State of Maryland

An Environmental Specialist III Cultural Resources 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, and 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.

Develops programs for the planning and implementation of the study of proposed agency projects on archeological, paleontological, historical and other cultural entities;

Coordinates the review and subsequent interpretation of State and federal laws and their implementation in the form of policies and procedures for the proper evaluation of cultural resources within the environmental process;

Reviews recommendations on the necessity and scope of work required for the adequate consideration of cultural resources;

Develops work programs, schedules and scope of effect and procedures for cultural resources consideration for highway and multi-modal projects;

Reviews the assessment of the efforts of planning groups from various levels of government in evaluating cultural resources and specific impact, analysis, mitigation, and coordination of cultural resource considerations;

Develops contractual agreements and environmental documents;

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 Cultural Resources 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 and practices of cultural resource management;

Knowledge of the standard field and report methodology and evaluation framework for the location, identification, and assessment of cultural resources, especially archeological and historical sites;

Knowledge of the nomenclature and history of architectural and archeological periods of the United States;

Knowledge of engineering drawings;

Knowledge of the  expert techniques of standard research methodology;

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

Ability to develop programs and scopes of effort for the performance of fieldwork and to supervise field surveys;

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 fields of art, art history, anthropology, archeology, architectural history, historic preservation, history, or other discipline in the area of cultural resources.

Experience: Four years of professional research analysis and evaluation of cultural resources for environmental evaluation purposes.

Notes:

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

2. Candidates may substitute possession of a Doctorate degree from an accredited college or university in the area of cultural resources 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.