Class Code: 04513
IOWA DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES –
HUMAN RESOURCES ENTERPRISE
ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST
Performs
professional work in an environmental control program such as air quality,
water quality, water supply, integrated solid waste management, chemical
technology, hazardous waste technology, or underground storage tanks; or
performs work in sanitation evaluation and regulation regarding food service,
processing and storage; cosmetology and barber shops, and lodging establishments;
or biological/environmental management program; conducts inspections and
evaluations; performs related work as required.
The Work Examples and Competencies listed are for illustrative purposes only and not intended to be the primary basis for position classification decisions.
Conducts
environmental inspections to determine compliance with applicable rules,
standards, and regulations; reviews facility plans and specifications if
available, previous inspection reports, operating and construction permits; and
integrated solid waste management plans; collects samples and data and performs
analytical analyses as necessary; performs complex mathematical computations.
Responds to written
or telephone requests from public and private entities or individuals for
information or technical assistance on a variety of environmental issues;
assists them with problems or questions they may encounter and explains and
clarifies rules, regulations and polices.
Prepares written or
statistical reports using computer software (including tables, charts, graphs)
to disseminate, interpret, or explain information to agency staff, facility
operators, governmental agencies, courts, private industry representatives, or
the general public.
Responds to emergency
situations such as chemical spills, fish kills, pesticide spills, hazardous
waste spills, and petroleum spills, on a 24-hour basis to protect public health
and the environment, and to facilitate cleanup as quickly as possible.
Reviews various
reports, permit applications, and other documents submitted by agency personnel
and other private and governmental entities; insures compliance with applicable
rules.
Plans and implements
biological/environmental programs related to the management of natural areas,
threatened and endangered species, preserves, protected water areas and other
natural resource areas as well as natural resource management plans for state
parks; prepares lists and maintains databases related to threatened and
endangered species.
Investigates
food borne illnesses and other public sanitation problems; analyzes data,
determines outbreak source, institutes measures to stop or prevent outbreaks,
conducts follow-up investigations, interviews victims and collects necessary
samples for analysis.
Assists
in providing technical assistance in specific environmental control program
areas; to local boards of health, public and industrial officials, and the
general public to facilitate compliance with appropriate regulations.
Participates in the
development of administrative rules; interacts with legal staff.
Attends training
sessions, seminars and professional meetings, and conducts special studies or
projects on a variety of environmental issues to further knowledge in agency
programs or in specific subject matter areas.
Makes presentations to public and professional groups on environmental or related topics to provide current information on programs or techniques.
COMPETENCIES REQUIRED
Knowledge
of the principles, practices, terminology, and techniques of natural science as
related to environmental control or pollution prevention.
Knowledge of state,
federal, and local environmental control laws, rules, and regulations, and
their application to environmental programs.
Knowledge of
chemicals, their environmental interactions and persistence, and the toxic or
hazardous properties of chemicals.
Knowledge of
biological systems and resource management.
Knowledge
of FDA laws, codes, regulations, policies, procedures, and interpretations
including 1993 Food Code, National Labeling Education Act, Model Food Salvage
Code, Vending Code, Good Manufacturing Practices Regulations, Seafood HACCP
Regulation, State and Local Plumbing Codes, State Fire Code, Iowa Beer and
Liquor Regulations, applicable Iowa Code and Iowa Administrative Codes.
Knowledge of
employing department’s investigative and evidence collection procedures,
parameters of compliance, including legal and regulatory requirements,
precedent decisions, hazards involved, and seriousness of violations.
Knowledge of food
safety including sources, adulteration, time-temperature relationships of
cooking, holding, cooling, storage packaging, transportation, reheating and
service, personal hygiene, cross contamination, material, design construction,
and installation of food contact and non-food contact surfaces and equipment,
warehousing and sanitation, and the use and storage of toxic materials.
Knowledge of food
microbiology: and food borne disease.
Knowledge of state
and local food protection programs, organization, operation, management,
staffing, budgeting, and enforcement.
Knowledge
of the use of geographic information systems to organize, display and evaluate
information on a relational basis.
Ability to apply
knowledge of scientific principles to specific environmental problems.
Ability to develop,
read, comprehend, and analyze laws, rules, reports, and related technical and
administrative data.
Ability to read,
interpret and analyze plans and blueprints.
Ability to perform complex
mathematical calculations.
Ability to generate computer
reports and data analysis.
Skills in interpersonal
relations, i.e., motivation, creating an atmosphere for changes, diplomacy,
verbal communication, interviewing, questioning, and dealing with difficult
people.
Displays high standards of ethical conduct. Exhibits honesty and integrity. Refrains from theft-related, dishonest or
unethical behavior.
Works and communicates with internal and external
clients and customers to meet their needs in a polite, courteous, and
cooperative manner. Committed to quality
service.
Displays a high level of initiative, effort and
commitment towards completing assignments efficiently. Works with minimal supervision. Demonstrates responsible behavior and attention
to detail.
Responds appropriately to supervision. Makes an effort to follow policy and
cooperate with supervisors.
Aligns behavior with the needs, priorities and goals
of the organization.
Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust,
and group identity. Fosters commitment
and team spirit.
Expresses information to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information. Listens to others and responds appropriately.
Graduation from an accredited
college or university with major course work in a natural science;
OR
an equivalent combination of
education and experience substituting one year of full-time experience in an
environmental, radiation control, environmental health or food sanitation
program for each year of the required education to a maximum substitution of
four years.
For designated
positions the appointing authority, with Iowa Department of Administrative
Services – Human Resources Enterprise prior approval, may request those
applicants possessing a minimum of eighteen semester hours of education, six
months of experience, or a combination of both, or a specific certificate,
license, or endorsement in the following areas:
008 air pollution control
054 biological sciences
094 chemistry
172 ecology
183 environmental health or science
191 ecology-taxonomy
230 geographical information systems
242 geology
270 hazardous waste
281 hydrology
312 industrial health
313 industrial hygiene
353 law
442 meteorology
456 nutrient management
528 physics
590 radiological health
595 regional planning
657 soil conservation
658 integrated solid waste management
760 wastewater
762 water resources
763 water supply
866 ability to read, write and speak Spanish
fluently
941 food science
Applicants
wishing to be considered for such designated positions must list applicable
course work, experience, certificate, license, or endorsement on the
application.
Effective Date:
12/04 CH