Environmental Control Officer

Join the City of Reno and become part of an amazing team who strives every day to make our community a place we are all proud to call home.

The ideal candidate in this position will perform a variety of field investigations and inspections to ensure compliance with state, local, and federal pretreatment standards and other environmental regulations. They will issue citations and violation notices as appropriate. They will obtain and test samples of wastewater and storm drain collection systems. Also, they are expected to respond to emergency situations affecting sewer discharges and industrial storm water regulations.

Beyond the normal work schedule, this position will include being on call 24 hours a day for a minimum of a week which is scheduled on a rotational basis, requiring the ability to rapidly respond and be on site within a certain time period.

We currently have one vacancy in the Utility Services Department, in which hiring will begin immediately following the close of this recruitment. This recruitment will also establish a list for future vacancies, which will be filled as they occur.

This is both an internal and external recruitment to provide a promotional opportunity for all qualified current classified City of Reno employees and an open competitive opportunity for all other qualified applicants.

• Perform a variety of field investigations and inspections of industrial and commercial businesses to ensure compliance with state, local and federal wastewater discharge pretreatment standards, storm water and other environmental regulations; prepare and issue environmental control permits as necessary.
• Survey potential sources for non-compliance and violation of permit requirements; issue citations and violation notices as appropriate; revoke operating permits and recommend methods for the control or eradication of specific environmental deficiencies.
• Compile data and evaluate inspection findings; prepare various inspection reports recommending methods for ensuring environmental compliance.
• Review building plans to determine if proposed facilities or equipment are in compliance with established environmental regulations and codes.
• Inspect sewers, storm drains, and other water courses to locate the source of pollution from industrial wastes; respond to complaints regarding industrial waste discharges; enforce sewer related municipal codes as necessary.
• Obtain and test wastewater samples from businesses and industries to assure compliance with discharge permit provisions; evaluate laboratory analysis reports to determine compliance.
• Install and monitor wastewater sampling equipment; test quality and quantity of wastewater to determine appropriate fees to be charged.
• Confer with industrial dischargers regarding industrial wastewater problems; interpret wastewater ordinances and federal pretreatment standards for industrial and commercial establishments; explain the need for pretreatment of industrial waste.
• Review new business licenses for possible environmental concerns; advise new businesses of the City's pollution prevention program; conduct inspections to determine if businesses require appropriate pretreatment permits.
• Respond to environmental emergencies on a 24-hour basis; evaluate emergency situations and implement corrective actions; direct City crews and/or outside contractors in required clean-up operations.
• Compile, prepare and present evidence in conjunction with the prosecution of violations; testify in court as required.
• Create and maintain accurate and detailed files and records of inspections performed; prepare required reports for submission to appropriate federal agencies.
• Respond to public inquiries in a courteous manner; provide information within the area of assignment; resolve complaints in an efficient and timely manner.
• Perform other related duties as required.

The following minimum qualifications are required to be met at the time of application.

Combinations of relevant work experience and education that are equivalent to the following are acceptable.*

Education:

Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by college level course work in biology, microbiology, chemistry, environmental science, or a related field.

• One additional year of related work experience may be substituted for the college level coursework requirement. A candidate would need at least four years of related work experience to qualify.

Experience:

Three years of responsible environmental control or wastewater treatment experience.

• Associate's degree or equivalent (60 semester or 90 quarter credits) with college level course work in biology, chemistry, environmental science or a related field may be substituted for one year of the required work experience. A candidate would need an associate's degree or equivalent and two years of related work experience to qualify.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent (120 semester or 180 quarter credits) with major course work in biology, chemistry, environmental science or a related field may be substituted for two years of the required work experience. A candidate would need a bachelor's degree and one year of related work experience to qualify.

License or Certificate:

• Possession of an appropriate, valid driver's license.
• Possession of a Nevada or California Industrial Waste Inspector Certification within one year of hire.
• Possession of a 40 hour HAZWOPER Certification within one year of hire; ability to maintain certification annually.

Please note:

Qualifying work experience may include pretreatment, wastewater treatment, and other closely related field work or work experience as an environmental regulator.

**Bilingual candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.**

To Apply:

Please submit your completed application and all additional information/documentation requested online at by November 16, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. PT. If a computer or mobile device is not available to you, suggested locations to complete an online application submittal include: the City of Reno City Hall 2nd floor computer kiosk or Civil Service Office, any Nevada Job Connect location, local libraries, or educational facilities.

If you are having difficulty logging into your profile, please call the applicant support line at

Examination Process:

Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications and pass the examination for this position to be eligible for hire. The examination will consist of a Training and Experience evaluation (T&E) weighted at 100%.

Training and Experience Evaluation (T&E) Details:

The T&E examination consists of a Supplemental Questionnaire. The questions may be viewed online under the tab marked "QUESTIONS" on the job announcement page. The T&E must be submitted online at the time of application.

• Responses to your T&E questions should be consistent with the information given in your application details. Answers are subject to verification.
• Failure to complete all of the questions or incomplete responses will result in a lower score; therefore, it is advantageous for you to provide a full and complete response to each supplemental question.
• In order to receive credit for education or training, you must attach copies of your transcripts, diploma, or relevant certificates to your online application.
• Resumes or questionnaires uploaded as attachments to the application will not be accepted in lieu of completing each question online.
• "See Resume" or "See above," etc., are not qualifying responses and will not be considered.
• Changes or corrections to your responses cannot be made once your application packet has been submitted.
• TIP: It may be more efficient to develop your responses in a word processing document and then paste them into the online questionnaire to be submitted.

Notification:

Applicants are notified by email of their examination results. Applicants who do not meet the minimum qualifications will also be notified within two weeks of the job posting closing.

We highly recommend opting in to receive text message notifications. Follow-up text messages may include updates about your application, next steps, and interviews. If you haven't opted in before, the option will appear before you submit your application. If you've previously opted in or out, you can update your choice anytime in account settings in your profile.

Testing Accommodation:

We strive to ensure equal access for all individuals. If you require accommodations due to a disability, we encourage you to inform the Chief Examiner by the closing date of this announcement. Your request will be handled with confidentiality and respect.

Employee/Veteran Preference in the Event of Tie Scores:

Open Competitive Examination (Rule VII, Section 7):

In the event of tie scores, candidates will be provided a rank preference in the following order:

• City of Reno classified employees who are veterans
• City of Reno classified employees who are not veterans
• City of Reno non-classified employees and external candidates who are veterans

This preference is only used to break ties. Proof of honorable discharge must be submitted with the application.

Promotional Examinations (Rule VIII, Section 7):

If two or more employees earn the same final score (including seniority points), veterans' preference will be applied if any of the tied employees have submitted proof of an honorable military discharge. This preference is only used to break ties. If a tie still remains, it will be broken based on seniority in the current classification. Proof of honorable discharge must be submitted with the application.

Seniority Points:

Seniority Credit (Rule VIII, Section 9):

Classified employees of the City of Reno shall receive seniority credit computed by adding to a passing score as follows:

The final ranking will include the applicable seniority points added to the overall grade of the examination process. For each full year of continuous service completed, 0.2 points will be added up to a maximum of ten (10) years... 2 points will be the maximum.

Appointment and Certification:

Appointments to positions in the City's Civil Service system are made on the basis of examination. Scores resulting from a competitive examination are used in determining a person's rank on an eligible register. The department may hire any of the persons referred. The names of those persons not hired may be considered when the next vacancy occurs, for as long as that register is viable.

Questions and Updates:

Questions about the information on this announcement and updates to application information should be directed to Civil Service at or

The City of Reno is an equal opportunity employer. Recruitment, hiring, assignment, training, compensation, promotion, retention, and disciplinary decisions will be made without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, political affiliation, membership in an employee association, or any other protected class status applicable under federal or state law or City Charter.

Please use this Health and Welfare Benefit Link to learn more about the City of Reno's great employee benefit plans and wellness programs.