Environmental Specialist I

Salary : $41,187.00 - $54,161.00 Annually
Location : Norfolk, VA
Job Type: Permanent Full-time
Job Number: 011499
Department: Utilities
Division: Water Quality
Opening Date: 12/15/2023
Closing Date: 1/5/2024 11:59 PM Eastern
Description
The City of Norfolk's Department of Utilities, Water Quality Division, is currently seeking a Environmental Specialist I to assist in managing environmental permits. This person conducts technical reviews of developments. Provides information and support to the community. Maintains reports. Investigates illegal activity complaints. Performs related duties as required. Ensures fair and consistent implementation of FOG control requirements and enforcement in accordance with the Sewer Use section of the City Code.
Essential Functions
Essential functions include but are not limited to:

• Conducts outreach and educational activities with Food Service Establishments (FSEs) regarding FOG best management practices.
• Checks grease control devices and maintenance records.
• Issues and reviews violations of the FOG program.
• Reviews documents from inspections of grease control devices (GCDs).
• Recommends appropriate responses(s) to non-compliance of the FOG program.
• Assists in developing and overseeing FOG compliance monitoring schedules of FSEs.
• Consults with City Attorney on all legal issues.
• Requires the ability to read and interpret federal and state regulations, city ordinances, reports, legal summons, site plans, correspondence, technical manuals, aerial photos, and road maps.
• Must be proficient with compiling and maintaining statistical and performance data.
• May design and maintain reports for research and project progress.
• May be required to conduct presentations to groups.
• May be required to testify on behalf of the City on FOG enforcement actions.
• Must be proficient with the use of computers to prepare correspondence, perform data entry, and maintain tracking databases and spreadsheets.
• Requires the ability to monitor and assist with the development of internal policy/SOPs.
• Must be able to open manholes, grease traps, and grease interceptors.
• Must be able to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Valid driver's license required.
• Must be able to obtain a City of Norfolk Special Police Commission within 6 months of employment (pending update of City's procedure)

Special Assignments/Duties

• Review submittals for GCD approval and issue approval letters in a timely manner
• Return all FOG email/phone inquiries in a timely manner
• Compliance through education. Educate customers during approval process on FOG/Cross Connection (CC) standards. Refer customers to CC Office if necessary
• Provide and maintain educational materials related to the FOG program for dissemination during onsite visits, inspections, and follow up inspections
• Conduct inspections weekly, focusing, for now, on downtown Norfolk (Granby St.)
• Work with Manager to develop an appropriate work schedule/workflow
• Attend WWMG meetings as necessary
• Attend regional FOG/HRPDC meetings as necessary
• Provide continual and effective communication between CC Office, FOG Office, and Water Quality Manager

Education/Experience
Work requires broad knowledge in a scientific profession or technical field. Knowledge is normally acquired through four years of college resulting in a bachelor's degree or equivalent.
One year experience.
Additional Information & Requirements
Valid Driver's License
Must be able to qualify for Special Police Commission within six (6) months of appointment (City of Norfolk Special Police Commission)
Work Hours: Monday through Friday; 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Work Location: 6040 Waterworks Road, Norfolk, Virginia 23502

• Regular full-time and permanent part-time employees may receive paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, employer paid pension plan, basic life insurance, voluntary participation in medical and dental, Section 457 deferred compensation, long-term disability, optional life insurance for self, spouse and children, medical and dependent care reimbursement plans, access to membership in credit union and employer provided parking.
  
• Special project/grant employees are generally eligible for the same benefits of regular full-time employees; however, retirement, life insurance and participation in health plans vary depending upon funding and authorization.
  
• Temporary/seasonal and part-time employees are generally only eligible for employer provided parking and access to membership in credit union.
  
• Retirement

If you are hired October 5, 2010, or after to a position with City of Norfolk Retirement System benefits, you will be required to contribute five percent (5%) of your salary toward your retirement benefit. This will be a pre-tax payroll deduction.
If you are hired January 1, 2022, or after to a position with Virginia Retirement System (VRS) benefits, you will be required to contribute five percent (5%) of your salary toward your retirement benefit. This will be a pre-tax payroll deduction.

• The Tuition Assistance Program is established to encourage employees toward continued self-development and education. Permanent full-time and permanent part-time classified, unclassified permanent, full-time special projects, and constitutional employees who have completed six months continuous service will be eligible to apply. The applicant's school of enrollment must be an accredited institution.

NOTE:
The benefits described above are broad generalizations. The specific benefits that an employee may be eligible for are governed by City regulations, as applicable to job type.
Non-City
Positions listed with a job type designation of "Non-City" are not subject to the benefits descriptions above. Refer to the content of the job posting for information regarding these positions.
01
The following Supplemental Questions are specific to the position for which you have applied to assist the hiring manager in screening applications for specific experience being sought. Please be specific in answering these questions as they will be used to evaluate which applications will be given further consideration in the process. Do not answer "see resume" or "see application" as these are not valid answers. Please note that if you are invited to be interviewed by the department, your responses to the following questions may be subject to verification.

• I understand and will answer the following supplemental questions completely and thoroughly.

02
If you were referred for this position by a current City of Norfolk employee, please provide the employee's full name, department, and job title. If not, please indicate by typing "N/A."
03
Please select the highest level of education you have completed.

• High School Diploma/GED
• Some College (6 months or more)
• Vocational/Technical Degree
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree or higher

04
How many years of related experience do you possess?

• I have less than 2 years of experience
• I have 2 to 4 years of experience
• I have 4 to 6 years of experience
• I have over 6 years of experience

05
Please briefly describe your experience as it relates to question number three:
06
Please select from the following you possess experience in:

• Conducting outreach and educational activities with Food Service Establishments
• Reading and interpreting federal, state, city ordinances, reports and legal summons
• Issuing and reviewing violations
• Conducting presentations

07
This position requires a proficient level of computer skills. Please select the response that best describes your computer skill level, including using Microsoft Office.

• I have no Microsoft Office Experience.
• Beginner
• Intermediate
• Advanced

08
Do you understand you must be able to qualify to obtain a City of Norfolk Special Police Commission within six months of hire?

• Yes
• No

09
Please provide an explanation of any periods of unemployment that are 30 days or longer. Indicate N/A if you have not experienced any periods of unemployment.
10
Do you have a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

11
Are you a current or previous City of Norfolk employee?

• Yes - I am a current City of Norfolk Employee
• Yes - I am a previous City of Norfolk Employee
• No - I am not a previous or current City of Norfolk employee

12
Please indicate your veteran status. (A copy of your long form DD-214 may be required)

• I am not a Veteran
• I am a Veteran
• I am a Disabled Veteran

Required Question