NCD980602163_19950824_Warren County PCB Landfill_SERB C_Joint Working Group - Draft Criteria for Selection of Science Advisor-OCR

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State of North Carolina
Department of Environment,
Health and Natural Resources
Division of Solid Waste Management
James B. Hunt, Jr., Governor
Jonathan B. Howes, Secretary
William L. Meyer, Director
MEMORANDUM:
August 24, 1995
TO: Members of Working Group
FROM: Bill Meyer
SUBJECT: Draft Criteria for Selection of Science Advisor
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DEHNR
It is essential that we move forward on selecting a Science Advisor. This position should be
drafting RFP contracts with various experts needed for implementation/oversight of the Pilot
Scale Studies. In addition, the advisor could/should chair sub-committees as needed and
appointed by the Working Group. There is a significant amount oftime and resources that would
be available through the advisor.
I would suggest that the draft criteria be reviewed and adopted/modified in accordance with the
Working Group perspective. It may be appropriate to reduce or combine the criteria and
establish weights for each. A suggestion is as follows:
25% -ability to communicate ( oral/written translations of technical documents and data
in terms that the Working Group can understand)
25% -relevant expertise -academic and demonstrated working knowledge of other
science fields, ability to lead other experts that may be needed for areas that the advisor is
not an expert.
25% -past relevant experience
15% -knowledge of regulatory procedures and processes
10% -cost
P.O. Box 27687, Raleigh, North Carolina 27611-7687 Telephone [phone] FAX 919-71&-3605
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In addition, these criteria could be scored from O to 5 for each criteria and multiplied by the
percent weight to achieve a numerical score. For example, a candidate with fives for each
criteria would scale 500, and a candidate with ones for each criteria would score 100. The
differences between 500 and 100 should allow a sufficient spread to separate qualified
candidates.
It may also be appropriate to task a sub-committee with the responsibilities to select a list of
potential qualified advisors, interview each candidate and recommend final candidate. One
function should be carefully evaluated and that is the willingness and commitment to attend all
working group and sub-committee meetings.
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.. Draft Criteria For Selection of A Science Advisor for The Joint Warren County/State PCB
Landfill Working Group.
* Ability to provide a variety of skills necessary to objectively offer scientific advice to
members of_~e working group concerning the PCB Landfill.
* Demonstrated knowledge of toxic substances; with emphasis on PCB, Dioxins and
Furans, including environmental interactions and midigations or remediation of
environmental releases.
* Academic training in a relevant science or engineering field (chemistry, biology,
ecology, physical sciences, environmental engineering, toxicology, epidemiology or
public health.)
* Demonstrated working knowledge and technical ability to coordinate scientific and
technical experts and information in areas of regulations, regulatory processes, chemistry,
physical sciences, hydrology, ecology, public health, risk assessment, engineering,
toxicology, epidemiology, statistics, data collection and interpretation and sampling and
analysis, that may be required for efforts at the PCB Landfill that are in addition to the
science advisor's skills and experience.
* The ability to communicate and translate technical and scientific information into
terms understandable to the public while maintaining scientific or technical accuracy and
objectivity. Demonstration of experience with clients who do not possess extensive
technical backgrounds.
* Ability to draft, review and interpret various technical documents and write reports for
the working group. These documents include but are not limited to
investigation/evaluation studies, feasibility studies, engineering designs, work plans,
sampling plans, quality assurance/quality control plans, risk assessments, health
assessments, environmental monitoring plans, chemical/physical analysis and oversight
of inspection plans.
* Ability to determine/compare cost and benefits of various technologies.
Perform/review audits and other financial accounting efforts for the working group.
* Ability and commitment to attend all scheduled meetings with the working group and
attend special or non-routine meetings upon request by the working group.