Public Works - Environmental Specialist-Utilities

SUMMARY

Under the direction of the City Engineer, this position is responsible for assigned Environmental programs, which may include water conservation, vector control, cross connection control, groundwater management, liquid waste handling, and fats, oils and grease (FOG) management. The Environmental Specialist provides community outreach, educational presentations, distributes materials on environmental topics and is responsible for compliance with local, state, and federal environmental regulations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Inspect commercial and industrial wastewater pre-treatment and disposal facilities for regulatory compliance with local, state, and federal guidelines. Supervise the City’s Industrial Pretreatment regulations.
2. Investigate and document environmental complaints, violations and incidents, including hazardous materials/wastewater, illegal discharges, sewer backups, pool discharge water, chemical spills, illegal dumping, air pollution, and other environmental issues.
3. Prepare incident reports, analyze data, resolve issues, issue notices of non-compliance to involved parties, and provide guidance on corrective action, work with City code enforcement to issue notices of non-compliance with guidance on corrective actions..
4. Respond to sanitary sewer overflows, hazardous material spills, and reports of pollutants in the MS4. Document violations and report them to the appropriate governing authority. Communicate violations, deficiencies, or non-compliance issues to customers and maintain records of environmental reports.
5. Oversee the City's backflow prevention and cross-connection control program to prevent contamination risks.
6. Collaborate with the department’s operations supervisors to prepare and review regulatory reports related to water supply and wastewater collection.
7. Reviews City facilities and procedures to ensure compliance with environmental permits and regulations, advises and works with City departments to address concerns.
8. Records and documents responses, activities, and conditions in the department’s work order management system.
9. Review plans and permits ensuring environmentally related topics are addressed.
10. Educates the community, residents, local businesses, and city employees on environmental topics.
11. Utilize Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for mapping environmental hazards, water sources, and pollutant discharge areas.
12. Provide recommendations and draft policy updates to align with new environmental regulations and best practices. Advise management on environmental concerns, regulation changes, and project conditions while recommending solutions.
13. Attend local and regional training sessions, conferences, and meetings (subject to director approval) to stay informed on legislative and technical developments related to assigned programs.
14. Provides technical assistance, oversight, and guidance to other personnel regarding environmental issues.
15. Regular and timely attendance is required, as well as the ability to interact professionally and respectfully with the public, coworkers, and others in daily work activities.
16. Performs other assignments and special projects as assigned.
17. Assists with emergency and weather response activities as directed.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This job has no supervisory responsibilities but may direct the work of other support staff.

QUALIFICATIONS - To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Engineering, Biology, or related field; plus two (2) years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Valid Texas Driver’s License.

Preferred: 

• Possession of TCEQ Customer Service Inspections Certification.
• Possession of TCEQ Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester License.
• TCEQ Class C Water Distribution Operator License.
• TCEQ Class II Wastewater Collection Operator License.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents.  Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.  Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format.  Ability to effectively present information to top management and public groups.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to apply advanced mathematical concepts such as exponents, logarithms, quadratic equations, and permutations.  Ability to apply mathematical operations to such tasks as frequency distribution, determination of test reliability and validity, analysis of variance, correlation techniques, sampling theory, and factor analysis.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.  Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

SPECIALIZED KSA’S

Working knowledge of personal computer word processing, database and spreadsheet applications.  Demonstrated knowledge of environmental laws and regulations. Demonstrated knowledge of municipal water supply and distribution systems; their maintenance; and interpretation of engineering plans and drawings.  Demonstrated knowledge of wastewater collection systems and storm water collection systems.  Keyboarding skills required. Use of water sample kits for chemical analysis.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.  The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and climb or balance.  The employee is occasionally required to sit; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell.  The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts, outside weather conditions, and vibration.  The employee is occasionally exposed fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; and risk of electrical shock.   The noise level in the work environment can be loud.