Career Prospects as Inspector Environment in EPA Punjab

Environment degradation is a serious issue and with passing of every day it is becoming worse and worse. There is ever growing concern over the matter and efforts are being concerted to deal with the issue. In Pakistan, awareness is increasing on the issue of Environmental Degradation and Environment Protection. Environment Protection Departments in all provinces and Ministry of Climate Change at Federal level are taking measures for environment protection and conservation of natural resources.

Environment Protection Department, Punjab

Environment Protection Department (EPD), Government of the Punjab, has its set up at District level through its attached department i.e. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Punjab, Lahore. Key field positions in EPA Punjab are as under:

1. Deputy Director (Field), Basic Scale - 18
2. Assistant Director (Field), Basic Scale - 17
3. Senior Inspector, Basic Scale - 16
4. Inspector, Basic Scale - 13
5. Field Assistant, Basic Scale - 06

Job of Inspector Environment

Posts of Inspector (Grade-13) and Senior Inspector (Grade-16) are the key posts which have direct interaction with the polluted sites, industrial units, and general sites for environmental reviews. They prepare Site Inspection Reports (SIRs), Initial Environmental Examination (IEE), Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), General Reports, Reports for Courts and Environmental Tribunal etc.

Qualification Requirements for Inspectors

Here are educational requirements for Inspector and Senior Inspector posts respectively as defined in EPD Service Rules, 1997:

Requirements for Inspector (BS-13)

Qualification : BSc (2 ^nd Division) with Environmental Sciences or Chemistry as Major Subject from a recognized University.

Method of Recruitment: Inspectors are recruited through Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) against initial requirement quota. Remaining posts are filled by promotion from Field Assistants already working in the EPA, Punjab. Direct recruitment quota, promotion quota and educational requirements are as follow:

1. 50% by initial recruitment;
2. 50% by promotion from amongst Field Assistants (BS-06) having qualification of FSc and one year Diploma in Environmental Control Technology with 10 years experience as such.

Requirements for Senior Inspector (BS-16)

Qualification : MSc / BS (2 ^nd Division) in Environmental Sciences / BSc in Chemical Engineering (2 ^nd Division) from a recognized University. If none is available with above qualification then BSc (2 ^nd Division) in Environmental Sciences from a recognized University.

Method of Recruitment: Senior Inspectors are recruited through PPSC against initial requirement quota. Remaining posts are filled by promotion from Inspectors (BS-13) already working in the EPA, Punjab. Direct recruitment quota, promotion quota and educational requirements are as follow:

1. 50% by initial recruitment;
2. 50% by promotion from amongst Inspector (BS-13) having qualification of BSc (2 ^nd Division) with Environmental Sciences or Chemistry as Major Subject from a recognized University with 10 years experience as such.

Now, let's discuss career prospects of the posts of Inspector and Senior Inspector Environment in the light of EPD Service Rules, 1997:

Career Prospects as Inspector (BS-13)

An Inspector (BS-13) can enjoy promotion as Deputy Director (BS-18) by following steps:

Step 1: An Inspector, after 10 years' service, is eligible for promotion as Senior Inspector.
Step 2: With 05 five years' service as Senior Inspector, he is eligible for promotion as Assistant Director (Field).
Step 3: An Assistant Director (Field) is eligible after 05 years' service for promotion as Deputy Director (Field).

Career Prospects as Senior Inspector (BS-16)

Post of Senior Inspector is new one in EPA, Punjab. A Senior Inspector can be elevated to the rank of Director (BS-19). His promotion steps are as follow:

Step 1: A Senior Inspector with 05 five years is eligible for promotion as Assistant Director (Field) BS-17.
Step 2: An Assistant Director (Field) is eligible after 05 years' service for promotion as Deputy Director (Field).
Step 3: Deputy Director is eligible for promotion as Director BS-19 on completion of minimum length of service as may be prescribed by Government from time to time.