ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS SPECIALIST

Western Virginia Water Authority; Roanoke (VA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Western Virginia Water Authority seeks an Environmental Programs Specialist to oversee inspection programs for wastewater compliance, coordinate sampling, and issue notices of violation as needed. The role requires coordinating with facilities, collecting and reviewing data, and maintaining inspection reports.

The position emphasizes field inspections, data entry, and communication with facility contacts, with a strong focus on regulatory compliance and safety procedures in a non-exempt, on-site

Qualifications

• Associate's degree in Science/Engineering with Inspections coursework.
• Two (2) or more years of related work experience.
• Must complete specific inspection courses within 2 years of employment.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and manage assigned specialty areas of program responsibility.
• Manage inspection schedules for permitted industries and related inspections.
• Inspect buildings for illegal storm/ground water contributions to the sanitary system.
• Complete Industrial Pretreatment inspections and document facility information and processes.
• Complete Restaurant FOG inspections and verify disposal and interceptor maintenance.

Skills

Communication

Independence

Report writing

Relationship building

Inspection coordination

Education

Associate's degree in Science or Engineering

Job description

JOB POSITION: Environmental Programs Specialist Division: Water Quality Status: Non-Exempt Grade: 107 Job Code: 326 Reports to: Environmental Programs Engineer Date: 07-01-07 Revised Date: 04-01-22 Last Reviewed Date: 04-01-22

SUMMARY OF JOB

Completes any necessary inspection/analytical technique related to assigned and applicable regulatory programs relating to Wastewater collection and treatment. Completes Industrial Pretreatment/Septage Hauling permit/Restaurant Fats Oil and Grease (FOG)/I&I property/Land Application farm sites/storm water/fire protection inspections. Maintains inspection reports and prepares summary reports of findings. Coordinates/schedules laboratory sampling, reviews laboratory results and enters laboratory data into the computer. Issues Notice of Violation to non-compliant industries. Tracks Notice of Violations, laboratory reports, and Letters of Violation. Researches industries/facilities in service area to complete inspections on and compiles all information. Associate's degree in Science/Engineering supplemented by course work in Inspections plus two (2) or more years of related work experience. Must complete/pass the following courses within 2 years of employment: Industrial Waste Treatment, Volume I, Industrial Waste Treatment, Volume II, Treatment of Metal Wastestreams, Pretreatment Facility Inspection, Operation and Maintenance of Wastewater Collection Systems, Volume 1 and Operation and Maintenance of Wastewater Collection Systems, Volume II

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversees and manages assigned Specialty areas of program responsibility.
• Manages inspection schedule of permitted industries, real estate, restaurant FOG inspections, land application field inspections, other assigned programs.
• Inspects both private and public buildings for illegal storm/ground water contributions to the sanitary sewer system.
• Completes Industrial Pretreatment inspections by completing visits to permitted facilities verifying and documenting the basic facility information. Reviews and documents information with the responsible contact person at the facility to determine the nature and materials involved in facility sewer discharges. Documents the inspection including describing the industrial process, location of drains and chemicals or materials reasonably expected to be present in sewer discharges, company procedures for chemical management and use, and listing the chemicals that may be able to reach the sanitary sewer.
• Completes Restaurant Fats Oil and Grease (FOG) inspections by completing visits to permitted facilities and verifying and documenting the basic facility information. Reviews and documents information with the responsible contact person at the facility to assess the management of FOG at the facility. Documents the inspection including describing the FOG sources, location of Grease interceptors, assessment of condition, and verifies disposal records for interceptor maintenance.
• Completes Land Application inspections by completing visits to permitted farms and verifying and documenting information for crop type, field loadings, and other regulatory requirements. Documents the inspection.
• Completes Septage Hauling permit inspections by completing visits to permitted facilities and verifying and documenting the basic facility information. Reviews and documents information with the responsible contact person at the facility to assess compliance with the Septic Hauler permit. Documents the inspection including regular review of discharge manifests to determine compliance with permit requirements and the Rules and Regulations of the Authority.
• Operates computer in maintaining the records of defects and preparing necessary reports.
• Researches industries and facilities in the Service area through various data bases, phone books, and visual observations of new businesses to complete a survey, which is a federal pretreatment requirement and compiles all information. Investigates other sources which may be a facility which requires inspection / inclusion in any of the other inspection programs.
• Maintains inspection reports and prepares summary reports of findings.
• Coordinates and schedules laboratory sampling and reviews laboratory results and enters laboratory data into the computer for each industry.
• Issues a Notice of Violation to the industry if industry in non-compliant. Notifies laboratory of the need for re-sampling (applicable to Pretreatment Permit Holders).
• Tracks Notice of Violations, laboratory reports, or Letters of Violation by due dates.
• Conducts safety, storm water, fire safety for Wastewater Operations. Completes and distributes reports after inspections.
• Coordinates with other personnel in the performance of assigned tasks.
• Responsible for insuring that both the daily and reoccurring maintenance on equipment is performed.
• Coordinates with and advises the public on daily or emergency functions.
• Subject to 24 hour on call.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Oversees the work of others in the assigned Specialty program. Assists in interviewing, hiring, and training new Environmental Program Specialist.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to oversee assigned work of other personnel in assigned area.
• Ability to review and recommend improvements in processes and procedures for assigned area.
• Ability to think logically and comprehend data.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work safely and obey all safety rules both within the Authority and for facilities where activities such as inspections occur.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbal and in writing.
• Ability to respond to inquiries from employees and customers orally or in writing as necessary.
• Ability to represent assigned area in meetings attended.
• Ability to identify problems and/or conflict and seek management assistance in dealing with problems and/or conflicts.
• Ability to analyze and solve technical and administrative problems.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as Rules and Regulations, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, maps and procedure manuals.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in writing, oral or diagram form.
• Ability to write reports, correspondences and procedure manuals in a clear concise manner.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, other Water Authority departments and the general public.
• Ability to work alone or in a team environment.
• Must possess and maintain a good work ethic with a strong emphasis on good attendance, reporting to work on time, completing job assignments in a timely manner, maintaining a good work attitude, performing all job duties as assigned and/or scheduled.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Associate's degree from an accredited college or university in Science or Engineering, supplemented by course work in Inspections plus two (2) or more years of related work experience or combination of education and experience.

CERTIFICATE, LICENSE, REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

• Must possess a valid Virginia driver's license with no more than six (6) demerit points prior to employment.

Must complete/pass the following courses from the University of Sacramento Water Programs within 2 years:

1. Industrial Waste Treatment, Volume I
2. Industrial Waste Treatment, Volume II
3. Treatment of Metal Wastestreams
4. Pretreatment Facility Inspection
5. Operation and Maintenance of Wastewater Collection Systems, Volume 1
6. Operation and Maintenance of Wastewater Collection Systems, Volume II

PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THIS JOB

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, stand, sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include ability to adjust focus.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stoop, kneel, crouch, bend, climb, balance or crawl.
• Employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Employee must be physically able to walk several miles during the day.

WORK ENVIRONMENT ENCOUNTERED IN THIS JOB

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• Employee is also subject to exposure to outside weather conditions.
• Employee is also subject to uneven, steep, slippery terrain conditions.
• Employee is also subject to dusty conditions.Employee is also subject to exposure to moving mechanical parts.

GENERAL STATEMENT AND SELECTION GUIDELINES

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work assigned to in this job position. They should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties or tasks performed by personnel so classified.

The following will identify the selection guidelines for job placement:

• WVWA application
• Rating of education, experience, training and qualifications
• Reference checks
• Interview with WVWA management team
• Applicant must pass a pre-employment physical and drug/alcohol test
• A criminal background check and social security number verification will be performed. The results must match information provided by the applicant on the WVWA application
• Job related test might be required and would be administered to all applicants applying for the position