At the City of Plano, our values make us who we are and guide us as we SERVE our city. As members of Team Plano, our organizational Values (what is most important to us) make up the acronym, SERVE (Stewardship Engaged Respectful Visionary Excellence).
Job Details
If you enjoy working in the outdoors and caring for the environment, join us! The City of Plano is looking for an innovative and forward thinking individual with a passion for the environment and the community to join our team as an Environmental Quality Specialist. This team member is responsible for performing environmental inspections to ensure compliance with the City’s stormwater permit with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, including sampling for water quality in our streams. Additionally, this position will perform vector surveillance and control activities and respond to and investigate complaints from citizens related to stagnant water, light, noise and other environmental concerns, as needed.
We offer the opportunity to work 4-10 hour days with one day off per week, 4-9 hour days and 1-4 hour day, or the traditional 5-8 hour days. Our department allows for team members to have a flexible work schedule within the core work hours of 7 am to 5:30 pm.
We encourage and cover the cost of certificate and license programs to promote employee knowledge and professional development.
Employees are also given the opportunity to attend conferences that relate to the job for training and learning opportunities.
There is an on-call requirement for at least 4 weeks out of the year, with one of them being a holiday. While on call, the team member will respond to issues that may arise for our department that need an immediate response, such as fuel spills, restaurant fires, and sanitary sewer overflows.
Very rarely, adulticide spraying for the vector control program will require working late at night.
As a valued Team Plano member, you will receive numerous benefits:
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans
- Membership in the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS), in which the City matches contributions 2:1 upon retirement
- Up to three weeks of paid vacation
- Up to three weeks of paid sick leave per year
- Nine paid holidays
- Tuition Assistance
- Free recreation center membership
And so much more! Learn about our benefits here.
Every person matters. Every job has purpose. Together we make a difference. Join Team Plano!
Distinguishing Characteristics: This is the journey-level classification in the Environmental Quality Specialist series that follows diversified procedures and implements processes to accomplish end results, within guidelines. Immediate supervision is available upon request. This class is distinguished from Environmental Quality Specialist Senior in that the latter is a higher-level class in the series that performs more complex technical, investigative, and supervisory duties requiring a higher level of knowledge and skill.
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Management reserves the rights to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.
- Performs inspections of permitted facilities for compliance with federal, state, and/or local regulations.
- Inspects and investigates illicit connections to the City of Plano storm sewer system, and illicit discharges to watercourses within Plano.
- Performs Dry and Wet Weather Screening activities to ascertain levels of environmental materials or contamination present.
- Responds to and investigates complaints related to stormwater, stagnant water, vector issues, light, noise, and other environmental concerns as needed.
- Maintains records and files of inspections; prepares documentation; issues legal notices; and represents the City in court cases and hearings when required.
- Under supervision, develops educational materials and presents training events as required. Works with the Communications and Community Outreach Department to develop educational and promotional aids such as videos, posters, brochures, and flyers to promote program(s).
- Performs site visits to targeted businesses to provide information regarding pollution prevention best management practices.
- As needed, represents the City at stormwater related North Central Texas Council of Government meetings and during federal and state inspections/audits of stormwater program.
- Monitors overhead sewer lines and creek banks for erosion conditions and forwards information to appropriate department(s).
- Investigates and inspects properties to ensure compliance with stagnant water ordinances and implements mosquito management program as required.
- Performs trapping and surveillance of mosquito populations. Performs abatement activities related to the mosquito management program as needed.
- Assists with Liquid Waste Management program as needed.
- Regular and consistent attendance for the assigned work schedule is essential.
Marginal Duties:
? Marginal Duties:
? Performs other duties as assigned.
Typical Decisions: The incumbent determines if samples meet requirements and if inspected facilities are in compliance with applicable ordinances.
Minimum Qualifications:
Knowledge of: Federal, state, and local regulations governing environmental quality and stormwater compliance; best management practices as determined by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Skill in: Communicating effectively both verbally and in writing; performing established testing procedures for water sample analysis; using sampling and testing equipment.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Health, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Biology, or related field.
Experience: One (1) year of environmental science related experience.
Any work related experience resulting in acceptable proficiency levels in the above Minimum Qualifications is an acceptable substitute for the above specified experience requirements
Licenses and Certifications: State of Texas Class C driver’s license is required (must obtain within 30 days of hire per state law). Non-commercial Pesticide Applicator’s license to be obtained within one year from date of hire.
Conditions of Employment: Must pass a drug test, driver license check, criminal history background check, periodic CJIS background check (for positions requiring access into Police buildings) and social security number verification check.
Physical Demands and Working Conditions: Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer. Must possess mobility to work in the field, including traversing uneven terrain, operate a motor vehicle, work with tools and equipment, and to visit various City sites. Vision adequate to inspect assigned facilities, to read printed materials and a computer screen. Hearing and speech adequate to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone. The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking conducting inspections to identify problems or hazards. Positions in this classification bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull; obtain samples, and set up equipment. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 35pounds.
Employees partly work in the office and partly in the field and are exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives and contractors in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills which may be required. The position also requires meeting the essential requirements of the Physical Demands and Working Conditions, with or without reasonable accommodation.