ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST SUPERVISOR

3H14

PAY RANGE: N23

GENERAL DEFINITION

This is supervisory environmental science work directing a staff of lower level scientists, engineers and technical personnel in analyzing data and solving environmental problems. Employees perform work in the Planning and Water Resources or Bureau of Laboratory Services assignments in the Water Department. Work includes development and revision of procedures and methodology, review of data, planning, directing and conducting researching projects, and preparing technical reports. Employees are responsible for the evaluation of staff and program results. Contact with the public, civic and industrial groups, regulatory agencies, researchers and officials is a significant aspect of the work. Work is performed under the direction of a higher-level scientist or engineer.

ALLOCATING FACTORS: (The following conditions must be met for a position to be allocated to this class.)

1. The positions in this class must be responsible for supervisory environmental science work, directing a staff of lower level scientists, engineers and technical personnel.

2. The positions in this class must be located in the Water Department.

TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)

ALL ASSIGNMENTS

Supervises subordinates and provides technical guidance in the monitoring and analysis of water/wastewater/sludge; trains subordinates in the use of new equipment, techniques, quality assurance and theories; determines methods, techniques and procedures to be used and evaluates their effectiveness; assigns tests and reviews work by checking results and observing techniques; approves results of studies conducted by subordinates; establishes and reviews timetables; prepares and reviews written reports.

Trains other personnel, such as technicians and interns, in the theory and operation of instrumentation or software; instructs work-study interns in practices, procedures and theory of assignment.

Evaluates new equipment, methodologies, and techniques; reviews equipment calibration and activity records; assures compliance with manufacturer and quality assurance requirements; reviews and updates standard operating procedures for programs; orders supplies and materials; prepares operating budget proposals; completes performance reports of subordinate staff; estimates staffing needs.

Develops concepts for environmental studies to determine more efficient methods; conducts technical reviews and makes recommendations on permit applications or other various regulatory submissions; prepares final reports on research projects and presents to department management; consults with regulatory agency officials on technical results and development of methodology; establishes and monitors performance at levels acceptable for certification by regulatory agencies; reviews and evaluates effects of new regulations on program activities; may serve on professional committees; may present regulatory and water quality topics at national conferences.

Performs related work as required.

PLANNING AND WATER RESOURCES ASSIGNMENT

Plans, assigns and reviews the work of scientists, engineers, planners and technical personnel performing multiple functions in multiple assignment areas such as, Aquatic Sciences, Biological Sciences, Earth Sciences, Environmental Policy and Environmental Resource Management and Plant Sciences; establishes work schedules, tracks staff assignments and work progress; holds staff meetings; trains staff; reviews and approves leave requests.

Supervises and reviews the investigations of water quality concerning primary productivity, nutrient dynamics and eutrophication in inland or standing waters; supervises staff in field research and studies of habitat suitability, and threatened and endangered species; determines parameters for field research involving monitoring techniques, mark-recapture and species health indices; assigns and reviews acute and chronic toxicity studies in freshwater, marine and sediment environments; determines geographic information systems, land surveying and collection of soil samples for wetland delineation, plant identification, plant taxonomy and biological assessments; reviews habitat and physical models; develops wetland restoration or creation initiatives; may generate ecological impact statements of gross pollution events requiring biological responses; assigns and reviews information gathered on species assemblages, analyzes community health and implements conservation strategies to manage keystone populations effectively.

Supervises the preparation of annual reporting of water plant energy performance measures, energy project tracking and documentation, internal and external energy communications, energy budget support; supervises the development of carbon accounting models and performs energy accounting analyses; provides technical direction to staff performing statistical analyses; assigns and reviews reports on departmental energy use trends; reviews and evaluates feasibility analyses for departmental sustainable and renewable energy projects and initiatives.

Plans, coordinates, reviews, and supervises work in climate change, stormwater management, green infrastructure, watershed management, and source water protection programs.

Manages contracts and reviews requests for proposals and invoices, assists in preparing budget for unit, provides subordinates with resources to complete assignments.

Performs related work as required.

BUREAU OF LABORATORY SERVICES ASSIGNMENT

Plans, assigns, and reviews the work of a staff of biologists, scientists, engineers and other technical staff engaged in performing multiple functions in multiple assignments such as Aquatic Sciences and Biological Sciences by identifying, monitoring, studying, and analyzing water, wastewater, and industrial waste; plans, directs and conducts research projects, and prepares technical reports; directs the collection of field samples at local and remote watershed and storm overflow sites; investigates the distribution and interrelations of aquatic organisms in rivers and at various points in water treatment processing systems; evaluates biological, chemical, ecological and materials issues; assigns and reviews chemical and biological tests to determine means of improving water quality or improving pollution control processing.

Supervises a variety of assignments related to chemical analysis using specific analytical chemistry methods; supervises analysis on water and wastewater samples and other materials and compounds to detect, identify and/or quantify the presence of chemicals in water and water related media; supervises analysis of materials to determine standards compliance; decides what chemical tests and procedures are to be used in order to analyze for substances; reviews reports of results and significance of analytical information.

Supervises complex analyses of quality, composition and aesthetics of drinking water; determines quality of wastewater composition; devises tests to demonstrate the effects of waste discharges on the ecology of the watershed; ensures the calibration and maintenance of laboratory and/or field monitoring equipment; reviews and maintains records of tests performed.

Collects, analyzes, and records data on macroinvertebrates and fish populations and related species; maintains data and equipment on monitoring of waterways.

Reviews records of wastewater discharge for compliance with regulatory agency requirements; supervises complex analyses of chemical composition of industrial wastes discharges into sewer system and other potentially hazardous wastes; reviews responses to customer complaints concerning water quality; reviews analysis of samples of hazardous or toxic materials; reviews tests of materials for performance characteristics and conformity to standards and specifications.

Reviews and conducts research to determine new and/or revised methods for performing testing and analyses or to determine the effectiveness of current analytical methods; develops and revises necessary quality assurance procedures to validate all analytical results or sample collection procedures; utilizes computer software to in review of analysis and calculations; reviews presentations of mathematical charts, graphs, and tables and evaluates laboratory tests results.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE OF:

ALL ASSIGNMENTS

· the theory and principles of environmental protection and control

· physical and/or biological sciences

· mathematics, including algebra and statistics

· scientific research methodology

· air, water, hazardous or solid waste pollution, measurement and/or control principles

· physical properties and mathematical principles associated with water-related problems

· safety practices for field work

· federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to the area of assignment

· supervisory practices and techniques

BUREAU OF LABORATORY SERVICES ASSIGNMENT

· biological, organic and inorganic chemistry related to water and wastewater systems study

· laboratory management, including selection of equipment, assignment of work, and determination of priorities

· laboratory safety practices and procedures

· quality assurance and the use of standardized methods of analysis

· regulatory requirements pertaining to the required work

PLANNING AND WATER RESOURCES ASSIGNMENT

· stormwater management, green infrastructure and stormwater systems, adaptive watershed management, non-point source pollution if required by work assignment

· management of natural resources if required by work assignment

· sustainable and renewable energy management if required by work assignment

· watershed management and source water protection

SKILL IN:

ALL ASSIGNMENTS

· 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

· coordinating multi-disciplinary work teams and managing priorities

· applying federal and state legislation to program activities

· proper sampling methodology and design

· oral and written communication of research and special studies

ABILITY TO:

· plan, assign and supervise the work of a staff engaged in analyzing data and solving environmental problems

· provide technical guidance and/or resources for subordinates to complete assignments

· train employees in new or improved procedures or research methodologies

· determine the necessity for research projects and design and recommend goals

· interpret federal guidelines, regulations and standards

· maintain partnerships and facilitate stakeholder and community participation

· prepare and interpret reports detailing the results of analyses

· express ideas clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing

· determine the necessity for research projects and standardize procedures necessary to solve problems

· establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, consultants, contractors, government and regulatory agencies and the general public

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 09/19)

EDUCATION:

Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university in a qualifying scientific field. *

AND

GENERAL EXPERIENCE:

Two years of experience performing environmental science work.

AND

SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE:

Two years of the above experience at the full performance level in environmental science work analyzing data and solving environmental problems in the area of Aquatic Sciences, Biological Sciences, Earth Sciences, Environmental Policy and Environmental Resources Management, or Plant Sciences.

NOTE: In accordance with PA Department of Environmental Protection Chapter 252.302requirements, specific positions in the Bureau of Laboratory Services must have

completed the required specific experience in a laboratory performing analyses in the fields of accreditation and must have completed 16 credit hours in biology, of which 4 credits must be in microbiology depending on the area of assignment.OR

Any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Office of Human Resources which has included completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and the specific experience.

NOTE: Completion of a master's degree program at an accredited college or university in a qualifying scientific field may be substituted for the general experience.

City of Philadelphia class that typically meets the specific experience requirement:

Environmental Scientist 2 (3H13)

* Qualifying scientific fields 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 - 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 Supervisor, if required by the work assignment.

Class Established 1/83

Spec. Revised 9/85, 6/97

CSC – 4/14; Ad. Board – 5/14

Spec. Revision:

CSC – 9/18; Ad. Board – 10/18

Latest Spec. Revision:

CSC – 07/19

Ad. Board – 09/19