Occ. Code 6154100

ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMIST 1, GRADE 18	6154100
ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMIST 2, GRADE 23	6154200
ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMIST 3, GRADE 27	6154300
ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMIST 4, M-4	6154400

New York State Department of Civil Service

Classification Standard

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF CLASS SERIES

Environmental Chemists assist various environmental programs in all areas of environmental chemistry relating to sampling, laboratory procedures, laboratory analyses, data evaluation and data interpretation. Positions in this series test groundwater, surface water, soil, sediments, air, plants, animal or fish tissues and solid and hazardous materials to determine the presence of contaminants, to identify their source, to gauge compliance with environmental laws and regulations, and to evaluate current or potential adverse impacts on the environment.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMIST 1: journey-level; provides comprehensive chemical research, evaluation and guidance regarding the impacts of chemicals on the environment.

ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMIST 2: first supervisory level; supervises subordinate Environmental Chemists and technicians; develops, evaluates, and implements analytical methods and protocols designed for the chemical analysis of environmental samples; and participates in health and safety issues related to chemical hygiene or quality assurance plans.

ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMIST 3: second supervisory level; functions as a section chief with responsibility for a major environmental program; provides supervision to lower level Environmental Chemists and technical staff; and provides direction to project teams on large or major environmental projects.

ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMIST 4: one position class; functions as a bureau chief in the central office, with management responsibility for one or more major environmental programs, such as pesticides, hazardous waste, water, air and solid waste; develops and implements bureau work plans, develops policy and monitors progress towards program goals.

RELATED CLASSES

Engineering Geologists review and analyze geologic data related to investigations of groundwater, water supply, solid or hazardous waste disposal site, or are involved with issues concerning bedrock including slope work, rock outcrop mapping, water wells in rock, investigating rock falls, providing assistance in rock blasting issues, evaluating aggregate sources for transportation projects, reviewing geologic source reports, evaluating engineering properties of aggregates, and conducting aggregate studies and friction investigations.

ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES

ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMIST 1

Performs laboratory analyses of the chemical and physical properties of samples of groundwater, surface water, soil, sediments, air, plants, animal or fish tissues, and solid and hazardous materials, to determine the presence of various contaminants, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), pesticides, herbicides, and organic and inorganic contaminants.

Interprets results of laboratory analyses to ensure the quality of evaluation and assists the agency in taking an informed regulatory or enforcement action.

Maintains records and prepares official reports to show chain of custody of sample, analytical methods used, preparation of standards, instrument operating parameters, raw data, and record of calculations and results.

Reviews and approves Quality Assurance Project Plans to ensure the use of appropriate sampling and analytical methods.

Conducts forensic sampling of environmental media and hazardous chemicals and wastes.

Reviews waste analysis plans and hazardous waste facility permit applications to ensure compliance with regulations and good analytical practice, and prepares written recommendations.

Reviews continuous emissions monitors (CEM) and stack test protocols to ensure adherence to current state and federal regulations for trial burns.

Reviews and determines the acceptability of analytical and quality assurance/quality control data generated for the State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES/NPDES), federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act permits, trial burns, pollutant source closures, corrective action activities, investigation and remediation of contaminated sites, solid and hazardous materials determinations, and investigations of environmental crimes.

Assists in the development of groundwater monitoring programs to assess the presence of harmful contaminants such as pesticides in ground water.

Reviews and assesses pesticide product registration applications to ensure the protection of natural resources; provides technical assistance regarding the chemical properties of pesticides to central office and regional staff.

Operates and maintains laboratory and field instrumentation such as gas or liquid chromatographs, mass spectrometers, photoionization detectors, combustible gas meters and oxygen sensors; performs routine instrument maintenance and repair; assesses the condition of equipment and supplies; and assists in the preparation of procurement requisitions.

Provides legal testimony, as required, in support of findings and decisions.

Participates, as needed, in on-site monitoring of field activities and in sampling teams.

Prepares reports relating to laboratory findings or field work.

Conducts reviews of relevant scientific literature.

Serves as a technical liaison with the regulated community to ensure compliance with federal and state regulatory programs.

ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMIST 2

Supervises subordinate Environmental Chemists and technicians.

Performs technical reviews of hydro-geological investigation plans, surface water plans, site analytical plans, environmental monitoring plans, quality assurance project plans, closure plans, remediation plans, wastewater treatment plans, dredge/sludge management plans, corrective action plans, facility investigation plans, and waste analysis plans, to help ensure that the final plan is in compliance with all applicable regulations.

Participates in meetings with permit applicants and their consultants to resolve chemistry and analytical quality issues.

Assists in the development of specifications for analytical contracts and provides input regarding appropriate methodologies to be included; assists in conducting pre-award and post-award laboratory audits to assure compliance with those specifications.

Directs the evaluation of the analytical data generated by private and governmental laboratories.

Coordinates and evaluates technical reviews evaluating the risk of pesticide products to humans (toxicity studies) and the environment.

Maintains the working condition of all laboratory instrumentation and continues to develop a state-of the art expertise in the operation of the laboratory equipment.

Develops alternative analytical methods when required, to meet program objectives.

Provides sworn testimony as a fact or expert witness and is subject to cross examination in both adjudicatory hearings and criminal proceedings.

Develops, evaluates and implements analytical methods and protocols designed for the chemical analysis of environmental samples for the protection of human health and the environment; and performs analytical analysis of environmental samples for the protection of human health and the environment.

Conducts investigations or inspections for violations of the Environmental Conservation Law; responds to emergency situations involving hazardous waste spills; assists in prevention of environmental crimes.

Continuously reviews program areas to ensure compliance with Federal and State laws, regulations, policies, plans, guidance and standard operating procedures.

Determines the acceptability of analytical and quality assurance/quality control data generated for the various agency programs.

Serves as a technical liaison representative with State agencies, such as Homeland Security, agency staff, consultants and members of the regulated community, special interest groups and the general public.

Provides training in conducting inspections and field audits to hazardous waste and pesticide inspectors to ensure the sample collected meets forensic and legal standards.

Initiates and coordinates source sampling programs and prepares various reports.

ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMIST 3

Functions as a Section Chief and provides advice on, and prepares, draft legislation, regulations, technical guidance and policy and procedure documentation for program implementation and improvement.

Prepares draft work plans and section budgets, making appropriate use of personnel, fiscal and material resources to accomplish objectives and sets priorities with staff to accomplish work plans and react to crisis situations or projects of immediate concern.

Plans, assigns, schedules, reviews and evaluates the work of subordinate professional staff. Ensures that assignments are completed in a manner consistent with current Federal and State laws, regulations, policies and guidance.

Manages investigations or inspections of violations of the Environmental Conservation Law; responds to emergency situations involving hazardous waste spills and/or the prevention of environmental crimes.

Determines scope of work and supervises the undertaking of site specific environmental studies for the protection of public health and the environment, and assures that the proposed specifications for quality assurance/quality control plans are prepared in accordance with Federal and State guidelines, laws, regulations, and policies.

Develops contract requirements and specifications for the Department Analytical Services Contract Program; develops and implements a contractor selection and review process to assure that the successful bidders have the capability to provide the required support.

Works with representatives from the Divisions utilizing laboratory services to equitably distribute fiscal resources available based on priority of projects; allocates analytical laboratory capacity to maximize agency staff efficiency, while providing data continuity to long-term monitoring programs.

Serves as a Division Quality Assurance Officer and distributes quality assurance workload to subordinate staff to assure that timely reviews and guidance are provided to directors of monitoring projects and permit writers; assures that audit recommendations are incorporated into Central Office and Regional monitoring projects; communicates information regarding quality assurance needs and activities to Division management and United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Coordinates and oversees field investigations and remedial activities, including formal enforcement action, to ensure that responsible parties appropriately perform quality assurance remedial actions to correct identified deficiencies.

Establishes criteria to prioritize compliance efforts, sets standards for compliance strategy, and develops procedures for formal legal referral to alleviate existing practices leading to natural resources injuries.

Conducts meetings with public officials, concerned citizens, environmental professionals, industrial managers and their consultants, federal, state or local agencies and agency staff regarding projects and activities.

Participates, as directed, in interagency and interstate task forces, representing the Department on special projects or initiatives.

Reviews scientific literature to obtain information necessary to recommend steps or actions to mitigate unacceptable risks to human health or the environment from pesticides; develops monitoring programs to assess the effects of chemicals on the environment; develops rules, regulations and guidance regarding chemicals and the environment.

Coordinates a sections activity with those of interdepartmental or intra-departmental work teams and serves as a technical liaison representative.

Monitors and assures adherence to standard chemistry practices related to State regulations, policies and plans with respect to both administrative and technical responsibilities; provides expert opinion and assistance related to the chemistry component of all matters for the Division programs.

Provides technical and chemical interpretation and guidance to the Division Director and executive staff on matters related to the planned program responsibilities of the Division; serves on special assignments as the scientific coordinator for emergency response activities.

ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMIST 4

Functions as a Bureau Director under the supervision of an Assistant Division Director or a Division Director in Central Office; manages the development of the Departments major programs.

Administers the Divisions quality assurance and quality control program and directs all analytical activities of the Divisions programs, such as pesticide, solid waste, water, air and hazardous waste.

Manages the Divisions pesticide laboratory and the statewide groundwater pesticide monitoring program.

Directs the development of policies or procedures concerning environmental quality and remediation programs.

Administers investigations or inspections for violations of the Environmental Conservation Law.

Develops and implements bureau work plans making appropriate use of personnel, fiscal and material resources to accomplish objectives and sets priorities with staff to accomplish work plans and react to crisis situations or projects in need of immediate attention.

Supervises and monitors staff activities as they relate to work plan development and adherence to standard practices, federal and state laws, regulations, policies, plans, guidance, and standard operating procedures.

Prepares or provides input on the management of routine and complex projects.

Coordinates technical assistance activities with government officials, engineering consultants, concerned citizen groups and the general public.

Oversees the administration of personnel policies and procedures as it relates to the organizational unit.

Reviews and directs the hiring and training of staff.

Prepares, develops and monitors the Bureaus operating budgets and approves expenditures.

Establishes criteria to prioritize compliance efforts, standards for compliance strategy development and procedures for formal legal referral to alleviate existing practices leading to environmental pollution.

Develops information to be disseminated to the public or media; communicates with the media regarding projects and activities.

Participates in meetings with public officials, concerned citizens, environmental professionals and agency staff.

Participates in interagency and interstate task forces, representing the Department on special projects or initiatives such as the scientific coordinator for Weapons of Mass Destruction exercises.

Researches, proposes and secures funding for new equipment, equipment upgrades, or facility upgrades.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMIST 1

Open Competitive: a bachelors degree with 24 credits in chemistry and/or biochemistry and completion of a two year traineeship;

a bachelors degree in chemistry or biochemistry and two years of professional experience in the field of chemistry.

ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMIST 2

Promotion: one year of permanent service as an Environmental Chemist 1 or a Senior Analytical Chemist.

Open-Competitive: Bachelors or higher level degree in chemistry or biochemistry, and three years of general professional experience in the field of chemistry, including two years of specialized experience in the field of chemistry directly related to air or water pollution, solid or hazardous waste, analysis of biological tissue for chemical contaminants or regulation or analysis of pesticides.

ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMIST 3

Promotion: one year of permanent service as an Environmental Chemist 2.

ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMIST 4

Promotion: one year of permanent service as an Environmental Chemist 3.

Date: 8/16

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.