County of Sacramento

Job Title: Environmental Specialist IV - REVISED

Closing Date/Time: Continuous

Salary: $39.71 - $43.79 Hourly
$3,176.80 - $3,503.20 Biweekly
$6,909.54 - $7,619.46 Monthly
$82,914.48 - $91,433.52 Annually

Job Type: Permanent Full-Time

Location: Sacramento, California

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Description Benefits Supplemental Questions

*REVISED: The cutoff dates and test dates for this exam have been revised.* This is a continuous filing exam. The next filing cut-offs are at 5:00 pm on: 11/23/2009 Under direction, the Environmental Specialist IV has first-line supervisory duties for a team of scientific, professional and technical staff. Duties include arranging, directing, prioritizing, reviewing, and evaluating the unit’s processes and final products as well as administering line personnel functions. Some positions have advanced practitioner responsibilities requiring a professional certification or registration designated by law (and described in Special Requirements) and/or have indirect supervisory responsibilities over the final outputs and products rather than direct supervision of staff or processes. These positions require the consistent application of scientific expertise above the advanced journey level.
Examples of Knowledge and Abilities:
Essential Knowledge Basic principles of environmental compliance assurance Basic principles of environmental sciences Mathematical compilation and analysis Principles of chemistry and chemical reactions Effects of waste material on water quality and land quality and the interactions of waste with the environment Environmental practices with special reference to their general effect on public health and the quality of the environment Laws, codes, regulations, and policies affecting the department’s operations and programs Applicable tools, equipment and materials Principles and procedures of interviewing and fact-finding Principles, practices and techniques of customer service Statistical methods and analysis Team dynamics and team building Principles and practices of leadership, mentoring and conflict resolution Principles, practices and techniques of supervision, training, and employer-employee relations Principles of public administration, budgeting and cost allocations Sacramento County Personnel Policies and Procedures Principles and practices of technical problem solving; principles and methods of project management Specialized, in depth knowledge of a scientific field closely related to environmental research and compliance Ability To Read English at a level necessary to examine, interpret, and apply scientific, legal, technical, and complex guidelines, documents, records and reports Speak English at a level necessary to communicate clearly and effectively Write English at a level necessary to produce concise, accurate and impartial reports, narratives, summaries and recommendations Learn and perform work assignments revolving environmental inspections, compliance, monitoring, regulation, and research Assist with developing, preparing, and presenting study findings and reports Analyze situations and take appropriate actions Work cooperatively with others Build and maintain constructive relationships with those encountered during course of work Respond effectively and tactfully to hostility, confusion or concerns expressed by others Organize, process and evaluate data and ideas to make effective decisions and develop appropriate solutions Use sound judgment and personal initiative to accomplish assignments, locate, research, interpret, and apply environmental laws and regulations Collect, evaluate and summarize scientific and technical data and perform work assignments related to environmental inspections, compliance, monitoring, regulation, and research Work independently within established guidelines, prioritize and coordinate activities, and meet critical deadlines Communicate, verbally and in writing, scientific and technical terminology into terms understandable to the general public Develop, prepare, and present studies and reports to governmental boards, civic organizations and other groups Effectively represent the department in contacts and relationships with the public, local business community and other government agencies Use appropriate interpersonal style and approach to ensure team cohesiveness and cooperation Perform complex work regarding environmental inspections, compliance, monitoring, regulations, and research Lead complex or sensitive work projects Provide work direction and instruction to scientific, technical and professional staff Review work for pertinence, accuracy and completeness Analyze complex environmental compliance problems, make statistical inferences from complex data, and develop recommendations or solutions And represent the department in contacts and relationships with the public, local business community, other government agencies, and the media Plan and organize the work of an assigned group of scientific, professional and technical staff Establish, monitor and control projects and schedules to meet goals and objectives Supervise, train, coach, and evaluate staff Investigate and resolve disciplinary issues and customer complaints Represent management in responding to and adjusting first level grievances Serve as a technical expert in a scientific discipline Perform a wide scope of the more complex and difficult studies, reports, and projects related to environmental inspections, compliance, monitoring, regulation, and research Recognize problems, develop recommendations and solutions for difficult and complex environmental management problems, and oversee corrections And review and interpret the impact of legislative changes
Employment Standards:
Minimum Qualifications: Graduation from an accredited college or university with major in health science, public health, natural science, physical science, environmental science, or a related field. And: 1. Two years of advanced-journey level professional experience in environmental regulation, analysis, environmental research, conducting a monitoring or surveillance program, and/or providing lead direction for a multi-disciplinary staff performing duties and responsibilities equivalent to the Environmental Specialist III class in Sacramento County service. Or: 2. Four years of professional experience in environmental inspections, enforcement, regulation, analysis, and/or research performing journey level duties and responsibilities equivalent to the Environmental Specialist (Level II) class in Sacramento County service. Note: Possession of a Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university in health science, public health, natural science, physical science, environmental science, business or public administration, or a related field may substitute for one year of the required experience. Note: The word “experience” referenced in the minimum qualifications means full-time paid experience unless the job announcement states that volunteer experience is acceptable. Part-time paid experience may be accumulated and pro-rated to meet the total experience requirements. Note: Employees granted status in the class of Senior Environmental Health Specialist and possessing split off rights as granted by the Civil Service Commission and Board of Supervisors via SRA #90-85, may be appointed to Environmental Specialist IV positions, in accordance with County Personnel Policies and Procedures #C-7, without appearing on the certification list. Note: Applicants interested in Environmental Health positions are required to provide documentation of the Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS). Documentation Required With Application: Copies of transcripts or diploma identifying completion of required coursework MUST be submitted with the application. Note: Failure to submit proof of educational requirements will result in disqualification from the examination. Special Requirements: Physical Requirements Ability to stoop and kneel to conduct inspections, take water and other environmental samples, and inspect equipment Climb fences, stairs, and ladders Walk rough terrain and muddy fields Work in an underground environment Climb in and out of swimming pools under construction Wear protective clothing Normal hearing Normal verbal communication ability Visually distinguish between colors Calibrate and use technical and monitoring instruments Read gauges and meters See in dimly lit areas Work Schedule and Conditions: Incumbents are subject to work in adverse weather conditions, emergency situations, and perform duties outside of normal working hours, as necessary. Professional Certification / Registration Requirements: Some positions, allocated to Environmental Specialist (Level II) and higher levels, require possession of a valid certification as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) issued by the State of California. Some positions, allocated to Environmental Specialist (Level II) and higher levels, require possession of a valid certification as a Registered Dairy Inspector, issued by the State of California. Some positions, allocated to Environmental Specialist (Level II) and higher levels, may require possession of valid certifications, as deemed necessary by legislative mandate or appropriate regulatory authority in the State of California. Some positions allocated to Environmental Specialist (IV) require possession of valid certification as a Registered Geologist, issued by the State of California. Note: Failure to maintain required certification/registration constitutes cause for suspension or termination from the class in accordance with Civil Service Rules. License Requirement: A valid California Driver License, Class C or higher is required prior to appointment to these classes. Failure to maintain a valid License may constitute cause for termination from this class in accordance with Civil Service Rule 11.4. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis Special Skills: Some positions may require the ability to speak, read, and/or write a language, in addition to English, or knowledge of a specific culture, such as Black Culture, Mexican/Spanish Culture, or Asian Culture. Probationary Period: The probationary period for this classification is six (6) months.
Supplemental Information:
Testing Process Minimum Qualifications – To be accepted into the testing process, the information submitted on the application must clearly demonstrate that the applicant meets the required minimum qualifications by the cut-off date. Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications by the final filing date will advance to the next testing phase – the Training & Experience Evaluation Exam. Formula Rate (Training & Experience Evaluation) Exam – The evaluation of the candidate’s relevant experience, education and training, as shown in response to the Training & Experience Evaluation supplemental questions, weighted 100%. A panel of subject matter experts will only evaluate the responses to the Training & Experience Evaluation supplemental questions in this job announcement. All candidates successful in the testing process will be notified of their score and ranking based on their notification preference and placed on the eligible list in rank order. The rank is determined by the test score attained from the evaluation of the candidate’s responses to the Training & Experience Evaluation supplemental questionnaire. Note: Responses to the Training & Experience Evaluation supplemental questionnaire must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on the cut-off date in order to be evaluated. Note: The information provided should be consistent with the information in your standard County of Sacramento application and is subject to verification. Please refer to the Training & Experience Evaluation instructions (located in this job announcement) for guidance on how to respond to the supplemental questions. How to Apply As vacancies occur, a cut-off date will be established and posted in the County of Sacramento Employment Office. All applications/supplements received by 5:00 p.m. on the current posted cut-off date will be processed. Applications received after the current posted cut-off date will remain on file and processed after the next established cut-off date. Application packets may be submitted to our office on-line, in person or by mail. Applicants are encouraged to complete and submit the standard County of Sacramento application form and their responses to the supplemental questions on-line. However, any required additional documentation (such as copies of transcripts, etc.) must be submitted in person or by mail and clearly marked with the title of the job for which you are applying. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure his/her application, responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire, and any other required document(s) are received by the current cut-off date. Postmarks will not be accepted. Note: Resumes may be attached to your submitted application. However, a resume (electronic or hard copy) will not substitute for the experience information that is required on your application. Your application will be considered incomplete if the required information is not filled out in its entirety. A notation of “See Resume” will not substitute for the information requested on the application. To apply, please complete and submit a standard County of Sacramento application, responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire, and any required document(s) by 5:00 p.m. on the application cut-off date to the: County of Sacramento Employment Office 609 9th Street Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone 916-874-5593; 7-1-1 California Relay Service Inter-Office Mail Code: 06-007 www.saccountyjobs.org Note: The County of Sacramento Employment Office is not responsible for the untimely delivery of materials sent via U.S./specialized mail or County interoffice mail. For information regarding other County jobs, call (916) 874-5627. You will be provided with a recorded message, accessible 24 hours a day. Applications are available by calling (916) 874-5593 or www.saccountyjobs.org. For additional information related to the County of Sacramento’s employee benefits, appeal rights, application and testing process information, please read the “Sacramento County Employment Benefits You...” brochure, review the "Employee Benefits" section on our website, or review the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s). For Applicants with Disabilities ONLY Applicants with disabilities requesting an applicable ADA testing accommodation must complete and submit the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form filled out by applicant and their doctor to the Disability Compliance Office by the final filing date as listed in this job announcement. The Reasonable Accommodation Request Form can be obtained by clicking here or by contacting the Sacramento County Employment Office or Disability Compliance Office. Failure to submit this request by the final filing date may result in the County being unable to provide the requested accommodation in a timely manner for this administration of the examination. Sacramento County Disability Compliance Office 700 H Street, Room 5720 Sacramento, CA 95814 Supplemental Questionnaire Instructions Please note that your response to the Supplemental Questionnaire is the exam for this job posting, and your responses to the questions will be scored against a pre-determined formula. Responses to the Supplemental Questions not received by the final filing date will not be rated. Please complete the Supplemental Questionnaire attached to this job bulletin or if applying on-line, see the tab marked “Supplemental Questions”. This is an essential part of the testing process. When completing the Supplemental Questions, please include all relevant experience, education, and training for each question and explain your answers thoroughly. Please include 1) places of employment; 2) pertinent dates; 3) duties performed, etc. when responding to each question. If a job included responsibilities applicable to several questions, separate the different functions of the job to answer all the questions completely. A notation or reference to other materials such as resumes or the application will not be considered in scoring that part of the exam. Incomplete or missing responses to the Supplemental Questions will negatively affect your score. If you are not submitting your application on-line, include the steps below when preparing your responses to the Supplemental Questions. Place ONLY your last name, first name, and middle initial on each page. Identify each question on your responses. Attach to your standard County of Sacramento application and submit by 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date. Note: Resumes, letters, and other materials will not be evaluated or considered by the rating panel as responses to the Supplemental Questions.