Water Resource Specialist

Are you passionate about protecting our community’s water resources and ensuring sustainable water management? Join our Public Works team as a Water Resource Specialist and make a lasting impact on our environment and future! The Water Resource Specialist plays a vital role in protecting and improving the City’s surface and Stormwater resources. This position ensures compliance with local, state, and federal water resource regulations while fostering community engagement and environmental stewardship. Key responsibilities include assisting with management of the City’s Local Surface Water Management Plan, Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Program, and related initiatives designed to enhance water quality and sustainability.

The role demands expertise in water resource management, strong communication and analytical skills, and a commitment to both technical excellence and public education. Collaboration with internal staff, external agencies, and community stakeholders is essential to achieve the City's water resource goals.

The City of Coon Rapids employs a great team of people dedicated and service centered! Our mission revolves around the understanding that only together, can we provide outstanding leadership and services that strengthen our community. Serving our Citizens and local businesses is essential in our work. Our vision is to strengthen our community with a respectful, collaborative, and innovative employee culture that values employee growth, personal balance, and contagious enthusiasm. Our core values include dedication to essentials such as trust, teamwork, innovation and commitment to excellence!  

Hiring Range: $32.91 - $34.81/hr
Salary Range: $32.91 - $41.01/hr

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The City of Coon Rapids is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively seeks a diverse workforce that reflects the community we serve. The City welcomes, and encourages any qualified applicant to apply regardless of race (including traits associated with race, including but not limited to, hair texture and hair styles such as braids, locks and twists), color, creed, religion, familial status, sex (including pregnancy or related conditions, gender identity/expression, and sexual orientation), parental status, marital status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit based factors or any other basis protected by law. Essential duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

Stormwater and Water Resource Management

• Manages and reports on the City’s MS4 Program, ensuring compliance with National Pollution Discharge and Elimination System (NPDES) permits, including public participation and education requirements. 
• Coordinates implementation and enforcement of stormwater policies; provides recommendations for policy updates and improvements.
• Conducts field inspections of stormwater infrastructure; including detention/retention basins, ponds, Best Management Practices (BMPs), and related drainages conveyance systems, to evaluate conditions and recommend maintenance and/or improvements.
• Assists engineering staff with field investigations related to drainage, flooding, aesthetics, and water quality concerns.
• Plans and implements stormwater Capital Improvement Projects (CIP).
• Coordinates, inspects, and documents compliance of privately owned and maintained stormwater BMPs.
• Investigates, documents, and responds to reports of Illicit Discharges.

Erosion Control and Construction Oversight

• Conducts site inspections required for MS4 compliance on all public infrastructure and private development projects
• Assists with review of private development plans, and grading permits to ensure compliance with erosion control standards and water resource regulations.
• Collaborates with internal staff on stormwater and water resource-related enforcement actions.

Customer Service and Internal Support

• Provides exceptional customer service to both internal and external customers, promoting professionalism, strong communication, team building, and alignment with City values.
• Collaborates with internal staff to support Public Works Capital Improvement Projects and initiatives.
• Offers technical guidance and support to teams working on water resource-related programs and projects.
• Develops, implements, and documents internal education and training initiatives that support MS4 program compliance, including Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination and other relevant stormwater topics.

Survey and Miscellaneous Support

• Assists with data collection and survey work as needed for water resource-related projects.
• Supports Public Works Capital Improvement and maintenance projects as assigned.
• Completes other duties as apparent, needed, or assigned with a positive attitude

Public Engagement and Education

• Attends City sponsored events to provide education on relevant stormwater topics.
• Develops, promotes, and leads educational awareness initiatives on various stormwater topics, including creation of brochures, infographics, and digital content.
• Engages schools, civic groups, and residents to foster environmental stewardship and promote best practices for water resource management.
• Responds to residents’ concerns in a professional and courteous manner to inspire confidence in the City’s water resource management efforts.

Regulatory Compliance and Collaboration

• Manage the City’s MS4 program and permit, including preparation of annual reports to ensure compliance.
• Serves as the City’s liaison with the local watershed organization, state agencies, and regulatory bodies to align stormwater goals and ensure compliance with applicable standards and requirements.
• Administers water resource grants and water efficiency rebates.

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required.

• Considerable knowledge in surface and Stormwater management practices, including erosion control, water quality monitoring, nutrient mitigation, and stormwater infrastructure maintenance.
• Advance Knowledge of environmental regulations, MS4 permitting, NPDES standards, and TMDL implantation
• Familiarity with GIS tools, GPS technology, and water quality modeling software.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills for effective interaction with residents, contractors, and regulatory agencies.
• Analytical skills to assess complex water resource challenges and propose practical, sustainable solutions.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs; experience with GIS and hydrological modeling tools preferred.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, work independently, and contribute to collaborative teams.
• Ability to effectively communicate both written and verbally.
• Regular and reliable attendance during regular business hours, and after hours as needed. 
• Ability to work under tight deadlines and pressure.
• Ability to perform duties with tact, diplomacy and discretion.
• Ability to be detail oriented and follow through with tasks.
• Ability to maintain a team and service-oriented approach to work.
• Ability to accept criticism or discipline.
• Must exhibit a positive attitude.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associate’s degree in environmental science, water resources, or a related field with relevant coursework in biology, chemistry, geography, or geology. Three years of practical experience in a related field may substitute for an associate’s degree.
• One year of experience inspecting stormwater systems and managing compliance with relevant regulations.
• Valid Minnesota Class D driver’s license.

PREFERRED QUALITIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, natural resources, or a related field.
• Experience with MS4 program administration and stormwater BMPs.
• Experience with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), GPS, surveying, hydrologic modeling, and other related technologies.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of the job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.

This work requires the frequent exertion of up to 50 pounds and occasional exertion up to 75; work regularly requires standing, walking, sitting, speaking or hearing and using hands to finger, handle or feel, frequently requires climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, reaching with hands and arms, smelling, lifting and repetitive motions and pushing or pulling; work requires close vision, distance vision, ability to adjust focus, depth perception, color perception, night vision and peripheral vision;   vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly;   hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, using of measuring devices, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities;  work regularly requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions, frequently requires working near moving mechanical parts and exposure to fumes or airborne particles and occasionally requires wet, humid conditions (non-weather), working in high, precarious places, exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals, exposure to extreme cold (non-weather), exposure to extreme heat (non-weather), exposure to the risk of electrical shock and exposure to vibration;  work is generally in a loud noise location (e.g. grounds maintenance, heavy traffic).

EQUIPMENT/JOB LOCATION:

This position will work between the Public Works Facility, and City Hall working with the Engineering department  It will use common office supplies and equipment, and the noise level is generally quiet.  Exposure to computer monitors in the office is typical.  This position works closely with others. This position will conduct both field and office work and will have  exposure to inclement weather and rough terrain is typical. This position involves driving a City or Personal vehicle for site visits, inspections, and public outreach activities.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Must comply with organizational and departmental policies.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.
• Commitment to professional development and staying current with advancements in water resource management and environmental regulations.

The position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

The City of Coon Rapids is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Salary : $68,453 - $85,301