ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST IV

DEFINITION

This is senior-level supervisory and/or consultative 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

Supervises professional, technical, and/or clerical staff; oversees the daily operation of an environmental unit or satellite office including assigning tasks providing guidance to employees; prepares work plans and cost estimates.

Plans, directs, coordinates, and reports activities of programs which involve coordinating investigations, monitoring results, implementing remedial actions, reporting program achievements and status.

Serves as consultant or technical expert for other offices, programs, agencies, public officials, organizations, or the general public.

Evaluates, implements, recommends modifications, and enforces laws, statutes, regulations, program policies, and procedures.

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

Negotiates resolutions on behalf of the department in settlement agreements; represents the department or program in discussions with the general public, attorneys, state, and/or federal officials.

Plans and conducts technical training for program staff to ensure competency and safety; instructs staff of procedural and/or regulatory changes.

Provides administrative and technical guidance/information to other agencies, officials, facility owners, and operators and the public; speaks to local and regional organizations or other interested groups to promote environmental quality programs and explain agency policies.

Exercises considerable independence and judgment; receives general administrative direction.

Performs other related work as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs)

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

Comprehensive knowledge of investigation, analysis, research and statistical methods/techniques, and environmental control scientific theories and practices.

Comprehensive knowledge of resource sampling, data collection, and usage/operation of environmental monitoring equipment.

Comprehensive knowledge of management principles and practices.

Comprehensive knowledge of the environmental legislative and regulatory process.

Ability to analyze and evaluate environmental problems and technical plans/reports.

Ability to plan the work of other professional, technical, and clerical staff.

Ability to prepare and/or direct the preparation of highly technical reports, grant documents, bids, contracts, and cooperative agreements.

Ability to prepare and make presentations and facilitate meetings.

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 III, Water Specialist III, Air Quality Monitoring Specialist III, Soil Scientist III, Land Reclamation Specialist III, or Chemist III 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,

Five 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, including one or more years in a senior-level position.

(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)