Drinking Water Field Inspector

State of Indiana; Valparaiso (IN); On-site; USD 48,000 - 59,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plan options

Pension plans

Paid holidays

Education reimbursement

Free parking

LinkedIn Learning

Job summary

Indiana Department of Environmental Management is seeking a Drinking Water Field Inspector to work independently enforcing state and federal drinking water standards. Travel to public water systems is required to ensure compliance and respond to emergencies. A valid Indiana driver's license is required.

Salary starts around $53,222 and compensation may grow with education and experience. The role involves project management, permit actions, inspections, enforcement, and collaboration with other

Qualifications

• Broad knowledge of theories, environmental protection principles and practices.
• Thorough knowledge of chemistry, biology, hydrology, mathematics, engineering, and related environmental sciences.
• Thorough knowledge of soil, water, air sampling and laboratory analysis.
• Ability to prepare documents for administrative and regulatory action.
• Excellent research and writing skills for accurate reports.
• Ability to effectively interact with diverse stakeholders and officials.

Responsibilities

• Acts as environmental expert guiding regulated communities and officials.
• Manages projects, attends meetings, and communicates via phone and email.
• Researches guidance and processes permits; defends terms and conditions.
• Conducts surveys, inspections, and investigations of facilities and sites.
• Uses enforcement tools to ensure compliance with laws and standards.
• Supports multiple programs within the agency and coordinates with teams.
• Assists with sampling plans and field work following SOPs.
• Provides technical analysis to assess environmental impacts and compliance.

Skills

Environmental knowledge

Regulatory understanding

Strong writing

Communication skills

Field inspections

Job description

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Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.

About Indiana Department of Environmental Management

Our mission is to implement federal and state regulations to protect human health and the environment while allowing the environmentally sound operations of industrial, agricultural, commercial, and governmental activities vital to a prosperous economy. We issue air, water, and solid and hazardous waste permits that restrict discharges to environmentally safe levels. Staff members inspect and monitor regulated entities; provide compliance and technical assistance; monitor and assess air, land, and water quality; use enforcement actions as necessary to ensure compliance; and respond to incidents involving spills to soil or waters of the state.

Role Overview

Incumbent works independently as a Drinking Water Field Inspector within a designated field of expertise to achieve compliance with and enforcement of state and federal laws, regulations, and standards relating to drinking water and the Safe Drinking Water Act. Incumbent conducts inspections to determine compliance with applicable rules and standards in the areas of water source acceptability, treatment standards, plant operation, recognizing and analyzing problems for solutions, investigating complaints, responding to standard exceedances, and recommending a course of action to maintain or return a public water system to compliance, gathering necessary information in the performance of job. Incumbent responds to emergencies at public water systems to help ensure safety of the drinking water for consumers. Incumbent reviewes a new well site location for compliance with current potable water well construction requirements. Incumbent may called upon to conduct special studies and projects when necessary. Incumbent works with other Sections in the Branch and OWQ to help water systems achieve and maintain compliance.

This position requires a valid IN driver's license.

The salary for this position traditionally starts at$53,222.00 but may be commensurate with education and work experience. Use our Compensation Calculator to view the total compensation package.

A Day in the Life

The essential functions of this role are as follows:

• Serves as an environmental expert and provides guidance to regulated communities, government officials, attorneys and staff responsible for a variety of programs and program elements.
• Project Management: Performs project management duties to ensure effective and timely management of program area needs, attends meetings, and responds to telephone calls, e-mails, etc., as required. Acts as a technical point-of-contact for assigned programs administering environmental programs which may include, but not limited to, environmental media sampling, data analysis, technical writing, work plan and report preparation, technical reviews, etc.
• Permits: Researches state and federal guidance, laws, and regulations related to permits. Contacts applicants to request additional information to process applications, when necessary. Responds to comments from applicants, defends permit terms and conditions, and interacts with permittees to resolve permitting issues. Attends and participates in public meetings and hearings regarding permit actions throughout Indiana and/or appears in legal appeals of permit actions.
• Inspection: Conducts surveys, inspections and investigations of facilities and sites, review projects/situations, reads plans, interprets findings, and cites appropriate violations of state and federal regulations. Provides technical and regulatory guidance to the regulated community in their assigned geographic area.
• Enforcement & Compliance: Uses all compliance, enforcement tools, and resources available to ensure that regulated sources return to compliance with state and federal laws, regulations, and standards in a timely manner.
• Support Services: Works to support the various programs in assigned agency in multiple capacities.
• Sampling: Assists with the preparation of sampling and analysis work plans. Conducts field work as necessary following agency/section Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for assigned sites.
• Technical Analysis & Testing: Conducts technical analysis and/or provides technical insights to assess environmental impacts with goals to meet state and national regulations.
• Outreach Coordination: Communicates effectively with responsible parties, consultants, and/or their representatives, affected stakeholders, and interested parties such as citizens, public officials, and interest groups in a courteous and professional manner regarding permits, laws, questions, and program-related inquiries.
• Essential functions of this position require travel on most workdays to inspect, audit, examine, survey, or investigate clients, customers, or other regulated entities and write reports at various sites depending on business needs. Employee reports to the agency’s office for occasional meetings or events. Number and timing of work hours may vary daily or weekly to accommodate operational needs and staffing concerns at the client’s or customer’s worksite, minimize expenditures for repeated visits to complete the work, and allocate resources to complete assigned work effectively.

The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

This position is exempt from overtime compensation for additional work hours which may be required to complete essential functions or other assigned work. Exempt employees may work more than 75 hours in a pay period without additional compensation and must report a minimum of 75 hours per pay period of work hours and/or paid leave taken to receive their base biweekly salary.

What You'll Need for Success

Individuals in this role should minimally be able to articulate or demonstrate the following:

• Broad knowledge of theories, environmental protection principles and practices, specialty area, and program area.
• Thorough knowledge of chemistry, biology, hydrology, mathematics, engineering, and other environmental sciences as they relate to program area.
• Thorough knowledge of soil, water, air sampling, laboratory analysis and interpretation as it relates to program area.
• Ability to conduct surveys, inspections and investigations of facilities and sites, review projects/situations, read plans, interpret findings, and make recommendations.
• Ability to prepare documents for administrative and regulatory action.
• Excellent research and writing skills for preparing accurate, precise, clear, and thorough reports.
• Ability to effectively interact and orally communicate with parties with diverse levels of environmental expertise particularly for purposes of meetings, hearings, and negotiating critically sensitive issues.
• Ability to interpret and apply legal terminology and practices, and the ability to apply these in a variety of conditions and situations.

A degree is not required. However, at least five (5) years of environmental or environmental public health experience applying the outlined knowledge, skills, and abilities in a similar role may be considered.

Individuals should have the ability to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports

This role may be utilized in a supervisory capacity based on agency needs.

Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana

The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:

• Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
• Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
• Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
• Deferred compensation 457(b)account (similar to401(k) plan) with employer match
• Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
• A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
• 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers
• Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
• Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
• 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Group life insurance
• Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
• Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Free Parkingfor most positions
• Free LinkedIn Learningaccess

The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at [e-mail] .