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Hazardous Substances Engineer Series

Hazardous Substances Engineer Series

California State Personnel Board Specification

Series established June 21, 1994

Scope

This class series describes two technical levels and two supervisory levels of hazardous substances program engineering classifications found in the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC).

 

Hazardous Substances Engineer Series Specification - Class Titles and Codes
Schem Code Class Code Class
HY04 3726 Hazardous Substances Engineer
HY03 3725 Senior Hazardous Substances Engineer
HY02 3724 Supervising Hazardous Substances Engineer I
HY01 3723 Supervising Hazardous Substances Engineer II

Definition of Series

The Hazardous Substances Engineer series describes a broad range of staff, project management, and supervisory engineering work of varying difficulty and complexity performed primarily within the Hazardous Waste Management, Site Mitigation, and Pollution Prevention and Technology Development Programs of DTSC. The series functions under State and Federal environmental statutes and regulations, including the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); the Resource Conservation Recovery Act (RCRA); the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA); the Clean Air Act (CAA); the Clean Water Act (CWA); the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA); and various sections of the Health and Safety Code.

 

Incumbents at all levels have responsibility for performing or supervising hazardous substances management engineering work including: enforce State and Federal hazardous substances management laws and regulations; make surveys, inspections, and reports on hazardous substances management; review and verify the conformance of engineering drawings, plans, and specifications in connection with permit applications and cleanup plans; conduct site inspections; review design work, make calculations, or use mass balances to verify the adequacy of hazardous substances management proposals; review liner designs for RCRA land fills, surface impoundments, or CERCLA sites; consult with management, professional, and technical personnel regarding methods and location for hazardous substances handling, processing, disposal, and resource recovery systems for the protection of the public health, air, water, and land from pollution; prepare reports or recommendations on permit applications for the construction of hazardous substances disposal sites; direct, plan, conduct, and participate in research projects for development of new or modified methods for the treatment of hazardous substances to prevent objectionable pollution and unsanitary environmental conditions, in particular those projects concerned with the reduction, effective use, or decontamination of hazardous waste products excluding solely radioactive or uncontained gaseous waste; provide consultative and technical assistance to State and local agencies in the development and operation of hazardous substances management and resource recovery facilities; investigate complaints regarding hazardous substances disposal conditions and make appropriate recommendations for prevention and abatement; assist in developing a State policy for hazardous substances management and for resources recovery; provide appropriate surveillance of hazardous substances processing and disposal practices in the State; advise local authorities on the application of State regulations governing hazardous substances management; advise and consult with community leaders and groups, local health departments, and other interested groups on hazardous substances management engineering projects and improvements including their successful development; enforce the State hazardous substances management laws and regulations; gather pertinent information for court cases and give testimony; address interested groups on hazardous substances management engineering matters; assist in drafting, reviewing, and implementing hazardous substances laws and regulations; prepare reports; and perform other related duties.

 

Incumbents may consult with departmental scientists and engineering geologists regarding scientific and geological elements of assigned responsibilities. Incumbents may be consulted by scientists and engineering geologists on engineering issues (e.g., environmental, chemical, civil, and waste management). Incumbents may also act as project managers on permit, enforcement, or cleanup projects and coordinate departmental staff and other resources to ensure timely completion of project milestones. Incumbents may also review, evaluate, and oversee the performance of work elements or products completed by contractors and other local, State, or Federal agencies. Incumbents are also responsible for assessing potential exposure to hazardous substances and selecting appropriate safety and sampling equipment.

Entry Level

Entry into the series is typically at one of the ranges of the Hazardous Substances Program Engineer level, depending on the education and experience qualifications of the individual.

Factors Affecting Position Allocation

Level, variety, and complexity of work; nature of public and interagency contact; independence of action; consequence of error; degree of originality and initiative required; degree of engineering knowledge and specialized abilities required; degree to which decisions are sought and accepted by top management; extent of impact on statewide programs; degree of supervision exercised or received; and degree of management responsibility.

Definition of Levels

Hazardous Substances Engineer

This is the entry, working, and journey level in the series. Under close supervision, incumbents assigned to Range A perform less difficult engineering work of the Department. Incumbents will advance to Range B as competence and performance increase. Range C is the working and journey level of the series. Incumbents will advance to Range D when they acquire the professional engineering registration. Under supervision, incumbents perform average to difficult engineering work in connection with hazardous waste management engineering, pollution reduction technology development, and resource recovery. Incumbents may act as project managers on the least to more complex projects or be assigned staff specialist responsibilities in support of project managers or other technical or programmatic functions. This level may also act as mentor to new staff and may be used in a lead capacity over other Hazardous Substances Engineers or other professional or technical employees.

Senior Hazardous Substances Engineer

This is the staff specialist level of the series responsible for independently performing the most complex and difficult engineering workload which is demonstrably above the journey level in Headquarters and regional settings. Incumbents may report to Supervising Hazardous Substances Engineers II or higher supervisory and management levels within DTSC. Incumbents may act as project managers on the most difficult or complex projects; review technical work products of lower-level staff; act as mentor to new staff and as technical and program consultants to all levels of the Department and external entities or individuals. Incumbents may act as lead persons in line program units, or on assigned projects, studies, or task forces. Incumbents may also be assigned statewide responsibility for the development of engineering protocol, research studies, and related programs; participate in or be assigned responsibility for making policy recommendations, strategic planning, regulation, and legislation development in major program areas requiring engineering expertise above the full journey level.

Supervising Hazardous Substances Engineer I

This is the first supervisory level of the series. Incumbents direct and have charge of professional and technical staff in a DTSC program unit. Typically, positions at this level directly supervise four to nine primarily professional staff including lower-level Hazardous Substances Engineers, or employees in other related engineering or scientific disciplines. This level places major emphasis on the performance of supervisory and management activities such as staff recruitment, development, and performance evaluation; program budgeting; and strategic planning.

Supervising Hazardous Substances Engineer II

This is the second supervisory level in the series. Incumbents direct and have charge of professional and technical staff in a DTSC Headquarters or regional program unit. Typically, positions at this level directly supervise 10 or more primarily professional staff, including lower-level Hazardous Substance Engineers or employees in other related engineering and scientific disciplines. Supervising Hazardous Substances Engineers I may be supervised by this level as the needs of the Department warrant. This level places major emphasis on the performance of supervisory and management activities such as staff recruitment, development, and performance evaluation; program budgeting; and strategic planning.

Minimum Qualifications

All Levels:

Education: Equivalent to graduation from college with a Bachelor of Science Degree with major work in Civil, Chemical, Environmental, Mechanical, or Waste Management Engineering from a college accredited by the Engineers' Council for Professional Development for training in engineering or equivalent degree approved by the Council for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education under the provisions of California Education Code Chapter 3, Part 59, Division 10.

 

(Registration as a Senior in a recognized institution will admit applicants to the examination, but they must produce evidence of graduation or its equivalent before they can be considered eligible for appointment.)

 

(Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis up to a maximum of two years. When substituting experience for education, qualifying education must include a minimum of 60 semester units in the engineering subjects noted above from an accredited college or equivalent units from an institution approved by the Council for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education under the provisions of California Education Code Chapter 3, Part 59, Division 10.)

 

(For Senior Hazardous Substances Engineer and above, possession of an engineering Master's Degree in Civil, Chemical, Environmental, Mechanical, or Waste Management Engineering or a directly related engineering field from a recognized college or university may be substituted for one year of the general experience requirement; an engineering Doctoral Degree in Civil, Chemical, Environmental, Mechanical, or Waste Management or a directly related engineering field from a recognized college or university may be substituted for two years of the general experience requirement.)

 

(Possession of a valid certificate as an engineer-in-training as issued by the California State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers may be substituted for the required education.)

Senior Hazardous Substances Engineer

Either I

 

Experience: Four years of experience in the California state service performing hazardous substances management duties at a level of responsibility not less than a Hazardous Substances Engineer, Range C.

Or II

 

Experience: Two years of experience in the California state service performing the duties of a Hazardous Substances Engineer, Range D.

Or III

 

Experience: Six years of increasingly responsible professional experience in hazardous substances management or process control engineering, which shall have been comparable in type and level to that of a Hazardous Substances Engineer, Range C, in the California state service.

Supervising Hazardous Substances Engineer I

Either I

 

Experience: Four years of experience in the California state service performing hazardous substances management duties at a level of responsibility not less than a Hazardous Substances Engineer, Range C.

Or II

 

Experience: Two years of experience in the California state service performing the duties of a Hazardous Substances Engineer, Range D.

Or III

 

Experience: Six years of increasingly responsible experience in hazardous substances management or process control engineering, which shall have been comparable in type and level to that of a Hazardous Substances Engineer, Range C, in the California state service.

Supervising Hazardous Substances Engineer II

Either I

 

Experience: Two years of experience in the California state service performing hazardous substances management duties at a level of responsibility not less than a Supervising Hazardous Substances Engineer I.

Or II

 

Experience: Two years of experience in the California state service performing hazardous substances management duties at a level of responsibility not less than a Senior Hazardous Substances Engineer.

Or III

 

Experience: Six years of broad and extensive professional experience in increasingly responsible hazardous substances management or process control engineering, plus two years of experience comparable in type and level to that of a Supervising Hazardous Substances Engineer I in the California state service.

Knowledge and Abilities

Hazardous Substances Engineer

Knowledge of: Hazardous substances management and/or public health engineering principles and practices; treatment and disposal methods of hazardous waste; programs for resource recovery; hazardous substances management facilities engineering design, construction, and operation processes; hazardous substances disposal systems and resource recovery processes; public health and hazardous substances management engineering principles, practices, and administrative procedures; State laws pertaining to public health and hazardous substances management engineering in California; hazardous substances management facilities design and construction.

 

Ability to: Review, check, and interpret hazardous substances management engineering plans, estimates, and specifications; evaluate findings and make recommendations for the elimination or control of unsanitary or hazardous conditions; establish and maintain cooperative relationships with those contacted in the course of work; communicate effectively; analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action; interpret laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to public health and hazardous substances management engineering in California.

Senior Hazardous Substances Engineer

Knowledge of: All of the above, and the major DTSC program areas; State and Federal regulations such as CEQA, RCRA, CERCLA, CAA, CWA, and the TSCA; project management methods and techniques; hazardous substances disposal systems, detoxification, and purification processes; resource recovery processes and hazardous substances management programs.

 

Ability to: All of the above, and interpret and apply State and Federal regulations; prepare project plans; review, check, and interpret major hazardous substances management engineering plans, engineering elements of hazardous waste permit applications, facility closure and site cleanup plans, and estimates and specifications.

Supervising Hazardous Substances Engineer I

Supervising Hazardous Substances Engineer II

Knowledge of: All of the above, and principles of effective supervision, staff development, performance evaluation, program management, and personnel administration; methods and techniques of effective leadership; strategic planning development, implementation, and evaluation techniques; California's legislative, budget, and general administrative processes; a supervisor's responsibility for promoting equal opportunity in hiring and employee development and promotion, and for maintaining a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.

 

Ability to: All of the above, and plan, organize, direct, and evaluate the work of others; ensure that staff have the tools needed to perform their jobs; provide leadership in accomplishing basic functions and strategic objectives; interpret, apply, and develop policy proposals and procedures; participate in assigned programs effectively with groups and agencies to gain cooperation in hazardous waste and environmental management; effectively promote equal opportunity in employment and maintain a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.

Class History

Hazardous Substances Engineer Series History - Dates Established, Revised, and Title Changed
Class Date Established Date Revised Title Changed
Hazardous Substances Engineer 07/01/1994 01/19/2000 --
Senior Hazardous Substances Engineer 07/01/1994 01/19/2000 --
Supervising Hazardous Substances Engineer I 07/01/1994 01/19/2000 --
Supervising Hazardous Substances Engineer II 07/01/1994 01/19/2000 --
  Updated: 5/9/2018
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