ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE SPECIALIST I

This is a position specific recruitment for the Maryland Department of the Environment.  This recruitment will be used to fill current and future vacancies for this position/function only.  The resulting eligible list will be maintained for one year.  Persons interested in future vacancies within this classification must re-apply.

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Maryland Department of the Environment

Land Management Administration

Lead Compliance & Accreditation Division, Baltimore City Section

1800 Washington Blvd.

Baltimore, MD 21230

This is an entry level position in the field of environmental regulatory compliance. Employees represent MDE in a wide range of environmental program specialties. The position will learn to inspect regulated facilities, mainly residential rental properties and lead abatement construction projects throughout the State to ensure compliance with current Maryland State laws, federal regulations, and local orders. This may include compliance with environmental regulations, hazardous waste regulation, airborne particulate regulations, water pollution control regulations, regulations for the control of ionizing radiation, Toxic Substances Control Act and Safe Water Drinking Act regulations. The position will learn to provide technical, evaluative, consultative and professional assistance concerning lead hazards and associated multi-media regulations to State, local and private agencies as well as the public at large. Prevention, control, evaluation, and oversight of projects related to remediation of environmental lead hazards are emphasized.

The following duties are examples of assignments performed by the incumbent in this classification.  It is not a total comprehensive list of duties, nor is it restrictive regarding job assignments.

• Learns to perform field inspections of lead abatement activities for compliance with current Federal and State laws and regulations by collecting samples, conduction various field test, taking photographs, interviewing witnesses or complainants, and maintain written reports.  Learns to issue site complaints to properly owners and contractors for violations of State laws and regulations.  This activity includes application of lead testing methodologies, procedures and protocols from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HuD), and Maryland Department of the Environment, Environmental Lead Division (ELD) Regional Approach Manual.  Specialized training and compliance with chain of custody requirements for delivery of samples of DHMH laboratory is required.
• During enforcement of lead regulations, position learns to ensure compliance with other requirements under U.S. EPA. MOSH, HCD, DHR and other MDE Administrations.  Learns to provide direction and guidance to collaborating agencies and responsible parties for the inspection, abatement, or clean up of contaminated sites.  The position may be needed to respond on weekends and evenings to emergency situations involving lead releases from operational accidents at abatement projects or constructions site.  During field inspections, learns to represent the Environmental Lead Division for situations involving overlapping jurisdictions with other agencies and programs.  Enforcement to multi-media regulations is emphasized as the program is specifically authorized to enforce hazardous waste regulations and airborne particulate regulations under COMAR 26.13 and COMAR 26.11.06.03, respectively.
• Position examines current and historical business and public records, such as property ownership and permitting to verify and obtain facts concerning an investigation.  Learns to develop, negotiate and recommend implementation plans associated with corrective actions needed for regulatory compliance at residential, commercial, and public facilities and construction sites.  Position learns to initiate enforcement actions when violations occur including Site Complaints and Notices of Violations.  Position learns to recommend a course of action for violation case disposition, such as closure of file due to compliance, continuance of consultation, inspection or investigation activities or for the issuance of formal Complaints, Orders, and Administrative Penalties.  Learns to prepare documentation for case developments and use in comprehensive litigation packages.  Position learns to testify in administrative court hearing and court proceedings.

Education: Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in earth science, environmental science, geology, civil or environmental engineering, biology, chemistry, agronomy, forestry or other related discipline.

Experience: None.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute experience performing environmental regulatory compliance work in the areas of water pollution control; sediment and erosion control; tidal and nontidal wetlands; flood control and waterway construction; stormwater management; coal, noncoal and surface mining, or oil pollution control on a year-for-year basis for the required bachelor's degree.

 2. Sixty credit hours from an accredited college or university which includes thirty credit hours in any combination of the above disciplines and two years of experience performing inspection or investigation work related to State, federal or local regulation, code or standard compliance may be substituted for the required bachelor's degree.

3. Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate and four years of experience performing inspection or investigation work related to State, federal or local regulation, code or standard compliance may be substituted for the required bachelor's degree.

4. 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 and Natural Resources field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required education.

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 levels 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 in 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.

1. Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a valid motor vehicle operator's license.

2. Employees in this classification may be required to obtain and maintain certification or valid motor vehicle license in the designated environmental compliance area in which they are working.

Employees in this classification are subject to call-in and, therefore, will be required to provide the employer with a phone number where they can be reached.

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the minimum /selective/preferred qualifications for this recruitment.  All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date.  We will not consider information submitted after this date.  Applicants that meet the qualifications will be referred to the hiring unit for consideration of an interview/selection.  Only those candidates that demonstrate, in their applications, the required qualifications will be deemed qualified and referred.

Your application is part of the examination process.  The assessment will be a rating of your education, training and experience related to the requirements of this position.  Therefore, it is important that you provide complete and accurate educational and employment information on your application.  Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified placed on the employment list for at least one year. This list will be used by the hiring agency to select employees.  Education credentials and experience verification will be completed by the Appointing Authority.  If you are scheduled to complete an education or licensing requirement within six months of the examination, you may participate in the examination process, if one is required.  Please note that you will be required by the appointing agency to provide proof upon hire of all certifications, licenses, educational and work experiences.

The MD Department of the Environment does not sponsor individuals in the application of the H-1B Visa.  All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States under the Immigration and Reform Control Act.  You must be legally authorized and possess any necessary documents under this Act in order to be hired in the position for which you apply.  For education obtained outside the U.S., you will be required to provide proof of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service.

The incumbent in this position is a member of a covered bargaining unit and will be required to pay a bi-weekly service fee to the exclusive representative of the bargaining unit.

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

It is STRONGLY preferred that you apply online. However, if you are unable to apply online, or encounter difficulty attaching required or optional documentation, you may submit via mail or deliver in person. Please be sure to include your name, identification number (Easy ID#) and reference number on any documentation to ensure timely processing.

Completed applications, required documentation, and any required addendums may be mailed to:

Joanne Hobner, Manager, Recruitment and Examination
Office of Human Resources, MDE
Reference Number: 14-001878-003
1800 Washington Blvd.
Baltimore, MD 21230

The MD State Application Form can be found online

PLEASE NOTE: The Maryland Department of the Environment participates in the E-Verify Program.

TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay

We thank our Veterans for their service to our country, and encourage them to apply.

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State's diversity