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Oil Spill Prevention Series

California State Personnel Board Specification

Series established September 20, 1994

Scope

This series specification describes four levels used in the Department of Fish and Game that focus on oil spill prevention and response activities. These activities include various regulatory programs to prevent, respond to and manage oil spills that occur in marine waters of the State. Persons in these classes develop, review, evaluate and assist in implementing new oil spill prevention and response regulatory measures to promote desirable practices and reduce the risk of an oil spill.

 

Entry into this class series is typically from outside State service.

 

Oil Spill Prevention Series Specification - Class Titles and Codes

Oil Spill Prevention series

Schem Code

Class Code

Class

VW36

7850

Oil Spill Prevention Assistant (Abolished 01/07/2016 per Pay Letter 16-05)

VW37

7851

Oil Spill Prevention Specialist

VW38

7852

Oil Spill Prevention Supervisor I

VW39

7853

Oil Spill Prevention Supervisor II

Factors Affecting Position Allocation

Scope and level of responsibilities assigned; complexity of work; independence of action; level and scope of responsibility of program and policy development and implementation; impact of decisions; and the degree of supervisory and administrative responsibility.

Definition of Levels

Oil Spill Prevention Assistant

This is the entry and journey level in this series. The Assistant, under general supervision, performs responsible professional office and field work related to oil spill prevention and response activities. Assistants review, evaluate and approve vessel and marine facility oil spill contingency plans; participate in and critique drills which test effectiveness of contingency plans, cleanup operations and equipment used; communicate with vessel owners, agents and marine facilities; interact with major oil and oil shipping companies, Coast Guard, other governmental entities and agencies; interpret guidelines and regulations; comment on proposed regulations; prepare reports and customized letters; respond to oil spills and assist in the incident command center; assist Wardens in conducting oil spill investigations; monitor oil transfer operations aboard tank ships, barges and marine facilities.

Oil Spill Prevention Specialist

This is the advanced journey level in the series. The Specialist serves as a departmental technical expert on the more difficult and complex issues related to oil spill prevention and response activities.

 

The Specialist, under direction, will respond to oil spills, investigate and provide technical expertise to Wardens and the Incident Commander; investigate tanker groundings; serve as an expert witness; assist in the development of new programs; review, evaluate and approve vessel and marine facility oil spill contingency plans, blanket and exemption requests; participate in and critique drills which test effectiveness of contingency plans, cleanup operations and equipment used; communicate with vessel owners, agents and marine facilities; interact with major oil and oil shipping companies, Coast Guard, other governmental entities and agencies; interpret guidelines and regulations; comment on proposed regulations; review Environmental Impact Reports (EIR) and submit recommendations; prepare the more difficult correspondence and reports; attend committee meetings and give the Department's position on issues; provide guidance for preparing the area plans; analyze coastal protection measures; facilitate the implementation of new Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) systems; respond to pilotage, tug escort, pipeline, marine fire fighting and salvage issues; review the daily log of vessel traffic through the Marine Exchange; analyze and consider the feasibility of requiring new technologies to aid prevention, response, containment and cleanup.

Oil Spill Prevention Supervisor I

This is the first supervisory level in the series over professionals at the Specialist or Assistant levels. Under direction, the Supervisor I will plan, organize, prioritize, direct and review the work of employees performing oil spill prevention and response activities; monitor, train and evaluate employees; respond to oil spills, assist in investigations and provide technical expertise; review EIRs associated with the more complex oil spills; ensure timely completion of program objectives and special studies; coordinate the scheduling of and participate in drills; review and make recommendations to improve procedures and policies; complete special projects for the Administrator; interact with major oil companies, Coast Guard, other governmental entities and agencies; testify before the various legislative bodies.

Oil Spill Prevention Supervisor II

This is the second supervisory level in the class series. Under general direction, the Supervisor II will direct and have charge of a major statewide oil spill prevention and response program; responsible for operational planning and assigning of projects; assist in managing a budget; prepare administrative reports and sensitive correspondence; coordinate program activities with enforcement, scientific and administrative sections; assist in formulating procedures and policies; maintain liaison with other State agencies, Federal Government and oil industry; keep management apprised of significant issues and new developments; complete special projects for the Administrator; respond to oil spills when necessary.

Minimum Qualifications

Oil Spill Prevention Assistant

Four years of experience involving any type of petroleum transportation activity, such as marine terminal operations, vessel shiphandling, marine engineering, marine safety, marine surveying, marine fire fighting and salvage, marine pollution prevention and response, shipboard systems and/or related fields.

Oil Spill Prevention Specialist

Either I

 

Two years of experience in California state service performing the duties of a class with a level of responsibility equivalent to an Oil Spill Prevention Assistant.

Or II

 

Five years of progressively responsible experience in marine pollution research or in the development of marine environmental programs involving contact with governmental agencies and/or marine environmental groups, at least four years of which shall have included experience involving any type of petroleum transportation activity, such as marine terminal operations, vessel shiphandling, marine engineering, marine safety, marine surveying, marine fire fighting and salvage, marine pollution prevention and response, shipboard systems and/or related fields.

Oil Spill Prevention Supervisor I

Either I

 

Two years of experience in California state service performing the duties of a class with a level of responsibility equivalent to an Oil Spill Prevention Specialist.

Or II

 

Three years of experience in California state service performing the duties of a class with a level of responsibility equivalent to an Oil Spill Prevention Assistant.

Or III

 

Five years of progressively responsible experience in marine pollution research or in the development of marine environmental programs involving contact with governmental agencies and/or marine environmental groups, at least three years of which shall have included experience involving the management or supervision of any type of petroleum transportation activity, such as marine terminal operations, vessel shiphandling, marine engineering, marine safety, marine surveying, marine fire fighting and salvage, marine pollution prevention and response, shipboard systems and/or related fields.

Oil Spill Prevention Supervisor II

Either I

 

Two years of experience in California state service performing the duties of a class with a level of responsibility equivalent to an Oil Spill Prevention Supervisor I.

Or II

 

Three years of experience in California state service performing the duties of a class with a level of responsibility equivalent to an Oil Spill Prevention Specialist.

Or III

 

Five years of progressively responsible experience in marine pollution research or in the development of marine environmental programs involving contact with governmental agencies and/or marine environmental groups, at least four years of which shall have included experience involving the management or supervision of any type of petroleum transportation activity, such as marine terminal operations, vessel shiphandling, marine engineering, marine safety, marine surveying, marine fire fighting and salvage, marine pollution prevention and response, shipboard systems and/or related fields.

Knowledge and Abilities

Oil Spill Prevention Assistant

Knowledge of: Oil transfer operations among tank vessels, marine facilities, pipelines and mobile transfers; marine engineering; shiphandling; bunkering and lightering procedures; a vessel mobile transfer unit; marine facility oil spill contingency plan components; marine oil spill pollution prevention and response equipment and methodologies; marine oil spill drills and exercise design and evaluation; Federal and State regulations relating to oil spill prevention and response; basic investigative procedures; the Incident Command System; safe work practices associated with hazardous conditions.

 

Ability to: Review and develop oil spill contingency plans; respond to field questions regarding oil spills; analyze, evaluate information and make recommendations; communicate effectively; meet work deadlines; prepare clear, concise, complete and technically accurate reports; establish and maintain cooperative relations with those contacted at work.

Oil Spill Prevention Specialist

Knowledge of: All of the above; vessel traffic service systems; the Marine Exchange organizations; pilotage issues; tug escort capabilities and regulations; Federal and State petroleum pipeline regulations; the State legislative and regulatory process.

 

Ability to: All of the above; review and develop recommendations for program procedures and regulations; determine the cause of oil spills; complete complex projects; testify in court as an expert witness; conduct training; serve on various committees and work as a liaison to develop area plans; interpret Federal and State regulations.

Oil Spill Prevention Supervisor I

Knowledge of: All of the above; basic supervision; the State's collective bargaining contracts; the Department's hiring procedures; the Department's Affirmative Action Program objectives; a manager's role in the Affirmative Action Program and the processes available to meet affirmative action objectives.

 

Ability to: All of the above; develop and implement program procedures and regulations; plan, organize, prioritize, direct and review work; monitor, train and evaluate employees; provide leadership and motivate employees; effectively contribute to the Department's affirmative action objectives.

Oil Spill Prevention Supervisor II

Knowledge of: All of the above; the Oil Spill Prevention and Response funding; the State's budget process.

 

Ability to: All of the above; develop and implement program policies; effectively direct a statewide program; identify areas to streamline the work.

Special Personal Characteristics

All Levels:

Keenness of observation; demonstrated ability to act independently; flexibility and tact; willingness to travel and do field work on short notice; willingness to work on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays and at odd or irregular hours; willingness to wear a prescribed uniform, necessary safety equipment and work clothing.

Class History

Oil Spill Prevention Series History - Dates Established, Revised, and Title Changed

Oil Spill Prevention Series History - Dates Established, Revised, and Title Changed

Class

Date Established

Date Revised

Title Changed

Oil Spill Prevention Assistant

09/20/1994

--

--

Oil Spill Prevention Specialist

09/20/1994

--

--

Oil Spill Prevention Supervisor I

09/20/1994

--

--

Oil Spill Prevention Supervisor II

09/20/1994

--

-- ​

  Updated: 2/25/2016
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