Environmental Specialist II - Sanitation Services (Civil Service)

City of Dallas; Maryland Heights (MO); On-site; USD 33,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

The Environmental Specialist II role with the City of Dallas involves inspecting, investigating, and evaluating facilities for compliance with environmental laws and standards. You will conduct field work, respond to spills, collect samples, and prepare comprehensive reports for regulatory teams.

With a focus on advanced environmental tools like Power BI, GIS, and Excel, you will help lead investigations, train staff, and coordinate with the Environmental Compliance Committee.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED with science coursework.
• Associate degree in chemistry, engineering, environmental or physical sciences.
• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, environmental, or life sciences will meet education and experience requirements.

Responsibilities

• Inspects and investigates facilities for environmental compliance.
• Responds to spills and documents investigations.
• Maintains inspection reports and supports coordination with regulatory programs.
• Prepares reports detailing findings and non-compliance.
• Supports training and continuous education for staff.
• Responds to 24-hour emergency service requests.

Skills

Power BI

GIS

Excel

Environmental compliance

Communication

Education

High School diploma or GED with science coursework

Associate degree in chemistry, engineering, environmental or physical sciences

Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, environmental, or life sciences

Tools

ArcGIS

MS Office

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

Under minimum supervision, performs moderately complex environmental work. Inspects and investigates facilities, sites or incidents to determine compliance with environmental laws and regulations. Works in the field and is responsible for making decisions requiring technical acumen, sound judgement, and familiarity with a broad variety of problems.

Job Description

Overview

The Environmental Specialist II inspects, investigates, evaluates, and determines City of Dallas’ compliance with environmental laws, regulations, and standards. Performs regular inspections, responds to spills, collects and documents environmental samples (water, soil, sludge), participates in continuous education, and performs reporting and coordination for the Environmental Compliance Committee, assisting with permit requirements for the municipal water, storm, sewer, and other regulatory programs.

Essential Functions

1. Provides mid-level expertise on complex environmental evaluations, inspections, and reviews city services and utilities; investigates complaints, performs regular inspections, and files compliance reports for environmental agencies.
2. Monitors and provides knowledge-based expertise for cleaning spills and other potentially hazardous situations; ensures spills are cleaned appropriately and completely, investigates causes of spills and determines future preventability, reviews incident reports and documents.
3. Inspects public and private sites/facilities for environmental compliance; reviews waste storage areas, water facilities, stormwater management tactics, and other water activities; observes and identifies issues that need to be addressed and communicates issues and concerns; participates in mitigation and completion of identified issues.
4. Prepares and files extensive reports on inspection activities and findings; documents areas of non-compliance; ensures relevant parties are aware of issues and have comprehensive data to make informed decisions.
5. Applies environmental policies, rules, regulations, and standards to meet and exceed city expectations; provides training and continuous education to other employees to ensure all inspection and compliance activities are completed efficiently.
6. Responds to 24-hour emergency service requests, and documents emergency response investigations.
7. Supports the Environmental Specialist III in leading investigations with other city departments and government agencies. Prepares reports and coordinates with the Environmental Compliance Committee, including results from routine investigations, spill responses, sampling, and other records.
8. Performs other work as needed or assigned.

Knowledge and Skills

1. Advanced knowledge of environmental compliance regulations, such as The Clean Water Act (CWA) and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).
2. Knowledge of environmental procedures and inspection tactics, such as RG-416 Surface Water Monitoring Procedures (Bio Program) and RG-415 TCEQ Surface WQ Monitoring Procedures (Physical & Chemical Monitoring).
3. Advanced knowledge of environmental codes, ordinances, and regulations, such as Texas Water Quality Standards.
4. Ability to perform professional inspections and document non-compliant findings.
5. Ability to review data and draft communications in a comprehensive manner.
6. Skill in following through and ensuring resolutions are achieved.
7. Ability to transfer knowledge, train and educate other specialists.
8. Advanced skills in Power BI, GIS, and Excel.
9. Skill in communicating effectively both verbally and in writing. Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.

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.

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.

Education

High School or GED with a study course in sciences, chemistry or biology.

Preferred

1. OSHA 30-hour Safety Certification is preferred.
2. 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.
3. Experience with inspecting storm sewer/drainage structures (e.g., MS4, outfalls, storm sewer pipe, inlets, wing walls, culverts, junctions, etc.) may be preferred.

Equivalency

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.

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.

Salary Range

$23.68 - $26.61

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.