Environmental Specialist II (Storm Water)

City of Norfolk; Norfolk (VA); On-site; USD 54,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Norfolk’s Storm Water Division seeks an Environmental Specialist II to inspect BMPs, enforce environmental regulations, coordinate illicit discharges, and support spill response. The role emphasizes field inspections, enforcement actions, and public education to protect local waterways.

The position requires a four-year environmental degree and two years of related inspection experience, with multiple certifications to be obtained within 6–12 months.

Qualifications

• Four-year college degree required in environmental field or related.
• Two years of environmental or construction inspection/maintenance experience.
• Hazwoper-Awareness certification required within 6 months.
• Special Police Commission required within 6 months.
• Erosion and Sediment Control Inspector certification within 1 year.
• Storm Water Inspector certification within 1 year.

Responsibilities

• Inspect BMPs before, during, and after construction to ensure compliance with approved plans, engineering standards, and environmental regulations.
• Investigate illicit discharges and coordinate corrective actions to protect water quality.
• Provide spill response support and document incidents per guidelines.
• Enforce environmental codes; issue notices and educate the public and contractors on compliance.
• Inspect commercial and industrial properties for compliance with environmental and water quality regulations.
• Collect environmental and stormwater data through field inspections and monitoring for MS4 reporting.
• Represent the City during regulatory audits and provide necessary documentation.
• Monitor evolving laws and regulations to maintain regulatory alignment.
• Conduct stormwater monitoring and sampling to evaluate water quality and BMP performance.
• Lead trainings and presentations on stormwater requirements for staff and contractors.
• Serve on committees to support regional and regulatory initiatives.
• Assist residents, businesses, and contractors with stormwater questions and guidance.
• Prepare letters, reports, SOPs, and memos documenting activities.

Skills

Stormwater inspection

Environmental compliance

Regulatory reporting

Public communication

Data analysis

Customer service

Education

Bachelor's degree (environmental field)

Job description

CITY OF NORFOLK:The Department of Public Works builds, maintains, and operates the physical facilities that support and enhance the lives of Norfolk’s citizens, businesses, and visitors, including the City’s Street Network, Traffic Management System, Storm Water System, Waste Management, and Recycling.

The Division of Environmental Storm Water Management is responsible for reducing the threat of flooding and improving water quality throughout the City of Norfolk. The division’s crews maintain and operate the city’s stormwater infrastructure, including underground pipes, drainage structures, roadside and off-road ditches, Best Management Practices (BMPs), and pump stations. By performing routine maintenance, system inspections, and emergency response during rain and tidal events, the division works to minimize flooding impacts, protect public safety, and ensure the continued function and reliability of Norfolk’s stormwater system.

The Storm Water Division protects and enhances the community’s water resources by leading the City's environmental regulatory compliance and stormwater engineering efforts. The division ensures adherence to federal, state, and local water quality regulations, including MS4 permit requirements, while designing and implementing sustainable stormwater infrastructure and management practices. Through monitoring, planning, engineering, and public outreach, the division works to reduce pollution, improve drainage systems, mitigate flooding, and support long-term environmental stewardship.

The Division is seeking to fill the mission-critical Environmental Specialist II position. This position is responsible for inspecting stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) before, during, and after construction to ensure compliance with approved plans, engineering standards, and environmental regulations. The position also provides spill response support by assessing environmental incidents, coordinating cleanup actions, and ensuring proper notification and documentation. Additionally, the individual will perform environmental code enforcement by investigating complaints, identifying violations of stormwater and water quality ordinances, issuing notices and corrective actions, and educating the public and contractors on compliance requirements. Through consistent inspections, enforcement, and environmental stewardship, this position helps protect local waterways, reduce pollution, and support the City’s stormwater environmental regulatory management goals.

Departmental Hiring Salary Range: $54,190-$58,050

Essential functions include but are not limited to:

• Responsible for inspecting stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) before, during, and after construction to ensure compliance with approved plans, engineering standards, and environmental regulations. The role conducts field evaluations of structural and non-structural BMPs, verifies proper installation and functionality, and documents construction activities to support regulatory reporting and permit requirements.
• Conducts illicit discharge investigations by responding to reports of potential pollution, tracing sources of unauthorized discharges, documenting findings, and coordinating corrective actions to protect water quality and ensure compliance with stormwater regulations.
• Provides spill response support by assessing environmental incidents, coordinating containment and cleanup actions, and ensuring proper notification and documentation in accordance with local, state, and federal guidelines.
• Performs environmental code enforcement by investigating complaints, identifying violations of stormwater and water quality ordinances, educating the public and contractors on compliance requirements, issuing notices of violations or summonses, and representing the City on court proceeding providing expert, sworn testimony.
• Inspect commercial and industrial properties to ensure compliance with environmental and water quality regulations. These inspections verify proper site practices, pollution prevention measures, and stormwater controls, while identifying any activities that may impact local waterways.
• Collects environmental and stormwater data through field inspections and monitoring activities, then analyzing that information to identify trends, assess compliance, and support informed decision-making for regulatory and engineering programs. This data will be utilized in supporting documentation for annual MS4 reporting.
• Represents the City during regulatory audits conducted by state and federal agencies, providing documentation, answering technical questions, and demonstrating compliance with stormwater and environmental requirements to ensure accurate evaluation and continued regulatory standing.
• Assists with monitoring evolving local, state, and federal laws and regulations related to stormwater and environmental compliance, ensuring the City stays informed of new requirements and proactively updates practices, procedures, and policies to maintain regulatory alignment.
• Conducts stormwater monitoring and sampling to evaluate water quality, assess BMP performance, and ensure compliance with environmental regulations. This includes collecting field data, obtaining representative samples, and documenting results to support regulatory reporting and informed management decisions.
• Conduct presentations and training sessions for staff, contractors, and community groups to explain stormwater requirements, promote best practices, and support consistent understanding of environmental compliance obligations.
• Functions as a representative on various internal and external committees, providing technical expertise, supporting interdepartmental coordination, and contributing to regional and regulatory initiatives related to stormwater management and environmental compliance.
• Provides responsive and professional customer service by assisting residents, businesses, and contractors with stormwater questions, addressing concerns, and offering guidance on regulations, best practices, and compliance requirements.
• Prepares and writes professional letters, correspondence, reports, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and memos to document activities, communicate regulatory requirements, and support consistent stormwater and environmental program operations.
• Takes initiative and works independently to provide analytical and evaluative judgment.
• Reads and interprets environmental regulations, laws and permits, construction specifications, contracts, city codes, and technical reports.
• Performs general math calculations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, algebra, and engineering calculations.
• The position requires performing physical tasks, including lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds, lifting equipment and gear, including lifting manhole covers. Work is performed both indoors and outdoors. May work in varying weather conditions and around heavy equipment and active job sites, including construction sites.
• Requires sufficient hearing to detect equipment alarms, communicate with others, and remain aware of job site hazards. Must have adequate vision and depth perception to safely work around heavy equipment, judge distances, and perform detailed inspections of stormwater structures and tools.
• Work in adverse weather conditions, including extreme hot and cold temperatures and wet / rainy environments during both emergency and non-emergency conditions.
• Ability to work in and around water bodies.

Work requires broad knowledge in a general profession or technical field. Knowledge is normally acquired through four years of college resulting in a Bachelor's degree or equivalent. Concentrations in environmental science, engineering, construction, biology, chemistry, geography, geology, or a closely related field are preferred.

Two years experience in environmental or construction inspection or maintenance.

Preferred License(s) and/or Certification(s): Must possess valid Driver’s License. Must provide a copy of Division of Motor Vehicle driving record (obtained within last 30 days) during the interview.

Must obtain within 6 months of employment and maintain annual Hazwoper-Awareness Level Certification.

Must obtain a Special Police Commission within 6 months of employment.

Must obtain an Erosion and Sediment Control Inspector certification within 1 year of employment.

Must obtain a Storm Water Inspector certification within 1 year of employment.

Work Hours: Monday – Friday 7:00 am to 3:30 pm; 40 hours per week every week; This position will be required to respond to after-hour emergencies.