Environmental Officer

SUMMARY :

The Environmental Division Officer position, under the direction of the Environmental Division Director, is responsible for enforcing Local Environmental ordinances, and state environmental laws in order to protect the environment and the citizens of unincorporated Benton County. Officers of this division will be required to ensure compliance with all environmental ordinances, collect evidence of noncompliance and present such evidence to the prosecuting attorney.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED :

Officers will receive supervision and direction from the Environmental Director.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES :

• Investigate all assigned cases handled through the Environmental Division. Ensure all contacts with the Environmental Division are treated courteously and fairly and that accurate information is provided to any office contact.
• Investigate environmental cases that may include illegal and / or unsafe disposal of solid waste.
• Supervise violators in remediation of environmental case sites using recurring on-site inspections and correspondence.
• Issue citations for non-compliance as required.
• Fill out reports and other case documents, interview suspects and witnesses when necessary, photograph site, collect and maintain evidence and provide testimony in district court. Maintain confidentiality regarding cases as required by law.
• Provide testimony in district court as required.
• Remain alert and on guard when approaching environmental case sites for criminal activity that may include drug or alcohol use, gun possession, etc.
• Notify CenCom when arriving and when leaving environmental case sites. Request assistance from Sheriff's Office as needed.
• Work in conjunction with Prosecuting Attorney's office, and other state and local agencies as required.
• Receive advanced specialized training in the areas of specialized law enforcement, environmental crimes investigation techniques, and court systems within 1 year of hire date.
• Receive training in firearm use. Carry firearm during daily responsibilities. Qualify for firearm use on an annual basis. Practice with firearms on a monthly basis.
• Receive advanced training in the use of self-defense within 1 year of hire date.
• Keep current on environmental State laws and regulations and County ordinances, policies and procedures. Conduct research on environmental laws, regulations, best practices, techniques, and methods as may be required by the Division Director.
• Conduct surveillance of environmental crime activities using surveillance cameras.
• Be familiar with proper hazardous waste procedures.
• Provide support for environmental programs conducted by the Environmental Division such as the Adopt-a-Road program, and environmental education.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Environmental Division Director as required.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS :

To perform the job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Must have the ability to organize, coordinate, analyze and make recommendations as needed. Possess good human relations skills with the ability to communicate effectively with the public and county employees. Be proficient in the use of common office machines and PC's with accurate word processing and database maintenance ability.

The successful candidate cannot have a criminal record of any kind and must be able to withstand a complete background investigation. In addition, a complete a physical and mental evaluation are part of employment requirements.

Within one (1) year of employment Hazardous Materials Awareness course (8 hours) through the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management must be completed if offered within the state.

The individual must possess the ability to communicate effectively, both orally and written, often under adverse conditions. Must have the knowledge and physical and mental stamina to fire a weapon. Must possess good judgment, courtesy and tact, good powers of observation and memory skills. Must possess the ability to define problems, collect evidence, establish facts and draw complete and accurate conclusions from those areas. Must possess the ability to interpret a variety of County, State and Federal laws in order to make decisions and take quick action. Must be able to remain professional when confronted by hostile / unruly individuals.

Must have a working knowledge of office procedures and personal computers. Knowledge of Microsoft Office Word, Microsoft Access and Microsoft Power Point are required. Must be able to accurately generate both written and verbal reports as requested. Must be self-disciplined, motivated and able to work with minimal supervision.

Be able to operate a two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive motor vehicle. Must be able and willing to work long hours, weekends, late nights and holidays when on call. Will be on-call after normal business hours every third week to be dispatched by Central Communications to scene of environmental emergencies.

New officers are required to successfully complete FTO Training and meet state standards for minimum firearms proficiency. Officers must also be able to safely drive and operate a grapple truck weighing over 28,000 pounds.

Officers are required to maintain annual firearms proficiency in accordance with state standards, complete 20 hours of approved law enforcement training each year, and remain certified in CPR, AED use, and Narcan administration.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION :

Minimum acceptable level of education is a high school diploma or GED.

Current law enforcement certification is preferred (at least part-time II).

PHYSICAL DEMANDS :

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be successfully performed in order to fulfill the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, drive a vehicle, use hands to manipulate objects or controls, reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must be able to travel by foot across all types of terrain in all weather conditions. The employee must occasionally lift and / or move more than 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT :

While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in a typical office setting. Most often, duties will be performed in an outdoor setting. The employee is exposed to filthy, potentially toxic environments, difficult or rough terrain, heat, cold, rain, snow, and high winds. Exposure to bio-hazards, fumes, toxins or particles is possible. Employee faces physical dangers including but not limited to : dealing with intoxicated subjects (both alcohol and drug) and / or angry / unruly subjects, confronting vicious / dangerous animals and making physical arrest. Noise level is normally moderate but can range from high to very high.

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