OIL&HAZARDOUS MATERIAL SPEC I

State of careers Rhode Island•Providence, RI

8d•$70,632 - $79,113•Onsite

About The Position

In the Department of Environmental Management, within an Emergency Response Unit, this professional role is engaged in the investigation and remediation of releases of pollutants, oil, and hazardous materials in the state that may present an immediate and significant actual or potential threat to public health, safety, and the environment. The position involves responding to and coordinating immediate and short-term responses to spills, assessing impacts, monitoring cleanup, initiating actions to abate pollution, and overseeing statewide cleanup work. It also includes conducting inspections of oil and hazardous materials facilities, monitoring restoration of damaged areas, practicing proper use of personal protective equipment, obtaining samples, assisting with the operation of safety equipment, and assisting in the removal of underground storage tanks. Additionally, the role involves training others for coordinated responses and operating temporary storage facilities. The position may require supervision of others and testifying in court as an expert witness.

Requirements

A working knowledge of basic principles, practices, procedures, and technology of the scientific field of environmental quality protection.
A working knowledge of safety and life support equipment necessary for protection from the effects of pollutants, oil, and hazardous materials.
Working knowledge of pollutants, oil, and hazardous materials spill cleanup technology.
A working knowledge of pollutants, oil, and hazardous material sampling techniques.
A working knowledge of federal, state, and local laws and regulations concerning pollutants, oil, and hazardous materials control and the ability to apply such knowledge in investigating and interviewing techniques.
A working knowledge of basic soils and groundwater geology.
A working knowledge of basic mechanical skills.
A working knowledge of chemical characteristics.
A working knowledge of the agency's pollutants, oil, and hazardous material control policies.
The ability to operate a motor vehicle and trailer.
The ability to supervise crews of pollutants, oil, and hazardous materials cleanup contractors in field operation.
The ability to prepare and deliver effective oral and/or written reports and speak publicly.
Graduation from a college of recognized standing with a bachelor’s degree in environmental science, environmental management, geology, biology, environmental or chemical engineering, or other related physical science.
Employment in a responsible position involving investigation, monitoring, or inspection of oil and hazardous materials spills, releases, or facility compliance.
Must possess a Motor Vehicle Operator’s License issued by the State of Rhode Island and must maintain such licensure as a condition of employment.
Must be physically qualified to perform assigned duties as evidenced by a physician’s certificate.
Must participate in a medical monitoring program as established in accordance with state and/or federal regulations and guidelines at the time of appointment and annually thereafter.

Nice To Haves

Any combination of education and experience that shall be substantially equivalent to the above education and experience.

Responsibilities

Engaged in professional environmental remedial work involving the immediate and short-term response to the release of pollutants, oil, and/or hazardous materials to the state's environment.
Respond and assist in coordinating the immediate and short-term response to spills of pollutants, oil, or hazardous materials.
Respond to, as part of a response team, incidents related to Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and other acts of terrorism.
Assess the immediate and short-term impacts, and the potential for long-term impacts, from spills or releases of pollutants, oil, or hazardous materials in order to determine the type and scope of initial response required.
Monitor and ensure the cleanup and proper disposal of spilled or released pollutants, oil, or hazardous materials from the initial response actions in order to reduce environmental damage.
Initiate actions to abate groundwater and surface water pollution caused by pollutants, petroleum, and hazardous materials spills in order to restore groundwater to established standards.
Oversee statewide professional environmental cleanup work involving pollutants, oil, or hazardous materials by delegating cleanup activities and the maintenance and repair of department field safety and response equipment to contractors for performance of the actual cleanup.
Conduct inspections of oil or hazardous materials waste facilities.
Inspect oil storage facilities, tanks, vessels, and conveyances, and hazardous waste facilities in order to ensure compliance with department regulations.
Monitor the restoration of environmentally damaged areas in order to ensure use of appropriate techniques and cleanup procedures.
Evaluate the extent of spills or releases and document environmentally damaged areas in order to ensure use of appropriate techniques and cleanup procedures.
Practice the proper use of personal protective devices in order to ensure safety when working with known and unknown hazardous substances, waste, and oils.
Obtain samples necessary in order to identify a spilled pollutant(s), oil, or hazardous material.
Assist in the operation, overhauling, and testing of self-contained breathing apparatus and test explosion and oxygen meters and other chemical identification testing equipment in order to ensure that personal safety and environmental protection risk measuring devices are operated properly.
Assist in the monitoring, testing, and directing of emergency removal of underground storage tanks in order to ensure tanks are removed safely and in accordance with established departmental procedures.
Assist in the training of individuals in other public or private agencies in order to coordinate orderly, effective, and safe responses to environmental incidents.
Operate temporary transfer and storage facilities in order to ensure proper storage and treatment of oil or hazardous materials spill debris.
Testify in court as an expert witness on behalf of the State.
Do related work as required.