Senior Environmental Specialist - Pesticides and Air Quality Compliance

Under supervision of the Environmental Protection & Natural Resources Division (CDD/EPNR) Supervisor. The Senior Environmental Specialist (SES) – Pesticides and Air Quality Compliance (PAQC) will conduct a variety of inspections, research, analysis and evaluation tasks associated with environmental regulations, pesticides and hazardous substances management, land use and development, and air quality compliance. This job class is treated as FLSA Exempt.

Distinguishing Features: The SES PAQC is the Community and Tribal Government’s primary point of contact that ensures activities within the Community related to pesticides and air quality are managed safely and in compliance with all EPA requirements and SRPMIC Ordinances.

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 the SES – PAQC

1. Operations: Oversees all pesticide applications, pesticides and hazardous substances storage, and farming and construction practices contributing particulates to the air within the SRPMIC. 

• Inspects and monitors pesticide application operations including, but not limited to, operating techniques, dispensing equipment, and mixing, loading and handling procedures, as well as use of protective equipment and clothing.
• Investigates, monitors and inspects overall pesticides and hazardous substances use, sales and distribution within SRPMIC boundaries.
• Monitors farming companies, construction sites, and point sources (e.g. sand and gravel operations, Salt River Landfill, gas stations, etc.) operating within SRPMIC boundaries to ensure compliance with Tribal and Federal air quality, dust control, and open burning requirements. 
• 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.
• Ensures compliance with all EPA and Community safety policies, practices and procedures.
• Attend 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.
• Assists with coordinating and implementing household hazardous waste collection events for the SRPMIC.
• Develops and recommends pesticide-related ordinances and standard operating procedures.
• Documents, records, issues, and implement enforcement actions including Notices 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 pesticides and hazardous substances 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, track-out, and open burning complaints and provides reports to the Environmental Engineer (EE) – Air Quality. 
• Conducts interviews of witnesses or persons having pertinent knowledge and information; prepares and submits reports on findings.
• 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 regulations, ordinances, and policies. 

• Ensures Tribal Government Departments use environmentally friendly substances whenever possible 
• Ensures Tribal Government Departments utilize regulated substances in a safe manner consistent with federal manufacturers’ guidelines and federal regulations.
• Monitors grant and contract project periods and budgets associated with EPA funding, including the EPA Pesticides Grant and coordinates all quarterly and annual reports required by the grant and the SRPMIC.
• Develops the proposed work plan and budgets for the EPA Pesticides Grant 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.
• Assists the EE – Air Quality with Air Quality Program grant management tasks.
• Manages and ensures compliance with dust control plans submitted by contractors.
• Works closely with CDD/EPNR staff to provide data to CDD/EPNR’s database infrastructure through the EPA’s National Environmental Information Exchange Network Grant (NEIEN).
• Works closely with farming companies operating within SRPMIC to ensure best management practices are being used, and documents activities to report back to the EE – Air Quality.  
• Maintains a pesticide database for the Community.
• Documents and comments on Facility Review Permit Screening. 
• Tracks EPA permits within the SRPMIC and maintains database of permits. 
• Performs all other tasks assigned. 

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.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and other Characteristics:

• Knowledge of Federally mandated EPA legislation and state and local laws and regulations regarding the environment, including pesticides and air quality.
• 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.

Education and Experience: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Environmental Sciences, Biology, Chemistry or a closely related field AND two (2) years work experience in an environmental quality program,   

• Two (2) years’ experience with the Federal Grant Process.
• Two (2) years’ experience with Federal, State and Local hazardous substance and pesticide related regulations OR three (3) years in an On-the-Job Training program that included EPA-sponsored training workshops and seminars.
• Ability to obtain Federal FIFRA Inspector credential, 29 CFT 1910.125 (e) & (g), 40-hour HAZWOPER, 8-hour Refresher and Basic Inspector, and other training.

Equivalency: Any equivalent combination of education and experience that will allow the applicant to satisfactorily perform the duties of the job may be considered.
 
Underfill Eligibility: An enrolled Community member who closely qualifies for the minimum qualifications for a position may be considered for employment under SRPMIC Policy 2-19, Underfill

• May be required to work beyond normal work hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• May be required to stand or walk for extended periods.
• May be exposed to severe weather conditions including heat and cold.
• May be required to lift and carry objects weighing more than 25 pounds.
• May be exposed to solid waste and hazardous materials or chemicals.
• 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. 

Your Tribal ID/CIB must be submitted to HR-Recruitment-Two Waters.