Environmental Specialist (Pesticide & Air Quality)

Definition:  Under supervision of Environmental Protection & Natural Resources Supervisor, Specialist will conduct a variety of research, analysis and evaluation tasks associated with environmental regulations, land use and development, and air quality; conducts field work with other members of Environmental staff.  This job class is treated as FLSA Non-Exempt.

Essential Functions:  Essential functions may vary among positions and may include the following tasks and other characteristics. This list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not intended to be a comprehensive list of tasks performed by Environmental Specialist (Hazardous Substances).

1. Operations: Oversees all hazardous substance activities, pesticide applications, and farming practices contributing particulates to the air within the SRPMIC.

• Inspects and monitors application operations including operating techniques, dispensing equipment, mixing, loading and handling procedures as well as use of protective equipment and clothing.

• Investigates, monitors and inspects overall hazardous substance and pesticide use, sales and distribution within SRPMIC boundaries.

• Monitors farming companies operating within SRPMIC boundaries at times when techniques such as tilling, discing, etc are used, in order to control dust. 

• Inspects and monitors all hazardous substance and pesticide storage facilities, container rinsing and disposal procedures, application records, written instructions and recommendations.

• Develops Community hazardous substance and pesticide-related processes including enforcement and compliance with applicable regulations.

• Monitors use and application of restricted-use pesticides and hazardous substances.

• Ensures compliance with all EPA and Community safety policies, practices and procedures.

• Attends training seminars and meetings to maintain current professional education.

• Maintains up-to-date Federal Insecticide Fungicide Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) Inspector credentials.

2. Safety: Helps ensure the protection of all Community members, employees, natural and cultural resources due to hazardous substances and pesticide application.

• Conducts Tier I and II Worker Protection Inspections.

• Coordinates and implements household hazardous waste collection events for the SRPMIC.

• Develops and recommends pesticide-related ordinances and standard operating procedures.

• Documents, records and issues enforcement actions including Notice of Violations (NOVs).

• Develops and conducts an educational Hazardous Substance and Pesticide Outreach Program designed to support the safety related goals of the Community.

• Investigates complaints and unusual incidents and conducts comprehensive investigations of hazardous substance and pesticide spills, accidents or suspected violations that may have resulted in injury or damage to persons, livestock, crops, property or the environment. Investigates and documents dust complaints, and provides reports to the EE (Air Quality). 

• Conducts interviews of witnesses or persons having pertinent knowledge and information then writes and submits findings reports.

• Conducts special investigations pertaining to hazardous substances, pesticide applications, and farming practices.

• Monitors provisions of experimental use permits or emergency use permits issued by the EPA or the Community and ensures full compliance with permit provisions.

3. Administration: Ensures all activities related to hazardous substances and pesticides as well as air quality are managed in compliance with all Federal and Tribal Government requirements.

• Ensures EPNR and other Tribal Government Departments use environmentally-friendly substances whenever possible and utilize regulated substances in a safe manner consistent with manufacturer’s guidelines and federal regulations.

• Monitors grant and contract project periods and budgets associated with EPA funding, including Pesticide and General Assistance Programs (GAP), and coordinates all quarterly and annual reports required by the grant and the SRPMIC.

• Assists the Environmental Program Supervisor with development of proposed work plan and budgets for the pesticide program and assists with the timely preparation and submittal of federal grant applications to the appropriate agency.

• Assists with data management and the acquisition and reporting of data from multi-media programs.

• Works closely with farming companies operating within SRPMIC to ensure best management practices are being used, and documents activities to report to the EE (Air Quality). 

 • Maintains a pesticide use database for the Community.

4. Funding: Assists with the development of program-related work plans and grant proposals for continued federal funding.

• Conducts program activities listed in approved EPA work plans in addition to other duties. 

• Helps determine activities and deliverables that assist in the work plan development.

• Writes additional work plan proposals and budgets for other program related funding opportunities.

• Performs other tasks as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and other Characteristics:

• Knowledge of Federally mandated EPA legislation and state and local laws and regulations regarding the environment.
• Knowledge of practices, policies, and procedures of land use management and environmental protection.

• Skill in the use of photographic equipment and in gathering, compiling and analyzing statistical data.
• Skill establishing and maintaining effective-working relationships with representatives of federal, county and local agencies, members of the Community and technical experts.
• Skill with verbal and written communication.

• Ability to make recommendations on environmental documents submitted by agencies for review.
• Ability to coordinate with other departments on issues of mutual concern and to organize meetings.

• May be required to work beyond normal business hours including nights, weekends and holidays.
• Employees in, and applicants applying for, jobs providing direct services to children are subject to the “Community Code of Ordinances”, Chapter 11, “Minors”, Article X. “Investigation of Persons Working With Children”.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Arizona Driver’s License.  

Prior to hire as an employee, applicants will be subject to drug and alcohol testing. Will be required to pass a pre-employment background/fingerprint check. 

"SRPMIC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer" Preference will be given to a qualified: Community Member Veteran, Community Member, Spouse of Community Member, qualified Native American, and then other qualified candidate.

In order to obtain preference, the following is required: 1) Qualified Community Member Veteran (DD-214) will be required at the time of application submission 2) Qualified Community Member (must provide Tribal I.D at time of application submission),3) Spouse of a Community Member (Marriage License/certificate and spouse Tribal ID or CIB is required at time of application submission), and 4) Native American (Tribal ID or CIB required at time of application submission).

Documents may be submitted by one of the following methods: 

1) attach to application

2) fax (480) 362-5860

3) mail or hand deliver to Human Resources.

Documentation must be received by position closing date. 

The IHS/BIA Form-4432 is not accepted. 

Salary : $59,622 - $80,487