Environmental Compliance Specialist 2 (35 Hour)

 

At the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP), we are dedicated to conserving, improving and protecting our natural resources and the environment and increasing the availability of cheaper, cleaner and more reliable energy. Within the Bureau of Materials Management & Compliance Assurance (MMCA), our mission is to work to ensure the proper management, handling, use, and disposal of materials including pesticides, mercury, PCBs, and petroleum products. Through a number of different mechanisms outreach and education, product handling efforts and phase outs, training, and regulatory activity the Department is working to develop better stewardship of these materials to protect environmental quality and public safety for Connecticut’s current and future generations.

DEEP’s Emergency Response and Spill Prevention Division has one (1) opening for a Compliance Specialist 2, based at DEEP Headquarters at 79 Elm Street in Hartford, CT.  This position will primarily focus on conducting underground storage tank (UST) compliance inspections to determine compliance with regulatory requirements and related activities.  Although the position is headquartered in Hartford the compliance specialist will be working from their vehicle and rarely will need to come to the office.  In general, the compliance specialist will begin and end their day where their assigned work vehicle is garage.  This is typically at an approved state property near their home.

The primary goal of the Underground Storage Tank (UST) Inspection Process is to promote compliance with the UST Regulations and Statutes in order to protect human health and the environment from potential hazards associated with leaks, spills, and releases from underground storage tanks.  Leaks from USTs can result in impacts to drinking water supplies as well as other hazards.  The federal Energy Policy Act mandates that UST systems, with some exceptions, be inspected every 3 years.  In Connecticut, this represents more than 2,000 sites with more than 6,000 tanks.  

This position is a 35 hour per week, first shift, full-time position.

The selected candidate must have a valid driver's license. 

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:

• Conduct underground storage tank (UST) compliance inspections to determine compliance with regulatory requirements, including using hand tools and lifting manhole covers; 
• Gather evidence; 
• Perform investigations and related activities (requires fieldwork in all weather conditions) to evaluate UST system failures; 
• Evaluate operations and equipment to identify malfunctions or noncompliance; 
• Prepare inspection reports; 
• Prepare and issue enforcement actions in the field such as field NOVs and Red Tags; 
• Participate in preparation for and testimony at proceedings such as hearings; 
• Investigate and respond to complaints and referrals regarding USTs; 
• Interface with other governmental officials and the general public on matters related to USTs and UST compliance; 
• General office duties including taking technical and general information calls regarding UST systems; 
• Attend meetings and training events as assigned (may require overnight travel);
• Perform related duties as required.

Applicants are required to submit a resume on the resume tab with their submission.

Questions about this recruitment and these required documents should be directed to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection human resources office: Anne Dana at anne.dana@ct.gov or (860)424-3354.

In the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of tasks in the inspection, monitoring, data collection and evaluation of various types of residential, industrial, commercial, institutional or municipal operations and/or facilities.

Conducts onsite inspections of a specific type of facility or operation which may involve observation of operating conditions and/or sampling or auditing of emissions and/or effluents by manual or instrumental methods to determine compliance with or sanctioning under federal and state environmental laws and regulations and, when applicable, environmental permits; conducts source testing activities with consultants and facility owners and monitors test equipment performance; witnesses technical source tests to ensure proper process and procedure; inspects specific facilities, operations and equipment to identify or evaluate malfunctions or non-compliance; reviews applicable procedures and test plans to ensure completeness and accuracy; makes recommendations to ensure corrective action taken on violations; reviews and evaluates records and reports that may include testing results and data analyses to determine facility compliance; recommends and/or drafts Notices of Violation; performs routine mathematical computations and analysis; participates in enforcement activities to obtain compliance with permits and regulations; participates in training of lower level staff as assigned; prepares correspondence, inspection reports, enforcement reports and documents; may confer with representative of facilities, consultants, municipal and state officials in matters relevant to assignment; conducts follow-up enforcement activities to ensure compliance with relevant permits and regulations; may be required to respond to complaints; may review documents and contracts for compliance; may respond to incidents on sites; may direct clean-up operations by contractors;may collect data; may issue field citations; may attend hearing or testify in court; performs related duties as required.

Knowledge of principles, practices and systems of environmental protection relevant to assignment; knowledge of techniques used to conduct environmental inspections; knowledge of appropriate statutes, regulations and policies relevant to assigned bureau; interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; basic knowledge of personal safety equipment; ability to perform research and data analysis; ability to read and interpret statutes, regulations and policies relevant to assigned bureau; ability to utilize computer software.

Four (4) years of experience in environmental compliance programs relevant to assigned area including inspections and/or enforcement activities.

College training in natural, chemical, biological or environmental sciences or engineering technology may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's Degree.

• Ability to effectively communicate in person, on the phone, and in writing with a variety of constituents including the public, the regulated community, and other agencies regarding UST issues;
• Ability to work independently in the field and to be self motivated to accomplish goals;
• Ability to effectively organize technical information and data;
• Ability to read and interpret statutes and regulations related to UST compliance;
• Some knowledge of equipment related to UST systems such as construction materials, methods of release detection and prevention, and system configurations;
• Mechanical aptitude;
• Ability to use hand tools;
• Knowledge of safety issues related to environmental fieldwork such as personal  protective equipment (PPE) and work site awareness such as trench safety, safe control lifting techniques, and traffic control;
• Some computer knowledge/skills related to UST databases, word-processing, and  geographic information systems (GIS); 
• Knowledge of methods used to collect samples such as soil samples, surface water, and well sampling, as well as product sampling.

1. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
2. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.

Incumbents in this class may be exposed to difficult and dangerous conditions including chemicals and hazardous materials, heights and a moderate degree of discomfort from exposure to year-round weather conditions.

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.