Environmental Specialist

Job Submissions Due: October 9, 2024

Job Title: Environmental Specialist

Department: Engineering

Bargaining Unit: AFSME

Reports to Position:  Deputy City Engineer

Location: City Hall

Overtime Status:   Hourly

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

JOB SUMMARY

Provide a brief description as to the primary purpose of this job (no more than three to five sentences):

Facilitates storm water management and related work in the field and office for compliance with Marion’s National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit issued by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), City Code, and environmental program initiatives.  This includes but is not limited to site inspection, sampling, equipment operation and maintenance, plan review, professional development, community outreach, data collection, maintaining databases, interpreting, and enforcing City specifications, and responding to resident requests. 

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES/WORK PERFORMED

List essential job functions that comprise the job; describe in terms of actions (verbs) and desired outcomes in order of most important first:

·         Conducts site inspections in support of Marion’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and Municipal Separate Storm Sewer (MS4) permits, Municipal Code, and environmental programs for Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) compliance including construction sites and post construction storm water management facilities.

·         Participates and, at times, conducts NPDES related activities to include, but not limited to, watershed assessments and illicit discharge investigations.

·         Reviews Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans, site plans, erosion control plans, and permits.

·         Supports NPDES permit reporting and monitoring through data assimilation and written analytical reports.

·         Investigates complaints and answers requests from the public regarding storm water management, and document resolutions.

·         Assists in public education and public outreach activities for stormwater management program to achieve compliance and environmental program goals.

·         Assists in cross training municipal employees on stormwater management programs and stormwater Best Management Practices (BMP’s). 

·         Participates in the preparation and maintenance of storm water system and land management records including Geographic Information System, spreadsheets, permit tracking, and case tracking.

·         Participates in the maintenance of databases and records to document compliance, enforcement, and corrective actions.

·         Serves as a backup to  Stormwater Coordinator as needed.

·         Participates in the maintenance of Marion’s stormwater utility database.

·         Uses GPS and robotic survey equipment occasionally for job site inspection and monitoring.

·         Performs work of a repetitive nature and varied workload pace.

·         Attends meetings, conferences, and workshops as needed.

·         Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with City policies, procedures, and safety practices.

·         Attends work regularly at the designated place and time.

·         Supports continuous process improvement initiatives.

·         Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS

List key dimensions (measurements for success) for this position:

·         Knowledge of environmental compliance regulations and requirements, specifically the Clean Water Act and associated NPDES permits.

·         Knowledge of public infrastructure, utility location, and easements.

·         Knowledge of construction site practices.

·         Knowledge of Geospatial Technologies (GIS).

·         Knowledge of civil engineering principles and practices.

·         Knowledge of construction materials, principles and practices.

·         Ability to read and interpret engineering plans, building plans, and surveying documents.

·         Ability to communicate effectively and maintain working relationships with property owners, utility

representatives, contractors, developers, City employees, and the public both orally and in writing, using both technical and non-technical language.

·         Ability to prepare accurate and reliable reports containing real estate terminology and documentation, title

forms and documents, findings, conclusions, and recommendations.

·         Ability to operate a personal computer using program applications appropriate to assigned duties and

responsibilities.

·         Ability to work cooperatively and to maintain effective working relationships to accomplish job

responsibilities.

·         Ability to quickly learn and use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing

information and/or technology.

·         Ingenuity and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

List key relationships (to whom and the nature of the relationship) and leadership received and from whom associated with this position:

·         Ability to work long hours, outdoors occasionally, and under adverse weather conditions.

·         Ability to read, speak, write, and understand English to communicate effectively with fellow employees, contractors and general public by telephones, two-way radios, written format and face-to-face.

·         Ability to use GIS to produce maps and find City infrastructure information.

·         Ability to operate robotic total stations, survey grade GPS equipment, and levels.

·         Physical ability to traverse variable terrain conditions not accessible by vehicle including but not limited to steep slopes, unlevel grades and heavily vegetated areas for the purposes of site review, bridge and construction inspections and surveying.

·         Physical ability to perform inspections and quality control tests of asphalt, soil, aggregates, concrete and other construction materials. Work may involve walking long distances, digging with shovels and carrying equipment and test samples.

·         Ability to bend stoop and lift and carry up to 50 pounds for sampling and testing of construction materials.

·         Ability to perform mathematics necessary for engineering calculations.

QUALIFICATIONS

List the minimum requirements to be considered for this position:

·                     Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Associate’s Degree in environmental sciences,

construction technologies, or a related field; and

·                     Considerable experience in coordinating environmental compliance activities, specifically erosion control and stormwater; conducting field inspections or managing related programs; or

·                     Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge and abilities

necessary to perform the work.

·                     Must have valid Iowa driver's license.

·                     Ability to obtain State Certification ISWEP or approved equivalent.

·                     Iowa DOT ECT Erosion Control Technician

WORKING CONDITIONS

List working conditions for this position:

·         Works in the field most of the time throughout the year.

·         Office work required.

·         Works a standard work week

·         May be required to work some overtime as needed.

REQUIRED BACKGROUND CHECKS

Potential background checks include:

Sex Offender Registry

Drug Screening

Driving Record

Pre-Employment Physical