Environmental Specialist II - Equipment & Fleet Management (Civil Service)

About the Role

The Environmental Specialist II performs moderately complex environmental work, inspecting and investigating facilities, sites, or incidents to ensure compliance with environmental laws and regulations. This role involves fieldwork and requires technical acumen, sound judgment, and familiarity with a broad variety of environmental issues.

Responsibilities

• Provides mid-level expertise on complex environmental evaluations, inspections, and reviews of city services and utilities; investigates complaints, performs regular inspections, and files compliance reports for environmental agencies.
• Monitors and provides expertise for cleaning spills and other potentially hazardous situations; ensures spills are cleaned appropriately, investigates causes, and determines future preventability.
• Inspects public and private sites/facilities for environmental compliance, including waste storage areas, water facilities, and stormwater management tactics; identifies and communicates issues for mitigation.
• Prepares and files extensive reports on inspection activities and findings, documenting areas of non-compliance and ensuring relevant parties are informed.
• Applies environmental policies, rules, regulations, and standards; provides training and continuous education to other employees.
• Responds to 24-hour emergency service requests and documents emergency response investigations.
• Supports the Environmental Specialist III in leading investigations with other city departments and government agencies; coordinates with the Environmental Compliance Committee.
• Performs other duties as needed or assigned.

Requirements

• High School diploma or GED.
• Three (3) years of hands-on experience in performing environmental inspections, handling hazardous materials, chemical analysis in waste management, spill response, or sample collection (soil/water/air/groundwater) for environmental compliance.
• An associate degree in chemistry, engineering, environmental, or physical sciences and one (1) year of required experience may substitute for the education and experience requirements.
• A bachelor's degree (or higher) in chemistry, environmental, or life sciences meets the education and experience requirements.
• Valid driver's license and good driving record.
• Forty (40)-hour HAZWOPER certification must be obtained within the probationary period for spill response divisions.
• For Stormwater Neighborhood division: Certified Environmental Storm Water Compliance Professional (CESCP) certification and a Boater Certificate must be obtained within the probationary period.
• For Water Quality division: Class D Water license from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and a Boater Certificate must be obtained within the probationary period.
• Must pass a background investigation; no felony convictions or deferred adjudication for any felony, Class A, or Class B misdemeanor.
• Availability to work varying shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays; subject to 24-hour call-out.

Skills

• Advanced knowledge of environmental compliance regulations (e.g., Clean Water Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act).
• Knowledge of environmental procedures and inspection tactics (e.g., RG-416 Surface Water Monitoring Procedures, RG-415 TCEQ Surface WQ Monitoring Procedures).
• Advanced knowledge of environmental codes, ordinances, and regulations (e.g., Texas Water Quality Standards).
• Ability to perform professional inspections and document non-compliant findings.
• Skill in reviewing data and drafting comprehensive communications.
• Ability to follow through and ensure resolutions are achieved.
• Ability to transfer knowledge, train, and educate other specialists.
• Advanced skills in Power BI, GIS, and Excel.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills; ability to establish and maintain working relationships.

Preferences

• OSHA 30-hour Safety Certification.
• Certified Inspector of Sediments and Erosion Control (CISEC) and Qualified Inspector of Stormwater (QCIS) certifications.
• Experience with Safety Data Sheets (SDS).
• Experience inspecting storm sewer/drainage structures (e.g., MS4, outfalls, storm sewer pipe, inlets, wing walls, culverts, junctions).

Working Conditions

• Potential exposure to bio-hazardous materials, hazardous chemicals, inclement weather, and confined spaces.

Pay

$23.68 - $26.61 per hour. The salary listed is the starting range; the amount offered will depend upon qualifications.