Environmental Specialist II (Dallas Water Utilities - Civil Service)

City of Dallas; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 49,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Dallas is seeking an Environmental Specialist II to inspect and ensure compliance with environmental laws across City services and facilities. The role requires independent field work and sound judgement.

You will manage spills, prepare reports, provide training, and support the Environmental Compliance Committee, with opportunities to impact public health and the city's sustainability efforts. A valid driver’s license and hazardous materials credentials are required, with

Qualifications

• At least three years of hands-on experience in environmental inspections.
• Experience handling hazardous materials and spill response.
• Experience collecting environmental samples (water, soil, air) for compliance.

Responsibilities

• Conduct complex environmental inspections and determine compliance.
• Oversee cleanup of spills and assess causes to prevent repeats.
• Inspect facilities, review waste storage, water facilities, and stormwater.
• Prepare detailed reports on inspections and non-compliance findings.
• Provide training to staff on environmental policies and procedures.

Skills

Environmental compliance

Inspection tactics

Communication

Team training

Relationship management

Education

High School or GED

Associate degree + 1 year experience

Bachelor's degree in chemistry/environmental/life sciences

Job description

Dallas is Growing. Grow With Us.

Looking for more than just a job? The City of Dallas offers careers with purpose. With competitive benefits, growth opportunities, and a vibrant work culture, we’re committed to helping you thrive while you help our city flourish. Be part of a team that’s committed to service, innovation, and community.

Job Summary

Performs moderately complex environmental work. Inspects and investigates to determine compliance with environmental Laws. Works independently in the field and is responsible for making decisions requiring technical description, sound judgement, and familiarity with a board variety of problems.

Job Description

The Environmental Specialist II inspects, investigates, evaluates, and determines City compliance with environmental laws, regulations, and standards. Performs regular inspections, manages spills, participates with training, and performs reporting and coordination for the Environmental Compliance Committee.

Essential Functions

• Performs and provides complex environmental evaluation, inspection, and review of City services and utilities; investigates complaints, performs regular inspections, and files compliance reports for environmental agencies.
• Oversees, monitors, and provides knowledgeable skill for clean ups of City spills and other potentially hazardous situations; ensures spills are cleaned appropriately and completely, investigate causes of spills to determine future preventability, and files incident reports and documents.
• Inspects City facilities for environmental compliance; reviews waste storage areas, water facilities, stormwater management tactics, and other waste water activities; observes and identifies issues that need to be addressed and communicates issues and concerns; oversees mitigation and completion of identified issues.
• Drafts, prepares, and files extensive reports on inspection activities and findings; documents areas of non-compliance, preventable reports, and various incidents; ensures all departments and City decision makers are aware of issues and have pertinent information to make informed decisions.
• Understands and applies environmental policies, rules, regulations, and standards to ensure City is meeting and exceeding expectations; provides training and education to other employees to ensure all inspection and compliance activity is done accurately and efficiently.
• Assists and supports with hazardous spills and incidents; provides a detailed inspection of incident and appropriate analysis; participates in emergency situations, maintain spill team schedule, and assists with reports for Environmental Compliance Committee meetings.
• Performs any and all other work as needed or assigned.

Knowledge And Skills

• Knowledge of Environmental Compliance agencies.
• Knowledge of Environmental procedures and inspection tactics.
• Knowledge of Environmental codes, ordinances, and regulations.
• Ability to perform professional inspections and document non-compliant issues.
• Ability to communicate findings and ensure resolution of issues.
• Ability to train and educate lower level subordinates.
• Ability to provide engagement and follow up to ensure environmental standards are achieved.
• Communicating effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.

Civil Service Minimum Qualifications

Education

• High School or GED.

Experience

• Three (3) years of hands-on experience in performing environmental inspections, handling hazardous materials, performing chemical analysis in waste management, spill response or soil/water/air/groundwater sample collection for environmental compliance.

Equivalencies

• An associate degree in chemistry, engineering, environmental or physical sciences and one (1) year of the required experience will meet the education and experience requirements.
• A bachelor's degree (or higher) in chemistry, environmental, or life sciences field will meet the education and experience requirements.

Licenses and Certifications

• Valid driver's license and good driving record.
• A forty (40)-hour HAZWOPER certification must be obtained within the probationary period for all spill response divisions.
• For Stormwater Neighborhood division, a Certified Environmental Storm Water Compliance Professional (CESCP) certification and a Boater Certificate must be obtained within the probationary period
• For Water Quality division, Class D Water license from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is required and a Boater Certificate must be obtained within the probationary period.

Other Requirements

• Must pass background investigation.
• No Felony convictions.
• Cannot currently be on deferred adjudication for any Felony, Class A or Class B Misdemeanor.
• Availability to work varying shifts including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Subject to twenty-four (24) hour call-out.
• Working conditions include potential exposure to bio-hazardous material(s), hazardous chemicals, inclement weather, and confined spaces.

Preferences

• OSHA 30-hour Safety Certification is preferred.
• Certified Inspector of Sediments and Erosion Control (CISEC) and Qualified Inspector of Stormwater (QCIS) certifications are preferred.
• Experience with Safety Data Sheets (SDS) is preferred.
• Experience with inspecting storm sewer/drainage structures (e.g., MS4, outfalls, storm sewer pipe, inlets, wing walls, culverts, junctions, etc.) may be preferred.

Salary Range

$49,254.40 - $55,348.80

The salary listed on this job posting is the starting salary range; amount offered will depend upon qualifications.

City of Dallas is an Equal Opportunity Employer.