State of Maryland

An Environmental Specialist III Socio-Economics is the advanced level of specialized independent environmental work involving major, complex project responsibility. The duties of this classification may include responsibility for accumulating information on highly complex environmental problems, evaluating and making recommendations for courses of action.  The duties of this classification also include coordinating and developing complex detailed techniques, specifications and provisions related to environmental matters of preparing recommendations for elements of comprehensive local, regional, and metropolitan plans.  Employees in this classification perform work assignments generally related to the environmental process as a whole rather than to a particular specialty; and expected to coordinate projects with Environmental Specialists in each field involved.  Employees in this classification will be called upon by engineering personnel and other Environmental Specialists to provide expertise in the specific option.  Employees in this classification interpret existing policies and procedures, and develop new policies and procedures.  Employees in this classification do not supervise.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision of a higher-level Environmental Specialist, Planner, or other official; review is generally rendered only on completion of an assigned project.

Positions in this classification are evaluated using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.

The Environmental Specialist III is differentiated from the Environmental Specialist II in that the Environmental Specialist III performs specialized independent environmental work while the Environmental Specialist II performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision. The Environmental Specialist III is differentiated from the Environmental Specialist IV in that the Environmental Specialist IV has major program responsibility in the field of environmental analysis for a large State agency and has supervisory responsibility for lower-level Environmental Specialists.

Coordinates with consultants and federal, State, and local agencies in the collection and analysis of socio-economics data concerning a proposed project or system;

Assists the engineering staff through reports and at public meetings in answering questions relating to the social and economic impact of a proposed project on a community or area;

Gathers and analyzes highly complex sociological and economic data and develops and recommends environmental plans for regional or metropolitan areas;

Determines parameters for socio-economic data;

Coordinates the collection of complex data, and preparation of benefit/cost and energy analysis;

Predicts the effect of a project or system on existing socio-economic patterns;

Undertakes comprehensive studies and evaluates highly complex environmental problems with engineering personnel, representatives of other agencies, and private interests in an effort to incorporate proper environmental consideration in project planning, design, construction, and maintenance;

Assists in the development, interpretation, and implementation of environmental plans and policies included in the agency’s systems plans;

Constructs environmental models depicting changes in the ecology or socio-economic environment of a community;

Keeps abreast of the most recent development in the field of environmental evaluation including latest State and federal statutes in this field;

Coordinates the preparation of environmental documents or reports concerning specific agency projects and/or the overall program of the agency in compliance with State and federal legislation and regulations;

Coordinates the environmental planning program with local and State planning organizations;

Initiates and coordinates environmental studies with appropriate public agencies to ascertain the possible consequences of present and planned projects and systems;

Participates in public meetings and conferences representing the agency to explain the environmental impact of proposed projects and systems;

Cooperates with other agencies in those situations where environmental authority, jurisdiction, and/or responsibility may overlap or interface;

Conducts specific research projects in Socio-Economics area of specialization to determine the feasibility of using various products or methods in future plans development;

Organizes and assigns the technical and administrative workload among subordinate specialists and technicians within an environmental group;

Evaluates highly complex environmental problems with representative of other agencies or of private interests in an effort to incorporate appropriate environmental controls and accommodations;

Develops work programs and procedures for an environmental group of the agency;

Maintains essential records and files;

Coordinates environmental field work during preliminary stages with district and other personnel so that appropriate environmental considerations are included in plans;

Provides technical assistance to project engineers and other personnel on matters related to the environment;

Coordinates the planning and preparation of reports, charts, and maps for inclusion in environmental impact reports and statements;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of the expert principles of sociology and economics;

Knowledge of the methods and practices of sociological and economic research and analysis;

Knowledge of the methods and techniques of statistical research;

Knowledge of the principles and practices of human resource and economic management;

Knowledge of the theory and methods of benefit/cost analysis;

Knowledge of the expert techniques of standard research methodology;

Knowledge of the techniques of statistical data collection, organization and exhibition;

Ability to perform field surveys;

Ability to obtain, assemble and analyze socio-economic data;

Ability to establish and maintain cooperative relationships with fellow employees and the general public;

Ability to prepare clear, concise, comprehensive, and informative reports on technical matters in both technical and lay terms;

Ability to interpret maps, plans, and specifications;

Ability to consult effectively with contractors, the general public, and engineering personnel.

Education:   A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in the field of sociology or economics.

Experience: Four years of professional experience in the research, analysis and evaluation of social and/or economic environments in urban and rural communities.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute possession of a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in one of the social sciences for one year of the required experience.

2. Candidates may substitute possession of a Doctorate degree from an accredited college or university in one of the social sciences for three years of the required experience.

3. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in Environmental Engineering and Natural Resources classifications or Environmental Engineering and Natural Resources specialty codes in the Engineering, Natural Resources and Science field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required education and experience.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions.  Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated as Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit G- Engineering, Scientific and Administrative Professionals classes.  As provided by the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining. Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.

Employees in this classification are eligible to receive overtime compensation.  An employee who works more than the normal workweek is entitled to be compensated for that overtime as provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 8-305.