Environmental Specialist III - Office of Environmental Quality (Non-Civil Service)

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Job Summary

Under minimum to no supervision, performs complex environmental work. Inspects public and private facilities, indoor and outdoor sites, and investigates incidents to determine compliance with environmental laws and regulations. Works independently and is responsible for making decisions requiring technical discretion, sound judgement, and specialized knowledge.

Job Description
 

Overview 
The Environmental Specialist III conducts inspections and investigations of public and private sites to ensure compliance with environmental laws and standards. Responds to review requests, prepares detailed reports, supports audits through site visits and documents reviews, and collects and analyzes environmental samples. The role also includes managing hazardous waste disposal, assisting with document control, and supporting interdepartmental investigations and water quality programs. 

Essential Functions 
1 Travels through the City of Dallas to inspect and evaluate various public and private facilities utilizing ISO standards; performs complex environmental evaluations, inspections, and reviews city services and utilities; investigates complaints, and files compliance reports for environmental agencies. Conducts water quality monitoring and sampling, collects grab samples, preserves sample integrity, records field results, and prepares samples for laboratory analysis to meet program requirements. 
2 Oversees, monitors, and provides experience-based skill for cleaning spills and other potentially hazardous situations affecting the MS4; ensures spills are cleaned appropriately, investigates causes of incidents to determine preventability, and ensures incident reports are filed accordingly. 
3 Inspects public and private sites and indoor/outdoor facilities for environmental compliance; reviews waste storage areas, workplace chemical lists, water facilities, SCBA equipment, stormwater management tactics, permits, and other water activities; observes and identifies issues, mitigates and follows through the resolution of the identified issues. 
4 Reviews and files extensive data-driven reports on inspections, service requests and spill response activities; documents areas of non-compliance, produces preventable reports, makes recommendations on various incidents; ensures all relevant parties are aware of issues and have comprehensive data to make informed decisions; provides follow-ups on compliance investigations. Tracks and maintains inventory of environmental spill response supplies. 
5 Applies and enforces environmental policies, rules, regulations, and standards to meet and exceed expectations set by the City of Dallas; provides training and continuous education to other employees to ensure all inspection and compliance activities are completed efficiently. 
6 Responds to 24-hour emergency service requests and assists with reports for Environmental Compliance Committee meetings. 
7 Reviews permits and regulations regarding various industries and monitors compliance with permitting standards. 
8 Maintains compliance with Federal, State and local regulations of a waste storage facility. Supports operations of the generation and disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous waste accumulated by Dallas Fire & Rescue (DFR) and the Stormwater Compliance response team, when necessary. Performs daily operations and required inspections of the Stormwater
Compliance Waste Yard. Conducts deliveries of environmental spill remediation supplies to all DFR fire stations. 
9 Performs other work as needed or assigned. 

Knowledge and Skills 
1 Thorough knowledge of environmental compliance regulations, such as The Clean Water Act (CWA) and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). 
2 Thorough knowledge of environmental procedures and inspection tactics, such as RG-416 Surface Water Monitoring Procedures (Bio Program) and RG-415 TCEQ Surface WQ Monitoring Procedures (Physical & Chemical Monitoring). 
3 Expert knowledge of environmental codes, ordinances, and regulations, such as Texas Water Quality Standards. 
4 Expertise in performing professional inspections and documenting non-compliance findings. 
5 Skill in resolving findings and ensuring issue closure. 
6 Skill in developing training materials and educating other specialists and citizens. 
7 Ability to provide engagement and follow up to ensure environmental standards are achieved. 
8 Advanced skill in communicating effectively both verbally and in writing.
9 Advanced skills in Power BI, GIS, and Excel. 
10 Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships. 

Experience 
Five (5) years of hands-on experience in performing environmental inspections, handling hazardous materials, performing chemical analysis in waste management, spill response or soil/water/air/groundwater sample collection environment. 

Licenses and Certifications
Valid driver’s license and good driving record.
A forty (40)-hr HAZWOPER (Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response) certification is required for all spill response divisions.
For Stormwater Neighborhood and Water Reservoir divisions, Registered Environmental Manager (REM) certification is required.
For Stormwater Neighborhood division, a Certified Environmental Storm Water Compliance Professional (CESCP) certification and a Boater Certificate are required.
For Water Quality division, a Boater Certificate and a Class D (or higher) Water license from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) are required.

Education
High School or GED with a study course in sciences, chemistry or biology.

Preferred 
• OSHA 30-hour Safety Certificate is preferred. • Experience with ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems certified programs is highly preferred. • Experience with maintaining/using Safety Data Sheets (SDS) is preferred. • Experience with inspecting storm sewer/drainage structures (e.g., MS4, outfalls, storm sewer pipe, inlets, wing walls, culverts, junctions, etc.) is preferred.
• Experience with Stormwater Permits (Construction General Permit TXR150000 and the Multi Sector General Permit TXR 050000) and Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs) are preferred for certain divisions.

Equivalency
An associate degree in chemistry, engineering, environmental or physical sciences field plus three (3) years of the required experience will meet the education and experience requirements.
A bachelor's degree (or higher) in chemistry, environmental or natural sciences field, and one (1) year of the required experience will meet the education and experience requirements.

Other Requirements
Must pass background investigation. No Felony convictions. Cannot currently be on deferred adjudication for any Felony, Class A or Class B Misdemeanor. Availability to work varying shifts including nights, weekends, and holidays. Subject to twenty-four (24) hour call-out. Working conditions include potential exposure to bio-hazardous material(s), hazardous chemicals, inclement weather, and confined spaces.

Salary Range

 

$25.12 - $28.85

 

The salary listed on this job posting is the starting salary range; amount offered will depend upon qualifications.

City of Dallas is an Equal Opportunity Employer.