This is administrative engineering work directing the planning, research and engineering support activities of the City's solid waste management program and the Sanitation Division's geographical information system. The employee in this class is responsible for providing, through subordinate engineers, planners, analysts and technical personnel, engineering and planning support for sanitation operations, developing productivity improvements to the City's solid waste disposal and recycling programs and for the design of new or renovation of existing Streets Department facilities. Work includes the review and administration of feasibility studies for implementation of new and alternative disposal and recycling technologies, and the direction, through subordinates, of a variety of waste disposal projects, computerized engineering and general management applications for enhancing solid waste management operations and direction of the procurement of refuse disposal capacity under contract with the private sector. Ensuring that the City's solid waste management activities are environmentally safe and operate efficiently and providing technical expertise at the request of the commissioner or designee are significant aspects of the work. Work is performed under the general direction of an administrative superior.

ALLOCATING FACTORS: (The following conditions must be met for a position to be approved for this class.)

• The position must be responsible for directing, through subordinate engineering and technical support personnel, the planning, research, engineering and geographical information system (GIS) support activities for the City's solid waste management program.
• The position must be responsible for providing the environmental engineering needs of the Streets Department.
• Only one position will be allocated to this class.
• The position must perform the work in the Streets Department.

• Directs a multi-disciplined engineering and technical support staff responsible for providing engineering design and repair of solid waste disposal and operations facilities; directs facility engineering for the Streets Department; formulates and recommends divisional policies affecting sanitation operations including technology implementation, refuse and recycling disposal options and environmental issues; ensures policies and programs conform with State and Federal regulations; directs the development of methods for improvements and maintenance for processing solid waste including household, radioactive and other hazardous materials and the management of illegally abandoned wastes on Philadelphia streets; directs the design, construction and repair of municipal solid waste disposal and related collection facilities; recommends and determines the need for outside consultants and contractors to assist in developing engineering, planning, and computer applications and oversees and coordinates their work; prepares requests for proposals and bid specifications for the procurement of solid waste disposal services city-wide; evaluates proposals for cost and operational concerns and contractor and/or consultant for suitability of award; meets with contractors in efforts to settle claims; resolves contract disputes; negotiates settlements.
• Provides engineering support to the City's fleet management agency in the preparation of vehicle specifications for large varieties and types of vehicles and equipment; analyzes and evaluates vehicle, equipment and manpower operations and malfunctions to determine effectiveness and efficiency; recommends alternative strategies to achieve vehicle, equipment and manpower effectiveness and efficiency.
• Plans, directs, and reviews the research and analysis of alternative means of waste disposal and collection strategies; supervises the preparation of grant applications to obtain funds to conduct feasibility studies; directs subordinate engineers, consultants and technical computer personnel in conducting studies and formalizing recommendations; evaluates proposed disposal alternatives; provides technical review for alternative disposal operations which utilize various emerging technologies; studies and reviews the activities of the recycling program; recommends adjustments to recycling methods and design; directs, through subordinate supervisor, operations analysis including data gathering and analysis to support management productivity initiatives.
• Directs the environmental planning efforts which include preparing and revising the solid waste plan, managing radioactive wastes mixed with refuse or illegally disposed of in the streets or on city property and evaluating new technologies; confers with State officials to ensure City's compliance with regulations; reviews and approves solid waste permit applications submitted by private companies in Philadelphia County for permission to operate waste disposal facilities; meets with representatives of State and Federal agencies to discuss compliance of City's disposal practices with applicable legislation; attends hearings on disputed disposal practices; compiles information for legal staff defending the City's disposal practices in court or before quasi-judicial bodies.
• Supervises the review of design projects for environmental impact; supervises design and construction modifications to solid waste disposal facilities to improve the environmental effects of operations; supervises air quality monitoring and studies of waste water effluent from sanitation facilities.
• Directs, through subordinate supervisor, a staff of specialists, analysts and technicians engaged in the development, maintenance and production of geographic information systems applications; coordinates the work of staff with division heads to ensure geographic information meets the needs of the department; directs the development of applications and coordinates data needs with other City agencies.
• Directs the preparation of the capital budget for sanitation operations; prepares and develops work program costs, schedules and priorities.
• Meets with community representatives and groups such as the Solid Waste Advisory Committee and the Recycling Advisory Committee to listen to and address concerns of citizen groups regarding the impact of solid waste collection and disposal on their environment; works with representatives of the Law Department to prepare cases for court; provides testimony as an expert witness in court.
• Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• solid waste disposal market prices, practices and conditions necessary to optimize cost effectiveness of operations and contracting.
• the principles and practices of solid waste management and recycling.
• environmental engineering principles, practices, and techniques as they relate to solid waste management.
• the principles and practices involved in municipal solid waste collection and its relationship to solid waste disposal.
• Federal and State laws and regulations governing municipal, radioactive and other hazardous wastes.
• the current industrial and scientific developments, related legislation, and other sources of technical information pertaining to solid waste management.
• the engineering principles, practices, and techniques used in the design, construction and repair of municipal solid waste disposal and related collection facilities.
• principles, practices and methods used in quantitative analysis.
• supervisory and management principles and practices.
• computer software programs for use in analyzing field operations and sanitation management and engineering.
• the principles, practices and methods used in geographic data analysis.
• the use of computer hardware and the operation of Geographic Information System software.
• budgeting and procurement methods, practices and techniques.

ABILITY TO:

• devise and apply new or improved technologies for efficient, safe, and economical solid waste disposal and recycling options.
• establish and maintain efficient and safe solid waste disposal methods and programs, applying engineering practices and principles.
• evaluate solid waste management methods and techniques for feasibility, economic validity and environmental impact.
• utilize computer software packages for use in field operations and sanitation management and engineering.
• evaluate and develop responses to solid waste disposal and recycling legislation.
• express ideas effectively, both orally and in writing.
• develop and promote employee training programs.
• establish and maintain effective relationships with associates, contractors, regulatory and governmental agencies, community groups and the general public.
• utilize geographical information systems applications and technology.

EDUCATION


• Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university with major course work in civil, electrical, environmental or mechanical engineering.

AND
GENERAL EXPERIENCE

• Seven years of sanitation, recycling or solid waste engineering experience.

AND
SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE

• Four years of engineering experience supervising engineering, analytical and technical staff in the planning, research and evaluation activities of a municipal solid waste management program.

Or any equivalent combination of training and experience which has included the completion of a bachelor's degree program in an acceptable area of engineering and the specific experience.

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS, AND/OR CERTIFICATES

• Registration as a professional engineer with the Pennsylvania State Registration Board for Professional Engineers prior to appointment and during tenure of employment as a Sanitation Engineering and Environmental Planning Director.

PAY RANGE: EP27
Class Established: 3/1953

Latest Spec. Revision:
  CSC - 8/1997 ; Ad Board - 9/1997

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