161st Air Wing/CES, Phoenix, AZ

Salary: $19.4691 -$34.8127 per hour (DOE)

Grade: 20

Closing Date:  11/29/2024  

The Environmental Program Specialist provides technical expert level assistance in the management of hazardous and other regulated waste at AZANG facilities, including managing removal of hazardous waste from AZANG facilities by contractors. This role involves conducting on-site inspections to determine compliance with applicable DoD, AF, ANG, EPA, and State of Arizona environmental laws and regulations, providing training to AZ ANG personnel in the handling of hazardous and other regulated wastes, performing waste stream characterization and determining waste profiles. The specialist will work both independently and collaboratively, demonstrating a high degree of independent decision-making with minimal supervision. The position also supports other technically complex environmental programs to include, but not limited to: Storm Water Management and Control; Air Quality; Water Quality; Pollution Prevention; Sustainable Procurement; Environmental Restoration Program (ERP); Cultural and Natural Resources Management; Spill Prevention and Response; Environmental Management System, and Qualified Recycling Program Management.

• Provides technical assistance to AZ ANG shops in the area of hazardous waste storage and documentation requirements. Conducts routine assessments of satellite and hazardous waste central accumulation sites to determine degree of regulatory compliance and identify deficiencies. Determines corrective actions and ensures that corrective actions are implemented and documented. Trains accumulation point monitors proper container labeling and verifies adequacy of markings during hazardous waste shipments. Develops training plans and educational materials for training base personnel in the areas of hazardous waste management and universal waste. Assists with revising base hazardous waste management plans and pollution prevention plans.
• Serves as the hazardous waste technical expert and manages AZ ANG hazardous waste profiles, hazardous waste characterizations, and documents activities in environmental information management systems. Collects hazardous and universal waste from generators. Collects and submits laboratory samples for waste analysis and evaluates and interprets test results to determine hazards and make waste determinations. Prepares hazardous waste for shipment. Prepares and signs regulated hazardous waste shipping manifests and documents for hazardous waste shipments, verifies delivery line items with contractors and agencies, and is present during hazardous waste pickups. Coordinates universal waste pickups. Maintains records associated with hazardous and universal waste generation. Manages completion and submission of assigned reports (e.g. annual hazardous waste generation and registration). Develops and maintains hazardous waste analysis plan.
• Serves as the storm water pollution prevention technical expert. Inspect the installation to ensure regulatory compliance with storm water pollution prevention plan requirements. Provides escort to regulatory inspectors for quarterly external storm water pollution prevention plan inspections. Documents identified deficiencies in designated environmental information management systems and ensures that corrective actions are implemented and documented. Provides educational materials and trains base personnel on installation storm water pollution prevention plan requirements. Maintains storm water pollution prevention plan records; recommends management practices to eliminate pollution sources.
• Coordinates shop-level environmental inspections associated with spill prevention, control, and countermeasures plans and provides spill prevention briefings to installation personnel. Documents identified deficiencies in designated environmental information management systems and ensures that shop-level corrective actions are implemented and documented. Maintains spill prevention, control, and countermeasures plan records and prepares technical reports related to spills.
• Develops and maintains environmental program plans to include (1) Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) Plan; (2) Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP); (3) Hazardous Waste Management Plan (HWMP); (4) Air Emissions Inventory (AEI); (5) Green Procurement Plan (GPP); (6) Integrated Pest Management Plan; (7) Refrigerant Management Plan; (8) Cultural or Natural Resources Management Plans; (9) Environmental Management System (EMS) Plans; and (10) Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan.
• Serves as the base recycling program technical expert. Ensures compliance with federal, state, local, and Air Force regulatory requirements. Coordinate with vendors for recycled materials pickup and escort vendors on the installation during pickups. Maintains records and prepares technical reports for Qualified Recycling Program (QRP). Develops and evaluates QRP market research and commodity studies.
• Assists with data collection and communication efforts for air emissions program. Ensures all equipment is properly permitted and oversees air permit requirements. Serves as a Travel Reduction Program coordinator. Documents and maintains data within designated environmental information management systems. Provides guidance and training to installation personnel on air permit requirements.
• Uploads and maintains records within the environmental office Sharepoint webpage for currency and conformance with Environmental Management System (EMS) and Air National Guard Virtual Environmental Management Office requirements. Maintains training records in designated environmental information management systems for installation personnel associated with EMS and environmental programs.
• Plans, budgets, and reports on environmental program and financial information using the Environmental Programming Execution Tool (EPET). Identifies current and projected equipment, supplies, and expenses associated with each environmental program.

Knowledge of:
• DoD, AF, ANG, EPA, and State of Arizona specific environmental laws and regulations, statutes, regulatory interpretations and policy decisions.
• Hazardous Materials Transportation Regulations and Workplace Safety requirements.
• Familiarity with chemical and industrial processes, waste management practices, environmental and public health impacts, the effects of hazardous substances on human health and the environment.

Skilled in:
• Identifying hazardous substances and their chemical and physical health hazards, evaluating potential hazardous substances exposures to receptors in the natural environment due to installation activities.
• Interpreting and application of regulatory requirements.
• Interpersonal skills in developing productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Asking targeted and open-ended questions during auditing and assessment activities, negotiation techniques.
• Experience in the use of standard office computer applications such as spreadsheets, word processing, and web-based applications.

Ability to:
• Perform tasks without immediate supervision.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Follow verbal and written instructions.
• Demonstrate problem-solving capability and the ability to conduct technical research, exercises professional judgment in decision making.
• Be able to coordinate and communicate within the agency, higher headquarters, and other government agencies to resolve environmental issues.
• Speak in front of a group to conduct training.
• Obtain certification for operating forklifts and utility vehicles (i.e., Gator, golf cart, etc.)

Desired qualifications include any combination of experience, education, and training that meets the knowledge, skills, and abilities as described. The ideal candidate will have a bachelor's degree in chemistry, environmental science, or other closely related field, or previous experience managing hazardous waste compliance programs and environmental sampling techniques for waste characterization. Will possess strong analytical skills and excellent communication abilities. Previous experience with environmental, safety, and/or occupational health program management. Knowledge of hazardous waste characterization, storage, transportation, and disposal regulations. U.S. DOT Certification for Hazardous Materials Transportation 49 CFR 172.704(c)(2).

Special Job Requirements:
• This position requires possession of and ability to retain a current, valid state-issued driver's license appropriate to the assignment. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver's license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records and must complete any required driver training (see Arizona Administrative Code R2-10-207.12.)
• Requires the ability to obtain and retain a valid AZ DPS Fingerprint Clearance Card (see Arizona Revised Statute 26-103).
• Requires the ability to achieve a favorable National Agency Check with Investigation.
• Possess the ability to complete Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) training and obtain Hazardous Materials Transportation Certification within 6 months of hire.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain certification to operate a forklift and utility vehicles.

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The State of Arizona offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:
• Sick leave
• Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
• Health and dental insurance
• Retirement plan
• Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
• Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Eligible DEMA employees participate in excellent retirement programs provided by the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) and for fire personnel the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS).

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact hr@azdema.gov.
DEMA is a smoke-free work environment.
ADA/EEO Employer
The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity and Reasonable Accommodation Employer