Utilities Water Quality Environmental Specialist

JOB SUMMARY

Performs technical, manual and administrative work protecting Charlotte County's water resources including activities concerning inspecting, sampling, testing, and evaluating in an environmental pollution control and/or permitting program. May assist with special projects involving the Water Quality Management Program.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Investigates complaints on environmental pollution matters, conducts surveys, performs field sampling, and testing to detect violations of applicable County and State laws.
• Assists other County departments and the general public with questions and concerns regarding Water Quality.
• Organizes and analyzes data to be used for internal projects, county-wide projects, and for statewide agencies working to protect Water Quality.
• Operates field test equipment and records test results.
• Determines the effect of pollution on plant and animal life.
• Assists with special projects involving Water Quality Management Program.
• Assists in performing routine laboratory analyses and tests and interpreting results.
• Maintains inspection records and prepares narrative and statistical reports.
• May serve violation notices or subpoenas.
• May be required to work flexible work schedule.
• Provides exceptional customer assistance, problem-solving, and/or complaint resolution by all forms of communication

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree
  1. Preferred:
     • Natural sciences, with emphasis on Policy
• One (1) year of experience in permitting in environmental compliance.
• Preferred:
  1. Experience specializing in environmental drinking water, domestic wastewater, groundwater, and surface water sampling or compliance programs.
• Or an equivalent combination of relevant training, education, and experience.

Licenses and/or Certificates:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of departmental policies, plans, and procedures.
• Knowledge of modern office practices, plans, and procedures.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other job-related computer programs and software applications.
• Knowledge of Florida's native ecosystems, flora, and fauna.
• Knowledge of operations and practices of local government.
• Knowledge of the permitting processes utilized by Federal, State, and regional regulatory.
• Knowledge of Federal and State rules that apply to applicable areas of environmental compliance criteria such as Drinking Water, Domestic Wastewater Groundwater, and Underground Injection Control (UIC).
• Knowledge of environmental sampling techniques and procedures.
• Thorough understanding of the principles and practices of land management
• Strong analytical and research skills.
• Strong written and oral communication skills to include public speaking and the ability to develop effective proposals.

• Skill in prioritizing and organizing work.
• Skill in the use of office equipment such as a computer, multi-line telephone system, scanner, fax machine, and copier.
• Ability to read and interpret environmental rules and permits to implement specific monitoring requirements. Specific knowledge of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Standard Operating Procedures for drinking water, groundwater, and surface water compliance sampling.
• Ability to prepare and/or review detailed technical reports for Federal, State, and/or local regulatory agencies. Ability to review and interpret Water Quality laboratory reports.

• Ability to maintain accurate records and reports.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle.
• Ability to trailer and operate various size vessels.
• Ability to provide internal/external guidance and customer assistance via all forms of communication

• Ability to analyze and interpret departmental functions, procedures, and policies.
• Ability to ascertain priorities and meet deadlines and objectives.
• Ability to identify common and listed vertebrate and plant species, vegetation communities, and wetlands.
• Ability to interpret and use aerial photography, GIS, road maps, etc.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple tasks with multiple deadlines.
• Ability to make recommendations and to use resourcefulness and tact in solving new problems.
• Ability to use computers for data entry, word processing, and/or accounting purposes.
• Ability to author reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with managers, service providers, other employees, and the general public.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Stooping, crouching, walking, pulling, grasping, hearing, seeing up close, seeing far away, kneeling, reaching, pushing, talking, standing, finger movement, repetitive motions, depth perception, wading. Frequent lifting of up to 25 pounds; occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is primarily performed indoors but requires some exposure to environmental changes (e.g., outdoor weather and/or field conditions, warehouses, covered loading docks, garages, etc.) or irate customers, extreme noise, odors, heights and/or dust.

RISK/SAFETY CONDITIONS

This position requires some exposure or risk related to physical and/or mental health and safety (e.g., exposure to environmentally hazardous materials, heavy equipment, assault and battery, pathogens, etc.).

Charlotte County is an Affirmative Action/ADA/Veterans' Preference and Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, minorities, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.