Asbestos Section Chief

MassDEP's mission is to protect and enhance the Commonwealth's natural resources - air, water, and land - to provide for the health, safety, and welfare of all people, and to ensure a clean and safe environment for future generations. In carrying out this mission MassDEP commits to address and advance environmental justice and equity for all people of the Commonwealth, provide meaningful, inclusive opportunities for people to participate in agency decisions that affect their lives; and ensure a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

MassDEP seeks applicants for the position of Asbestos Section Chief (Environmental Analyst V) for the Central Regional Office's Bureau of Air and Waste (BAW). The Asbestos Section Chief directs the day-to-day operations of the Asbestos Section. This includes overseeing compliance inspections, enforcement, complaint response, permitting / approvals, technical and regulatory assistance, and data management for asbestos regulatory activities in the Region. The Chief also conducts these regulatory activities him/herself.

Working at MassDEP is a great opportunity to do meaningful work that helps reduce the impacts of climate change and air pollution for all people of the Commonwealth now and for future generations. MassDEP personnel are remarkably talented, dedicated, enthusiastic, and supportive.

Duties for this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Supervise asbestos section staff in the performance of their duties, including: setting priorities; providing technical guidance and interpretation on regulation and program guidance; providing regular performance feedback to staff and assisting them in improving in those areas where needed; providing mentor training and making recommendations on training needs of staff; conducting routine employee performance reviews; and creating performance improvement plans as needed.

2. Oversee asbestos section staff in the conduct of asbestos program investigations, complaint responses, and compliance inspections. Ensure such investigations reveal noncompliance when it exists.

3. Oversee asbestos section staff on preparing and completing enforcement actions. This includes guiding asbestos section staff in the preparation of administrative enforcement documents such as: Notices of Enforcement Conference, Notice of Noncompliance, Consent Orders with and without penalties, Unilateral Administrative Orders, Penalty Assessment Notices, and others. Oversee efforts by the asbestos section to track and verify that violators return to compliance after enforcement documents have been issued.

4. Lead asbestos-related enforcement conferences and enforcement-related negotiations, and guide asbestos section staff on their participation in enforcement conferences. Serve as an expert witness in hearings and other proceedings as needed.

5. Oversee the review and approval of plans submitted for non-traditional demolition/renovation and asbestos removal projects.

6. Conduct asbestos-related inspections, complaint investigations, and enforcement activities, and conduct reviews of non-traditional demolition/renovation and asbestos removal projects.

7. Ensure timely update of all applicable information systems and databases for asbestos section activities.

8. Oversee asbestos section staff in the referral of appropriate asbestos-related enforcement cases to the Attorney General's Office. Provide technical support and work in coordination with the Attorney General's Office and the Environmental Police to develop cases.

9. Maintain a high level of expertise in the asbestos regulations and policies, including 310 CMR 7.15 (Asbestos) & 7.09 (Construction/Demolition). This is accomplished by staying informed of regulatory changes, attending training sessions, and routinely discussing regulatory requirements with coworkers.

10. Ensure clear and timely communications to agency leadership on matters that should be elevated and/or are cross-program in nature.

11. Provide regulatory assistance to facilities, municipal officials, and the public to ensure compliance with state and federal asbestos regulatory requirements.

12. Collaborate effectively with sister agencies involved in asbestos and demolition related activities including the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, the Massachusetts Department of Labor Standards, the Massachusetts Division of Professional Licensing, and the Massachusetts Board of Building Regulations and Standards.

13. As agreed upon by Regional and Bureau leadership, take the lead on asbestos-related outreach and initiatives targeted to the public or specific targeted sectors / stakeholders.

14. Take the lead on asbestos section staff retention and succession planning, and play a lead role on any asbestos section hiring.

Preferred Qualifications at Hire:

•Knowledge of the principals and practices of asbestos compliance inspections and asbestos-related enforcement.

•Knowledge of and/or ability to quickly obtain expertise in MassDEP's enforcement procedures and processes.

•Knowledge of the applicable statutes, regulations, policies, and guidance associated with the asbestos program.

•Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both verbally and in writing.

•Ability to work independently, and ability to maintain a diplomatic and effective working relationship with coworkers, senior management, the general public, regulated community and public officials.

•Ability to coordinate and organize multiple projects concurrently.

•Ability to effectively supervise staff of a lower grade.

•Proficiency in reviewing and evaluating engineering plans, specifications and standard operating and maintenance procedures relating to asbestos and asbestos abatement.

•Experience in the interpretation and use of technical and scientific literature, and ability to review and evaluate technical reports and test results.

•Ability to work effectively in both an office and in field settings throughout the state.

•Ability and willingness to wear and to work effectively while wearing the required personal protection equipment.

•Excellent computer skills, including working knowledge and experience with Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft Access.

•Possession of a valid Massachusetts driver's license or equivalent is required.

All applicants are requested to provide a position-specific cover letter and a resume with their application.

Qualifications:
First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must have at least six years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, technical or professional experience in the field of environmental science, biology, chemistry, earth science, environmental health, meteorology, natural science, toxicology or public health, of which (B) at least four years must have been in a professional capacity, and of which (C) at least two years must have been in a supervisory, managerial or administrative capacity, or (D) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the following substitutions.

Substitutions:

I. An Associate's degree with a major in the field of environmental science, biology, chemistry, earth science, environmental health, meteorology, natural science, toxicology or public health may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required (A) experience.*

II. A Bachelor's degree with a major in the field of environmental science, biology, chemistry, earth science, environmental health, meteorology, natural science, toxicology or public health may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the required (A) experience.*

III. A Graduate degree with a major in environmental science, biology, chemistry, earth science, environmental health, meteorology, natural science, toxicology or public health may be substituted for a maximum of three years of the required (A) experience and one year of the required (B) experience.*

*Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually competed.

NOTE: Educational substitutions will only be permitted for a maximum of one year of the required (B) experience. No substitutions will be permitted for the required (C) experience.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role. #J-18808-Ljbffr #J-18808-Ljbffr