1.0 Overview of the organization
The Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust (PRSTRT) is a private non-profit organization created in 2004 to encourage and promote innovation, transfer and commercialization of technology and creation of jobs in the technology sector. We are responsible for Puerto Rico’s public policy for science, technology, research and development. The Trust’s mission is to invest, facilitate and build capacity to continually advance Puerto Rico’s economy and its citizens’ well-being through innovation- driven enterprises, science and technology and its industrial base. Our vision is that by 2022, Puerto Rico is a globally recognized innovation hub that develops, attracts, and retains scientists, technology entrepreneurs, and enterprises to unlock world class creativity and competitiveness.
The Re-grow Puerto Rico Urban and Rural Agriculture Program (Re-grow) was designed to spur economic recovery specifically in the agriculture sector. Through its Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funding, the Puerto Rico Department of Housing (PRDOH) is addressing the unmet economic development needs on the island to encourage long-term, sustainable revitalization across industries and sectors through a suite of economic development programs. Re- grow will build agricultural capacity and meet the needs created by the hurricanes through a substantial investment of CDBG-DR funds in a wide variety of viable agricultural activities.
Re-Grow is a partnership between the PRSTRT and the PRDOH that will disburse grants and provide technical assistance to small farmers and agricultural businesses impacted by the hurricanes.
2.0 Job Description
| Job Title: | Environmental Specialist |
| Reports to: | Re-Grow Director |
| Location / Hours: | San Juan, Puerto Rico – Full -Time position |
| Purpose: | An environmental specialist must apply the fundamental principles of environmental sciences for carrying out the inspection, investigation, and monitoring of activities which produce hazardous substances. Must devise a technical program for collecting, analyzing, and evaluating the environmental data for determining the potential hazard and provide the technical solution for the same. |
| Key Responsibilities and Duties: |
1. Develop and maintain the standardized operational procedures in accordance with the environmental compliance, interpreting the environmental disturbance risks, and communicating with environmental regulatory authorities for compliance assistance. 2. Create and develop presentation reports of environmental regulations and proceedings for submitting it to regulatory bodies. 3. Inspect and evaluate the proceedings of clients or organizational facilities with regards to compliance laws and regulations of local, state, and federal government. 4. Update plans and specifications for managing the hazardous chemical substances, providing back up plan in case of emergencies like accidental spillage, and training the workers to handle the cleanup procedure with safety. 5. Assist in preparation of presentation files of emergency preparedness training for workers and employees, conducting workshop and seminars for training purposes, and developing the emergency management exercise. 6. Conduct internal staff studies analysis for implementing the environmental procedures in regulatory compliance, preparing the reports and presentation documents regarding the compliance, and sending the same to regulatory authorities. 7. Develop the management information systems for identifying the location of potentially hazardous materials and tracking the maintenance operation of the same. 8. Supervise the work of all the employees hired by the organization and outside contractors who are involved in handling the hazardous material and investigating on any complaints filed by employees regarding those hazardous materials. 9. Maintain all the records of process, handing, and shipment of the hazardous material, tracking its location and disposal details if required, and coordinate with the regulatory authorities regarding the same. 10. Update themselves on the latest development regarding environmental safety, new laws implemented in federal, state, or local regulatory bodies under the environment protection act, and related program areas assigned to them. 11. Sample the hazardous waste in industrial area, performing bulk sampling if required, carrying out the field work if required, and maintaining proper reports of sampling data. 12. Coordinate with the waste management program developer and regulatory agencies and providing advice and consultation to them within their area of expertise. Since our organization is going to change to meet the needs of new designations, you can expect, anticipate, and assume that your job description will change to meet these challenges. |
| Qualifications & Technical Job Requirements: |
• Excellent communication skills. Strong command of written and verbal communication. • Excellent interpersonal and presentation skills, as well as persuasive abilities to influence cooperation and collaboration. • Capable of prioritizing work (meet deadlines, able to work under pressure). • Ability to work within a team and provide support to direct reports. • Ability to perform in cross-functional team approach and job responsibilities. • Solid understanding of the organization’s overall business and program objectives. • Proficient computer user with equal knowledge of software programs and Internet. • Fully bilingual (English and Spanish). • Ability to work outside, stand, walk, kneel, and stoop for extended periods. • Exceptional active listening and verbal and written communication skills. • Strong research, decision making, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. • Awareness of industry trends, technology, and developments. • Occasional travel – You may be expected to travel for this position. |
| Experience & Educational Requirement: |
Bachelor’s degree in environmental science or in other relevant subjects like physical science, environmental engineering, etc. Apart from this, an environmental specialist must also have working knowledge of hazardous and waste materials found in the industrial environment, and some experience in evaluating and controlling the magnitude of hazards caused by these substances. Substantial experience working with hazardous substances is highly desirable. Valid driver’s license and willingness to travel. In addition, three (3) years of experience related to essential job duties is required. Master’s degree is highly desirable. |