Muhammad (Bilal) Manj
New York,USA
Summary
Mr. Manj has been collaborating as an independent liaison for EPA and state/local/tribal governments, non-profit organizations, and citizens’ concerns to address CAA, CWA and NEPA related issues. I was honored to lead Employee Viewpoint Survey Action Team for conflict resolution, labor relations and policy making efforts and successfully raised employees’ morals up to a satisfactory level.
The candidate is skilled researcher, NEPA reviewer, rule writer, grants project officer, purchases, invoice approver, contracting officer representative (COR), project management, air/water quality monitoring, advanced monitoring, air/water sensors deployment and Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). Experienced scientist with a strong background in research and analysis. Proficient in experimental design, data analysis, and interpretation across various scientific disciplines. Demonstrated ability to contribute to impactful research projects and collaborate effectively with interdisciplinary teams.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Physical Scientist GS-12
US EPA Region - II ARD TTPB MAPS
New York, USA
11.2021 - Current
- Collaborated with other departments as a participatory science expert in procuring and deploying air monitoring sensors for research and community screening surveys
- Successfully completed Journey to Justice research project in collaboration with ORD and DNER in PR with a variety of the sensors to address citizens concerns about particulate matter exposure
- I am leading procurement and purchases under ARP and IRA funding in the Monitoring and Atmospheric Protections Section including but not limited to the employee’s responsibilities in the following activities: Assist in efforts to oversee ambient air monitoring agencies
- Review and approve annual monitoring network plans for state and tribal government
- Provides AQS support to the State and Indian Tribes/Nations, Industry, and the Public
- Leads efforts in certifying Design Values (DVs), QA/QC and Exceptional Events
- Took rulemaking actions on various State Implementation Plans (SIPs) affecting designation, redesignation and limited Maintenance Plan (LMP) of areas for all criteria pollutants particularly PM2.5 consistent with Agency policy and court decisions
- I am also serving as a regional point of contact for Advance Program, BurnWise, Exceptional Events and Wildland Fire Sub lead workgroups
- Grants Project Officer: The applicant is a certified Grants Project officer who transmits grant funding recommendation to the GMO/Grants Specialist in a timely manner. Experienced in completing funding recommendations, programmatic annual baseline monitoring reports, quarterly monitoring reports, programmatic advanced monitoring reports and where appropriate, I also utilize the Integrated Grants Management System (IGMS) to track and update grants. I prepare competition‐related documentation (e.g., announcements, noncompetitive justifications, evaluation documentation/score sheets, selection rationale) in compliance with the EPA's Policy for Competition of Assistance Agreements (EPA Order 5700.5Al). The Project Officer has knowledge of Clean Air Act (CAA) section 103, section 105 and section 137 program grants
- The candidate is currently a PO on the following ARP/IRA section 103 direct award and competitive award grants: Direct Award for Enhancing Continuous Monitoring of PM2.5 and other NAAQS Air Pollutants, NJDEP
- Competitive Award for YMPJ Cross Bronx Expressway Air Quality Monitoring Budget, Youth Ministries for Peace, and Justice Inc
- Addressing Ambient Air Pollution at the Housing Authority City of Elizabeth, An Urban Housing Authority Demonstration Project
- US EPA Community Air Quality Monitoring for Ozone and Particulate Matter Air Pollution in Jersey City’s Underserved Communities
- Contracting Officer Representative: I am a certified FAC-COR Contracting Officer Representative (COR) since April 2021
- I also have some experience in using EPA Acquisition System (EAS), Most recently I served as a COR and successfully completed a ratification of a post event payment process
- Purchase Card Holder and Invoice Approver: I am a purchase card holder for the Air and Radiation Division
- I follow applicable federal and agency policies, including the agency Purchase Card Standard Operating Procedures
- I ensure adequate funding is available for any purchase, convenience check transaction and invoice approvals prior to use
- I developed a Microsoft Teams SharePoint site for logging all purchases with necessary details and links.
Physical Scientist GS-13
US EPA Region – ORA, Strategic Program Office
New York, USA
08.2023 - 12.2023
- Conducts CAA Section 309 reviews and maintain communications with other federal agency NEPA staff, Timely review of assigned large-scale and complex Environmental Impact Studies and prepares detailed comment letters, Conduct other Environmental Reviews including Environmental Assessments and implementation of cross cutter regulations to ensure full compliance with the requirements of environmental statutes, including, but not limited to, the National Historic Preservation Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Coastal Zone Management Act, and the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act
- The key assignments I worked on during my promotional detail are as follows: I cleared a backlog of Environmental Sensitive Area (ESA) waiver applications – NEPA ESA Waiver
- Reviewed environmental impact assessment developed by Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) for wind energy various projects on Jersey shores – NEPA EIA
- Port Authority Bus Terminal Manhattan New York extension and replacement project – NEPA EIA
- Pelto and Pylkas Dam Rehabilitation Project – NEPA EIA
- NY Bight Offshore wind Project – NEPA EIA.
Physical Scientist GS-12
US EPA Region - II LSASD MAB MOS
Edison, USA
08.2016 - 11.2021
- Candidate maintained knowledge of the Endangered Species Act, the Coastal Zone Management Act, and the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act necessary for Environmental studies, Environmental statements, Environmental reviews, environmental impact assessments and long-term air/water monitoring
- I had been working in collaboration with NJDEP and EPA headquarters for Regional Monitoring Network (RMN) for ambient monitoring
- The candidate installed temperature and pressure transducers in the air and under water
- The focus of the project was to perform advanced and continuous monitoring by deploying and managing air/water temperature and water level sensors/data loggers
- We had been collecting air and water data since 2015 in three NJ satellite locations
- This data will potentially be used to assess climate change impacts on air/water temperature and study of co-relation among other environmental attributes
- I also assisted NJDEP in habitat assessment, phytosociological attributes, and macroinvertebrates population sampling
- Lower Raritan River Pathogen Track down: This project was launched during summer, 2021 in collaboration of R2 Water Division and LSASD Monitoring & Assessment Branch. Developed Survey123 fillable forms for field data collection on the iPads/field tablets. This initiative with intuitive approach was helpful in field data collection for long term data visualization, our team and management appreciated the effort and awarded me for the cash/time off award. This initiative with intuitive approach was helpful in field data collection for long term data visualization, ur team and management appreciated the effort and awarded me for the cash/time off award
- Newark Drinking Water Lead: We sampled about 250 homes with Pure filters targeting on service line different sections based on flowrate, distance and time equation model
- NYC Water Supply Surveillance Monitoring Program: This program is in partnership with NYSDOH and U.S
- EPA; I served as an EPA Project Officer for NYC Water Surveillance Monitoring Program
- We monitor Hillview Reservoir, Kensico Shaft and 8 Tributaries
- Project Officer serves as an advisor for reviewing QAPP, perform field analysis and collects sample for laboratory analyses during inspections biannually and quarterly
- Candidate developed field and analytical reports to advise NYS Department of Health to maintain drinking water quality for public health
- National Pollutions Discharge Elimination System NPDES: Candidate assisted Monitoring & Assessment Branch inspectors’ team in several NPDES inspections for wastewater treatment plants (WWTP), industrial and pharmaceutical facilities
- I actively participated in the NPDES inspection LEAN project to improve and enhance quality and efficiency of the whole process
- Regional Science Council: I served as a representative from EPA R2 LSASD to the Regional Science Council
- I used to get involve in reviewing ORD research projects, evaluate research project applications and update regional advance/innovative science needs.
Chemist GS-12
US EPA Region-II LSASD Laboratory Branch
02.2011 - 08.2016
- Performed various environmental analyses to support Superfund, NPDES and TSCA programs with a hands-on experience in writing and reviewing QA/QC SOPs and “Laboratory Information Management system (LIMS)
- Most of the work was done in compliance with CWA and SDWA
- The core duties performed were analyses; Oil & Grease, Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (1664A), Halo acetic acids (HAA 552.2), pesticides (608 & 8081), PCBs (608, 8082) and helped in SVOCs (8270 & 625) extractions
- I participated in NELAP audits and maintained certifications for pesticides, PCBs and Halo acetic acids analyte list
- Candidate has hands on experience in preforming extractions and analyses utilizing different extraction apparatus and GC ECDs
- Analyst also developed methods for “Accelerated Solvent Extraction (ASE) and Solid Phase extraction (SPE)” to lean 75% of organic solvent consumption and resources
- I also worked as a team member to develop a pesticides GCMS and LCMS method for children health study in PR, successfully completed the project and received a national level “EPA science achievement award in chemistry section”.
Analytical Chemist
Garden State Laboratories, Inc.
Hillside, USA
12.2009 - 01.2011
- Prepared and Analyzed samples, MDL and PTs for the Halo acetic acids (HAA 552.2), pesticides (608 & 8081), PCBs (505, 608, 8082), SVOCs (8270 & 625) and Herbicides (8151) on GC ECD (HP 6890) using chemstation software for quantification, integration and analytical calculations
- Candidate successfully defended state audits and maintained certifications.
Senior Chemist
Chemtech Consulting Group, Inc.
Mountainside, USA
05.2008 - 12.2009
- Assisted in writing SOPs, updating analyses worksheet & forms, chemical inventory in the lab, Department of Defense (DOD) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) audits and successfully completed these goals
- Corrected some of the wet chemistry parameter SOPs; Hexavalent Chromium (7196, SM 3500), Reactive Cyanide (9014), Reactive Sulfide (9034), Oil & Grease/TPH/Non-Polar Material (1664 & 9071 B) and Potassium Permanganate (SM 4500).
Chemist
Garden State Laboratories, Inc.
Hillside, USA
05.2007 - 05.2008
- Started my career in environmental CLP laboratories in the United States, performed inorganic analyses, streamlined Solid phase extraction (SPE) for water and Accelerated solid extraction (ASE) for Oil & Grease (N – HEM) and Petroleum Hydrocarbon (SGT – HEM) by extraction and gravimetric EPA method 1664 A, Determined Cyanide Total (SM 4500 CN – E 20th Ed), For the Identification and Quantification of Chlorophyll have been using (SM 10200H method 20th Edition) and Analyzed concentration of Surfactants (MBAS) by SM 5540 – C 20th Edition-colorimetric.
Senior Scientist
ICI Paints
Kaller Kahar, Pakistan
12.2005 - 12.2006
- Assisted in Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) regarding ecological and biological aspects at Tobar quarry site for lime and limestone mining
- I took a lead in making an inventory of flora and fauna of the ecosystem in developing Environmental Impact Assessment that would have helped in mitigation after completion of mining operations to cover mountains with vegetation and restore the ecosystem.
Education
Master of Physical Sciences & Environmental Science, Master of Science in Biology, Master of Science in Botany, Bachelor of Physical Science, Bachelor of Science in Biology and Bachelor of Science in Botany. -
California University FCE
Los Angeles, CA04.2020
Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) in Environmental Science -
Government College University Lahore
Lahore12.2009
Master of Science in Botany -
Government College University Lahore
Lahore11.2005
Bachelor of Science (Botany, Chemistry & Zoology) -
University of the Punjab
Lahore08.2003
High School Diploma -
Government High School Daska
07.1997
Skills
- Communication Skills
- Technical Skills
- Skilled researcher
- NEPA reviewer
- Rule writer
- Grants project officer
- Purchases
- Invoice approver
- Contracting officer representative (COR)
- Project management
- Air/water quality monitoring
- Advanced monitoring
- Air/water sensors deployment
- Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)
- Clean Air Act (CAA) section 103, section 105, and section 137 program grants
- Certified FAC-COR Contracting Officer Representative (COR)
- Purchase Card Holder and Invoice Approver
- Endangered Species Act
- Coastal Zone Management Act
- Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act
- Design Values (DVs)
- QA/QC and Exceptional Events
- State Implementation Plans (SIPs)
- Advance Program
- BurnWise
- Exceptional Events
- Wildland Fire Sub lead workgroups
- Superfund
- NPDES
- TSCA programs
- Writing and reviewing QA/QC SOPs
- Oil & Grease Analysis
- Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (1664A)
- Halo acetic acids (HAA 5522)
- Pesticides (608 & 8081)
- PCBs (608, 8082)
- SVOCs (8270 & 625)
- Accelerated Solvent Extraction (ASE)
- Solid Phase extraction (SPE)
- Hexavalent Chromium (7196, SM 3500)
- Reactive Cyanide (9014)
- Reactive Sulfide (9034)
- Potassium Permanganate (SM 4500)
- Cyanide Total (SM 4500 CN – E 20th Ed)
- Chlorophyll (SM 10200H method 20th Edition)
- Surfactants (MBAS) (SM 5540 – C 20th Edition-colorimetric)
Recognition and Awards
I achieved various organizational goals and earned USEPA National Honor Award; EPA Science Achievement Award in chemistry, few Bronze Medals, and certificates of appreciation.
Publications
A.U. Khan and Saeed M. B. (2006) Preliminary survey to identify a satellite reserve of G.C. University Lahore Botanic Garden for insitu conservation of Butea monosperma Kuntz Forest at District Narowal, Proceedings of Botanic Gardens Conference on “Action Plan for Botanic Gardens Network in Pakistan” held on 24th – 25th March at GC University Lahore Pakistan: 72 – 75 ISBN 969-9071-00
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Physical Scientist GS-13
US EPA Region – ORA, Strategic Program Office
08.2023 - 12.2023
Physical Scientist GS-12
US EPA Region - II ARD TTPB MAPS
11.2021 - Current
Physical Scientist GS-12
US EPA Region - II LSASD MAB MOS
08.2016 - 11.2021
Chemist GS-12
US EPA Region-II LSASD Laboratory Branch
02.2011 - 08.2016
Analytical Chemist
Garden State Laboratories, Inc.
12.2009 - 01.2011
Senior Chemist
Chemtech Consulting Group, Inc.
05.2008 - 12.2009
Chemist
Garden State Laboratories, Inc.
05.2007 - 05.2008
Senior Scientist
ICI Paints
12.2005 - 12.2006
Master of Physical Sciences & Environmental Science, Master of Science in Biology, Master of Science in Botany, Bachelor of Physical Science, Bachelor of Science in Biology and Bachelor of Science in Botany. -
California University FCE
Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) in Environmental Science -
Government College University Lahore
Master of Science in Botany -
Government College University Lahore
Bachelor of Science (Botany, Chemistry & Zoology) -
University of the Punjab
High School Diploma -
Government High School Daska
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