Environmental Specialist I

Class Concept:
Employees in this class perform technical and professional assignments in the inspection of environmental facilities or systems for permitting purposes, environmental planning, impact assessment, and/or design and conduct scientific studies. Work is multi-disciplinary and assignments address moderately complex environmental issues, problems, and/or projects. Work may involve the review and evaluation of existing data, facilities, and/or systems; collection of data; research of literature and/or consultation with professionals in the field; and/or the evaluation of environmental issues, problems, and new or revised regulations. Scientific studies involve participation in project objectives; determining and/or adapting procedures; and collecting, analyzing and interpreting data. Work requires report writing, including the accurate recording of data collected. Employees may provide technical guidance to others.

Recruitment Standards:
Must have skill and knowledge in the environmental areas of expertise as well as with State and Federal rules and regulations.
Must perform tests, procedures and experiments and have good working knowledge of equipment of moderate complexity; must be able to modify testing techniques and procedures to meet program objectives, perform statistical analysis, interpret results and prepare reports.
Must coordinate moderately complex environmental programs, manage resources, monitor environmental activity, assess risks, and perform quality control; must be able to manage multiple projects and be able to supervise the work of lower level environmental staff.
Must effectively convey information to individuals or groups, present program summaries, contribute to the writing of publications and reports, and make professional presentations. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Considerable knowledge of the scientific principles related to the area of assignment.
Considerable knowledge of ecological processes and environmental factors.
Considerable knowledge of the research process.
Considerable knowledge of data gathering techniques and procedures.
Ability to analyze, manipulate and evaluate information/data, including the use of software.
Ability to formulate or assist in the development of management alternatives and recommendations.
Ability to organize and direct moderately complex research or field studies.
Ability to communicate with the general public and clients of the Division.
Ability to prepare written reports; and ability to work with considerable independence.

Minimum Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in one of the agricultural, biological, engineering, environmental or natural resource sciences or a closely related curriculum from an appropriately accredited institution and one year of experience related to the area of assignment; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.