Introduction to the Environmental Compliance Inspector

Why are compliance inspectors such an important part of our society? Watch this short video on environmental health by opening the hyperlink and you will discover why.

How many compliance inspectors are there?  The Bureau of Labor Statistics (2010) estimated that there were nearly 217,000 men and women employed as compliance officers throughout the United States, and that this number would rise to 249,000 by 2020.

So, who are compliance inspectors?  Enforcement Officer  Environmental Scientist  Environmental Specialist  Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Enforcement Officer (RCRA Enforcement Officer)  Compliance Investigator  Environmental Quality Analyst  Environmental Protection Specialist  Inspector  Toxics Program Officer  Waste Management Specialist………to name but a few

What do compliance inspectors do?  Determine the nature of code violations and actions to be taken, and issue written notices of violation; participate in enforcement hearings as necessary  Examine permits, licenses, applications, and records to ensure compliance with licensing requirements  Prepare, organize, and maintain inspection records  Interview individuals to determine the nature of suspected violations and to obtain evidence of violations The responsibilities of a compliance inspector include the following:

 Prepare written, oral, tabular, and graphic reports summarizing requirements and regulations, including enforcement and chain of custody documentation.  Monitor follow-up actions in cases where violations were found, and review compliance monitoring reports.  Investigate complaints and suspected violations regarding illegal dumping, pollution, pesticides, product quality, or labeling laws.  Inspect waste pretreatment, treatment, and disposal facilities and systems for conformance to federal, state, or local regulations. Compliance inspector responsibilities, continued

 Inform individuals and groups of pollution control regulations and inspection findings, and explain how problems can be corrected.  Determine sampling locations and methods, and collect water or wastewater samples for analysis, preserving samples with appropriate containers and preservation methods. Compliance inspector responsibilities, continued

What sort of tools and equipment do compliance inspectors use?  Hydrocarbons analyzers or detectors  Laboratory bailers  Sampling pumps  Soil core sampling apparatus  Water samplers Hydrocarbon Analyzer Sampling Pump Water Sampler Hydrocarbon Analyzer

What technologies are used by the inspectors?  Analytical or scientific software  Data base user interface and query software  Document management software  Spreadsheet software  Word processing software  Advanced photography Refer to the following link for more information:

What work activities do compliance inspectors perform? Evaluating information to determine compliance with standards — using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards. Getting information — observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. Communicating with supervisors, peers, or subordinates — providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, , or in person.

Documenting/Recording information — entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form. Communicating with persons outside organization — communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or . Analyzing data or information — identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts. Work activities of a compliance inspector, continued

Identifying objects, actions, and events — identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. Monitor processes, materials, or surroundings — monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems. Processing information — compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data. Updating and using relevant knowledge — keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to the job. Work activities of a compliance inspector, continued

We would like to express our thanks to the National Center for O*NET Development who developed this material. Source: National Center for O*NET Development O*NET Online. Retrieved September 5, 2013, from