Environmental Compliance Specialist Senior

Job Description:

Environmental Compliance Specialist Senior

Description

Minimum Qualifications
Environmental Compliance Specialist Senior:

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Environmental Science, Life Science, Natural Science, or related field, plus six (6) years of relevant experience.
• Graduation with a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university may substitute for two (2) years of the required experience.
• One (1) additional year of experience may substitute for one (1) year of the required education with a maximum substitution of four (4) years.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• May require a valid State of Texas Class C Driver License and the ability to meet driver eligibility standards detailed in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program.

Notes to Applicants
DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW :
Please learn more about our department and how we serve our community: What does the Watershed Protection Department do?

POSITION OVERVIEW :

Evaluate industrial and high risk operations to prevent/mitigate pollution. Investigate pollution complaints and respond to hazardous/non-hazardous material spills. Be “on-call” on a rotational basis week nights, weekends and holidays. Field response may include work in adverse weather conditions, in remote wooded areas, in and near waterways, and in confined spaces. Recommend mitigative and preventative measures and oversee remediation activities. Initiate enforcement actions. Analyze, interpret, and provide recommendations on technical and complex environmental data. Participate in scientific studies related to possible causes of water pollution. Prepare reports, letters, forms, educational materials, memos, spreadsheets, affidavits, service contracts, and purchase requests. Research and review ordinances, legislation, permits, regulations, processes and new technologies. Use a variety of field equipment, hardware, and software. Provide technical advice and prepare/present complex information to City staff, businesses, contractors, City Council, boards, commissions, and the general public. Develop and coordinate pollution prevention projects, initiatives, task forces, and committees. Act as the City’s representative to the media during pollution incidents and to promote watershed health.

ESSENTIAL STATUS :
This position has been designated as an Essential Employee position. In the event of a city-designated extraordinary situation or emergency condition, essential employees provide services that impact the public health, safety, utility services, and welfare of members of the Austin community and other employees, as well as ensure the continuity of essential operations. Essential Employees may be called back in during such events, required to modify their schedule, assigned to a City-designated work site, or retained on-site to assist with operations and recovery.

EDUCATION :
Verification of education will be conducted on the top candidate.

CRIMINAL BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION :
Job Offer is contingent on passing a Criminal Background Investigation.

ASSESSMENTS :
The candidate selected to interview is subject to pre-employment screening assessments to evaluate skill levels and competencies required for this position.

DRIVING REQUIREMENTS :
This position requires a valid State of Texas Class C Driver License or the ability to acquire one by your hire date. External New Hires must meet the City of Austin’s Driver Record Evaluation ( DRE ) requisite. To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record points within a period of thirty-six (36) months.

BENEFITS :
Working with the City of Austin provides a number of health and welfare benefits such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, career development opportunities and more. Please click here for more information.

ABOUT YOUR EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION (Please read carefully):
When completing the City of Austin Employment Application:

• Include details on the application or prior or current work history with the City of Austin.
• A cover letter is required. It does not substitute for a complete employment application.
• A detailed and complete employment application will help us better evaluate your qualifications and will be used to determine salary if you are selected for this position.
• Include details on the application of any previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications and relevant experience. Provide each job title and employment dates for all jobs on the application. Your work history should include duties you performed. “See Resume” is not acceptable and your application will be considered incomplete.
• Work history must include the month and year of employment and whether it was full or part-time work.
• Any relevant work history on the resume must also be reflected in the employment application in order to be considered.

Pay Range
$32.23 - $40.29
Hours
40 hours/week, Monday - Friday. Up to 40% telework per week after initial training period. Exceptions may apply subject to the business needs of the department.

After hours on-call work is required on a rotating shift, which periodically results in the call-back to work during nights, weekends, and holidays. May require scheduled work outside of normal business hours.
Job Close Date 02/20/2025 Type of Posting External Department Watershed Protection Regular/Temporary Regular Grant Funded or Pooled Position Not Applicable Category Professional Location 505 Barton Springs Road, Austin, Texas 78704 Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Experience:

• Experience with hazardous materials response, hazardous materials chemistry, or as a hazardous materials site worker with current 40-Hour HAZWOPER certification as per OSHA 1910.120, or the ability to obtain one within six months of hire.
• Experience working in the field of regulatory compliance, including researching and interpreting federal, state, and local environmental codes and regulations.
• Project management skills, including managing multiple high-level projects and deadlines, collecting input from diverse stakeholders, and solving complex problems.
• Oral and written English communication skills demonstrated through experience such as technical report writing, presentation delivery, and conflict resolution.
• Competent user of technological equipment including:
  • Field instruments (for example: water quality data sonde, gas meter, chlorine colorimeter, pH meter, camera);
  • Computer hardware (for example: laptop, tablet, smartphone); and
    Software applications (for example Microsoft Office, ArcGIS, phone applications, and databases).
  
  
  

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.
Coordinates, directs, and/or conducts investigations and surveys related to environmental issues and programs. Issues directives and performs enforcement actions for non-compliance with code and/or regulations. Develops sampling protocol and standard operating procedures. Responds to and directs spills and complaint actions. Provides technical information and assistance to internal and external customers. Develops and implements rules, code changes, and training programs. Implements permitting and registration programs. Reviews and interprets policies, codes, regulations, ordinances, plans, and proposals for compliance. Researches, develops, presents, and/or submits incident, inspection, and technical reports/cases to appropriate agency/personnel. Participates in and/or leads City-wide initiatives, task forces, and committees. Resolves appeals of permit denials.

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

• May provide leadership, guidance, and technical support to others.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of applicable processes, techniques, and methods.
• Knowledge of City practices, policies, and procedures.
• Knowledge of supervisory and managerial techniques and principles.
• Skill in handling conflict and uncertain situations.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Skill in using computers and related software applications.
• Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective communication and working relationships with City employees and the public.
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
• Ability to train others.

Criminal Background Investigation This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation. EEO/ADA
The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual’s AIDS , AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.
Information For City Employees: If you are an employee within the department, are in good standing and meet both the minimum and preferred qualifications, then you will receive an initial interview.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* The minimum qualifications for the Environmental Compliance Specialist Senior are graduation with a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Environmental Science, Life Science, Natural Science, or related field, plus six (6) years of relevant experience. Graduation with a Master's degree from an accredited college or university may substitute for two (2) years of the required experience. One (1) additional year of experience may substitute for one (1) year of the required education with a maximum substitution of four (4) years. Do you meet the minimum qualifications as described?

• Yes
• No

* This position requires a valid State of Texas Class C Driver License. Do you have a valid State of Texas Class C Driver License or if selected for this position, do you have the ability to acquire a valid State of Texas Class C Driver License by your hire date?

• Yes
• No

* The City of Austin Driver Eligibility Standards require that External New Hires meet the City’s Driver Record Evaluation (DRE) requisite. To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months. Do you meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

* This position requires a criminal background check. By selecting the following, you are acknowledging that you understand if you are selected as a top candidate for this position, you will need a successful Criminal Background Investigation (CBI) to be hired.

• I acknowledge and understand this position requires a Criminal Background Investigation (CBI).

* This position requires after hours on-call work schedule on a rotating shift. Are you agreeable to accepting on-call assignments which may result in a call-back to work during nights, weekends, and holidays and a work schedule outside of normal business hours as dictated by business needs?

• Yes
• No

* Please describe your work in the field of hazardous materials response, hazardous materials chemistry, or hazardous materials site worker.
(Open Ended Question)
* Do you have a current training certificate for HAZWOPER 40-hour training, per OSHA 1910.120 OR do you have the ability to obtain one within six months of hire?

• Yes
• No

* Describe your experience in the field of regulatory compliance, including relevant skills and the number of years you have worked in the field.
(Open Ended Question)
* Please describe your project management experience and relevant skills.
(Open Ended Question)
* Describe your skill in oral and written communication.
(Open Ended Question)
* Describe your level of experience using technological equipment including field instruments, computer hardware, and software applications. Please include examples.
(Open Ended Question)
* After reviewing the Environmental Factors and Physical Requirements listed in the job posting, are you able to perform the physical requirements of this position under the environmental factors listed?

• No
• Yes

* Were you referred to this job opportunity by a Watershed Protection Department employee? If yes, please provide the employee's first and last name.
(Open Ended Question)


Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents Cover Letter Optional Documents