ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST III8159C3 Pay Grade: 31 DEFINITION OF WORK Summary This is professional and/or administrative scientific work of a specialized research and consultative nature in the environmental or natural resource management field. Work involves planning and directing the activities of subordinate environmental scientists and technicians performing a variety of duties involving the compilation, analysis, and interpretation of scientific and technical data and assembling the information necessary to identify and develop solutions to specific problems. The environmental or natural resource management field may include air pollution control, hazardous, solid and toxic waste management, public health, underground injection control, fuel storage systems, radiation protection, pesticide control, water supply, water quality management, water pollution control, toxic substance control, groundwater protection, water resources, water basins, environmental remediation, plant disease, pest infestation, conservation, plant, animal and aquatic life sciences, and other closely related programs. Standard Classification Factors Supervision Received - Level D: "Under general direction…" Employees at this level are usually in charge of a large and important organizational unit. They plan and carry out assignments with little supervision. They report regularly to a superior, usually by means of occasional conferences, to discuss work progress or new problems which require advice from above. This designation will pertain to classes with a high order of independence. Difficulty - LEVEL C: Considerable… Duties which require a high degree of concentration because of the many factors which must be considered and weighed before a decision can be reached. Usually positions that require planning, developing, and coordinating programs and directing fairly large groups of people fall into this category. Complexity - LEVEL D: Work is of a diversified nature that usually involves multiple unrelated steps. Analytical thought is necessary for dealing with complex data and situations. Work often involves a variety of unrelated processes and may require planning or carrying out a sequence of actions or both. Several alternatives usually exist at this level for approaching problems or situations. Workers at this level exercise a considerable amount of independent judgment. Work is controlled by occasional review and by reporting to or consultation with supervisors or superiors. When guidelines exist at this level, they are usually broadly defined or technical requiring careful analysis and interpretation. Consequence of Actions or Decisions - LEVEL D: Consequences of actions or decisions at this level are significant as the work may be rarely if ever reviewed, making errors difficult to detect. Errors may cause major program failure or a high degree of confusion. Injuries to others due to errors are serious or incapacitating or both and costs due to errors are substantial. Contacts - LEVEL B: The purpose of the contact is to plan, coordinate and advise on work efforts, interpret guidelines or instructions, elicit opinions or give guidance on the basis of facts to resolve common issues or problems when the information is not sensitive in nature or the individuals or groups are working toward mutual goals and have basically cooperative attitudes. Well developed communication skills are required. Physical Demands - LEVEL C: The work requires moderate physical exertion. Environmental Conditions - LEVEL C: The work environment involves hazards, risks or discomforts typical of working with or around machinery with exposed moving parts, irritant chemicals, heavy equipment or abusive or hostile clientele and patients. Exposure to disagreeable weather conditions and extreme levels of temperature, ventilation, lighting and sound are normal. Protective clothing or gear and specific safety standards or procedures may be required. Serious injury is possible. Supervision/Leadership - LEVEL B: Involves functional leadership responsibility. As a "senior worker", performing essentially the same or similar work as those overseen, responsibility includes training, instructing, scheduling and reviewing. As a "project leader" may be responsible for a phase(s) of a single project which includes planning, coordinating and reviewing the work of others. This level may also involve limited administrative responsibility such as participating in the evaluation of work performance. Distinguishing Features Differs from the Environmental Scientist II class in which the incumbents perform specialized research and consultative work in conducting environmental office and field studies and may involve lead worker responsibilities. Differs from the Environmental Scientist IV class in which the incumbents provide expert technical advice in an area of environmental science and direct and coordinate the work of teams of scientists, geologists and engineers which identify and develop solutions to complex environmental or natural resource issues; and/or formulate and ensure the implementation of environmental policies through evaluation and review of other agencies and environmental advisory groups. EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED Supervises or independently carries out complex field and office investigations and makes professional observations and judgments necessary to identify adverse health and welfare effects on human, animal, and plant life associated with environmental pollution, plant or animal disease or pest infestation. Determines the need for, and arranges for, the collection of special samples, analyzes results, and makes recommendations as to course of further action. Supervises or independently carries out field and office studies, and makes professional observations and judgments, necessary to identify and recommend solutions for unusual and complex technical problems associated with the development and operation of environmental control facilities. Supervises the statewide activities of an environmental science or natural resource unit responsible for reviewing plans and specifications, issuing permits, preparing and updating management plans used to establish cost and needs priorities, conducting inspections and investigations to assure compliance with state and federal regulations and preparing and implementing enforcement actions. Prepares and supervises the preparation of scientific reports and correspondence based upon personal observations and analyzes data assembled by subordinates. Provides the scientific basis to make final decisions of a technical nature in regard to identification of specific problems and recommended corrective action. Selects, modifies, develops, and applies appropriate mathematical and statistical models as necessary to identify and evaluate environmental problems including site specific surface water and groundwater quality computer simulation modeling. Conducts training sessions and schools for environmental control specialists. Supervises or independently determines the need for, and arranges for, the collection of biological samples, analyzes results, and makes recommendations for enforcement action to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations. Reviews and provides professional recommendations on specific federal, state or local laws, regulations and policies pertaining to natural resources. Cooperates with law enforcement personnel to enforce laws, rules, and regulations; Investigates potential violations and issue warnings or citations; apprehends violators; interviews violators and witnesses; secures evidence; prepares evidence and testifies in court concerning the states natural resource or conservation management issues. REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES, AND SKILLS Knowledge *Knowledge of the principles of natural science related to environmental or natural resource control and management. Knowledge of water pollution biology, chemistry and bacteriology of water and wastewater and the technology for water pollution control and measurement. Knowledge of the chemical and physical properties of air pollutants, pesticides, solid or hazardous wastes, public health assessments, or groundwater, and technology for their control measurements. *Knowledge of statistical and mathematical models applied to the analysis of environmental/agricultural data. Knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques for the control and eradication of harmful insects, plant diseases and insect borne diseases. Knowledge of the principles and techniques of supervision. Knowledge of business and administrative management methods and practices. * Knowledge of and ability to interpret and apply federal, state and local environmental, conservation, or pesticide laws and regulations. Knowledge of systematic and economic entomology. *Knowledge of methods, procedures, and purposes of investigation analysis. Knowledge of insects, fungi, weeds, rodents, nematodes and other pests. Knowledge of biological concepts of plant, animal or aquatic science. Abilities *Ability to plan and supervise the work of a staff of professional and technical employees. *Ability to establish and maintain working relationships with associates, municipal and industrial officials, food service and lodging owners and operators, farm and feedlot owners and operators, landowners, federal and state officials and the general public. *Ability to maintain records and prepare reports as required. *Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing. *Necessary at Entry MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: Bachelor’s degree in environmental, agricultural or natural sciences/resources and two years of experience in a field of environmental/agricultural sciences or natural sciences/resources. Additional experience in the biological sciences, agricultural sciences, physical sciences, natural sciences/resources, mathematics or engineering may be substituted for the required education as determined relevant by the agency. NC: 06/93 |