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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
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POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING |
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Position Number: 00063030 |
Description Activated On: 8/28/2023 8:12:35 AM |
Position Purpose: Describe the primary purpose of this position and how it contributes to the organization’s objectives. Example: Provides clerical and office support within the Division to ensure its operations are conducted efficiently and effectively. This position functions as a Aquatic Biologist II in the Permit Section of the Waterways and Wetlands Program. The position is primarily responsible for conducting environmental reviews of applications for Water Obstruction and Encroachment Permits. This position is also responsible for conducting investigations of unauthorized activities, and for assisting with the required enforcement and compliance actions that are necessary to resolve violations of the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act and related rules and regulations of the Department. |
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Description of Duties: Describe in detail the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Descriptions should include the major end result of the task. Example: Types correspondence, reports, and other various documents from handwritten drafts for review and signature of the supervisor. Duties of this position include, but are not limited to the following: •Conduct technical, environmental reviews of applications for Water Obstruction and Encroachment Permits. Applications are reviewed in accordance with the Department’s policies and procedures, to ensure that a proposed activity will comply with the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act, Chapters 105 and 106 of the Department’s rules and regulations, and other, related Commonwealth laws and requirements. Permitting decisions are based on comprehensive and technical interpretations, assessments, and analysis of environmental information that is provided in submitted applications, along with other resources, and may include field investigations of site-specific conditions, technical investigations, and the application of results from research. Information to be evaluated might include wetland delineation reports, macroinvertebrate surveys, mitigation plans for streams and wetlands, results from water quality and biological sampling, biological indices and metrics, GIS documents, PA Wetland Condition Rapid Assessment Protocol, PA Riverine Condition Rapid Assessment Protocol, PA Lacustrine Condition Rapid Assessment Protocol, or similar protocols and analyses, natural stream designs, alternatives analyses, public comments (including comments from other federal and state resource agencies). The application review, recommended permit decision and permit conditions are documented in a written record of decision. Reviews may be coordinated with other programs within the Department, with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and other regulatory and resource agencies. •Consult, coordinate and advise local and regional officials and State and Federal Agencies concerning environmental evaluations, reviews, and permit applications. This includes, but is not limited to, working with Penn DOT, Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, Planning Commissions, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, Pennsylvania Game Commission, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and County Conservation Districts. •Consult with jurisdictional agencies regarding threatened and endangered species to resolve conflicts between applicants and resources. •Provide technical, aquatic, ecological expertise and assistance to engineers, planners, conservation agencies, municipal officials, civic groups, and the general public, relating to the Department’s requirements for water obstructions and encroachments. Prepare correspondence and answer inquiries regarding environmental policies as implemented by the Waterways and Wetlands Program, and related to, but not limited to, the Waterways the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act and Chapters 93, 102, 105 and 106 of the Department's rules and regulations. Conduct pre-application meetings to explain the project specific requirements for a Water Obstruction and Encroachment Permit. •Conduct and/or coordinate comprehensive field investigations of aquatic habitat (both plant and animal) and surrounding environmental conditions, participate in biological investigations and analyze ecological impacts to evaluate an application for a Water Obstruction and Encroachment Permit, to determine if an activity is within the jurisdiction of the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act and the Department’s rules and regulations, and to assure that permitted activities meet the conditions, plans and specifications of a permit, and to investigate compliance actions. These field investigations might include the collection of water quality and biological samples, and the testing, examination and/or processing of collected samples, and the calculation of biological indices and metrics. Work plans may need to be prepared for aquatic resource surveys and investigations. Conduct wetland determinations and delineations as required by the Dams Safety and Encroachments Act and Chapter 105, as well as field reviews of wetland boundaries delineated by consultants. Document inspection results in written reports. •Conduct field investigations to determine the cause and nature of complaints and provide technical expertise and direction in relation to mitigation and restoration of illegal activities within the jurisdiction of the Dams Safety and Encroachments Act and related rules and regulations. Prepare inspection reports, notices of violation and summary citations, and provide technical analysis and recommendations to the legal staff and Conservation, Restoration and Inspection Section staff, to aid in the preparation of Consent Order and Agreements, settlement letters, Department orders or other required legal correspondence for enforcement action. Serve as a witness and/or expert witness at district courts, county courts, the Environmental Hearing Board, Commonwealth Courts and Federal Courts, concerning various legal actions. •Attends meetings, seminars, courses and training in order to provide the Department and the public with state-of-the-art methods and procedures to meet the Program requirements, goals and objectives. •Prepare correspondence and answer inquiries regarding environmental regulations or policies as related to the Waterways and Wetlands Program, including, but not limited to, the Dam Safety and Encroachment Act and Chapters 93, 102, 105 and 106 of the Department's rules and regulations. •Utilize computer equipment, systems and programs, including the use of email, word processing programs, spreadsheets and e-permitting systems, and routinely input data into Department databases, such as eFACTs, SAPs, Complaint Tracking System, e-permitting systems and the PA Natural Heritage Program (PNHP/PNDI). •Serve as the technical “In-Charge” one day a pay period to respond to DEP and public requests for information or assistance. Responsible to coordinate and respond to inquiries. •Recommend changes to the administrative aspects of the program and work procedures to increase the permit application review efficiency and streamline the process. •May provide administrative and technical guidance to lower level/less experienced employees. •Drive throughout the Southwestern PA field area. Statewide and out-of-state travel may be required to attend meetings and training, and may include overnight travel. •Implement various Department initiatives such as Permit Decision Guarantee program, Project Syllabus, e-permitting, SAP and eFacts data entry. •Project Syllabus Related Duties: 1. Follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). 2. Review permit applications and drafts Record of Decisions (RODs). 3. Enter appropriate data into eFacts. 4. Draft deficiency letters with regulatory citations. 5. Identify issues encountered and recommend solutions to Section Chief. •Follow appropriate records management procedures utilizing the OnBase system. •Successfully conduct Department business utilizing tele-work technology. •Understand and promote the four pillars of the DEP Vision - Operational Excellence, Climate Leadership, Cultural Competence and Environmental Justice. •Inputs appropriate data in a prescribed format to meet data quality standards set forth by guidance, training, and policy across all of DEP’s electronic data systems; to include ensuring accuracy and completeness of entries, and where available, the use of system specific tools to ensure duplicative entries and data quality issues are minimized. •This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employee will be required to follow other job related instructions and to perform other job related duties required by their supervisor. |
Decision Making: Describe the types of decisions made by the incumbent of this position and the types of decisions referred to others. Identify the problems or issues that can be resolved at the level of this position, versus those that must be referred to the supervisor. Example: In response to a customer inquiry, this work involves researching the status of an activity and preparing a formal response for the supervisor’s signature. Work is received in the form of general guidelines from a technical supervisor and is performed with considerable independence of action and latitude of judgment. The supervisor reviews completed work for attainment of objectives and conformance with applicable rules, regulations, and Departmental policies and procedures. The Section Chief assigns various permit applications, complaint investigations, and other projects. The work assignment is briefly discussed. The Section Chief, the program staff in Harrisburg, and other staff in the Region may be consulted whenever major issues or very complex technical questions are raised. Major work assignments are briefly reviewed by the Section Chief for adherence to environmental standards and administrative approach and for compliance with program requirements. |
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Requirements Profile: Identify any specific experience or requirements, such as a licensure, registration, or certification, which may be necessary to perform the functions of the position. Position-specific requirements should be consistent with a Special Requirement or other criteria identified in the classification specification covering this position. Example: Experience using Java; Professional Engineer License Experience: Licenses, registrations, or certifications: 1. Class C Driver's License 2. N/A 3. N/A 4. 5. 6. |
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Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.
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