Clean Water Fellow

JOB SUMMARY

The Clean Water Fellowship is a two-year program that provides socially and economically disadvantaged recent graduates with an interest in the water industry to work within several areas across the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District while participating in professional development workshops, career development programs and other networking opportunities. Clean Water Fellows will work with a diverse set of professionals to learn why the Sewer District is one of the leaders in wastewater and stormwater management throughout the rotational program. Clean Water Fellows will rotate through several departments including Engineering & Construction, Technical Services Group, Watershed Programs and Operation & Maintenance to assist with various projects and day-to-day assignments.  Fellows can select a department to focus their work in following the completion of all rotations, contingent on available work.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Engineering & Construction Rotation

• Performs entry-level engineering and analysis work utilizing engineering theory and problem-solving skills.
• Assists with the review of technical deliverables including design drawings and specifications, technical memoranda and project data.
• Utilizes Excel, SharePoint and Geographic Information System (GIS) to assist with data evaluation and management.
• Assists with the development of project scopes, budgets, schedules, reports, memos, correspondence and PowerPoint presentations.
• Assists in the identification of problems, research, evaluation of possible solutions/alternatives, and data analysis.
• Reads and interprets design drawings and specifications using engineering theory and construction practices.
• Performs field observations as needed to collect data, observe various field conditions and construction & operational activities.

Technical Services/Project Controls Rotation

• Assists Project Controls Team with associated project schedules, reports and analysis for the capital projects of the Sewer District’s Engineering & Construction programs.
• Assists Project Controls Team with monthly Capital Improvement Program financial data input.
• Assists with reviewing submitted progress schedules for compliance with the Sewer District’s guidelines.
• Assembles schedules, compiles cost data and inputs into the Project Controls Systems to ensure appropriate status of projects.
• Analyzes schedules for reasonableness compared to project scope and progress.
• Prepares status reports and other related project planning and control documentations requested to support department initiatives.
• Supports Project Controls Team with the review of project close outs.
• Assists with data management, specifically in GIS and document management systems.

Watershed Programs Rotation

• Stormwater Data Support:
  • Analyzes and updates impervious area (IA) dataset to support the Regional Stormwater Management Program.
  • Performs data research to support quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) tasks.
  • Develops maps, data and reports to document progress on QA/QC tasks.
• Community Discharge Permit Program Support:
  • Provides Ohio Utilities Protection Service ticket support through research and analysis.
  • Assists with the construction plan review process.
• Watershed Programs Support:
  • Administers the Educational Economically Disadvantaged Stormwater fee credit, and residential fee credit programs:
    • Assists with customer service related to the Watershed Programs including the review of customer inquiries, creation of maps and documents and recommendations for follow up action to Watershed Team Leaders.
    • Performs field work support and data collection as requested; may include inspections of streams and or stormwater management practices.
  • Regulatory Compliance Support
    • Performs QA/QC checks required for reporting to Ohio EPA, USEPA, Cleveland Department of Air Quality and other regulatory agencies:
      • Assists in completing monthly and quarterly environmental site inspections at each Sewer District facility.
      • Assists in the review of Sewer District engineering design projects by screening for environmental needs.
      • Drafts work instructions for tasks performed.
    • Health and Safety Support:
      • Completes construction design plan reviews for compliance with current occupational safety and health standards.
      • Supports in the development of plans, specifications and estimates for quotable projects.
      • Assists in the review of engineering plans and studies.  
    • Environmental Services Support:
      • Accompanies field crews conducting environmental assessments and industrial monitoring.
      • Assists in the laboratory by working with analysts, chemists and biologists to analyze wastewater treatment plant, industrial and environmental samples.
    • Stormwater Inspection & Maintenance Support:
      • Assists with field data collection related to structural conditions of stormwater assets.
      • Supports SWIM Department by monitoring completed construction projects and developing maintenance recommendations.
      • Assists with site inspections for on-going maintenance projects.
      • Supports inspection crews during wet weather events.
      • Performs data management support for GIS and the Computerized Maintenance Management System.
      • Assists Green Infrastructure crews with routine maintenance and inspection activities.
      • Assists Project Coordinators with scope development and plan reviews for small scale design/construction projects.

Operation & Maintenance Rotation

• Collaborates with various departments, manufacturer’s representatives and consultants to complete technical projects.
• Assists with research, data collection, sampling and analyzing processes.
• Assists in the review and evaluations of unit process performance efficiency and quality.
• Updates various written documents, including logs, spreadsheets and reports.
• Reviews technical deliverables including technical memoranda, project data and presentations.
• Reviews progress reports and schedules of projects.
• Assists in Capital Improvement Planning project scope, schedule and budget development.
• Assists in Business Risk Exposure scoring for maintenance related assets.

Fellowship Program Responsibilities:

• Participates in all development programs including but not limited to Lunch & Learns, Meet & Greets, Professional Development, volunteer programs, etc.
• Attends all team meetings as required by each rotation.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature as may be required.

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION

Candidate must be recently graduated within the past three (3) years and possess a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering, Water Resource Management or a related field of study.

EXPERIENCE

No previous experience required; however, prior experience and demonstrated interest in wastewater and stormwater management preferred.  

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Socially and economically disadvantaged as defined in the Sewer District's Clean Water Fellow - Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Program Policy.

Our Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Our Accessibility Statement

Our Employee Benefits & Wellness Programs
We offer a comprehensive employee benefits package including Health Insurance Coverage, Various Retirement Planning Options (Ohio Public Employee Retirement System and Deferred Compensation Plans), Flexible Spending Accounts, Employee Assistance Program, Free Parking at our facilities, Corporate Discounts, and more! We also have an active Health & Wellness Program that promotes a life/work balance.

NEORSD supports the use of hybrid work as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity and better prepares the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for hybrid work. hybrid eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.

DISCLAIMER:  The information outlined in this job description indicates the general nature and type of work performed by employees within this classification.  It is not intended to provide a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities or competencies required of employees within this classification.