Job Description

SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST  

FULL TIME REGULAR

PG – 22 ($23.57-$35.25)

Must have the physical, developmental and mental ability to perform job tasks, work efforts, responsibilities and duties of the job illustrated below:

MAJOR FUNCTION:

 Performs responsible, professional work for various aspects of Utilities permitting planning and resource protection.  Supervises and directs daily work assignments of assigned staff and is responsible for all personnel administrative actions and training of assigned staff. This position reports to the Utilities Environmental Manager.    

 Expected to plan, direct and implement assigned compliance programs and tasks within the section, which may include the following: Water Conservation, Water Resource Enforcement, Industrial Pretreatment, Fats, Oils, & Grease Inspection, Reclaimed Water, Residuals Hauling, Biosolids and Septage Land Application.  

 Expected to conduct field inspections of water and/or wastewater facilities and systems as necessary to evaluate data provided in support of assigned programs and will systematically store records on inspections and investigations.   

Reviews data entered by others into the Capacity Management database tracking system (CAPms) for quality control and compliance with water and wastewater treatment facilities permitting and capacity requirements.

ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES:

This position will develop and implement a Water Conservation Plan for Polk County’s utility service areas in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements.  He or she will be expected to produce, at a minimum, an evaluation of past conservation measures and an estimation of future conservation potential, as well as an assessment of the efficiency of existing conservation projects. The employee will monitor the Schedule of Conservation Projects provided in the Water Conservation Manual and the 5-Year Capital Improvement Program schedule to prepare application packages for grant funding as needed.   

 This person is responsible for the management of all assigned grant funding projects, to include applying for and monitoring approval of applications, coordinating consultant preparation of scope of services, contracts, and payment for services, performing technical reviews and acceptance of final work product, processing invoices for reimbursement and preparing written correspondence and comprehensive reports in fulfillment of these grants. The employee will be expected to evaluate data and reports prepared by others provided in support of water resource enforcement, alternative water supply projects or conservation educational activities. 

 The employee will be expected to evaluate data and reports prepared by others provided in support of water resource enforcement, alternative water supply projects or conservation educational activities.  

 In the implementation of the Water Resource Enforcement program, the employee will be expected to conduct field inspections to obtain environmental monitoring data and/or to conduct enforcement operations as assigned in areas where violation of Utilities Ordinances or inordinate utilization of water resources is recorded or suspected and will systematically store records on inspections and investigations. This position will review data collected and entered by others into the database tracking systems used by the Division. In addition, the employee may be required to prepare or review file citations in court, present sworn testimony and evidence during court hearing on water resource enforcement, industrial pretreatment, Fats, Oils & Grease, land application of biosolids and septic waste issues.   

 He or she may assist other utility staff, as directed by the Utilities Director or Environmental Section Manager.  Other duties may include the review and proper interpretation, where necessary, of the laws, rules, ordinances and other requirements, such as water policy and water resource regulation, that may affect planning functions and utility operation. In addition, the employee will be expected to collect, organize, analyze and present data that supports decision-making and program funding requirements to meet goals and objectives of the Utilities Division. The employee may represent the County at meetings, conferences, seminars, etc. and may make public presentations, as directed.   May also act as Project Manager, overseeing contract fulfillment and verifying charges on invoices for assigned projects.  Perform other related duties as required. 

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS  

• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Ability to plan, assign, direct, and evaluate the work of others.   
• Ability to conduct independent planning studies; 
• Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with government officials, fellow employees and the general public; 
• Ability to learn new software, if necessary; 
• Ability to perform field observations and research work; 
• Ability to prepare grant funding application packages; 
• Knowledge in one or more of the following areas as pertains to utilities management; hydrology, geology, biology, chemistry, physics or engineering;   

• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of utility planning, water resource management, water conservation and associated laws and ordinances governing water resource issues; 
• Knowledge of and strong ability to interpret legislation, rules, regulatory codes applicable to utilities management and planning; 
• Skill in presenting and interpreting factual data; 
• Skill in utilizing Division computer software packages, spreadsheets and databases, i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint and others to create reports, perform data manipulation and statistical analysis;   

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  

• Graduate of an accredited four (4) year college or university with major course work in a physical or natural science to include geography, geology, environmental science/policy and/or engineering.  
• Must have a minimum of five (5) years of administrative experience in Code Enforcement or utility compliance-related program working experience with at least one (1) year of supervisory training or training.
• Must be able to utilize personal computer and software utilized by the assigned work unit.  
• Must have valid driver’s license and be able to secure a valid Florida Driver's License at the time of employment within this classification. 
• A comparable amount of related training and experience may be substituted for the minimum qualifications.  

SPECIAL PREFERENCES:  

Preferred candidates should possess four (4) of the following certifications from Certification List below:

• Industrial Pretreatment (Class A, B, or C)
• Sediment and Erosion Control “Qualified Storm Water Inspector”
• Complete Groundwater Monitoring Field Course or Field Sampling Short School or FDEP SOP
• Sampling Training for Groundwater Surface Water and Wastewater
• Fundamentals of Code Enforcement certification
• Administrative Aspects of Code Enforcement certification
• Legal Issues Code Enforcement certification 
• Code Enforcement Professional certification

 SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:  

Must have home telephone at the time of employment as employee is subject to standby and/or call out for emergencies. Employee may assist with supervision and participation in any necessary emergency work. 

 This position may be required to report for work when a declaration of emergency has been declared in Polk County.