Occ. Code 4437041

ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER 1, GRADE 20

New York State Department of Civil Service

Classification Standard

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF CLASS

Environmental Engineers 1, under the direction of a licensed engineer, applies professional engineering knowledge in a major segment of the environmental quality program such as wastewater management, solid waste management, water pollution control, air pollution control, hazardous waste management and remediation, or petroleum spill prevention, response and remediation. Environmental Engineers 1 work with representatives of all levels of government, citizen groups, and other professionals and technical specialists. Environmental Engineers 1 are assigned to either the central office or a regional office of the Department of Environmental Conservation.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERS 1: under the direction of a licensed engineer, provide engineering review, design and oversight in a broad variety of Department of Environmental Conservation programs responsible for environmental monitoring, protection, regulation, and remediation activities; may supervise lower-level technical support staff; a description of the title Environmental Engineer (Civil) 1 is found in the attachment.

RELATED CLASSES

Environmental Engineers 2 plan, design, evaluate and supervise the implementation of major program and enforcement initiatives, review and complete larger and more complex projects, and supervise other engineers, consultants and technical support staff. Appointment requires a license and current registration as a professional engineer.

ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES

Environmental Engineers 1 may be assigned to any or all program areas, depending on department program and operating needs.

Conducts site inspections of hazardous waste sites, spill sites, and locations affected by pollution control initiatives for issues of compliance and to investigate environmental problems.

• Inspects existing pollution sources for compliance with regulations and permits and determines appropriate response.
• Provides oversight and/or directs field activities associated with the investigation or remediation of contaminated sites.
• Inspects solid waste management, hazardous waste management, wastewater treatment, petroleum contamination remediation facilities and other municipal, commercial and industrial concerns to ensure compliance with State requirements.
• Collects ambient water samples, effluent wastewater treatment plant samples, and other environmental samples, including hazardous waste, for analysis.
• Collects soil and water samples contaminated by petroleum or chemicals for analysis.

Reviews and evaluates documents associated with: investigation or remediation of contaminated sites; calculation, control, or measurement of emissions into the environment; and construction management of capital construction projects.

• Performs engineering analysis related to control of emissions from various sources, including motor vehicles.
• Reviews and comments on work plans and specifications feasibility studies, and maintenance and monitoring plans related to remedial activities at contaminated sites.
• Develops methods for preparation of emission inventories of air pollutants.
• Performs engineering analyses of and reports on source and ambient air quality data.
• Performs engineering analysis of State Implementation Plans to meet and maintain ambient air quality standards.
• Designs or assists in the design of environmental monitoring networks, structures, and quality assurance systems.
• Directs the operation and quality assurance of environmental monitoring networks, structures or studies.
• Designs or assists in the design of structures and equipment to prevent leakage of materials or escape of hazardous emissions.
• Performs construction management activities on Department contracts for capital construction.

Reviews and evaluates engineering reports and plans, and processes facility permit applications, grants applications, facility evaluations and assessments, requests for proposals, environmental impact statements, remedial design, construction and monitoring reports.

• Prepares or reviews design and construction plans and ensures compliance with State regulatory requirements.
• Evaluates and presents comments regarding the technical merits of a particular design.
• Performs various calculations involving air emission rates, effluent limits, and the treatment, storage, and disposal requirements of solid and hazardous waste.
• Reviews and evaluates remedial design, remedial construction and monitoring reports to determine if the objective was achieved or if further work is required.
• Prepares written reports and evaluations as a result of engineering analysis performed and completed.
• Recommends final approval of completed projects.
• Develops conditions for facility permits.

Provides technical assistance for municipalities and regulated commercial concerns and industries to promote responsible air, water, hazardous waste, petroleum and chemical handling, and solid waste management practices.

• Develops and provides technical assistance regarding pollution prevention and waste reduction.
• Provides technical interpretations of existing regulations.
• Measures and tracks the progress of multimedia pollution prevention efforts of industrial facilities and local governments.
• Assists with public education efforts including participation in workshops, conferences and public outreach programs.

Responds to complaints from the public by investigating allegations and explaining corrective actions to the complainant, determining the party responsible for correcting the problem and discussing corrections with appropriate parties.

Participates in the development of legal cases, recommends enforcement action, and presents testimony at administrative hearings and court proceedings.

Assists in the development of and revision of environmental regulations and performs simple chemical analysis in determining criteria for the development of standards.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Promotion: One year of permanent competitive or 55b/55c service as an Environmental Engineer, Grade 15 and possession of an Engineer-in-Training Certificate resulting from passing Part A of the professional engineer's licensing examination.

Open-Competitive: Bachelor's or higher-level degree in engineering or engineering technology AND an Engineer-In-Training Certificate resulting from passing Part A of the professional engineer's licensing examination; AND one year of full-time experience in professional environmental engineering.

A Master's level degree in environmental engineering or a closely related engineering discipline may be substituted for the one year of required experience, when this degree is in addition to an acceptable first degree in engineering. A doctoral level degree in environmental engineering or a closely related engineering discipline may be substituted for two years of required experience, when this degree is in addition to an acceptable first degree in engineering.

 Date: 5/02

NOTE: Classification Standards illustrate the nature, extent and scope of duties and responsibilities of the classes they describe. Standards cannot and do not include all of the work that might be appropriately performed by a class. The minimum qualifications above are those which were required for appointment at the time the Classification Standard was written. Please contact the Division of Staffing Services for current information on minimum qualification requirements for appointment or examination.

Attachment

Parenthetics Attachment

Positions classified with the parenthetic Civil perform professional engineering work of moderate difficulty, as a Project Engineer of major survey projects, major construction projects, or of a group of smaller construction projects. Incumbents plan, design, inspect, and prepare contract documents and estimates for, and supervise the construction and maintenance of recreational facilities, bridges, drainage structures, dams, buildings, appurtenances, wildlife facilities, roads and trails. At the 1 level these duties are performed under the general direction of a higher level licensed professional engineer.

Minimum Qualifications

Promotion: A) One year of permanent service as an Environmental Engineer (Civil) and possession of an Engineer-in-Training Certificate resulting from passing Part A of the professional engineerÂs licensing examination; OR B) one year of permanent service as an Environmental Engineer; possession of an Engineer-in-Training Certificate resulting from passing Part A of the professional engineerÂs licensing examination; and possession of a BachelorÂs or higher level degree in civil or environmental engineering.

Open-Competitive: BachelorÂs or higher level degree in Civil or Environmental engineering or engineering technology AND an Engineer-in-Training certificate resulting from passing Part A of the professional engineerÂs licensing examination; AND one year of full-time experience in professional engineering. Experience must have included: the application of engineering theory and principles involving the preparation of plans, designs, specifications and estimates used for construction of dams, roads, bridges, water supply and treatment systems, wastewater disposal and treatment systems, buildings or other structures.