ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST

The purpose of the role is to facilitate the planning, resourcing, delivery and maintenance of the environment components related to infrastructure projects. The Environmental Management Specialist is responsible for ensuring proper project implementation, reporting, administration, and planning of the environmental impacts related to projects. The Specialist performs technical and skilled work and operates and may maintain a variety of tools and field equipment in the completion of various projects.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Programme Management Functions

• Stay updated with SA environmental regulations.
• Develop and enforce environmental guidelines and practices.
• Review and recommend improvements to existing programs for environmental compliance assurance.
• Generate environmental reports as requested by regulatory agencies.
• Provide guidance and direction to management for ensuring environmental compliance.
• Prepare permit applications and agreements as needed by regulatory agencies.
• Obtain, maintain, modify and renew environmental permits and licenses.
• Work with emergency response team to address environmental incidents such as chemical leaks & spills.
• Identify and solve environmental violations.
• Conduct regular environmental inspections to determine pollution level.
• Investigate environmental accidents and propose corrective actions.
• Write environmental related articles, newsletters, and press releases.
• Assist in developing project proposals and statement of work and determine overall budget and schedules.
• Maintain inventory control and oversee shipping and transportation arrangements.
• Oversee waste disposal and pollution control programs.
• Educate workers on environmental health and safety procedures.

Project Management Functions

• Inspect sites to assess environmental damage or monitor clean-up progress.
• Maintain records of decisions, actions, and progress related to environmental development projects.
• Prepare reports or presentations to communicate development needs, status, or progress.
• Review or evaluate environmental project proposals.
• Coordinate on-site activities for environmental clean-up or remediation projects to ensure compliance with environmental laws, standards, regulations, or other requirements.
• Negotiate contracts for services or materials needed for environmental aspect of projects.
• Plan or implement development projects to ensure safety, quality, and compliance with applicable standards or requirements.
• Conduct feasibility or cost-benefit studies for environmental projects.
• Identify environmental contamination sources.
• Coordinate the disposal of hazardous waste.
• Design or implement plans for surface or ground water remediation.
• Develop or implement plans for the sustainable sites to ensure regeneration of a wider area by providing environmental protection or economic and social benefits.
• Estimate costs for environmental clean-up and remediation of land redevelopment projects.
• Design or conduct environmental restoration studies.
• Prepare and submit permit applications for demolition, clean-up, remediation, or construction projects.
• Conduct quantitative risk assessments for human health, environmental, or other risks.
• Design or implement plans for structural demolition and debris removal.
• Develop or implement plans for revegetation of brownfield sites.
• Review or evaluate designs for contaminant treatment or disposal facilities.
• Provide expert witness testimony on issues such as soil, air, or water contamination and associated clean- up measures.
• Provide training on hazardous material or waste clean-up procedures and technologies.
• Design or implement measures to improve the water, air, and soil quality of test sites, abandoned mine land, or other contaminated sites

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor''s degree or equivalent in in environmental science, engineering, natural resources, or environmental management
• Compulsory registration with SACNASP.
• 5 years Post registration working experience
• Driver’s License code 08.
• Familiar with CIDB IDMS and FIPDM

SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

• MS Office proficient
• Good understanding of scheduling programs such as MS Projects and Primavera
• Project and contract management
• Budgeting / cost planning
• Strong programme management skills
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, effective presentation skills and skills to express complex concepts in business terms
• Strong analytical skills

BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES

• Communication and Listening: Communication and listening involves effective, clear communication in complex situations or in front of large, mixed audiences. Effective communication requires the skills to present proposals, suggestions and solutions in a convincing way. It is about capturing the interest of stakeholders, influencing their opinions, and cultivating strong stakeholder relationships. Effective communication also includes knowledge sharing and knowledge management.
• Teamwork: Teamwork is about knowing how to work with others by integrating energies to achieve a common goal. Teamwork includes promoting productive, collaborative relationships between individuals and/or groups. Teamwork requires individuals to remain authentic and accountable to the group.
• Goal Orientation: Goal orientation is about directing one''s activities and those of other people in the team, to achieve shared objectives, providing a level of commitment proportional to the importance of the project. Goal orientation requires setting goals that are higher and more challenging than expectations, and remaining results driven and achievement-orientated to optimise the business value chain.
• Planning and Organisation: Planning and organisation includes planning, implementing and monitoring projects and programs to ensure that deadlines are met. It includes identifying and, if necessary, redefining short, medium- and long-term priorities and allocating the financial, technical and human resources appropriately. This requires flexibility and agility, as well as a good perspective. Planning and organisation require financial and budget management skills, and governance and risk management skills.
• Problem Solving: Problem solving involves analysing causes of problematic situations and taking effective decisions - even in the absence of sufficient time and information - based on a brief summary of information, intuition, experience or skills. Problem solving requires conceptual and logical thinking, sound judgment and innovation.