Environmental health specialist Jobs in Laredo, TX

JOB SUMMARY

Under general direction inspects public and private construction, industrial sites, commercial and residential sites to ensure compliance with plans and specifications to meet city, state and federal environmental standards related to storm water pollution and erosion control, investigates reports of pollutants entering the City's Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System and conducts water quality sampling.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS :

1. Ability to inspect construction and private sites for application of storm water pollution control best management practices. Communicate and / or coordinate meetings with project owner / developers, property managers, engineers, contractors, superintendents, workers, City employees and residents. Maintain detailed and accurate records of each site inspection. Issue verbal and / or written notices of violations, citations and stop work orders.

2. Ability to respond to sanitary sewer overflows, hazmat spills or reports of pollutants entering or with the potential to enter the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) during the working day and on unrestricted on-call duty with a 1 hour call back response. Obtain water or spilled material samples for analysis, assess the extent and potential hazard of the spill, issue appropriate enforcement action to the responsible party, and ensure clean up of the pollutant. Coordinate with other departments responding to the incident to reduce the health and environmental impact to the community.

3. Ability to implement the wet and dry weather quality screening programs and the clean rivers program sampling (CRP). Obtain and analyze field test samples and maintain data in Access databases and GIS based applications. Plan and coordinate sampling with outside organizations such as TRA and various laboratories.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS :

4. Ability to educate citizens, contractors, developers and businesses about storm water pollution control. Assist with non-point source and pollution prevention program.

5. Ability to prepare Site Safety and Health Plans and serve as the safety officer for Household Hazardous Waste collection days worked by the Fire Department. Properly handle, store and dispose of waste and spilled materials when responsible party is known.

6. Ability to perform related duties such as testifying in municipal court cases and hearings pertaining to non-compliant construction sites, businesses, and citizens and assist federal, state, county and City personnel with environmental compliance issues.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS :

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities :

• Knowledge of storm water quality criteria and how to obtain storm water samples.
• Knowledge of types and sources of storm water pollutants related to construction, commercial, and industrial activities.
• Knowledge of local, state and federal regulations related to storm water quality and permits.
• Knowledge of Federal, State, and local ordinances relating to storm water quality and MS4 permits.
• Knowledge of appropriate levels of enforcement for violations.
• Knowledge of accepted safety practices at construction and industrial sites.
• Skill in conducting field inspections (construction).
• Ability to judge the workmanship and effectiveness of installed best management practices at construction sites.
• Ability to use ARC IMS and GIS based applications.
• Ability to read and interpret construction plans and specifications.
• Ability to maintain field logs and prepare reports of inspections.
• Ability to communicate verbally and in written form with engineers, contractors, citizens, supervisors, and state and federal regulators.
• Ability to use a storm water field sampling kit.
• Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication.
• Ability to take field samples and maintain chain of custody for laboratory samples.
• Ability to perform a variety of physical skills including but not limited to carrying, cleaning, climbing, driving, holding, seeing, sitting, squatting, standing, stooping, walking and writing.
• Ability to lift or exert forces equivalent to lifting up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to operate a Class "C" motorized vehicle.
• Ability to operate a variety of office equipment including but not limited to a calculator, fax machine, and personal computer.
• Ability to use Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, internet application and e-mail in a network environment) for recordkeeping related to enforcement, water quality and inspection.
• Ability to work in both indoor and outdoor environments.
• Incumbent is subject to fume / odor, dust / mites, mechanical, electrical, explosive, radiation, chemical, and toxic waste hazards.

Qualifying Education and Experience :

High school diploma and some college coursework including Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Ecology or Mathematics; or 1 semester of Pre-Engineering; two (2) years experience in a similar position. Certification in OSHA Hazardous Materials Safety Training required (HAZWOPER) or ability to become certified within six (6) months of employment. Possession of a valid Texas Operator's License, Class C.

Must successfully complete required pre-employment screens which include criminal background check, health / physical exam, drug and alcohol test, and motor vehicle record review.