Environmental Compliance Technician

This position supports the City's environmental compliance programs by conducting field inspections and internal program audits, evaluating compliance with applicable federal, state, and local environmental regulations, permits, and City policies, collecting compliance data, and documenting findings. This position works collaboratively with City departments, contractors, and other stakeholders to support permit compliance and promote environmental stewardship.

The ideal candidate will have a foundation in environmental compliance or a related field and the ability to develop knowledge of environmental regulations, permits, and compliance programs. 

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

          • The ability to learn and apply environmental regulations, permits, City policies, and standard operating procedures. 
          • Strong attention to detail when conducting inspections, collecting compliance information, and maintaining records.
          • The ability to communicate environmental requirements and inspections findings clearly and professionally. 
          • The ability to work collaboratively with City departments, contractors, developers, and other stakeholders.

The ideal candidate will be comfortable using Microsoft Office applications and able to learn compliance tracking systems and tools such as EAM (Lucity), GIS applications or similar platforms. 

The successful candidate will be organized, dependable, and willing to learn, with strong communication skills, attention to detail, and a commitment to public service, environmental compliance, and professional development. The candidate will also demonstrate the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic regulatory environment.

This information is intended to be descriptive of the key responsibilities of the position. The following functions do not identify all duties performed by the incumbent. Other duties and responsibilities will be performed as assigned.

• Conducts environmental compliance inspections, assessments, and monitoring activities at City facilities and operations to evaluate compliance with applicable environmental regulations, permits, City policies, standard operating procedures, and best management practices. Performs required stormwater monitoring activities, identifies deficiencies and potential pollutant discharges, and verifies implementation of corrective actions. 

• Develops and applies a working knowledge of environmental permits, regulations, ordinances, and program requirements, including stormwater, air quality, hazardous materials, chemical management, spill prevention, and other environmental compliance programs. Communicates applicable requirements and inspection findings to City staff and other stakeholders and provides technical compliance support within established procedures.

• Collects, documents, and maintains environmental compliance data, inspection records, photographs, sampling documentation, and other program records to support permit compliance, regulatory reporting, performance tracking, and records management.

• Responds to environmental complaints, illicit discharges, spills, and other compliance concerns. Investigates and documents potential environmental concerns and supports corrective actions and pollution prevention activities in accordance with applicable requirements and established procedures.

• Formal Education/Knowledge: Work requires the knowledge necessary to understand basic operational, technical, or office processes.   Level of knowledge equivalent to four years of high school or equivalency.
• Experience: Minimum of 3 years of experience in a related field.
• Certifications and Other Requirements:  Valid Arizona Operator’s Driver’s License
  • NPDES/MS4 Compliance Inspector Certification within six (6) months of hire. 
  • Completion of 24-Hour HAZWOPER training within twelve (12) months of hire.
• Reading: Synthesizes complex or diverse information; collects and researches data; uses intuition and experience to complement data; designs workflows and procedures.
• Math: Work requires the ability to perform complex scientific calculations and equation solving.
• Writing: Work requires the ability to write general correspondence, memorandums, letters, reports to staff, project conditions, construction notes or related information clearly so there is little possibility of misinterpretation by contractors.
• Managerial: Job has no responsibility for the direction or supervision of others but may provide advice/direction to an employee with less experience/skill or tenure. An example would be a “II” advising a “I”. 
• Policy/Decision Making: Moderate - The employee normally performs the job by following established standard operating procedures and/or policies. There is a choice of the appropriate procedure or policy to apply to duties. More complex work as well as decisions with more significant impacts may be reviewed prior to being finalized
• Technical Skills: Comprehensive - Work requires comprehensive, practical knowledge of a technical field with use of analytical judgment and decision-making abilities appropriate to the work environment of the organization.
• Interpersonal/Human Relations Skills: Moderate - In addition to the sharing of information, interactions at this level may also include providing advice to others outside direct reporting relationships on specific problems or general policies/procedures. In many of the interactions, contacts may require the consideration of different points of view to reach agreement. Elements of persuasion may be necessary to gain cooperation and acceptance of ideas.

0–3 Months

• Become familiar with the City's environmental compliance programs, organizational structure, standard operating procedures, and inspection processes. 
• Develop a foundational understanding of the purpose and regulatory framework of the City's environmental permits, including MS4, MSGP, SPCC, air quality, hazardous waste, and other assigned programs. 
• Shadow inspections with the Environmental Compliance Specialist and Supervisor to learn inspection techniques, permit requirements, and best management practices.

3–6 Months

• Demonstrate a working knowledge of assigned environmental permits and the ability to identify applicable permit requirements during routine inspections. 
• Independently conduct routine inspections with minimal supervision and accurate document findings. 
• Explain basic permit requirements, best management practices, and corrective actions to City staff with guidance from the Environmental Compliance Specialist or Supervisor. 
• Obtain MS4 Compliance Inspector Certification. 

6–12 Months

• Demonstrate proficiency in interpreting assigned environmental permits and regulations to support inspections and promote regulatory compliance.
• Apply permit requirements and regulatory knowledge to evaluate compliance, recommend corrective actions, and provide technical assistance to City departments. 
• Assist with permit implementation, compliance documentation, regulatory reporting, and environmental compliance projects. 
• Complete department-approved professional training, such as OSHA 24-Hour HAZWOPER, or Certified Environmental Specialist Training.