State of Maryland

An Environmental Specialist II Socio-Economics is the full performance level of work in researching, gathering, analyzing, and coordinating environmental matters related to the planning, design, construction and maintenance of State facilities.   Employees in this classification investigate and evaluate moderately difficult problems arising from these projects that may affect the environment, develop recommendations for their solution, and review projects for compliance with established rules, regulations, and procedures.  The duties of this classification include serving in a liaison capacity with others involved in conducting studies related to environmental matters, and assisting engineering personnel, through reports and at public meetings, in answering questions related to the social, economic, and ecological impact of proposed projects.  Employees in this classification review and research projects primarily involved with a specialized discipline; however, participation in projects in other specialties is expected with increasing frequency as knowledge is gained of environmental engineering work.  Employees in this classification may supervise lower-level Environmental Specialists and technical personnel.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from a higher-level Environmental Specialist or other official.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.

The Environmental Specialist I and the Environmental Specialist II are differentiated on the basis of the degree of supervisory control exercised by the supervisor over these employees.  The Environmental Specialist I performs duties under close supervision while the Environmental Specialist II performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.  The Environmental Specialist II is differentiated from the Environmental Specialist III in that the Environmental Specialist III performs specialized independent environmental work and may have supervisory responsibility for lower-level Environmental Specialists.

Coordinates with consultants and federal, State, and local agencies in the collection and analysis of socio-economic data concerning a proposed project;

Assists the engineering staff through reports and at public meetings in answering questions relating to the social or economic impact of a proposed project on a community or area;

Gathers and analyzes moderately complex sociological, economic, and environmental data and develops and recommends environmental plans for regional or metropolitan areas;

Determines parameters for socio-economic data;

Supervises the collection of routine data, and the preparation of benefit/cost and energy analysis;

Predicts the effect of an agency project or system on existing socio-economic patterns;

Undertakes studies of moderate scope and evaluates moderately difficult environmental problems with engineering personnel, representatives of other agencies, and private interests in an effort to incorporate proper environmental consideration in project planning, design, construction, and maintenance;

Constructs environmental models depicting changes in the natural or socio-economic environment of a community;

Keeps abreast of the most recent developments in the field of environmental evaluation including latest State and federal statutes in this field;

Participates in the preparation of environmental documents or reports concerning specific agency projects and/or the overall program of the agency in compliance with State and federal legislation and regulations;

Assists in presenting the scientific and technical aspects of the agency’s environmental evaluation during investigations and hearings initiated by State and federal authorities concerning environmental matters;

Investigates and renders clear, accurate, thorough, and informative reports of concerns expressed by the general public against the agency concerning environmental matters;

Assists in the development, interpretation, and implementation of environmental plans and policies included in the agency’s systems plans;

Assists in coordinating the highway environmental planning program with local and State planning organizations;

Initiates and coordinates environmental studies with appropriate public agencies to ascertain the possible consequences of present and planned agency systems;

Attends public meetings and conferences representing the agency to explain the environmental impact of proposed agency projects;

Cooperates with other agencies in those situations where environmental authority, jurisdiction, and/or responsibility may overlap or interface;

Conducts specific research projects in Socio-Economics area of specialization to determine the feasibility of using various products or methods in future plans development;

Coordinates environmental field work during preliminary stages with district and other personnel so that appropriate environmental considerations are included in plans;

Coordinates with project engineers and/or directors and inspects project sites to ensure compliance with environmental specifications;

Provides technical assistance to project engineers and other personnel on matters related to the environment;

May supervise lower-level Environmental Specialists and technicians engaged in the collection of environmental data and in environmental research;

May supervise the planning and preparation of reports, charts, and maps for inclusion in environmental documents;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of the principles of sociology and economics;

Knowledge of the methods and practices of sociological and economic research and analysis;

Knowledge of the methods and techniques of statistical research;

Knowledge of socio-economic survey techniques and environmental modeling;

Knowledge of theory and methods of benefit/cost analysis;

Knowledge of the elementary principles and practices of human resources and economic management;

Knowledge of the techniques of standard research methodology;

Knowledge of the techniques of statistical data collection, organization, and exhibition;

Ability to perform field surveys;

Ability to obtain, assemble and analyze socio-economic data;

Ability to establish and maintain cooperative relationships with fellow employees and the general public;

Ability to prepare clear, concise, comprehensive, and informative reports on technical matters in both technical and lay terms;

Ability to interpret maps, plans, and specifications;

Ability to consult effectively with contractors, the general public, and engineering personnel;

Ability to supervise and train lower-level Environmental Specialists and technicians.

Education:   A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in the field of sociology or economics, or other discipline in the social sciences.

Experience: Three years of professional experience in the research, analysis, and evaluation of the social and/or economic environments in urban and rural communities.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute possession of a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in one of the social sciences for one year of the required experience.

2. Candidates may substitute possession of a Doctorate degree from an accredited college or university in one of the social sciences for the required experience.

3. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in Environmental Engineering and Natural Resources classifications or Environmental Engineering and Natural Resources specialty codes in the Engineering, Natural Resources and Science field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required education and experience. 

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions.  Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated as Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit G- Engineering, Scientific and Administrative Professionals classes.  As provided by the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining. Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.

Employees in this classification are eligible to receive overtime compensation.  An employee who works more than the normal workweek is entitled to be compensated for that overtime as provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 8-305.

This classification is one level in a Non-Competitive Promotion (NCP) series.  NCP promotions are promotions by which employees may advance in grade and class level from trainee to full performance level in a classification series.  In order to be non-competitively promoted to the next level in a NCP series, an employee must: 1) perform the main purpose of the class, as defined by the Nature of Work section of the class specification; 2) receive the type of supervision defined in the class specification and 3) meet the minimum qualifications of the classification.