Watershed Technician

Performs skilled administrative support work supporting the day-to-day task management within a dynamic environment. This role requires multitasking across a range of responsibilities, including scheduling, assisting with the annual budget and accounting activities, and receiving and forwarding communications internally and with external customers. Work includes a variety of complex office assistance and administrative tasks, providing primary administrative support in a division or department, preparing and maintaining detailed, complex and/or confidential records and files, preparing complex and specialized reports, assisting the public, and performing related work as apparent or assigned. Work is performed under the limited supervision of the Watershed Protection Assistant Director. 
 The following essential functions serve as a general guide for this position. Position functions are subject to change based on departmental needs and external factors including, but not limited to, regulatory requirements.

• Review new submittals for missing information and contact the applicant if details need to be added, pertaining to Land Disturbing Permit, Residential Lot Permit, and Buffer Reviews;
• Maintain digital and hard copy files of various types including but not limited to project files, complaints, and public records;
• Keeps direct supervisor and/or director informed concerning pertinent developments regarding internal and external customers/clients or job tasks;
• Processes payments for department fees in the form of credit card, check, or cash;
• Notifies staff and updates applicants as new project submittals and resubmittals are received;
• Updates the Monthly Activity, Project Central, and Stormwater spreadsheets with new projects or updates to current projects; 
• Maintains records of approved and disapproved submittals;
• Issues Land Disturbing Permits, Residential Lot Permits, and other permits as requested;
• Maintains a record of all permits and sends notifications and warnings to permittees as expirations near;
• Types a variety of documents including correspondence, forms, reports, purchase orders, requisitions, resolutions, ordinances, proclamations, court orders, and related documents, etc. where knowledge of format and presentation is necessary;
• Answers routine correspondence independently;
• Enters a variety of complex data into the computer system; gathers and compiles detailed information; prepares a variety of complex and specialized reports; checks and reviews a variety of data for accuracy, completeness, and conformance to established standards and procedures; enters and retrieves sensitive and restricted information into computer system;
• Works in a fast-paced environment while meeting time-sensitive deadlines, coordinating with multiple staff to ensure necessary notes and materials are prepared in a timely manner, and maintaining strong organizational skills where multiple tasks are overlapping;
• Produce, publish, and edit the Watershed Protection Department pages of the county website with design software and specialized databases ensuring content is organized in a clear, simple, and usable manner;
• Produces web content, which includes writing and building pages to include applications and related documentation as applications proceed through the approval process, submittals, ordinances, and regulations, monthly meetings, and a variety of information for public notification;
• Attends meetings of boards and committees (Environmental Review Advisory Committee (ERAC) and Watershed Review Board (WRB), compiles and types agendas and meeting minutes, and prepares information packets including correspondence and action items;
• Prepares annual calendars that include meeting dates for the Environmental Review Advisory Committee (ERAC) and Watershed Review Board (WRB);
• Maintains daily calendar of appointments; schedules and coordinates inspections, meetings, appointments, conferences, staff trainings, etc., makes travel and lodging arrangements and assists with event preparation and catering;
• Coordinates and prepares the department budget; processes accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, budgetary, and other financial data; codes and reconciles invoices with payment vouchers; prepares daily deposits; prepares bills; performs calculations and posts to statistical and other records applying knowledge of regulations;
• Assists in the preparation and distribution of flyers, informational material, and newsletters; prepares and submits press releases and composes public notices and ensures ads are published within required time frames;
• Greets visitors, citizens, and customers; answers telephone; provides information; forwards calls to appropriate party; assists the public with the completion of records, applications, etc., and directs visitors to appropriate party;
• Prepares and maintains a variety of office files, accounts, and other complex and specialized records;
• Complies information and verifies data;
• Purchases supplies for employees and/or department as well as obtains approval for, enters, and tracks purchase orders;
• Operates a variety of standard office equipment, performs light maintenance on photocopy and scanning equipment, and manages contracts;
• Collaborates with departments that staff work with daily to ensure clear communication and coordination of interrelated tasks;
• Regularly attends night meetings to provide staff support for boards and committees;
• Performs other duties as assigned.

High school diploma or GED and at least two years of experience; or an Associate’s degree; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. 

• Comprehensive knowledge of the organization and functions of the department and of general administrative policies and practices;
• Comprehensive knowledge of standard office practices, procedures, equipment, and office support techniques;
• Comprehensive knowledge of editing, online publishing, and website management;
• Comprehensive knowledge of business English, spelling, and arithmetic;
• Efficiency in Microsoft Office, Excel, Access, Word, and Outlook;
• Ability to maintain professional and effective customer service skills;
• Ability to keep office records and to prepare accurate reports from file sources;

• Ability to perform and organize work independently;
• Ability to prepare effective correspondence on routine matters and to perform office management details without referral to supervisor;
• Ability to operate standard office and computer equipment including ability to operate specialized software, including but not limited to phone, computer, printer/scanner, Opengov, MUNIS, and Granicus;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates and the general public.

Physical Requirements
This work requires the frequent exertion of up to 10 pounds of force and occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of 
force; work regularly requires sitting, speaking, hearing, use of hands and fingers, handling, feeling, reaching with hand and arms and repetitive motions, frequently requires walking and occasionally requires standing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, pushing, pulling and lifting; work has standard vision requirements; work requires vocal communication to express or exchange ideas by means of spoken word; work requires hearing to perceive information at normal spoken levels; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, using measuring devices, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work occasionally requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions; work is generally in a moderately quiet location (e.g. business office). 

Special Requirements
Must possess a valid North Carolina driver's license.
 
May require specific certifications and/or licenses depending on assignment.