Class Definition
GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES: To be responsible for the supervision, direction, and oversight of a statewide environmental engineering program; to perform highly complex and advanced environmental engineering work within the program; to supervise program staff engaged in environmental engineering reviews, inspections, field work, data entry, and reporting, and to ensure compliance with , departmental and federal policies and regulations; and to do related work as required.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Works under the general direction of a superior with considerable latitude for the exercise of independent judgement in technical and administrative matters; work is reviewed for conformance to policies and instructions and accepted environmental engineering methods and techniques.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED: Plans, assigns, oversees and reviews the work of a staff engaged in environmental engineering reviews, inspections, field work, data entry, and reporting.
Illustrative Examples of Work Performed
To be responsible for the supervision, direction, and oversight of a statewide environmental engineering program.
To perform highly complex and advanced environmental engineering work within the program.
To supervise program staff engaged in environmental engineering reviews, inspections, field work, data entry, and reporting, and to ensure compliance with State, departmental and federal policies and regulations.
To ensure effective communication within the program, with other related programs in the department, and with other stakeholders.
To plan, assign, supervise, and review compliance inspections, field surveys, and determinations on the most complex and advanced sources of pollution or drinking water quality issues.
To review, analyze and interpret data and environmental samples, both directly and as summarized by subordinates, including but not limited to groundwater, soils, surface water, wastewater, drinking water, stormwater, sewage, and air.
To participate in developing unit budgets, grant applications, regulations, and draft legislation.
To manage grants and/or financial agreements, in accordance with required policies and procedures, for funds received and/or disbursed by the program.
To assist a superior and/or financial staff in the preparation of grant and/or budget submissions and financial status reports.
To oversee the procurement of goods and/or services for the program and to actively participate in the interview and hiring process.
To provide guidance, training, coaching and assistance to staff, and to determine unit priorities and plan work.
To continuously improve business processes within the assigned program by regularly analyzing work flow, standard operating procedures, policies, regulations and staff output and performance to ensure efficient, effective, and consistent decision making.
To develop or make recommendations on the development of policies and standards, and to prepare a variety of reports and correspondence.
To act as liaison with other operating units, agencies, and outside officials regarding unit activities; to ensure coordination with other departmental programs, the Environmental Protection Agency and/or other governmental agencies on the implementation of policy and regulation.
To manage all activities related to the most complex and advanced/high priority projects including sampling, analysis, review, and communication with persons both internal and external to the department.
To determine the quality and safety of soils, water, and air according to program policies, objectives, and regulations.
To plan, develop, review, oversee and implement remedial corrective actions of impaired water, soil, or air within the State, and to confer with municipal and industrial officials on water, air, soil and/or waste treatment problems.
To oversee and to actively participate in the development, preparation and review of permits, letters, enforcement actions, reports, engineering plans, and other materials related to source pollution or threats, drinking water quality and/or public pool water quality.
To communicate with supervisors, peers, applicants, stakeholders, responsible parties, government officials, and members of the public about the status, process, and objectives of projects and/or activities.
To develop, track and maintain metrics and reports on the workload and performance of the assigned program.
To analyze, interpret and communicate environmental monitoring data and information related to the status of projects and activities.
To supervise and coach unit staff in the preparation of testimony and presentations for hearings and public forums and, as assigned, to actively participate in and represent the program in such matters.
To oversee and actively participate in the promulgation, development, and implementation of environmental regulations.
To perform other engineering tasks as assigned.
To do related work as required.
Required Qualifications for Appointment
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND CAPACITIES: Advanced knowledge of the principles and practices of environmental engineering as they relate to wastewater treatment, drinking water, surface water and storm water pollution control, air pollution control, waste management, environmental remediation, and/or pollution prevention; advanced knowledge of Bacteriology and Chemistry as they apply to behavior and control of pollutants and contaminants in various environmental media; the ability to read and interpret the most complex and advanced engineering plans and specifications; the ability to perform environmental engineering field investigations of a wide variety of complexity and scope; the ability to use common word processing, spreadsheet, email, presentation, and data management applications; the ability to provide opportunities for professional development, promote strong customer service, and encourage innovation and improvement; the ability to apply accepted engineering principles and regulatory requirements to solve complex environmental problems within the scope of assignments; and related capacities and abilities. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Education: Possession of a bachelor's degree in Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering or a related science field; and Experience: A minimum of seven (7) years employment in a professional engineering capacity in an environmental engineering organization. Or, possession of a master's degree in Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering or a related science field and a minimum of five (5) years of employment in a professional engineering capacity in an environmental engineering organization. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: At the time of appointment, must be a Professional Engineer (PE) licensed by the Rhode Island State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors or a State licensing board which offers reciprocity with the State of Rhode Island, and must maintain such license as a condition of employment.
Supplemental Information
This position is located within the Center for Drinking Water Quality and will assist with the implementation and enforcement of the Public Drinking Water Regulations and Licensing of Aquatic Venue Regulations with particular emphasis on preventing or returning public water systems to compliance with the various drinking water Rules mandated under the Safe Drinking Water Act and State Regulations through assuring that drinking water infrastructure is designed, operated and maintained appropriately. Oversight and review of engineering projects for drinking water. Oversight of rule management and support (such as advanced surface water treatment under the Surface Water Treatment Rule and reduction of disinfection by products under the Disinfection By-Product Rule). Oversight and/or support of the Aquatic Venue (“pools”) program. Planning, monitoring and oversight of state revolving fund as it relates to engineering projects. Building and managing statewide partnerships. Support the operations of the Center for Drinking Water Quality in a management capacity.
This Position will need frequent verbal and written communication with coworkers, regulated entities, contractors, and State agency leadership. This Position will need attention to detail and organization. This Position will need supervision and management experience. The preferred candidate would be licensed as a professional engineer in the State of Rhode Island. Field work may be needed.
* RIDOH’s mission is to prevent disease and protect and promote the health and safety of the people of Rhode Island. RIDOH’s strategic priorities focus on addressing the socioeconomic and environmental determinants of health, eliminating health disparities, promoting health equity, and ensuring access to quality health services for all Rhode Islanders, including the state’s vulnerable populations.
