Current Employment Opportunity

Environmental Quality Programs Specialist I or II
4/12/21
Department of Environment & Energy
245 Fall Brook Blvd
84
084-80694
Full-time Permanent
$21.09 - $22.66 Hourly
8:00 AM to 5:00 PM -- Monday thru Friday

Under general supervision, draft or assist in the drafting of wastewater, stormwater, pretreatment or other discharge permits that protect water quality in receiving water bodies.  This position is responsible for calculating waste load allocations (WLAs) for pollutants being discharged from municipal wastewater treatment facilities (WTFs) and industries across the state.  The individual in this position will write state Construction and Operating Permits for livestock operations. 

  • Determines the need for, reviews applications for and writes permits as required by discharge regulations for wastewater treatment.  Reviews permit applications and prepares draft permits for regulatory compliance, including water quality based permit limitations and engineering review under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System.
  • Performs water quality modeling using mass balance, steady state, CorMix, or other methods to calculate wasteload allocations to be used to create permit limits or determine the reasonable potential of discharged pollutants.
  • Communicates with programs, agencies, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), permittees and the public.
  • Meets with federal, State and local government representatives and the general public to explain environmental quality program policies and programs. Communicates technical program information and conducts presentations at conferences and meetings.
  • Testifies at hearings as an expert witness to verify observations and conclusions from data collection and interpretation as required in legal actions.  Presents facts and general information about the permit development process and permit requirements at public hearings.
  • Develops strategies, modeling techniques, methods, protocol and standards to implement environmental protection plans and programs for use within the State.  Utilizes and interprets hydrological models to evaluate and determine appropriate permit limits for facilities. Uses advanced statistical and computer modeling techniques to interpret environmental quality data and writes reports to identify problems and pollution abatement alternatives.
  • Write, edit and review routine correspondence to/with animal feeding operations, consultants, and the public.
  • Develop guidance documents for use by the public explaining the applicable rules and regulations governing animal feeding operations. 
  • Assist in the writing, review and revision of technical guidelines, regulations and Agency policies, procedures and protocols to implement environmental plans and programs.
  • Prepare and present seminars, workshops and public information sessions that aid in the education of the public regarding environmental regulations and policies that affect livestock producers. 
  • Attend recommended regulatory, management and other professional development training courses.
  • Review EPA guidance documents, memorandum, Federal Register notices, Federal and State regulations, professional journals and trade magazines to keep abreast of emerging issues.
  • Review applications and write construction and operating permits for holding ponds, lagoons and other livestock waste control facilities.
  • Reviews and makes recommendations for approval or denial of permits, certifications, facility plans, environmental impact statements, etc; conducts compliance evaluations of permitted facilities to ensure continued conformance with permit provisions.

Environmental Quality Programs Specialist II = Bachelor of Science Degree in the physical sciences, natural sciences, environmental science, geology, biology, agronomy, civil engineering, environmental engineering or a related field consistent with the duties of the position, including soil science, chemistry, geology, hydrology, limnology, biology, statistics, technical writing, resource planning, Agri Business, Business, Teaching and computer programming field AND one year of full-time professional experience in a related field, consistent with the duties of the position. Experience may be substituted for education on a year for year basis

Environmental Quality Programs Specialist I = Bachelor of Science Degree in the physical sciences, natural sciences, environmental science, geology, biology, agronomy, civil engineering, environmental engineering or a related field consistent with the duties of the position, including soil science, chemistry, geology, hydrology, limnology, biology, statistics, technical writing, resource planning, Agri Business, Business, Teaching and computer programming field.  Candidates who do not meet the 1 year of experience requirement will be hired as an Environmental Quality Programs Specialist I. 

NOTE: Experience may be substituted for education on a year for year basis

Other: Valid driver’s license or the ability to provide independent transportation.  Ability to travel overnight, approximately 10%.  Selected candidate is subject to a physical exam and screening along with participation in the agency's medical monitoring program. Ability to lift up to 35 pounds.  Ability to climb, bend and stoop.  Ability to work in outdoor weather extremes during all seasons.  Ability to walk on muddy, icy and uneven terrain.  Ability to walk long distances.   Ability to maintain regular and reliable attendance. 

Knowledge of: the principles of agronomy, ecology, geology and hydrology; biological, physical and chemical sciences; statistical and analytical methods; word processing, spreadsheet and database management computer software.

Skill in: communicating with individuals and groups with varying technical backgrounds to collect and relay information; listening to and understanding others; prioritizing workloads; using analytical judgment to make decisions; public speaking and providing presentations.

Ability to: learn and apply local, State and federal environmental laws, regulations and standards; learn, apply and uphold agency policies and procedures; establish and maintain effective working relationships with public and private officials and with the general public; read and interpret topographic and geologic maps; organize, analyze and interpret data to draw conclusions and prepare reports and technical papers; use computers and other tools for data storage and analysis; work outside in varying elements and terrains.


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