(a) An environmental scientist applies the principles and data of physical, biological and social sciences for the preservation and protection of the environment. The basic qualification for an environmental scientist in any grade established in this Part shall be graduation from an accredited school, college or other institution of learning with a bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, physics or other natural science acceptable to the commissioner, including or supplemented by the satisfactory work in the natural sciences or related courses acceptable to the commissioner.

1. (1) Primary functions. An environmental scientist trainee assists higher ranking environmental scientists and engineers in the performance of professional field and office work under close and continuing supervision while participating in an approved training program.

2. (2) Additional qualifications.

   1. (i) Satisfactory completion of a training program approved by the commissioner; or

   2. (ii) one year of satisfactory environmental science experience.

      (c) Assistant enivironmental scientist.

3. (1) Primary functions. An assistant environmental scientist, under administrative and technical supervision, performs professional activities which encompass the investigation, inspection and analyses of the non-engineering aspects of environmental conservation, including investigating, evaluating and inspecting facilities and premises; making analyses, measurements, and evaluations thereof; interpreting the results of laboratory examinations; training, assisting and supervising technicians and aides; preparing reports and recommendations; and testifying at enforcement hearings.

4. (2) Qualifications required.

   1. (i) One year of satisfactory experience in environmental conservation programs, including completion of a training program for environmental scientist trainee approved by the commissioner; or

   2. (ii) two years of satisfactory environmental science experience.

      (d) Senior environmental scientist.

5. (1) Primary functions. A senior environmental scientist is responsible for planning, directing and administering all environmental programs in an agency having regulatory responsibility for a political subdivision of less than 100,000 population or, under administrative supervision, is responsible for non-engineering functions in an agency having regulatory responsibility for a political subdivision of 100,000 or greater population.

6. (2) Qualifications required.

   1. (i) One year of satisfactory experience as an assistant environmental scientist in an environmental conservation agency; and

   2. (ii) three years of satisfactory environmental science experience.

      (e) Associate environmental scientist.

7. (1) Primary function. An associate environmental scientist is responsible for planning, directing and administering all environmental programs in an agency having regulatory responsibility for a political subdivision with population equal to or greater than 100,000, but less than 350,000, or, under administrative supervision, has responsible charge of non-engineering functions in a larger political subdivision.

8. (2) Qualifications required.

   1. (i) One year of satisfactory experience as a senior environmental scientist in an environmental conservation agency; or

   2. (ii) four years of satisfactory environmental science experience, of which one year must be in a position equivalent to senior environmental scientist.

      (f) Principal environmental scientist.

9. (1) Primary functions. A principal environmental scientist is responsible for planning, directing and administering all environmental programs in an agency having regulatory responsibility for a political subdivision of 350,000 or greater population.

10. (2) Qualifications required.

    1. (i) Two years of satisfactory experience as an associate environmental scientist in an environmental conservation agency; or

    2. (ii) six years of satisfactory environmental experience, of which two years must be in a position equivalent to that of an associate environmental scientist.

       (g) Equivalent titles.

       As examples for comparable qualification purposes, experience in the following State Department of Health, State Department of Environmental Conservation and, where specified, local civil service titles are considered to be equivalent to experience in the environmental scientist titles in this code:

11. (1) Sanitarian trainee—public health sanitarian trainee—environmentalist I (local)—environmental scientist trainee.
12. (2) Public health sanitarian—sanitary chemist—public health sanitarian—environmentalist II (local)—assistant environmental scientist.
13. (3) Senior sanitarian—senior sanitary chemist—senior public health sanitarian—environmentalist III (local)—senior environmental scientist.
14. (4) Associate sanitarian—associate sanitary chemist—associate public health sanitarian—environmentalist IV (local)—associate environmental scientist.
15. (5) Principal sanitarian—principal sanitary chemist—principal public health sanitarian—environmentalist V (local)—principal environmental scientist.

(b) Environmental scientist trainee.