WATERSHED RESTORATION ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST (PERM/FT/BENEFITS)

Harford County Government is seeking qualified experienced candidates to join the Watershed Protection and Restoration Office within the Department of Public Works.  This office administers the County’s Municipal Storm Separate Sewer System (MS4) permit under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program and the requirements of the MS4 permit.

The successful candidate will be familiar with stream water quality impacts and methods to measure, quantify, and mitigate those impacts. Note that the classification for this position has two progressively responsible levels.

Through the recruitment process, a determination will be made on which position will be offered to a candidate, based upon their education and experience. 

Watershed Restoration Environmental Specialist I
Under general supervision, this employee participates in implementing one or more of the requirements of the MS4 permit

Watershed Restoration Environmental Specialist II
Under general supervision, this experienced employee oversees and/or participates in implementing one or more of the requirements of the MS4 permit.

• Participates in planning and project prioritization of capital improvement projects that meet the requirements of the County’s MS4 permit.  
• Reviews available written reports and participates in on-site field evaluations.
• Assists in the development of the five-year capital improvement program budget.
• Coordinates with property owners to effectively communicate the benefits of the capital improvement project in order to obtain necessary easements.  
• Property owners include private property owners, homeowner associations, commercial property owners, Harford County schools, and other County departments.
• Assist with the development of scopes of work for capital improvement projects.
• Reviews and approves technical proposals to ensure all necessary tasks are included for the delivery of a completed project.  
• Reviews and approves invoices.  
• Tracks project schedules.
• Assist in the review of computations, plans, specifications, and plats to ensure conformance with sound engineering practices and applicable codes and regulations.
• Communicate both verbally and in writing with design engineers to discuss recommendations and comments.  
• Negotiates appropriate solutions to problems as applicable.
• Coordinates with internal and external agencies to ensure compliance with County codes and regulations including but not limited to erosion and sediment control, stormwater management, forest conservation, and wetlands and waterways.
• Requests funding approval for construction contracts for capital improvement projects.  
• Manages construction oversight contracts as necessary.  
• Coordinates with County construction inspectors to ensure projects are constructed as designed and as presented to property owners. 
• Develops appropriate solutions to problems as applicable.
• Assist in the review of documents for the completion and close out of capital improvement projects including as-built drawings.  
• Coordinates permit closeout and ensure necessary permit conditions are met including long-term monitoring as necessary.
• Represents the department at public hearings, meetings, and conferences as assigned.  Answers public inquiries and acts on citizen complaints and suggestions.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:  

• Thorough knowledge of Federal, State, and County environmental laws, regulations, and policies. 
• Thorough knowledge of water quality and quantity concepts related to stream health and natural resources processes. 
• Thorough knowledge of stormwater hydrology and hydraulics. 
• Thorough knowledge of watershed restoration capital improvement projects including but not limited to stormwater management retrofits, stream restoration, and tree planting.
• Administrative, planning, and organizational skills. 
• Effective oral and written communication skills. 
• Exceptional problem-solving skills. 
• Proficient communication skills when dealing with the public. 
• Ability to represent the Department before community groups and/or committees.
• Knowledge of GIS, including data analysis, transfer and formatting
• Knoweldge of Harford County specific data layers, creation detail, ownership, and display
• Knowledge of database query procedures and ability to assess the accuracy of results
• Ability to manipulate spatial data, cartographic output and design, software commands, data editing, accuracy determination, digitizing, scanning, plotting, data acquisition and general computer operation

EDUCATION: 
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, environmental engineering, environmental science, natural resources, urban planning, or closely related technical discipline.
Proof of college degree required by selected candidate.

EXPERIENCE: 
Related experience in Environmental Science or Engineering is preferred. 

LICENSE:
Possession of a professional engineer’s license issued by the State of Maryland is preferred but not required.

SAFETY: 
Must comply with all Federal (OSHA), State of Maryland (MOSH), safety regulations, and applicable Harford County safety policies, procedures, or manual as required for this position.   

Salary : $50,000 - $70,000