State of Maryland

An Environmental Specialist I Socio-Economics is the entry level of work in researching, gathering, and analyzing data and coordinating environmental matters related to the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of State Projects and/or Programs.  Employees in this classification assist higher-level Environmental Specialists in investigating and evaluating routine problems arising from these projects that may affect the environment.  Employees in this classification aid in developing recommendations for the solution of such problems and reviews for compliance with established rules, regulations, and procedures.  The duties of this classification include serving in a liaison capacity with others involved in conducting studies related to environmental matters, and in assisting engineering personnel through written reports as well as at public meetings, answering questions related to the social, economic, and ecological impact of proposed projects.  Employees in this classification review and research projects that primarily involve broad scope environmental concerns; however, specialized areas of environmental concerns is expected as employees gain knowledge of environmental work.  Employees in this classification may supervise subordinate technicians and clerical personnel.

Employees in this classification receive close supervision from a higher-level Environmental Specialist.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.

The Environmental Specialist I and the Environmental Specialist II are differentiated on the basis of the degree of supervisory control exercised by the supervisor over these employees.  The Environmental Specialist I performs duties under close supervision while the Environmental Specialist II performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.

Undertakes limited studies and evaluates routine environmental problems with engineering personnel, representatives of other agencies, and private interests in an effort to incorporate proper environmental considerations in a project and/or program planning, design, construction, and maintenance;

Assists in constructing environmental models depicting changes in an ecosystem or socio-economic environment of a community;

Attends public meetings and conferences to assist in explaining the environmental impact of proposed projects and/or programs;

Assists in the preparing of scientific and technical aspects of environmental matters during investigations and hearings initiated by State and federal authorities;

Keeps abreast of the most recent developments in the field of environmental studies including the latest statutes in this field;

Assists in preparing environmental documents or technical reports concerning specific agency projects and/or the overall program or the agency in compliance with State and federal legislation and regulations;

Assists in the development, interpretation, and implementation of environmental plans and policies;

Assists in establishing noise monitoring locations, in monitoring operations, data evaluation, and analysis;

Cooperates with other agencies in those situations where environmental authority, jurisdiction, and/or responsibility may overlap or interface;

Conducts specific research projects in the Socio-Economics area of specialization to determine the feasibility of using various products or methods in current or future projects and/or programs;

Prepares reports, charts, and maps for inclusion in environmental documents and reports;

Assists in establishing air quality monitoring locations, in monitoring operations, data evaluation and analysis;

Assists in making recommendations on storm water management and treatment of waterways;

Undertakes studies of wildlife conservation or water quality assessment in relation to proposed or existing projects and/or programs;

Conducts routine studies of aquatic and terrestrial wildlife populations, migration, survival, and food habits in relation to varying physical, chemical, and biological factors;

Assists in coordinating with consultants, federal, State, and local agencies in the collection and analysis of socio-economic data concerning a proposed or existing project and/or program;

Prepares reports on the effect of a project or program on existing socio-economic patterns, demography, aesthetics, cultural resources identification and analysis, and energy forecasts and demands;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of the principles of sociology and economics;

Knowledge of the methods and practices of sociological and economic research and analysis;

Knowledge of the methods and techniques of statistical research;

Knowledge of the principles and practices of human resource and economic management;

Knowledge of socio-economic survey techniques;

Knowledge of the elementary techniques of standard research methodology;

Knowledge of the techniques of statistical data collection organization, and exhibition;

Ability to perform field surveys;

Ability to obtain, assemble, and analyze socio-economic data, and to interpret the results of the data;

Ability to establish and maintain cooperative relationships with fellow employees and the general public;

Ability to prepare clear, concise, comprehensive, and informative reports on technical matters in both technical and lay terms;

Ability to interpret maps, plans, and specifications;

Ability to consult effectively with contractors, the general public, and engineering personnel;

Ability to supervise and train subordinate technicians.

Education:   A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in the field of sociology or economics, or any other discipline within the social sciences.

Experience: None.

Note: Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in Environmental Engineering and Natural Resources classifications or Environmental Engineering and Natural Resources specialty codes in the Engineering, Natural Resources and Science field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required education.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions.  Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated as Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit G- Engineering, Scientific and Administrative Professionals classes.  As provided by the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining. Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.

Employees in this classification are eligible to receive overtime compensation.  An employee who works more than the normal workweek is entitled to be compensated for that overtime as provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 8-305.

This classification is one level in a Non-Competitive Promotion (NCP) series.  NCP promotions are promotions by which employees may advance in grade and class level from trainee to full performance level in a classification series. In order to be non-competitively promoted to the next level in a NCP series, an employee must: 1) perform the main purpose of the class, as defined by the Nature of Work section of the class specification; 2) receive the type of supervision defined in the class specification and 3) meet the minimum qualifications of the classification.