Chief Inspector - Water Quality

Position Overview:

The Water Quality Chief Inspector leads, manages, and coordinates a team of field inspectors and an administrative assistant to ensure compliance with state and local stormwater and onsite sewage facility (OSSF) regulations. This role oversees inspection activities, enforces compliance, and provides technical guidance while developing reports, compliance materials, and enforcement actions as needed. The Chief Inspector also collaborates with other departments and agencies to uphold water quality standards and regulatory requirements. Resume and cover letter required.

Serves as personnel manager and provides leadership to the Water Quality inspections team within the Watershed Protection Group through coaching, mentoring, training, and counseling.

Job Duties:

• Work to improve existing policies and procedures in the Water Quality Inspection team to allow for greater efficiency and effectiveness.
• Assigns work to the Water Quality inspections staff to ensure completion of all field inspection and compliance tasks, including ensuring processes are efficient and effective. This includes coordination of cases brought to Justice of the Peace courts and the County Attorney's Office by the Watershed Protection Group.
• Makes field site inspections or visits as necessary. This responsibility may require standing for long periods of time and walking on uneven terrain.
• Represents the Water Quality Inspection's team at local and regional events, including giving the occasional public presentation.
• Resolves inspection matters and violations in accordance with established regulations, orders, and procedures by written and verbal communication in a professional and consistent manner.
• Manages and provides monthly reporting related to equipment assigned to inspectors, including vehicles.
• Provides excellent customer service to both internal and external stakeholders.
• Prepares required documentation and reporting to demonstrate compliance with local, state, and federal permits and rules, as appropriate. This includes reporting related to compliance with the County's Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit and Title 30 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 285.
• Reviews new or revised environmental permits, documents, and rule proposals as directed, for potential impacts to the Water Quality inspections team activities and compliance with applicable rules.
• Assists the Watershed Protection Group Manager in the discharge of their duties, as assigned
• At times, the Water Quality Chief Inspector may be asked to assist with other duties, such as assisting with disaster recovery planning and/or operations for the County.

Under general supervision, performs inspection of businesses, buildings, infrastructure such as highways and bridges, homes, dams and sewer systems. Examines structures to ensure they have been built in compliance with building codes and ordinances.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx
If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net

This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.

Education:     Bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, Water Resources, Biology, Natural Resources, Hydrology, Ecology, Geology, Agriculture, or a closely related discipline.

Experience:

• A minimum of 8 years of relevant environmental experience in stormwater quality and onsite wastewater
• A minimum of 5 years of direct supervisory experience

Knowledge, Skill & Abilities (KSAs):

• A valid driver's license (Texas upon hire)
• Must be a State registered Designated Representative or become one within six months of hire, unless extended by the Watershed Protection Group manager due to training schedule.
• This position required daily operation of a County vehicle. Knowledge of environmental issues surrounding water quality, specifically stormwater, OSSFs, and environmental compliance
• Proven proficiency at balancing multiple tasks concurrently and exercising good judgement
• Skilled in building professional relationship across multiple disciplines
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills
• Detail oriented, conscientious, and self-motivated
• Strong analytical, problem solving, and organizational skills
• Basic computer skills and proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office programs required.
• This position requires bending, stooping and lifting up to 25 pounds, frequent walking, standing, sitting, reaching, carrying, and ascending/ descending stairs, as well as exposure to the elements in the field.

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.

Education:     Masters degree in Environmental Studies, Water Resources, Biology, Natural Resources, Hydrology, Ecology, Geology, Agriculture, or a closely related discipline.

Experience:

• Existing current State registered Designated Representative
• 10 years professional experience in environmental issues surrounding water quality, specifically stormwater, OSSFs, and environmental compliance.
• 6 years of direct supervisory experience

Knowledge, Skill & Abilities (KSAs):

• Ability to read engineering plans and specifications
• Proven leadership skills
• Consensus-builder
• Bilingual English/Spanish a plus

Position Type, and Typical Hours of Work:

• Full-Time | Regular | 40 hours per week.
• Hybrid schedule: Three days in the office and two days working from home.
• Subject to early mornings, late evenings, weekends and holidays at times, depending upon the project or workload.  

Salary: 

Physical Demands and Environmental Exposure: 

Most assignments will be performed in an office, meeting, or operations command center environment, but some field work may be required. May be required to work extended work hours during activation of disaster recovery operations for an unspecified length of time (varies based on the extent of the event).

This position requires bending, stooping, and lifting up to 25 lbs., frequent walking, standing, sitting, reaching, and ascending/descending stairs.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

FEATURED BENEFITS: 

• Medical, vision, and dental insurance.
• Wellness.
• Professional development opportunity.
• Flexible spending account.
• 457 deferred compensation plans.
• Retirement pension (TCDRS).
• Transportation assistance (Metro Ride Sponsor Program).
• Disability and life insurance.
• Harris County is a Qualified Employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).