Environmental Operations Specialist Senior – Public Works

Job Summary

The Clean Water division of Clark County Public Works is currently seeking an Environmental Operations Specialist Senior. Positions in this class are responsible for performing a variety of field and office assignments to carry out requirements of Clark County’s NPDES phase I municipal stormwater permit. Work requires the application of standard principles for water quality and stormwater facility maintenance, toxic materials management, and pollution source control. Duties and activities include project management, inspections of public and private stormwater facilities, inspections of businesses for source control BMPs, detection and elimination of illicit discharges to the storm system, providing technical assistance to businesses and residents on stormwater facility maintenance and pollution source control BMPs, responding to water quality complaints, and contract management.

The primary tasks and responsibilities of this position are to provide technical assistance to private stormwater facility owners to achieve maintenance compliance; determine the course of action for deficient private facilities; follow up on corrective action plan implementation.

The Environmental Operations Specialist classification is the fully experienced level within the job family. Work assignments are performed with limited technical instruction and require considerable independence in the selection of courses of action and resolution of complex or unique problems within the framework of departmental policy and procedures, applicable regulations, and accepted best practices.

Our department values our community’s diversity and seeks ways to promote equity and inclusion within the organization and with the public. Our department also encourages applications from candidates with knowledge, ability and experience working with a broad range of individuals and communities with diverse racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds.


This position is represented by Local 17, Professional and Technical Employees.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Four (4) year degree with major coursework in a natural science or related field.
• Two (two) years of experience working with the public in areas related to stormwater management, solid waste management, recycling, moderate risk waste, or environmental education.
• On a year‑for‑year basis, any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted for educational requirements.

Knowledge of:  State and local regulations pertaining to water quality and stormwater; contracts and legal documents; project management related to stormwater facilities and source controls; principles, practices and techniques of stormwater management as it relates to stormwater facility operation and maintenance and managing pollutant sources at businesses; solid and hazardous waste/materials management; detection and elimination of illicit discharges; planning and permitting processes for stormwater facilities and source control practices; and work standards and codes applicable to the job.

Ability to:  Prepare detailed documentation and communications in the form of written reports, memos, email and letters; establish effective working relationships and communication with regulatory agencies, county departments, property owners, business operators, and the public; effectively plan and organize work and complete tasks within prescribed timeframes; comprehend, interpret, and implement applicable regulations governing stormwater management, and the protection of water quality; analyze and evaluate complex problems and devise solutions; independently exercise sound judgment; maintain professional composure when dealing with difficult individuals or contentious issues; read, understand, and interpret a variety of technical design plans, maps, and manuals; maintain a valid driver’s license.

Selection Process:

Resume and other documents must be attached together in the ‘Resume Upload’ section of the application.  Multiple files are allowed, but all applicant attachments must be uploaded simultaneously, as there is no way to edit or append uploaded materials after submitting the application.

Application Review (Pass/ Fail) – An online application is required.  Attaching a resume does not substitute for a completed application; incomplete applications will not pass the application review.  Candidates deemed most qualified will be invited to participate in the remainder of the selection process.

Practical Exam (Pass/Fail) – This recruitment may require a practical exam which will be job related and may include, but not limited to, the qualifications outlined in the job announcement.  Candidates deemed most qualified will be invited to participate in the remainder of the selection process.

Oral Interview – The interview will be job related and may include, not limited to, the qualifications outlined in the job announcement.  Top candidate(s) will continue in the process.

Employment references will be conducted for the final candidates and may include verification of education.

It is general policy of the County that new employees should be hired at the lower steps of the applicable range and advance through the range at the normal progression.

First review of candidates will be February 1st.  This recruitment may close at any time on or after the first review date.

Examples of Duties

• Support the work of Clean Water Division staff and Road Operations staff and other agencies as it relates to source control, stormwater facility maintenance and water quality complaint response.
   
• Respond to, investigate, and resolve citizen complaints of illegal discharges and water quality complaints; coordinate response to small spills.
   
• Conduct on-site inspections of stormwater management facilities; determine or verify the proper function, operation, and maintenance.
   
• Provide direction, assistance, and training to county staff on NPDES permit requirements, stormwater facility maintenance, source control BMPs, spill control, and cleanup.
   
• Provide technical assistance to private stormwater facility owners to achieve maintenance compliance; determine the course of action for deficient private facilities; follow up on corrective action plan implementation.

• Conduct field investigations, research property information, review applicable codes, collect water quality and/or soil samples, perform dye tests and gather evidence as necessary to confirm or identify violations.

   

• Manage inspection and compliance data using field computers and other electronic and paper record keeping tools.
   
• Track performance measures to evaluate effectiveness of operational activities and monitor program progress.

   

• Research grant funding opportunities, assist grant proposal preparation and administration.

   

• Review and approve reimbursements and invoices and participate in the preparation of the program budget.

   

• Interpret applicable county code to apply water quality requirements. laws, codes and policies to assure county compliance.
   
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Incumbents typically work in both office and field settings associated with inspections, complaint investigations, and technical assistance visits/meetings.  Work involves management of multiple priorities and direct face-to-face interactions with the public.

Essential tasks include use of the telephone, personal computers, field computers, office equipment and driving a county or personal vehicle to travel to various work sites.  Work entails seeing, reading, speaking in person and over the phone, handwriting, typing/keyboard and manual dexterity. Work will require walking, bending, lifting, carrying, kneeling, pushing and moving heavy stormwater facility openings such as manhole covers.  Field work is performed outdoors on active commercial or industrial sites, and within stormwater facilities with rough or unstable terrain.

Salary Grade

Local 17 Engineers.11

Salary Range

$36.00 – $48.59- per hour

Close Date

Open Until Filled

Recruiter

Rori Jones

Email:

Rori.Jones@clark.wa.gov

Equal Opportunity Employer

Clark County is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal opportunity in employment, access, and delivery of all county services. Clark County’s Equal Employment Opportunity Plan is available at http://www.clark.wa.gov/human-resources/documents.

Employee Benefits and additional compensation

Clark County provides regular full-time and part-time employees with a comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, vision and dental insurance, paid leave, flexible spending accounts, life insurance and long-term disability, retirement, and deferred compensation.  Some types of employees in some positions and bargaining units might have different benefits and additional compensation.  More specific benefit information for the different bargaining units can be found at https://clark.wa.gov/human-resources/employee-benefits. Also please refer to the specific bargaining unit contract for additional compensation at https://clark.wa.gov/human-resources/documents.

Retirement Information

All Clark County employees must participate in a WASHINGTON STATE RETIREMENT SYSTEM PLAN (PERS, PSERS or LEOFF).Employee contributions begin the first day of work. Current contribution rates vary by plan but could range from 5% to 15% of gross pay, depending on the plan choice. 
 

For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems’ web site here: http://www.drs.wa.gov/

If you are in need of ADA/Section 504 assistance for accommodations, please contact Human Resources at (564) 397-2456; Relay (800) 833-6388.