Air Operating Permit Management Specialist
(Environmental Specialist 4) (In Training)
- Description
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Keeping Washington Clean and EvergreenProtecting Washington State’s environment for current and future generations is what we do every day at Ecology. We have a culture that is invested in making a difference. If you want to join a team that is highly effective, collaborative, has leadership that embraces the value of people, Ecology is a good fit.
The Air Quality Program (AQP) is looking to fill an Air Operating Permit Management Specialist (Environmental Specialist 4) (In Training) position. This position will be located in our Eastern Regional Office (ERO) in Spokane, WA.
The Air Operating Permit Management Specialist position serves as the senior/lead Air Operating Permit (AOP) permit and Title 5 regulatory expert for the Eastern Regional Office (ERO) AQP Section with responsibility for evaluating the air emissions for the region’s largest and most complex industrial and commercial pollutant sources and determining the permit limitations and state and federal requirements necessary to protect and preserve air resources and public health and welfare while supporting economic vitality. The pollutant emissions from the numerous large and complex air pollutant sources are often controversial requiring highly developed interaction skills to address the concerns of the facility owners and operators, elected officials, other government agencies, industry association representatives, and the general public. Once the potential pollution is evaluated and control measures and monitoring requirements are determined, this position is responsible for writing and issuing complex and detailed AOP permits under delegation from the EPA, including new AOP permits and permit renewals.
We are looking for applicants who are patient, are able to pay attention to detail, someone who works well with others and has excellent writing and communications skills. The ideal candidate would have Air Quality experience.
As an agency, our mission is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington’s environment for current and future generations. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism and accountability. Maybe you’ve seen some of our recent stories on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or our blog.
To learn more about our agency, please visit our website at www.ecy.wa.gov.
Local efforts… Diverse people… Statewide impacts - Duties
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The Air Quality Program’s mission is to protect, preserve, and enhance the air quality of Washington to safeguard public health and the environment, and support high quality of life for current and future citizens.
Some of the key work activities of the Air Operating Permit Management Specialist position include:- As a senior environmental section specialist, working independently under the general supervision of the Commercial/Industrial Unit Supervisor, this position is primarily responsible for writing and managing some of the more complex Title 5 Air Operating Permits (AOP), providing expertise to State and Federal regulatory oversight to major air pollution sources in Ecology’s Eastern Region.
- Works with air pollution source facility staff and management to ensure understanding of applicable regulations and permits.
- Conducts Partial and Full Evaluations for AOP sources in accordance with the federal compliance monitoring strategy.
- Provides comment and review to other AOP permit writers for permit development, modification, and renewal.
- Responds to highly complex inquiries for technical assistance requiring advances scientific knowledge.
- Reviews, analyzes, develops and recommends policies, guidelines, and regulations governing the agencies major AQ source programs. Evaluates excess emission reports, QA/QC plans, and facility records and periodic reports submitted by AOP sources. Assesses claims that excess emissions were unavoidable.
- Conducts periodic audits of complex, highly technical industrial processes including CEMS equipment, inspects process monitors, and evaluates predictive monitoring procedures to ensure reporting accuracy.
- Carries out technical evaluation of complex air pollution control equipment. Conducts site visits, and other field work at AOP sources.
- Prepares detailed inspection reports for the file and compliance status determination letters for the sources.
- Reviews stack (source) test plans, observes stack testing, and reviews test reports for AOP sources.
- Works closely with the AOP Compliance Specialist during all phases of permit development, modification, renewal and implementation.
- Acts as the agency representative on administering the AQ sections of the performance partnership agreement with EPA pertaining to AOP permitting.
- Reviews AOP applications and makes determinations on application completeness and content.
- Prepares and issues draft and proposed AOP permits and provides for public notice including presenting at public hearings, city council and county commissioner meetings, state holder groups, and providing for EPA notification and input.
- Prepares final AOP permits for review, approval and signature by the ERO Professional Engineer and Section Manager.
- Maintains a current expertise level understanding of all state and federal regulations and requirements for major sources, and incorporates ever changing applicable requirements into new AOP permits.
- Performs site visits to AOP sources to discuss permit requirements, evaluate applicable requirements, and better understand ERO AOP source operations and technologies.
- Works with AOP sources to identify corrective actions and remediation necessary to achieve compliance with state and federal air quality regulations.
- Responsible for implementation of federal delegated regulations and requirements under the Title IV and Title V Programs and the Compliance Assurance Agreement.
- Determines major source status for new sources that are included in the federal Compliance Monitoring Strategy.
- Assists in synthetic minor 80 Full Compliance Evaluations from information gathered from inspections, file review, and source records.
- Provides testimony in cases involving the approval, denial, or conditioning of permits; the imposition of civil penalties; or in cases which form the basis for precedent setting interpretations of agency jurisdiction and regulatory authority.
- Cooperates with other Ecology staff, and assists the Attorney General’s office, in compiling the necessary materials for the preparation of cases to be presented before judicial courts and boards.
- Appears and testifies on behalf of the Air Quality Program before judicial courts and boards on matters arising as a result of related enforcement actions.
- Processes Notice of Construction applications as assigned by the Unit Manager, and assists with new source review with an emphasis on AOP sources.
- Maintains ERO facility files and data bases for ERO AOP sources as necessary.
- Responsible for ERO AOP minimum data requirement (MDR) entry into EPA’s new ICIS-AIR database.
- Works with facility staff, Ecology, local air, and EPA on database related issues.
This recruitment will remain open until filled. The initial screening will be January 16, 2018. In order to be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application on or before January 15, 2018. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.
The goal class for this position is an Environmental Specialist 4. We will consider applicants who meet the requirements for the Environmental Specialist 3 and 4 levels. If the finalist meets the requirements for the ES 3 level then they will be hired in at that level and will be placed into a training program to become an ES 4 within a specified period of time. - Qualifications
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Required Qualifications:
Environmental Specialist 3 Pay range 49 ($3,522-$4,623)
A Bachelor’s degree involving major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field and two years of professional level experience in environmental analysis or control or environmental planning.
Additional qualifying experience will substitute, year for year, for education.
A Master’s degree in one of the above fields will substitute for one year of the required experience.
OR
A Ph.D. in one of the above fields.
OR
One year of experience as an Environmental Specialist 2.
Environmental Specialist 4 (goal classification) Pay range 55 ($4,085-$5,358)
A Bachelor’s degree involving major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field and five years of professional-level experience in environmental analysis or control, or environmental planning which includes one year equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above or two years equal to an Environmental Specialist 2 or above.
Additional qualifying experience will substitute, year for year, for education.
OR
A Master’s degree in one of the above fields and three years of professional – level experience as required above which includes one year equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above or two years equal to an Environmental Specialist 2 or above.
OR
A Ph.D. in one of the above fields and two years of professional-level experience as required above which includes one year equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above or two years equal to an Environmental Specialist 2 or above.
OR
Two years of experience as an Environmental Specialist 3, provided a degree has been obtained as described above.
The experience as an Environmental Specialist 3 can include a combination of the following: 1) investigating and / or resolving complaints involving science or technology content, 2) performing inspections, 3) drafting technical evaluations and reports, 4) develops plans for researching information used for technical projects, regulatory or policy development, 5) plan and facilitate public meetings and hearings, 6) project work requiring specialized knowledge of industry processes, pollutant sources or natural processes, 7) providing technical assistance for complex scientific content and/ or support for implementing scientific content programs, 8) conducting tests, analyzing and evaluating data, 9) using environmental databases to support technical projects, 10) developing scientific studies and resource management plans, 11) providing environmental technical and administrative assistance to grant/ contract/ loan recipients of environmental protection projects.
The experience as an Environmental Specialist 2 can include assisting in any of the following areas: 1) performing field surveys or studies, 2) responding to complaints involving scientific or technical content, 3) preparing public meetings and hearings, 4) assistance with routine inspections or investigations requiring specialized knowledge of industry processes, pollutant sources or natural processes, 5) responding to routine inquires or requests for technical assistance involving scientific content, 6) special projects that are scientific in nature, 7) conducting routine sampling and testing analyses, interprets data, writing reports 8) performing basic sampling data review, 9) maintaining an environmental data base to support technical projects, 10) providing routine environmental technical and administrative assistance to grant/ contract/ loan recipients of environmental protection projects.
Desired Qualifications:- Demonstrated ability to understand environmental regulations at the federal, state, and local level.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate through writing and speaking.
- Demonstrated ability to review and understand complex technical documents.
- Demonstrated ability to maintain complete and accurate administrative records, data and inspection records, within timelines, and using required procedures.
- Demonstrated ability to multitask in an ever changing fast pace environment.
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
Must obtain and maintain a valid Driver’s License.
- Supplemental Information
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Application Instructions:In order to be considered, applicants MUST include the following documents as an attachment to their application:
- A cover letter describing how your experience, skills and abilities meet the required qualifications of this position.
- A resume outlining your professional experience.
Please complete the applicant profile when applying for this position. Or, you may paste the text of your resume within the profile’s resume text field.
Please read the supplemental questions carefully and answer completely. Incomplete responses, including “please see resume” may disqualify you from further consideration.
Department of Ecology employees, please make sure to answer the agency-wide questions regarding permanent status as a classified employee within the Washington General Service or Washington Management Service. Do not forget to select Department of Ecology as a response to question 2, and type your personnel ID number for question 3. If you are not sure of your status or do not know your personnel ID number, please contact Human Resources at (360) 407-6186.
If you are reading this announcement in print format, please visit www.careers.wa.gov to access the online recruitment system. Click on “Look for Jobs” and select Dept. of Ecology under the “Department” search list. Click “Apply Search.”
Other Information:If you need assistance applying for this job, please call Human Resources at (360) 407-6186 or e-mail careers@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not call this number or send an email to this address to follow-up the status of your application. You can view the latest status of your application on your profile’s main page.
If you have specific questions about the position, please email David Knight at: Dkni461@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact David to inquire about the status of your application.
The act of submitting application materials electronically is considered affirmation that the information is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information and any untruthful or misleading answers are cause for rejection of your application or dismissal if employed.
This position is included in the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) union bargaining unit for the Department of Ecology. All employees covered by the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the WFSE will, as a condition of employment, either become members of the WFSE and pay membership dues or, as non-members, pay a representation fee as described in the CBA, no later than the 30th day following the effective date of this CBA or the beginning of their employment.
The Washington State Department of Ecology is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 407-6186. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.
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- State of Washington
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