Environmental Technician

City of Suffolk; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Suffolk seeks an advanced paraprofessional engineer to support the Public Works Stormwater Management Program, perform field inspections of stormwater facilities, and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

This role involves data collection, reporting, coordinating with developers and contractors, and assisting with outreach events. It includes GPS surveys, field testing, and reviewing engineering plans to support stormwater infrastructure in the City of Suffolk.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of civil engineering principles as applied to stormwater facilities design and construction.
• Knowledge of municipal engineering objectives, purposes, methods and practices.
• Knowledge of land and engineering survey systems, methods and techniques; familiarity with laws and codes governing municipal public works.
• Ability to read construction plans, blueprints, and engineering specifications; GIS mapping and databases.
• Ability to communicate effectively; speak clearly and convey information; prepare technical reports.

Responsibilities

• Conduct field inspections of stormwater facilities and develop inspection reports.
• Conduct illicit discharge investigations and coordinate with other departments to resolve issues.
• Perform stormwater outfall screenings and prepare reports.
• Conduct field testing and sampling of stormwater runoff; analyze data.
• Assist with stormwater outreach events and presentations to schools and community groups.
• Serve as staff representative on committees and support public work staff.
• Review plans for stormwater features; assist in locating water and sewer structures using GPS.
• Maintain department records, maps, and filing systems; provide information to developers and the public.

Skills

Civil engineering principles

Municipal engineering objectives

Land surveying knowledge

Reading plans and specs

Communication skills

Independent judgment

Public interaction

GPS and mapping understanding

Education

Bachelor’s degree in science or related field

Tools

GIS mapping software

GPS technology

Job description

Under general supervision, performs advanced paraprofessional engineering work. Assists the Public Works Department in implementing the City’s Stormwater Management Program, maintaining compliance with laws and regulations, and enforcing local ordinances. Conducts field inspections and investigations in support of the City of Suffolk MS4 Permit. Employee must exercise initiative and independent judgment in ensuring that necessary work and accompanying paperwork is performed in a timely manner. Employee must also exercise tact and courtesy in frequent contact with developers, contractors, and the general public. Reports to the Environmental Specialist.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.

• Conducts field inspections of stormwater management facilities, or BMPs, and develops inspection reports.
• Conducts illicit discharge investigations and corresponds with other departments to resolve issues.
• Conducts stormwater outfall screenings and prepares associated screening reports.
• Conducts field testing.
• Assists with stormwater outreach events, including presentations at schools and community events.
• Serves as staff representative on committees.
• Investigates complaints from the general public pertaining to departmental services or programs, or refers to appropriate official.
• Provides support to emergency clean-up contractors during business hours.
• Assists the general public and consultants with locating file information, maps, etc. Assists in creating and maintaining department filing system and maintains accurate and current records for private site and engineering plans, including electronic files. Assists consulting/private engineers, land developers, and the general public in obtaining information regarding existing or proposed water, sewer, and stormwater and roadway facilities within the City of Suffolk.
• Assists in maintaining a log of department's fixed assets (i.e. stormwater infrastructure and stormwater management facilities).
• Assists departmental staff in preparing public presentations to the City Council and community organizations.
• Reviews and inspects stormwater infrastructure.
• Conducts property research.
• Conducts field sampling and monitoring of stormwater runoff and analyzes data.
• Conducts surveying and sounding measurements of stormwater ponds.
• Assists with water sampling via boat on the Nansemond River and analyzes monitoring data.
• May provide detailed monitoring reports and assists the Public Works Engineering Division staff.
• May review plans for the location of stormwater features.
• May assist with Erosion and Stormwater management inspections.
• May answer any questions that may arise from assisting Engineers, Planners and Land Developers pertaining to departmental policy, procedures and location of available water and sewer facilities.
• May assist in locating physical water and sewer structures and verifies as-builts using GPS technology.
• May be required to prepare and provide expert sworn testimony in courtroom or hearings.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Bachelor’s Degree with major course work in science, or a related field, and at least 2 years of experience in science, water and sewer utilities, surveying or a related field; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provide the required skills, knowledge and abilities. Requires a valid driver's license.

In addition, for the Department of Public Works, a DEQ Erosion and Stormwater Inspector Certification, to be acquired within 12 months of hire.

A Virginia Boater’s License may also be required.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of civil engineering as applied to design and construction of stormwater facilities.
• Knowledge of municipal engineering objectives, purposes, methods and practices.
• Knowledge of land and engineering survey systems, methods and techniques. Knowledge of federal, State and local laws, regulations and codes governing municipal public works and utilities construction and design, including stormwater regulations.
• Knowledge of State and local laws, ordinances and codes pertaining to new construction and stormwater. Ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural or compositional characteristics (whether similar or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.
• Ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving instructions, assignments, or directions from superiors.
• Ability to read a variety of reports, letters and memos, site plans, etc. Requires the ability to prepare correspondence, reports, forms, etc., using prescribed formats. Requires the ability to speak with poise, voice control and confidence.
• Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagrammatic form; and to deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
• Ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of technical or professional languages including engineering and legal terminology.
• Ability to utilize mathematical formulas; to add and subtract; multiply and divide; utilize decimals and percentages; understand and apply the theories of algebra, geometry, and trigonometry.
• Ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.
• Ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress and when confronted with persons acting under stress.
• Ability to read and interpret construction plans, blueprints and engineering specifications, and GIS mapping and databases.
• Ability to prepare technical reports.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and initiative in applying standards to a variety of work situations.
• Ability to exercise considerable tact and courtesy in frequent contact with the public.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships as necessitated by work assignments.