Environmental Specialist Senior - Public Water

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Culpeper (VA); On-site; USD 53,000 - 63,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health/dental/vision insurance

Retirement plans

Paid holidays

Job summary

Commonwealth of VA Careers in Culpeper, VA seeks an Environmental Specialist Senior - Public Water to conduct groundwater waterworks inspections and sanitary surveys. This role enforces drinking water regulations and helps waterworks achieve and maintain compliance through guidance and enforcement actions.

The position requires interpreting complex regulations, training operators, and communicating water quality information to the public while supporting the state's goal of safe drinking water

Qualifications

• Proficiency in biology, microbiology, chemistry and math for analyzing water quality.
• Familiarity with technology related to drinking water provision.
• Ability to express facts clearly, verbally and in writing, and to present at public meetings.
• Ability to prepare thorough, accurate regulatory reports and documentation of activities.
• Ability to analyze information and make compliance recommendations.
• Ability to interpret complex federal/state/local laws, policies and technical documents.

Responsibilities

• Conduct inspections and sanitary surveys of groundwater source waterworks.
• Interpret applicable federal and state drinking water regulations for owners and operators.
• Provide guidance to ensure compliance with health and safety standards and assist with return to compliance when violations occur.
• Train operators on operation and maintenance of waterworks and communicate drinking water quality information to the public.

Skills

Biology/Microbiology/Chemistry/Math

Water technology knowledge

Verbal/written communication

Regulatory reporting

Data analysis & recommendations

Interpretation of laws/regulations

Driver's license

Job description

Title: Environmental Specialist Senior - Public Water

State Role Title:Environmental Specialist I

Hiring Range: $53,200.00 - $63,085.00

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location:ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH-CULPEPPER

Agency Website:www.vdh.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

This is a restricted position, which is solely funded by the Safe Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. The availability of funding is scheduled for review annually and periodically thereafter (continuous renewal). Continued employment is contingent on the continued availability of funds.

Under Section 32.1-167-176 of the Code of Virginia and the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is mandated to establish and enforce safe drinking water regulations. These functions are of critical importance to sustaining a program of inspections to ensure continued compliance with state and federal regulations.

The Environmental Specialist Sr for Public Water Works position provides technical assistance to primarily groundwater waterworks. Core responsibilities include conducting inspections and sanitary surveys of groundwater source waterworks, interpreting applicable federal and state regulations for waterworks owners and operators, offering guidance to help ensure compliance with health and safety standards, assisting waterworks in returning to compliance when violations occur, training operators on the operation and maintenance of waterworks, and providing the public with information on drinking water quality.

This is a public-facing position that conducts routine waterworks surveillance activities required by the federal Safe Drinking Water Act and VDH Waterworks Regulations. The position performs compliance and enforcement functions required by EPA to maintain primacy for the drinking water program in Virginia and receive related federal grant monies.

The Goal of the Virginia Department of Health is to become the healthiest state in the nation. This position will support the VDH Goal of becoming the healthiest state in the nation by continuing to support and improve the health of all Virginians through efficient and effective execution of operations and delivery of services, performing work based on assigned duties and performance measures.

The Virginia Department of Health offers 12 paid holidays, medical, dental, vision and life insurance, retirement plans (including 401a Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan) as well as sick, family/personal, and annual leave.

Minimum Qualifications

• Working knowledge of biology, microbiology, chemistry, and math
• Knowledge of technology associated with provision of drinking water
• Ability to express facts clearly, verbally and in writing, and to present at public meetings
• Ability to effectively communicate technical information with others and to prepare thorough and accurate reports and documentation of regulatory activities
• Ability to analyze information and data and to make recommendations for corrective actions and compliance
• Ability to interpret complex federal, state and local laws, policies, regulations, and technical documents
• A valid State Driver’s License is required to operate a state vehicle or if operating a personal vehicle while conducting business on behalf of the agency.

Additional Considerations

• Licensure as a Waterworks Operator by the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
• Experience in the provision of drinking water and related activities in the areas of enforcement and compliance

Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results of a state and federal criminal history background check and the Department of Social Service’s Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry check, U.S. HHSIG Exclusion List check, employment reference check and E-Verify. Other financial, credit, driving, background checks or completion of Statement of Economic Interests may be required for certain positions.

It is the policy of the Commonwealth and VDH that all aspects of human resource management be conducted without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists); sex; color; national origin; religion; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; age; veteran status; political affiliation; disability; genetic information; and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. VDH employees have a shared Code of Ethics, which can be found in the bottom banner of our website: www.vdh.virginia.gov.

If you have been affected by DHRM Policy 1.30 layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), you must submit the card before the closing date for this position. The Card may be submitted with the state application as an attachment.

As a V3 (Virginia Values Veterans) employer VDH Welcomes Veterans to apply!

Contact Information

Name: Jerard Jarrett

Phone: N/A

Email: [e-mail]

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.