource management or policy or regulation development and conducts research for technical projects; reviews project plans for technical accuracy and makes decisions on the scientific merit of proposals;

Oversees contractor or consultant services for compliance and certifies performance; provides assistance to other staff, agencies and the public;

Makes recommendations to senior staff regarding new or modified sampling and analytical testing methods, best management practices, and technical operating procedures;

Makes technical and scientific recommendations regarding the development, coordination, and implementation of environmental technical assistance programs involving pollution prevention, pollution control, or natural resource management;

Evaluates data to determine technical compliance with regulatory requirements;

Plans, facilitates and/or represents the program/agency in public meetings, hearings and workshops;

Independently provides environmental technical and administrative assistance to grant/contract/loan recipients in the planning, design, construction and/or implementation of environmental protection projects;

Lead responsibility in the development of policies, procedures, statutes and/or regulations of a high degree of complexity;

Directs or coordinates non-agency employees at large spills or complex sites;

Performs other work as required.

Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of: principles, practices and methods of environmental or resource management and environmental pollution prevention and pollution control; methods and techniques of field sampling, testing, data gathering, basic research and field investigations; applicable state, federal and local environmental regulations and policies; technical report writing methods; characteristics and health effects of pollutants.

Ability to: use sound, independent judgment in making decisions on environmental problems and completing assigned tasks; understand and interpret plans, maps and equipment specifications; prepare clear and concise written reports and make oral presentations; analyze and prepare plans and reports; understand and communicate complex environmental regulations and statutes; communicate effectively with agency staff, other agencies, industry and the general public.

Minimum Qualifications

A Bachelor's degree involving major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field and two years of professional level experience in environmental analysis or control or environmental planning.

Additional qualifying experience will substitute, year for year, for education.

A Master's degree in one of the above fields will substitute for one year of the required experience.

A Ph.D. in one of the above fields.

One year of experience as an Environmental Specialist 2.

New class: 5-5-72
Revised minimum qualifications: 9-15-72
General revision: 11-10-78
Revised definition: 4-12-79
Revised minimum qualifications: 2-15-80
Revised definition: 10-10-80
Revised definition: 5-15-81
Revised definition: 11-15-85
Revised definition and minimum qualifications: 4-11-86
Revised definition: 8-15-86
Revised definition, minimum qualifications, general revision, and title change (formerly Environmentalist 3): 3-11-94