Class Code:  04519

 

IOWA DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES –

HUMAN RESOURCES ENTERPRISE

 

ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST SENIOR

 

DEFINITION

Develops state environmental program concepts, rules and policies, or leads an environmental program area in a region or statewide; performs advanced professional work in an environmental or health control program such as air quality, water quality, water supply, animal feeding operations, integrated solid waste management, chemical technology, hazardous waste technology, or underground storage tanks program; or biological/environmental management program; 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.

 

WORK EXAMPLES

Assists supervisor by instructing employees, answering questions and distributing, balancing and checking work; may make suggestions on selection, promotions and reassignments.

Develops, implements, and reviews, or participates in the development, implementation, and review of, rules, policies, methods, and techniques, relating to the assigned environmental program area on a statewide basis.

Identifies and coordinates the institutionalization of integrated solid waste management principles into state programs and partnerships, or coordinates integrated solid waste management evaluations at major industrial and manufacturing facilities.

Reviews various reports, permit applications, or other documents to insure conformance with departmental rules, policies, and technical standards; program consistency, documents technical inaccuracies and deviations from departmental policy.

 

COMPETENCIES REQUIRED

Knowledge of the principles, practices, terminology and techniques of natural science relating to environmental control, and how those areas are applied in industry.

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 the use of geographic information systems to organize, display and evaluate information on a relational basis.

Ability to gather and interpret scientific data and facts.

Ability to apply scientific knowledge to specific issues.

Ability to develop, read, interpret, and understand environmental control laws, rules, and regulations.

Ability to organize and conduct technical and scientific investigations, apply regulations and policies, and report results.

Ability to perform statistical computations, to prepare and interpret charts, tables, graphs, and maps, and to prepare and present detailed scientific or administrative reports of findings and analyses, orally or in written form.

Ability to plan and organize own work, and to oversee the work activities of lower level professional and technical personnel.

Ability to use and evaluate information using Geographical Information Systems.

Ability to make decisions under potentially stressful situations.

Ability to perform complex mathematical calculations.

Ability to generate computer reports and data analysis.

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.

 

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Graduation from an accredited four year college or university with major course work in a natural science and three years of full time professional scientific experience in an environmental program in the areas of water supply, waste water, animal feeding operations, hazardous substances, radiation, sewage treatment, solid waste, geology, flood plain, air pollution, dam safety, underground storage tanks or other closely related fields;

OR

an equivalent combination of education and experience substituting experience equal to one year of full-time required work for one year (thirty semester or equivalent hours) of the required undergraduate coursework in engineering, health control, or a natural science to a maximum substitution of four years and three years of full-time professional scientific experience in an environmental program in the areas of water supply, waste water, hazardous substances, radiation, sewage treatment, solid waste, flood plan, air pollution, dam safety, or other closely related fields;

OR

an equivalent combination of education and experience, substituting eighteen semester hours or equivalent of graduate level course work with major emphasis in a natural science for each year of the required experience to a maximum substitution of two years;

OR

employees with current continuous experience in the state’s Executive Branch that includes experience equal to twenty-four months of full-time work as an Environmental Specialist or Environmental Engineer.

 

SELECTIVE CERTIFICATION

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

183       environmental health or science

228       advanced geographic information systems

230       geographic information systems

242       geology

270       hazardous waste

281       hydrology

312       industrial health

353       law

442       meteorology

528       physics

590       radiological health

595       regional planning

657       soil conservation

658       integrated solid waste management

759       environmental compliance inspections

760       waste water

762       water resources

763       water supply

866       ability to read, write and speak Spanish fluently

940       microbiology

941       food science

 

Applicants wishing to be considered for such designated positions must list applicable coursework, experience, certificate, license, or endorsement on the application.

 

Effective Date:           12/04       CH