September 2007
Job Description
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Job Title | Head of Waste Regulation | Jobholder | |
Department | Planning & Environment | Reports to | Assistant Director– Environmental Protection |
- Job Purpose
To plan and implement comprehensive and effective waste management strategies and policies and regulatory functions for the Island under the Waste Management (Jersey) Law 2005, the Basel Convention, and the OECD Decision in order to comply with international obligations and to protect the Island’s environment and human health from the negative impacts of waste management operations.
- Principal Accountabilities
- As a designated officer (authorised by the Committee to undertake specific tasks) under the Waste Management (Jersey) Law 2005, act as the competent authority of dispatch, destination and transit for transboundary movements of waste and carry out a regulatory function with regard to all waste management activities on the Island. Decide on and carry out appropriate enforcement action under the Section’s Enforcement and Prosecution Policy for Waste Regulation, interview suspects under caution, take witness statements and prepare cases for prosecution, brief the prosecuting advocate or centenier, serve statutory notices prior to appearance in Court and appear as an expert witness.
- Plan, implement, promote and enforce policies to ensure compliance with the Waste Management (Jersey) Law 2005, the Basel Convention, the OECD Decision on waste management, memoranda of understanding, approved policies and codes of practice. Regulate the movement of hazardous wastes on, to and from the Island. Liaise on all shipments with the appropriate authorities in the countries of destination or transit, in particular, the UK Environment Agency.
- Initiate and process waste management licence applications in line with the Law and current best practice for all waste facilities on the Island. Regulate the movement on the Island of hazardous and healthcare wastes. Administer the consignment note system for their proper movement and disposal or recovery. Give advice to waste producers and carriers, check consignment notes, take appropriate enforcement action for non-compliance, keep records and provide information on arisings and movements of hazardous and healthcare wastes. Carry out checks on waste loads and audit the waste stream to ensure compliance with the Law.
- Undertake an effective programme of inspections of all licensed, exempt and unlicensed waste facilities to ensure compliance with license conditions and the Law. Prepare waste management reports and take, where necessary, appropriate enforcement action against the site operators. Prepare and maintain a comprehensive records system on all inspections undertaken and actions taken.
- Maintain a register of hazardous and healthcare waste carriers as required under the Law. Process all applications for carrier registration. Maintain a public record system as required under the Law and prepare regular reports on the Section’s functions as the regulatory body for all waste management activities on the Island.
- Update a register of fees payable to the Minister under the Law and advise waste operators accordingly. Monitor the payment of such fees and take appropriate action, such as suspension of waste management licences for the non-payment of fees.
- Act as the Island’s expert on waste management regulation, represent the Department on Working Parties, give advice to other States Departments, organisations and the general public in order to raise awareness of waste management issues and the Law. Initiate and develop effective relationships with other States Departments, local businesses, schools, colleges, the media, non-governmental organisations and the general public in order to raise awareness of waste management issues, both local and global. Produce educational leaflets, present reports and give presentations. Design, implement and man displays at relevant public events.
- Provide technical, scientific and practical input into the law drafting process for the development of new environmental legislation relating to waste management and related issues, memoranda of understanding and codes of practice with other departments and organisations.
- Dimensions
Budgetary Information
Environmental Protection £400,000 p.a. (approx)
Waste Regulation £100,000 p.a. (approx)
Other Relevant Statistics
- Up to 10 hazardous waste shipments from the Island each year
- Approx. 12 waste management facilities to regulate
- Regular (weekly-monthly) site inspections, reports and appropriate action
- Approx. 10 public presentations each year
- Regular pre-notified movements of hazardous and healthcare wastes on the Island.
- Organisation
See chart(s) attached
- Knowledge, Skills, Experience, Qualifications
An honours degree in chemistry, biology, environmental science or a related discipline, a related Masters degree, and a minimum of 5 years post qualification experience.
Corporate membership of an appropriate professional body such as The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management. This level of qualification is required as the postholder will have to demonstrate levels of professional competence to Courts in enforcement actions.
A thorough knowledge and experience of waste management regulation.
A good working knowledge and background to the Basel Convention and the OECD Decision on waste management.
A good working knowledge of EU and UK Environmental Law, Regulations and Directives relating to waste management.
Promoting and maintaining good professional relationships within the department, with other departments, organisations, traders and the general public are paramount, together with excellent communication skills. The Head of Waste Regulation is required to be able to exercise persuasive skills to promote the prevention of pollution and the implementation of best waste management practices, which are seen as key issues in environmental protection. The Head of Waste Regulation should also be able to demonstrate all the Middle Management Competencies as defined by the States of Jersey.
A thorough working knowledge of enforcement and prosecution polices and practices, statement taking, evidence gathering and Court appearances.
A broad current understanding and interest in environmental issues on a local, national and global scale and an ability to keep up to date on all environmental issues and legislation.
Computer literacy and experience in the use of Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel and Powerpoint is required, due to the need to build and maintain a comprehensive Section database on waste management regulation and the production of material for a number of public presentations each year.
- Further Relevant Information
This is an evolving post within Environmental Protection, which is essential due to the recent implementation of the Waste Management (Jersey) Law 2005. This Law allows the Basel Convention (one of the most important international environmental agreements ratified by more than 160 countries) to be extended by the UK to Jersey and for the Island to conform with the OECD Decision on waste management, which is binding on the Island. It also promotes sound waste management practices within the Island, the licensing of waste management facilities and the registration of carriers of hazardous and healthcare wastes.
The postholder has complete freedom to make decisions and take action, within general guidelines only, when carrying out their regulatory functions as a designated officer under the Law.
The development and implementation of environmental legislation for the Island has brought about major changes to the role of the section from one of scientific and advisory into one where law enforcement also plays a significant part. This requires the development of a wide range of skills and knowledge for this post, particularly in the area of environmental law and enforcement and prosecution policies and procedures.
The Head of Waste Regulation must make important, often immediate decisions, which may have considerable implications for human health and the environment. In addition to their scientific role, this officer must also decide on appropriate enforcement action, interview suspects under caution, take witness statements, prepare complex cases for prosecution, brief the prosecuting advocate and centenier and appear in Court.
The Head of Waste Regulation plays a vital, active role in the rapidly developing area of environmental science on the Island. This officer also acts as the Island specialist in the rapidly developing field of hazardous waste management and regulation.
It is also vital that the Head of Waste Regulation maintains an up to date knowledge of environmental issues (particularly waste management) at a local, national and global level. This area of science is moving very rapidly and new initiatives and legislation are developing almost daily. Keeping abreast of these changes is achieved by attending specialist courses and conferences, liaising with university research groups, reading technical journals, maintaining a library and resource centre and accessing environmental information on CD Rom databases and the World Wide Web.
7. Verification
I confirm that the contents of the job description are a true reflection of the job as at today’s date.
Signed___________________________________________________
Postholder
Signed____________________________ Date__________________
Immediate Manager
Signed____________________________ Date__________________
Chief Officer
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