ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNICIAN IV8275C3 Pay Grade: 27 DEFINITION OF WORK Summary This is technical and supervisory or administrative work in an environmental program. Work involves management of highly diversified, statewide or multiple environmental programs and/or direct administrative supervision of technical programs which may be investigatory, remedial or regulatory in nature. Work may include planning, directing and coordinating the activities of a group of technical/clerical staff; monitoring program results, implementing necessary remedial actions; reporting program status to administrative and/or professional level staff; and operation of advanced technical or scientific equipment. Standard Classification Factors Supervision Received - LEVEL E: "Under administrative direction..." At this level, employees are free to plan, develop and organize all phases of the work necessary for its completion within program guidance. Generally, they can develop and utilize any procedures and methods which do not conflict with major policies. Supervision is generally exercised over them through staff conference-type discussions and a review of progress reports. 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 require that planning, developing, and coordinating programs and directing fairly large groups of people fall into this category. Complexity - LEVEL E: Work is of a highly diverse and/or complex nature characterized by a broad range of activities and frequently changing conditions, situations and problems. Considerable analytical thought is necessary for interpreting a variety of factors, problems and alternatives for methods and procedures. Work requires the origination of ideas, techniques and programs for solving technical problems or complicated situations. Workers at this level exercise a high degree of responsibility for independent judgment and may participate in major program changes or policy decisions. Work may be reviewed by occasional conferences or reports to superiors. When guidelines exist at this level, they are normally characterized by regulations, policies or complex technical manuals. Consequences of Actions and 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 C: The purpose of the contact is to influence, motivate, conduct interviews, make formal presentations or counsel to achieve common understanding or solutions to problems when the information is sensitive in nature or the individuals or groups are skeptical or uncooperative. Communication techniques and well developed communication skills become an important requirement at this level. Physical Demands - LEVEL C: The work requires moderate physical exertion. Environment - 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 D: Involves administrative supervision responsibility. As a "first line supervisor", the primary responsibility involves scheduling, supervising and evaluating employees who perform the same or similar work. Responsible for recommending hiring and disciplinary actions to a higher level of authority. As a "project manager" may direct the activities of project leaders to develop plans and criteria and to evaluate progress and results for one or more projects. Distinguishing Features Differs from the Environmental Technician III class which normally involves more field technical duties, and/or resolution of less complex technical problems, limited program management duties and leadership typically restricted to functional supervision. EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED Plans, directs, and coordinates special and routine inspections and investigations of complaints concerning air quality, water quality, mining, spills, remediation, underground storage and waste management facilities/sites for conformity to state and federal requirements. Reviews the completed technical reports, correspondence, and related materials that serve as the legal basis for validating compliance or noncompliance. Evaluates the need for and develops the information necessary to initiate formal enforcement actions in an environmental program; prepares formal administrative enforcement documents for review by supervisors and legal staff. Develops and negotiates documentation concerning legally enforceable compliance schedules. Serves as expert witness on behalf of the department at administrative and civil hearings. Plans, develops, and implements statewide training programs for operators of environmental pollution control systems; develops and conducts training courses, examinations, and operator certification programs. Plans, directs, and coordinates environmental sampling activities for an environmental program; reviews data obtained to certify conformity to applicable standards; recommends changes required to satisfy quality assurance guidelines and regulations. Directs and controls the processing of federal grant applications for the construction of new and/or modified water supply and wastewater treatment facilities. Establishes priorities for the use of construction funds; recommends approval of applications; identifies future state construction needs and compiles the documentation which is used to justify federal appropriations and subsequent state allocations. Supervises operation of and/or operates well drilling rig on groundwater environmental projects. Oversees maintenance of environmental data on computer system, conducts initial analysis and prepares summary reports. Coordinates special comprehensive projects which may impact all environmental programs within the department. Compiles and submits data to the appropriate parties, prepares technical reports and correspondence, and serves as the department contact person for these projects. Coordinates and directs safety activities at environmental problem sites. Coordinates and directs spill response activities for agency. Reviews plans and technical reports for conformity to regulations; recommends issuance or denial of permits based on these reviews; directs and coordinates permit systems for an environmental program. REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS Knowledge *Knowledge of the instruments, equipment, and material appropriate to an environmental program. *Knowledge of the methods, techniques, and practices appropriate to an environmental program. Knowledge of the sources of environmental information and literature and the methods of obtaining and using them. *Knowledge of the principles of effective supervision. Abilities *Ability to interpret and explain applicable regulations, plans and specifications. *Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with consultants, municipal officials, industrial officials, farm and feedlot owners and operators, contractors, medical practitioners, consulting engineers, educators, and the public. *Ability to plan, supervise and evaluate the work of subordinate technical and/or clerical staff. Ability to prepare and analyze technical reports and make recommendations based on their contents. Ability to develop, implement and monitor environmental programs of a regulatory, investigative or remedial nature. *Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing including public presentations. *Ability to use and maintain instruments, equipment, and materials used in an environmental regulatory program. *Necessary at Entry MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: Five years of experience in environmental/agricultural sciences or natural resources. Education in the biological sciences, agricultural sciences, physical sciences, natural resources, mathematics or engineering may be substituted for experience as determined relevant by the agency. NC: 06/93 |