ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II

DEFINITION

This is mid-level technical and professional work in the implementation of federal/state laws and regulations related to natural resource management, protection, conservation and/or reclamation, and environmental health programs. Responsibilities may include one or more of the following areas; air quality, water quality, public drinking water protection, land reclamation, hazardous or solid waste management, environmental public health, and/or soil and water conservation.

This description may not include all of the duties, knowledge, skills, or abilities associated with this classification.

EXAMPLES OF WORK

Researches, investigates, and evaluates potential and existing environmental health and safety problems and issues concerning the quality of the state's natural resources.

Conducts inspections and monitors pollution sources to ensure compliance with applicable state and federal laws.

Collects, processes, and monitors samples of air, water and/or waste for bacteriological, physical, chemical, or biological analysis.

Reviews, processes, or prepares documents relating to permits, applications, contracts, plans and specifications, grants, and special studies.

Administers projects involving the collection and compilation of expenditures, contract and agreement negotiation and preparation, review and approval of invoices, inspection of project progress and compliance, communications with contractors or grant/loan recipients, and review of change order requests.

Prepares and evaluates charts, tables, maps, and other pertinent documents for the interpretation and presentation of data; prepares technical reports of investigations, findings, and analyses.

Plans and prepares public exhibits; publicizes accomplishments, and promotes a variety of programs and environmental protection projects.

Communicates exposures, risks and related issues to the public, officials, and other interested parties.

Provides administrative and technical assistance with environmental programs and explains laws, regulations, contract specifications, and program requirements to officials, facility owners and operators, and the public.

Responds to environmental emergencies and provides assistance with the clean-up effort.

Evaluates and discusses difficult environmental emergencies/problems with representatives of public/private interests and provides recommendations and/or preventative measures ensuring sound environmental practices and protecting the public's health.

Conducts studies of potential and existing environmental hazards to determine the degree of compliance with applicable state and federal laws.

Provides notice of non-compliance and/or identifies potential problem areas; initiates enforcement actions or provides recommendations for resolution.

Receives general administrative direction; work is reviewed while in progress and upon completion.

Performs other related work as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs)

Intermediate knowledge of current environmental issues, principles, techniques, and terminology related to natural resource management, protection, conservation and/or reclamation, and environmental health programs.

Intermediate knowledge of resource sampling and data collection.

Intermediate knowledge of investigation, analysis, research and statistical methods, techniques and procedures.

Intermediate knowledge of environmental monitoring equipment usage and operation.

Introductory knowledge of the principles, techniques, and applications of epidemiology, particularly as related to environmental health hazards.

Introductory knowledge of current principles, techniques and terminology related to environmental control.

Ability to comprehend, interpret and apply laws, regulations, policies, procedures, maps, technical plans, and reports.

Ability to collect samples and interpret data.

Ability to develop and present training relating to environmental laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and programs.

Ability to conduct inspections and/or investigations related to environmental issues.

Ability to perform statistical computations.

Ability to evaluate data.

Ability to communicate effectively and make presentations.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with public officials, private sector management, and the general public.

Ability to travel in the performance of assigned duties.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

(The following requirements will determine merit system eligibility, experience and education ratings, and may be used to evaluate applicants for Missouri Uniform Classification and Pay System positions not requiring selection from merit registers. When practical and possible, the Division of Personnel will accept substitution of experience and education on a year-for-year basis.)

One or more years of experience as an Environmental Specialist I, Soil and Water District Coordinator I, Water Specialist I, Air Quality Monitoring Specialist I, Soil Scientist I, Land Reclamation Specialist I, or Chemist I with the Missouri Uniform Classification and Pay System.

OR

A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum of 30 earned credit hours in one or a combination of the following: Environmental Science or Technology, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Physical Science, Geology, Engineering, Agronomy, Forestry, Soil Science, Ecology, Wildlife Management, Agriculture, Animal Science, Natural Resource Management, Soil Conservation, or a closely related field; and,

Two or more years of professional experience in environmental protection, environmental or ecological assessment, environmental public health programs, environmental education, wastewater/public drinking water inspections, or environmental program planning and coordination.

(Additional qualifying experience may substitute on a year-for-year basis for deficiencies in the required education.)

(24 earned graduate credit hours from an accredited college or university in the specified areas may substitute for one year of the required general experience. A Master's degree from an accredited college or university in the specified areas may substitute for two years of the required general experience.)

(Minor Revision 4/19/06)