Environmental Resources Specialist 1 - Public Works (Temporary Opportunity)

Salary : $54,453.20 - $80,719.62 Annually
Location : (Public Works Admin Bldg) Arden Hills, MN
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 2024-00241
Department: 55B02-Public Works/Eng/EnviroSvc
Opening Date: 03/08/2024
Closing Date: 3/21/2024 3:10 PM Central
Basic Function
The current vacancies are in the Public Works department.
Ramsey County is now recruiting for two temporary seasonal Environmental Resource Specialist 1 positions. Both positions will work within the Environmental Services Division of the Public Works Department. One position focuses on Water Quality and the other position focuses on Environmental Maintenance and Inspections. Key tasks for each position are listed below.
Water Quality:

• Obtain water samples from lakes susceptible to winter fish kill and analyze for oxygen content to determine need for aeration.
• Obtain water samples from surface waters and storm sewers to determine water quality through laboratory analysis of chemical and biological properties such as pH, zooplankton, phytoplankton, nitrogen analysis, conductivity, chloride, chlorophyll A, E. coli, hardness, alkalinity, turbidity, and phosphorous level; identify the presence, community composition, and distribution of macrophytes; and document results for use in water quality improvement activities.
• Obtain water samples from county beaches and analyze for presence of E. coli to determine safety for recreational use.
• Organize annual weed and algae control programs by corresponding with lake improvement associations, assessing their responses and monitoring the work of contractors hired to perform weed control activities.

Environmental Maintenance and Inspections:

• Perform soil testing including mechanical and qualitative analysis and identification of hydric soils. Conduct field inspections of engineering projects to document adherence to environmental protection requirements.
• Investigate and initiate remediation of spills or contamination of county properties in compliance with state and federal regulations.
• Conduct periodic inspection of county facilities and infrastructure such as lake outlets, storm sewer, stormwater treatment systems, and erosion control projects; and prepare lists of required maintenance materials and actions.
• Provide GIS services including coordinating, initiating, and implementing programs/services, planning and budgeting conservation activities, writing grants/securing funding, providing reports, updates, and outcomes, providing consultation, and other tasks as assigned.
• Interpret data, create and maintain GIS databases and maps, and use GIS software to analyze spatial and non-spatial information.

The basic functions of this position are perform environmental analysis, monitoring, GIS surveying and inspection duties related to the environmental functions within an assigned department; to conduct research and prepare plans and reports relating to environmental quality and natural resource management of lands, surface water and groundwater; to provide subject matter expertise in core environmental services to complete a variety of conservation projects; and to perform related duties as assigned. (This is the entry-level of this classification series. Experience at this level enables employees to gain the knowledge and skill required for advancement to Environmental Resources Specialist 2.)
PUBLIC WORKS: To perform environmental testing, monitoring, and inspection duties related to the functions of the Environmental Services Division; to perform related duties as assigned.
Please Note: This job posting/recruitment is being conducted to fill temporary (not to exceed 6 months in length) appointments. Applicants/Candidates chosen for hire from this process will not gain rights or preference for other permanent Ramsey County jobs. Temporary appointments are not benefit eligible.
To view or print a copy of the complete Ramsey County job (class) description for this position, go to: Once at this page, you can browse the alphabetical list or search for a job description.
Examples of Work Performed

1. Provide technical assistance to Ramsey County landowners, internal staff and partnering agencies on implementing urban best management practices (BMPs).
2. Prepare cost estimates, project schedules and contract execution; oversee construction activities, project verification and closeout.
3. Serve as division liaison to citizen groups, local elected officials, environmental interest groups and the public by providing information regarding environmental resource management activities and impacts from county projects.
4. Provide community outreach by working with student groups and educators for information on natural resource protection.

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT ASSIGNMENT:
Water Quality

1. Obtain water samples from lakes susceptible to winter fish kill and analyze for oxygen content to determine need for aeration.
2. Obtain water samples from surface waters and storm sewers to determine water quality through laboratory analysis of chemical and biological properties such as pH, zooplankton, phytoplankton, nitrogen analysis, conductivity, chloride, chlorophyll A, E. coli, hardness, alkalinity, turbidity, and phosphorous level; identify the presence, community composition, and distribution of lake weeds; and document results for use in water quality improvement activities.
3. Obtain water samples from county beaches and analyze for presence of E. coli to determine safety for recreational use.
4. Organize annual weed and algae control programs by corresponding with lake improvement associations, assessing their responses and monitoring the work of contractors hired to perform weed control activities.

Natural Resources Management

1. Inspect county properties for diseased or hazardous trees, estimate volume of trees to be removed, research developments in tree management, prepare specifications for hiring contractors to perform trimming or removal work, prepare requests for funding, review contractors' work, drafts annual report, and monitor expenditures.
2. Conduct research and perform analyses of the environmental aspects of proposed engineering projects (such as noise levels, air quality, water quality, and impact on wetlands and wildlife).
3. Perform soil testing including mechanical and qualitative analysis and identification of hydric soils. Conduct field inspections of engineering projects to document adherence to environmental protection requirements.

Regulatory Permitting

1. Draft permit applications and negotiate mitigation and permit conditions with state, federal, and local agencies for county projects.
2. Ability to read and interpret construction plans and have knowledge of hydrologic and hydraulic modeling.
3. Organize and perform plan surveys, construction inspection, and assist in the design and plan preparation for lake improvement, erosion control and other environmental projects.
4. Model for hydrologic and pollutant loading using WinSLAMM/P8 and HydroCAD as necessary.

Environmental Maintenance

1. Use AutoCAD and Vectorworks, design conservation projects, such as rain gardens and shoreline restorations, to reduce storm water volume and improve water quality of local water resources; consult on landscaping with native plants.
2. Investigate and initiate remediation of spills or contamination of county properties in compliance with state and federal regulations.
3. Conduct periodic inspection of county facilities and infrastructure such as public water accesses, lake outlets, storm sewer, stormwater treatment systems, and shoreline erosion control projects; and prepare lists of required maintenance materials and actions.
4. Provide GIS services including coordinating, initiating, and implementing programs/services, planning and budgeting conservation activities, writing grants/securing funding, providing reports, updates, and outcomes, providing consultation, and other tasks as assigned.
5. Interpret data, create and maintain GIS databases and maps, and use GIS software to analyze spatial and non-spatial information.

(The work assigned to a position in this classification may not include all possible tasks in this description and does not limit the assignment of any additional tasks in this classification. Regular attendance according to the position's management approved work schedule is required.)
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 1, 2, 3, 4.
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT ASSIGNMENT:
Water Quality: 1, 2, 3, 4.
Natural Resources Management: 1, 2, 3.
Regulatory Permitting: 1, 2, 3, 4.
Environmental Maintenance: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
Minimum Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science or Design, Biology, Forestry, Conservation Biology, Natural Resource Management or a related environmental science.
Experience: None.
Substitution: An Associate degree and two years of experience in Environmental Science or Design, Biology, Forestry, Conversation Biology, Natural Resource Management, or a related field.
Certifications/Licensure: Must have a valid driver's license. Work assignment may require incumbent after hire to obtain additional certification or licensure by the State of Minnesota in environmental areas such as tree inspection or erosion and sediment controls.
Exam/Screening Process Information
All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and properly complete an application will be forwarded to the hiring department/manager for consideration for this temporary position. Temporary appointments work up to a maximum of six months. Candidates chosen for hire into a temporary assignment will not gain any rights or preferences for other permanent, Ramsey County positions.
Criminal Background Checks: All employment offers are conditioned upon the applicant passing a criminal background check. Convictions are not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered on its individual merits and the type of work sought. However, making false statements or withholding information will cause you to be barred from employment, or removed from employment.
E-Verify Participation: Ramsey County participates in the federal E-Verify program. This means that Ramsey County will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Ramsey County is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact DHS and/or the SSA before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers may not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants and may not limit or influence the choice of documents you present for use on the Form I-9.
Equal Opportunity Employer: Ramsey County provides equal access to employment, programs and services without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, sex (except when sex is a Bona Fide Occupational Qualification), disability, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, public assistance or national origin.
To print a paper application for this posting click . You will need to print this posting and answer the supplemental questions associated with this exam and submit them with your completed paper application.
For further information regarding this posting, please contact
Ramsey County provides a wide range of employee benefits to support health, well-being, and work/life balance. Benefits eligibility can vary depending on union status/contract language. A summary of benefits is provided below. Detailed information is available for review at

• Medical, dental and vision insurance
  • The County contributes a bargained percentage to the medical and dental monthly premium
  • Employees choose from four enrollment tiers: Single, Employee + legally married spouse, Employee + Child(ren), Family
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield Medical insurance - three plan options including a High Deductible Plan with a Health Saving Account offered. Earn up to $20/month in electronic gift cards for each enrolled employee or spouse for wellness activity
  • MetLife Dental Insurance - two plan options offered
  • VSP Vision Insurance - Advantage Plan offered

• Pre-tax Benefit Program
  • Pre-tax medical, dental, vision monthly premium deduction option
  • Dependent and Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts
  • County monthly contribution to a Health Savings Account for employees who elect the High Deductible medical plan

• Paid time off
  • Vacation hours, accrued based on years of service, ranging from 12 to 25 days per year (pro-rated for part-time employees)
  • 11 scheduled holidays and one floating holiday
  • Up to three weeks of 100% paid parental leave, plus additional use of sick time as noted below
  • Sick hours accrued at a rate of three weeks per year, which can be used for medical and dental care; injury or illness for you, your spouse or children; the birth or adoption of a child (up to 80 hours) or the death of a family member (up to 40 hours)
  • Wellness incentive allows conversion of unused sick time to vacation or pay

• Retirement benefits
  • Pension - The county contributes at least 7.5% of your salary to your pension, depending on bargaining unit. Unlike other retirement investments, pension payments are a lifetime benefit once you start collecting payments
  • New employees become vested after five years. For the Police and Fire union, employees are vested after 10 years
  • Deferred compensation - 457(b) account with employer match
  • Health Care Savings Plan - all benefits-eligible employees contribut...