Environmental Compliance Specialist

About the role

The Environmental Compliance Specialist performs complex, professional, technical work related to the City’s Industrial Pretreatment Program. The role regularly conducts inspections, reviews regulations, collects wastewater samples, analyzes data, writes permits, and performs other associated tasks to prevent inhibition, interference, and pass‑through at the City’s seven wastewater treatment plants and ensure biosolids are available for beneficial re‑use. Daily interaction is required with laboratory, treatment plant, industry personnel, regulatory, legal, and research staff as well as the public. Numerous special projects related to pretreatment, collection systems, new regulations, and other pertinent topics are assigned. Public outreach to large and small groups is also a regular part of the job.

Pay

Salary range: $33.43 – $37.13 per hour, commensurate with experience.

Responsibilities

• Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations related to industrial customers, pretreatment, and industrial waste.
• Performs inspections of industrial facilities.
• Writes industrial user permits in accordance with local, state, and federal regulations.
• Conducts site visits; collects samples; evaluates results.
• Educates and assists businesses and industries regarding regulations and standards.
• Monitors and develops administrative orders, compliance orders, and other enforcement actions.
• Evaluates wastewater surveys and permit applications.
• Evaluates industrial user compliance.
• Reviews and approves industrial pretreatment designs.
• Reviews and evaluates industrial waste surveys.
• Conducts field investigations including wastewater sampling.
• Assists in the development and delivery of training programs.
• Assists with optimization initiatives such as ISO in environmental compliance.
• Conducts outreach activities.
• Performs other related job duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in science, chemistry, biology, biochemistry, or a related field from an accredited school.
• Three (3) years of related work experience, preferably in industrial plant processes and industrial water/wastewater treatment processes.

Licenses & Certifications

• Valid driver’s license required.
• Must obtain and maintain a City Driver’s Permit.
• Wastewater Operator Certifications in Biological Wastewater Treatment, Wastewater Collections, and/or Physical/Chemical — a plus.
• Industrial Pretreatment Program Specialist Certification — a plus.

Skills

• Knowledge of water/wastewater treatment and chemistry.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal water/wastewater treatment regulations including the Clean Water Act, Industrial Pretreatment, and/or NPDES.
• Knowledge of ISO environmental management systems and continuous improvement programs.
• Knowledge of computers, database software, and Microsoft Office (Word and Excel).
• Skill in communicating, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to collect wastewater samples.
• Must be able to lift and carry at least 60 pounds and walk sewer lines over rough, uneven terrain; some bending, stooping, and lifting required.

Physical Demands

The work is medium work requiring application of 30 pounds of force frequently and up to 75 pounds of force occasionally to move objects. Required physical abilities include: balancing, climbing, crouching, manual dexterity, grasping, handling, perceiving sounds at normal speaking levels, distinguishing among sounds, kneeling, lifting, mental acuity, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, standing, stooping, expressing ideas by spoken word, shouting above noises, visual acuity (data, color, observations, equipment, inspections), and walking.

Work Environment

Work is performed in a dynamic environment requiring sensitivity to change and responsiveness to shifting goals, priorities, and needs. Requires working outside in various weather conditions; working different shifts; and working “on call” and after hours (nights, holidays, and weekends).

Conditions of Employment

• Background check required (reference checks, social security verification, education verification, criminal conviction record check, and if applicable credit history check, sex offender registry, and motor vehicle records check) in compliance with federal and state statutes including the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
• Final candidates must pass a pre‑employment drug‑screening test and physical examination.
• During selection, candidates may be asked to take a skills test and/or participate in other assessments.