Environmental Compliance Inspector

Tempe; Tempe (AZ); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Tempe seeks an Environmental Inspector to perform inspections of water distribution, wastewater and stormwater systems, ensuring compliance with environmental permits and regulations. The role collaborates with city departments and external agencies to enforce rules and respond to environmental incidents.

The position requires one year of related inspection experience and an associate/technical degree.

Qualifications

• Experience: One (1) year in general inspections, building plan review, plumbing plan review, or related experience.
• Education will not substitute for required work experience, though related unpaid/volunteer work may count.
• Criminal history review
• Post offer/pre-employment drug and alcohol screen
• Post offer/pre-employment physical

Responsibilities

• Conduct commercial and industrial inspections for compliance with environmental regulations and provide results in inspection reports.
• Provide educational materials to business owners and managers on best practices, permit rules, and waste disposal methods.
• Draft letters of enforcement to businesses found non-compliant with City code.
• Troubleshoot and perform preventative maintenance on sampling equipment, field instrumentation and meters.
• Maintain and review backflow device data for City of Tempe and commercial business assemblies; verify information in the field and billing system.
• Review and interpret laboratory data to ensure regulatory requirements are met at permitted industries and associated systems.
• Collect samples from water treatment, distribution, wastewater treatment, and stormwater sites.
• Respond to environmental call outs during business hours and after hours (backflow issues, sewers, spills).

Education

Associate or technical/vocational degree in Chemistry, Bacteriology, Environmental Sciences, or related field

Job description

Schedule: Monday – Friday, 6:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Position is required to participate in a Standby rotation to respond to callbacks after hours, weekends and holidays.

Opening Date: 9/24/2026

Closing Date: 10/22/2026

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Experience: One (1) year of experience in general inspections, building plan review, plumbing plan review, or related experience.

Candidates must have the minimum amount of work experience. Years of experience are based upon a full-time work schedule (2,080 hours per year). Education will not substitute for the required work experience; however, related unpaid and/or volunteer work experience may be used as qualifying work experience.

Education: Equivalent to an associate or vocational/technical school degree in Chemistry, Bacteriology, Environmental Sciences, or related field.

The term “equivalent” means that directly related work experience exceeding the required work experience will substitute in equal one-year increments for college-level education (2 additional years for an associate degree and 4 additional years for a bachelor’s degree).

Professional Licensures and/or Certifications:

• Valid Driver’s License
• Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) Grade I Water Distribution, obtain within one (1) year of hire
• ADEQ Grade I Wastewater Collection, obtain within one (1) year of hire

DESCRIPTION / ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

This position conducts inspections and monitors compliance associated with water distribution, wastewater and stormwater systems. Inspects industrial, commercial and residential customers for compliance with environmental regulations, conducting tests, and responding to pollution related incidents. Provides technical expertise, coordinates with various city departments and local, state and federal regulatory agencies and enforces environmental permits and regulations.

Duties include, but are not limited to the following

• Conduct commercial and industrial inspections for compliance with environmental regulations and provide results to customers and leadership through comprehensive inspection reports.
• Provide educational materials to business owners and managers on best practices, permit rules and regulations, and waste disposal methods.
• Draft letters of enforcement to businesses found to be non-compliant with City code.
• Troubleshoot and perform preventative maintenance on sampling equipment, field instrumentation and meters.
• Maintain and review backflow device data for City of Tempe and commercial business assemblies. Record new assembly information and tester profiles and verify information in the field and in the billing system.
• Review and interpret laboratory data to ensure regulatory requirements are being met at permitted industries, within the distribution and collection system and storm water conveyance system.
• Collect samples from the water treatment and distribution systems, wastewater treatment and conveyance system, pretreatment customers and stormwater sites.
• Responds to environmental call outs during business hours and after hours such as backflow issues, sanitary sewer overflows, pool discharges and hazardous waste spills.
• May perform responsibilities of a similar nature and level as assigned.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants considered for this job classification must pass the following:

• Criminal history review
• Post offer/pre-employment drug and alcohol screen
• Post offer/pre-employment physical

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Placement within the salary range will be based on prior experience in a similar role.

This position is classified as safety sensitive. Employees in safety sensitive positions are prohibited from all marijuana usage whether medical or recreational.

FLSA status: Non-Exempt, eligible for overtime

Representation: United Arizona Employee Association (UAEA)

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:

The City of Tempe is an Equal Opportunity / Reasonable Accommodation employer. The City does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, familial status, age, disability, and United States military veteran status. Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will make a reasonable accommodation(s) during the recruitment & selection process. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation by contacting Human Resources at 480-350-8276. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.