3H12
PAY RANGE: EP13
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST 1
GENERAL DEFINITION
This is advanced training level environmental science work in the area of assignment. Work involves analyzing data and assisting in solving environmental problems and on project activities of increasing scope and difficulty to prepare for the full performance level. Positions in the Water Department are allocated to one of the following assignments: Aquatic Sciences, Biological Sciences, Earth Sciences, Environmental Policy and Environmental Resource Management, or Plant Sciences. Positions in the Department of Parks and Recreation are allocated to one of the following two assignments: Plant Sciences, or Environmental Policy and Environmental Resource Management. Employees in this class continue to develop analytic skills to perform select environmental or natural resource science techniques, procedures, analyze data, and carry out sampling and monitoring plans, and produce regulatory reports. Work is performed under the direction of a Parks and Recreation Operations Manager in the Parks and Recreation assignments. Work is performed under an Environmental Scientist Supervisor or higher-level Engineer or City Planner Supervisor responsible for directing environmental program activities in the Water Department assignments.
ALLOCATING FACTORS: (The following conditions must be met for a position to be allocated to this class.)
2. The positions in this class must be located in the Water Department or the Department of Parks & Recreation.
3. No more than two (2) positions will be allocated to the class in the Parks and Recreation Department.
TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)
ALL WATER DEPARTMENT ASSIGNMENTS
Collects data for environmental impact studies of increasing complexity to examine the ecological effects of pollutants, nature, and climate change; carries out data collection methods for investigative research; performs basic statistical analyses of data and develops data displays including graphs, charts and tabulation of data records; learns to prepare technical reports and presentations containing findings, statistical analyses, conclusions and/or recommendations.
Assists in creating environmental models or simulations, using geographic information system (GIS) data and knowledge of particular ecosystems or ecological regions; continues to learn to identify environmental mitigation alternatives; ensures compliance with applicable standards, laws, or regulations.
Learns to devise and implement efficient, equitable and sustainable solutions to water and development problems; reviews current scientific literature related to work assignments to learn trends of thought and new developments in ecology and environmental science.
Assists with compiling reports on status of permits, exceeded environmental standards, monitoring and sampling data recovery or other program activities for use by the unit of work assignment.
Performs related work as required.
AQUATIC SCIENCES ASSIGNMENT
Assists in devising tests to demonstrate the effects of waste discharges on the ecology of the watershed; learns to calibrate and maintain laboratory equipment; maintains records of tests performed; assists in establishing test statistics and quality assurance.
Assists in the investigation of water quality concerning primary productivity, nutrient dynamics and eutrophication in inland or standing waters; conducts field research and studies of habitat suitability, and threatened and endangered species; learns to conducts field research involving monitoring techniques, mark-recapture and species health indices; learns to conducts acute and chronic toxicity studies in freshwater, marine and sediment environments; uses geographic information systems, land surveying and collects soil samples for wetland delineation, plant identification, plant taxonomy and biological assessments; continues to learn to create habitat and physical models; assists in the development of wetland restoration or creation initiatives; may assist in generating ecological impact statements of gross pollution events requiring biological responses; gathers information on species assemblages, analyzes community health and assists in the implementation of conservation strategies to manage keystone populations effectively.
Assists in conducting microbiological examinations such as culture, imaging, and molecular procedures; takes field samples; analyzes and identifies biological organisms including protozoa and bacteria, plankton, periphyton, macrophyton, and macroinvertebrates; establishes test statistics and quality assurance for the above procedures; calibrates and maintains laboratory equipment; prepares reports and maintains records of tests performed.
BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES ASSIGNMENT
Identifies, monitors, studies, and analyzes microbiological life in water, wastewater, sludge products and industrial waste; learns to conduct microbial and bacteriological examinations of increasing complexity; takes field samples; assists in the investigation of the distribution and interrelations of microorganisms in water; learns to conduct chemical and biological tests to determine means of improving water quality or improving pollution control processing; learns to calibrate and maintain laboratory equipment; maintains records of tests performed; assists in establishing test statistics and quality assurance.
Assists in the testing and evaluation of drinking water from source of supply, through the water treatment process, and into the distribution system; assists in laboratory quality assurance and reporting of data.
Assists in conducting microbiological examinations such as culture, imaging, and molecular procedures; takes field samples; analyzes and identifies microbiological organisms including protozoa and bacteria; establishes test statistics and quality assurance for the above procedures; calibrates and maintains laboratory equipment; prepares reports and maintains records of tests performed.
Assists in investigative field studies on remediation sites or land use practices, ecological, terrestrial or aquatic habitats, soil sampling practices, air or water quality, or environmental policy issues; conducts water quality surveys and laboratory studies for water or wastewater monitoring, air quality monitoring, health and inspection monitoring; continues to learn to prepares ecological assessments and environmental impact statements.
May conduct laboratory studies relating to water, soil and atmospheric chemistry, learning to use a variety of laboratory bioassays and/or immunoassays.
Learns to perform terrestrial and aquatic habitat assessments within wetland and natural stream systems utilizing established protocols and plant and animal taxonomy skills.
Learns to perform studies to determine potential effects of toxic chemicals on biological organisms and/or human health.
EARTH SCIENCES ASSIGNMENT
Gathers, analyzes and interprets geologic/hydrogeologic data and maps or reports associated with the quality and quantity of groundwater, protection, public health and safety and the environment.
Assists in conducting field studies or experiments of soil application for remedial or soil engineering purposes; learns to apply green infrastructure practices; monitors subsurface flows of water, groundwater and pressure gradients, physical properties of subsurface media and biological attributes of soil and media; assists in the participation in subsurface projects to remediate contaminated industrial sites, reclaim mine sites or construct flood protection structures; assists in providing geologic support and analyses for department programs; studies and examines the physical aspects of fluvial processes associated with sediment transport in rivers and streams; bridges gap between physical dynamics of fluvial or tidal system and biological or environmental processes; learns to identify remedial techniques to manage and control erosion.
Assists in the investigations of water-related problems of quantity, quality and availability; assists in the investigations of pollution and hazardous materials and water supply; may learn to conduct fine scale studies of stormwater management and systematics of green infrastructure; continues to learn to generate hydraulic and hydrologic models, hydrodynamic models of surface waters and infrastructure models.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ASSIGNMENT (Positions may be located in the Water Department or Department of Parks and Recreation)
Water Department
Assists in the development, prioritization and implementation of programs and projects that support and further the achievement of the City’s watershed management plans and source water protection plans; learns to develop, plan and implement projects to sustain plant, animal, aquatic resources and human communities within watershed boundaries; assists in working with national research agencies and universities to conduct research on new water quality and source water protection issues.
Learns and participates in the creation and implementation of environmental monitoring programs associated with pre-and post-construction activities on stormwater management facilities to determine the efficacy and ecological performance of the system.
Participates in programs and projects that further PWD’s mandate to educate and inform the public on the department’s wide array of environmental obligations, importance of protecting water quality via a science based curriculum, and furthers the understanding of urban watershed challenges through adult and youth education via dedicated science based programming; learns to develop partnerships, to elicit stakeholder participation, to facilitate meetings and to conduct community outreach.
Participates in the investigation of ecological, social and economic dimensions of the environment and problems caused by human impact on the environment; learns and participates in the development of local environmental policies and market-based economic incentives for environmental problems; assists in participation in the regulatory compliance process and assists in developing cost-effective compliance policies; conducts feasibility and cost-benefit studies for environmental policies; assists in participating in water quality and quantity negotiations with federal and state entities and local government representatives.
Assists with annual reporting of water plant energy performance measures, energy project tracking and documentation, internal and external energy communications, energy budget support; assists in developing carbon accounting models and performs energy accounting analyses; performs statistical analyses; assists in reporting on departmental energy use trends; assists in evaluating feasibility analysis for departmental sustainable and renewable energy projects and initiatives.
Department of Parks and Recreation
Analyzes data to describe stand conditions and prescriptions; performs scientific studies about tree growth and health, species regeneration and forest stand structure; studies literature about forest-related insect and disease outbreaks and develops strategies to prepare for and combat outbreaks; performs analytical research for solutions to forest problems such as forest regeneration, invasive earthworm populations and soil health issues; develops the scientific methods and procedures to reclaim degraded woodlands; collaborates with geospatial analysis staff to produce site and project mapping; communicates with the Greenhouse/Nursery staff to ensure production of appropriate plant stock; collaborates with the Philadelphia Water Department to review and edit plans that are proposed for storm water management projects on the Department of Parks and Recreation property to determine impact on Parks’ natural lands.
PLANT SCIENCES ASSIGNMENT (Positions may be located in the Water Department or Department of Parks and Recreation)
Water Department
Participates in the process of the creation and implementation of environmental monitoring systems for measuring the effects of sludge applications on soils, groundwater and crops; learns to evaluate geological, hydrologic, soil, and vegetative characteristics of selected sites; secures crop, soil and groundwater samples for laboratory analysis of nutrients, metals and other parameters; assists in preparing periodic reports on environmental effects of land-based sludge utilization programs for departmental review and publication.
Learns to perform macroscopic, microscopic, serological, molecular and biological field and laboratory tests and examinations of diseased plants; performs research to support plant disease diagnostic and survey work.
Learns to design, plan and inspect vegetative practices in park systems and Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) systems and learns to develop restorative practices for rivers, streams and wetlands; participates in forest canopy management and conservation, street tree planting and other planting initiatives.
Department of Parks and Recreation
Conducts examinations of plants; performs research to support plant diagnostic and survey work.
Participates in greenhouse initiatives and programs including Greenland Nursery and propagation areas and holding areas; continually collects seed and cuttings from local sources and propagates native plants for use in natural area reclamation; uses native plants appropriate for a given restoration site; establishes populations of uncommon or absent endemic plant species where feasible.
Participates in preparing and implementing annual work plans, budgets, and reports for Greenland Nursery including funding proposals for onsite restoration, research, or public education projects; implements propagation plans to produce nursery stock and seed in a timely manner.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
KNOWLEDGE OF:
· the theory and principles of environmental protection and control
· Physical, environmental and/or biological sciences
· the principles and practices of biology, chemistry and physics if required by assignment
· mass spectrometry, gas chromatography, bioassays and immunoassays if required by assignment
· mathematics, including algebra and statistics
· management of natural resources if required by assignment
· sustainable and renewable energy management if required by work assignment
· air, water, hazardous or solid waste pollution, measurement and/or control principles
· laboratory safety practices and procedures if required by assignment
· the application of data or information processing systems
· research and problem-solving practices and techniques
· the principles, methods and practices of laboratory and field methods including the use and care of instrumentation and/or equipment if required by assignment
· soils and geographic formations native to the region for the Earth Sciences assignment
· physical structure, composition and processes associated with soil for the Earth Sciences assignment
· physical properties and mathematical principles associated with water-related problems for the Earth Sciences assignment
· geophysical fluid dynamics and dynamics of water systems for the Earth Sciences or Aquatic Sciences assignment
· conservation and protection practices of commercial and non-commercial fisheries for the Aquatic Sciences assignment
· Stormwater Management, Green Stormwater Infrastructure systems, adaptive watershed management, non-point source pollution
· Federal and state regulations and standards pertaining to area of assignment
· Biological protocols and evaluation techniques
· Curriculum and institutional models for science based education focusing on urban watershed issues and policies for the Environmental Policy and Environmental Resources Management assignment
· Commonwealth of PA regulations and permitting requirements regarding management, collection and propagation of threatened or endangered plant species for the Parks and Recreation Department Plant Sciences assignment only
· research methods used in establishing propagule collection protocols and conservation of endangered plants for the Parks and Recreation Department Plant Sciences assignment only
· ecology and resource management of Mid-Atlantic deciduous forests for the position in the Department of Parks and Recreation Environmental Policy and Environmental Resource Management assignment only
· standard silvicultural methods and practices for the position in the Department of Parks and Recreation Environmental Policy and Environmental Resource Management assignment only
· invasive pest (plants/animals/insects) management and control methods for positions in the Department of Parks and Recreation assignments only
SKILL IN:
· using analytical field and/or laboratory techniques and scientific principles to evaluate data/environmental problems in an environmental protection, control, or monitoring program or project
· utilizing soil applications to optimize plant growth and persistence for the Earth Sciences assignment
· applying biological monitoring protocols and federal and state fisheries regulations for the Aquatic Sciences assignment
· analyzing data in a spatial or relational database to track and monitor plant distribution and crop cycle for the Parks and Recreation Department Plant Sciences assignment only
· researching vegetation survey techniques to create qualitative and quantitative records of plant occurrences and disturbances for the Parks and Recreation Department Plant Sciences assignment only
· identifying both native and non-native woodland plants and analyzing forest health conditions for the position in the Department of Parks and Recreation Environmental Policy and Environmental Resource Management assignment only
ABILITY TO:
· perform standard tests and analyses using quality control techniques
· prepare and interpret reports detailing the results of tests and analyses
· establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, officials, community and business groups and the general public
· learn, interpret and apply state and local laws and regulations pertinent to the area of assignment
· learn to organize partnerships and facilitate stakeholder and community participation for the Environmental Policy and Environmental Resource Management assignment
· propagate, cultivate and grow plant materials for the Parks and Recreation Department Plant Sciences assignment only
· design, install, and operate environmental controls including irrigation, lighting, heating, and all propagation structures for the Parks and Recreation Department Plants Sciences assignment only
· solve environmental problems and develop detailed plans and specifications to restore and protect park forests for the position in the Department of Parks and Recreation Environmental Policy and Environmental Resource Management assignment only
· express ideas and facts clearly and effectively 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 10/18.)
Option 1:
EDUCATION:
Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university in a qualifying scientific field*.
AND
EXPERIENCE:
One year of entry level environmental science work of a training nature analyzing data, assisting in solving environmental problems, and assisting in projects or program activities.
Option 2:
EDUCATION:
Completion of a master's degree program at an accredited college or university, in a qualifying scientific field*.
City of Philadelphia Classes that Typically Meet the Experience requirements:
Graduate Environmental Scientist (3H11)
* Qualifying scientific fields (by assignment) include:
· Aquatic Sciences: Aquatic Biology, Aquatic Ecology, Aquatic Toxicology, Limnology, Marine Biology, Marine Ecology, Oceanography, Wetland Sciences, Wildlife and Fisheries Management
· Biological Sciences: Bacteriology, Biology, Biological Sciences, Ecology, Environmental Science, Microbiology, Molecular Biology,
· Earth Sciences: Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology, Geosciences, Geology, Geochemistry, Hydrology,
· Environmental Policy and Environmental Resource Management: Environmental Management, Environmental Policy, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Natural Resource Management, Sustainable/Renewable Energy Management, Watershed Management, Wildlife Science, Forest Science
· Plant Sciences: Botany, Forestry, Plant Biology, Plant Taxonomy, Soil Sciences
NOTE: Selective Factor Certification may be utilized, as needed, to fill specific positions.
In accordance with Civil Service Regulation 11.032 - Selective Factor Certification – the appointing authority may request certification of eligible candidates with the specified education, training and/or experience to fill specific positions in this class. Certification to fill such position will be made from the two highest ranking eligible candidates on the eligible list who possess the specified qualification.
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 an Environmental Scientist 1 if required by work assignment.
Spec. Revised - 10/85, 6/97
Spec Revision:
CSC - 4/14; Ad. Board – 5/14
CSC – 3/17; Ad. Board – 4/17
CSC – 4/18; Ad. Board – 5/18
Latest Spec. Revision:
CSC – 9/18; Ad. Board – 10/18
JH