Environmental Specialist

Distinguishing Characteristics:   

Under general supervision and administrative direction, has primary responsibility to perform environmental compliance monitoring and recordkeeping of Tucson Airport Authority (TAA) and co-permittee facilities at Tucson International Airport (TUS) and Ryan Airfield (RYN) and submit associated data, fees, and reports in accordance with regulatory requirements; support TAA staff with environmental compliance matters; respond to spills and releases of possible environmental contaminants; support facility, project management, and maintenance personnel and operations; assist in preparation and updating of environmental training, process, and operating materials and provide or support environmental-related training for TAA staff and tenants at TUS and RYN.

Essential Functions:

The following functions and all other functions not included in this job description are to be performed to the best interests and for the greater good of the TAA.

• Support and advocate for TAA’s Mission, Vision, Guiding Principles and act as a champion and role-model of TAA’s Cultural Fundamentals; assist in the delivery of the TAA’s Strategic Plan goals and objectives.
• Respond to spills, reported compliance issues, conduct scheduled and as-needed inspections, and other environmental incidents of an urgent nature for the purpose of providing direction and instruction, and to fulfill documentation and reporting requirements. Response is to be fulfilled on an as-needed, on-call basis, with a potential weekend/after-hour response in the case of urgent, high-profile environmental emergencies.
• Assist in development and administration of standard operating procedures (SOPs) relating to environmental compliance and permitting.
• Assist in the management of environmental, construction and remediation related projects at TUS and RYN.
• Prepare and submit all applicable Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) and Pima County Department of Environmental Quality (PDEQ) environmental reports and payments in accordance with regulatory timelines.
• Perform storm water inspections of TAA operational areas and tenant spaces; perform or oversee event-driven storm water monitoring; perform record keeping of TAA and co-permittee facilities at TUS and RYN and prepare updates to the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan.
• Perform compliance monitoring and record keeping of oil (fuel and petroleum product) storage and handling facilities at TUS and RYN in accordance with Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) Plan requirements.
• Coordinate collection, preparation for shipment, recycling, and disposal of Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) regulated, universal and non-regulated wastes at TUS and RYN.
• Conduct weekly or routine inspection and logging of hazardous material storage area and satellite accumulation areas.
• Conduct or supervise indoor air quality assessments and sampling, to include asbestos, water intrusion and mold assessments, and lead-based paint or items.
• Perform compliance monitoring and recordkeeping for equipment and processes covered by PDEQ air quality permits.
• Oversee routine and emergency cleanup and remediation of contaminated sites by outside contractors.
• Coordinate sampling, remediation and disposal of suspected petroleum, hazardous or toxic material spills or releases, and cradle-to-grave record keeping for each disposal.
• Coordinate sampling and semi-annual reporting for Industrial Wastewater Discharge permit locations at TUS, semi-annual pumping and cleaning of each oil-water separator; and prepare permit renewal applications.
• Assist in preparation of environmental training materials, maintain documentation, and provide training at TUS and RYN to TAA staff and tenants.
• Assist in the coordination of Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) related investigation and cleanup activities at TUS, as needed.
• Be responsive to airport emergencies and situations that may involve loss of human life or property; support public safety and operational response to emergencies; utilize Incident Command System (ICS)/National Incident Management System (NIMS) protocols and procedures; coordinate and/or participate in after-action emergency de-briefing with appropriate departments and stakeholders.

The above listed functions are not necessarily all the essential functions.  Job duties and functions may be expanded or reduced by management based on future changing needs and job requirements.

Qualifications

Position Requirements:  

An Associate's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in environmental science/technology, engineering or equivalent discipline; A Bachelor's degree is preferred. A minimum of 3 years field-based experience is preferred. Comprehensive field experience in hazardous materials, air quality, and water quality is desired. TAA will consider any equivalent combination of experience and education that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to demonstrate aptitude for the position.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:  

Knowledge of: 

• Federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations, and other relevant standards.
• Environmental management practices, issues, program management functions.
• Practices and procedures at a commercial airport environment, including Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) Part 139 and other Federal Aviation Regulations and

Advisory Circulars; Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Part 1542, federal, state, and city regulations, is preferred.

• Principles of organization, budgeting and project management.

Skill in:

• Reading and understanding requirements and restrictions of environmental permits and regulations.
• Planning and scheduling for compliance-driven inspections, site visits, and meetings with appropriate parties.
• Conducting visual inspections in accordance with permit and compliance requirements.
• Developing corrective measures as needed to address compliance issues as they are identified.
• Taking initiative and being a self-starter.

      Ability to:

Environmental Requirements

• Travel to/from tenant spaces, TAA work and operational areas, and field construction sites at two airport properties will be frequent, possibly daily.
• Portions of the role will be performed in a typical, temperature controlled administrative office setting in a semi-enclosed workspace.
• Work in a high-noise environment and extreme weather.

Mental Requirements

• Perform tasks with a high degree of accuracy, attention to detail, with mature judgment, in fast moving work surroundings, with deadlines and multiple projects.
• Initiate and organize responsibilities without observant supervision and take independent action relative to work problems requiring immediate solutions.
• Interpret reports, maps, plans, specifications and related documentation, and review and analyze technical review comments; interpret and analyze complex technical data and information for decision-making and reporting purposes, including decision-making in stressful situations.
• Identify problems that may arise during planning and implementation of assigned projects and recommend corrective actions.
• Research information and organize data in meaningful form, make sound judgments, draw accurate conclusions, and make appropriate recommendations.

Physical Requirements

• Properly utilize personal protective equipment including hearing protection, safety glasses, gloves, respirators, and protective suits to prevent bodily harm.
• Distinguish colors through a practical test in all lighting conditions (colors used in airfield marking, lighting, and emergency light gun signals).
• Communicate via telephone with sufficient clarity to be understood by others.  
• Communicate in English via telephone, radio, cellular telephone, with sufficient clarity to be understood by others and to hear radio and telephone transmissions in a high noise environment.

      General

• Be able to work special hours, including evenings, weekends and holidays, and be available to be on call 24 hours/7 days per week to respond to the airport in the event of an emergency. 

• Operate a computer, and any other computer software appropriate for assigned position, including Microsoft Office suite, and a digital camera, tablet, and GPS unit.
• Establish and maintain effective professional working relationships with departmental personnel, other TAA personnel, and outside agencies.
• Understand that dissemination of information outside of job requirements is based on "need-to-know"; maintain discreet and professional sense of confidentiality due to sensitive nature of job functions.
• Work subject to overtime, including evenings/weekends/holidays, and on call.
• Be sensitive and aware of actions and reactions of employees, tenants, and outside agencies, the general public, and inform supervisor of appropriate concerns.
• Engage in self-improvement activities, and training.
• Perform cross training within work environment.
• Continually learn and apply the latest up-to-date technical knowledge and skills in functional area of responsibility. Strive to become an expert in field by taking initiative for on-the-job learning experiences, as well as seeking out formal education and coursework for continuous growth and development.
• Understand own strengths and weaknesses, seek input from supervisor and peers about how to improve, and focus on continuous self-improvement activities.
• Effectively manage emergency events and situations consistent with federal regulations, NIMS/ICS, and best practices.
• Respond to spills and releases of possible environmental contaminants after hours and/or on weekends.

Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements:

• Valid Arizona Driver’s license.
• Meet and maintain the ability to drive airport vehicles and obtain authorization to access the Non-Movement Area on the Air Operations Area.
• Must obtain and maintain access to the Security Identification Display Area (SIDA).
• As to be determined by tasks and responsibilities at the time of hire, the following environmental certifications may be required (if not possessed at the time of hiring): RCRA Hazardous Waste Training, OSHA Hazardous Waste/Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) training, DOT HazMat (HM-181) training, AHERA asbestos sampling certification, and EPA Method 9 visible emissions within one year of assuming the position. If the preceding certifications are deemed necessary or beneficial to this role, annual refreshers will be required to maintain certification status.
• Must successfully complete the National Incident Management System (NIMS) 100, 200, 700, 800, course requirements and certification within the first year of assuming the position.