CITY OF PHILADELPHIA PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT
3H08
AGRONOMIST II
GENERAL DEFINITION
This is full performance agronomic work in the city's sludge management program. An employee in
this class has responsibility for administering contracts for a group of sludge application projects and insuring
contractor compliance with specifications, agreements and federal and state environmental regulations. Work
includes establishing environmental monitoring systems for measuring the effects of sludge applications on
soils, groundwater and crops. Establishing and maintaining contact with representatives of governmental
agencies, community groups, educational institutions and the general public are significant aspects of the work.
This class is distinguished form the next lower level agronomist class by responsibility for a greater range of
assignments and by independence of action in making decisions and exercising judgment. Work is performed
under the direction of a technical superior.
TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)
- Administers and monitors sludge application projects to ensure vendor compliance with contract
specifications and agreements and state and federal environmental regulations; makes certain that vendors
conduct sludge application procedures in line with sound agronomic practices.
- Prepares sludge utilization permit applications for land-based application projects; obtains the necessary
agreements with property owners whose land site is designated for sludge application; assembles field data, and
maps and conducts laboratory and preliminary analyses of proposed landsites; coordinates permit review by
state regulatory agencies; provides information to the public pertaining to proposed sludge application permits.
- Conducts environmental investigations of sludge application sites; evaluates geological, hydrologic, soil,
and vegetative characteristics of selected sludge application land sites; secures crop, soil and groundwater
samples for laboratory analysis of nutrients, metals and other parameters; prepares periodic reports on
environmental effects of land-based sludge utilization programs for Department review and publication;
establishes environmental monitoring systems for measuring the effects of sludge application on soils,
groundwater and crops; prepares monitoring reports; may assist in securing sludge application projects by
contacting property owners of prospective land-sites; remains informed on technologic and agronomic advances
in the field of land-based sludge utilization; reviews technical periodicals, conference topics and text books.
- Maintains close contact with public officials in local, county, state and federal agencies in matters of
solid waste, water quality and sludge-related programs; develops working relationships with agricultural
professionals, farmers, equipment suppliers, contractors and others who can assist in executing land-base sludge
utilization projects; may supervise the activities of a sludge application laboring crew.
- Performs related work as required.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
KNOWLEDGE OF:
- the principles and practices of agronomy as applied to sludge utilization.
- environmental governmental regulations pertaining to sludge application.
- agricultural and environmental research techniques used to measure the effects of sludge utilization on
soils, crops and groundwater.
- the principles and practices of contract preparation and administration.
- sludge processing methods.
SKILL IN:
- administer a group of sludge application projects and direct contractor compliance with specifications,
agreements and governmental regulations.
- perform preliminary investigation of proposed landsites designated for sludge application.
- establish environmental monitoring systems for sludge application projects.
- implement environmental and agricultural research techniques to measure the effects of sludge utilization
on soils, crops and groundwater.
- prepare permit applications for sludge utilization sites in conformance with state and federal regulations.
- write contract specifications for land-based sludge application work.
- establish and execute research procedures used in monitoring and documenting environmental effects
of sludge application.
- establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, contractors, property owners, and
governmental officials.
- present ideas clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE
(The following statement represents the
minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests.
Applications submitted by candidates for this class will be reviewed based on training and experience
requirements as approved on 7/88.)
EDUCATION:
- Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university with major coursework
in agronomy.
- Two years of experience as an agronomist overseeing sludge application projects.
Or any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Personnel
Department which has included completion of a bachelor's degree as an educational minimum with at least 24
semester hours of coursework in agronomy, horticulture, plant science, geology, environmental sciences or
landscape architecture and an agricultural field practicum as a course requirement.
PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.
LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS, AND/OR CERTIFICATES
- Possession of a valid proper class motor vehicle operator's license as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania prior to appointment and during tenure of employment as Agronomist II.
PAY RANGE: EP19
Class Established: 1/1981
Latest Spec. Revision: 7/1978
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END OF JOB CLASS SPECIFICATION - 3H08