ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNICIAN I (SR-14) [3 vacancies]

City and County of Honolulu; Hawaii; On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous time off

Comprehensive health coverage

Retirement plan

Job summary

City and County of Honolulu is hiring Environmental Technician I–IV to conduct field inspections, investigations, and enforcement activities across Oahu. The role supports wastewater and pretreatment programs, requires navigating regulatory requirements, and involves preparing technical reports and GIS-based documents.

Applicants must meet education requirements, have 2 years of technical field experience, and be willing to travel island-wide.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; substitutions allowed for experience as described.
• Two years of technical field experience in inspections, sampling, or enforcement.
• Education may substitute for up to two years of experience as allowed.

Responsibilities

• Conduct field inspections and investigations island-wide to assess sewer connections and wastewater services.
• Investigate conditions affecting sewer systems and document findings in reports and logs.
• Communicate with customers, contractors, and agencies to gather information and explain corrective actions.
• Prepare inspection reports, action plans, and technical documents using GIS and office software.
• Support pretreatment programs, sampling, spill response, and enforcement activities; travel by City vehicle.

Skills

Field inspections

Communication

Documentation

GIS basics

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate's degree in Engineering Technology or Natural Sciences

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Biological/Physical Science

Tools

GIS

CAD

MS Office

Job description

Help Keep Our Island’s Wastewater Systems Safe, Reliable, and Environmentally Responsible

The Department of Environmental Services (ENV) is looking for Environmental Technician Is to conduct various inspections, investigations, and enforcement activities to ensure compliance with environmental laws, rules and regulations; and performs other related duties as required.

What You Will Do

• Conduct field inspections and investigations at residential, commercial, and industrial properties island-wide to assess sewer connections, water meters, wastewater service, pretreatment devices, and compliance with applicable requirements.
• Investigate and document conditions affecting sewer and wastewater services, including changes to structures, water meter activity, wastewater charges, sewer connections, and potential violations or deficiencies.
• Communicate with customers, contractors, architects, and other agencies to gather information, resolve issues, and explain required corrective actions.
• Prepare technical documentation, including inspection reports, daily logs, sketches, drawings, findings, recommendations, databases, and other records related to field investigations and program activities.
• Support wastewater and pretreatment programs, including compliance inspections, sampling, spill response, enforcement activities, special investigations, and research; operate a City vehicle to travel to various field locations.

Position Specific Information

Regulatory Control Branch (Honouliuli Hale, Kapolei)

• Conduct field inspections and assessments of commercial, industrial, and residential facilities to determine compliance with sewer and pretreatment requirements.
• Assist with investigations, compliance sampling, wastewater spill response, and minor enforcement activities; collect, document, and report information related to potential violations.
• Receive training and apply established practices, procedures, equipment, techniques, regulations, and requirements related to the City's pretreatment and sewer service programs.
• Research and summarize information from databases, records, and other sources; prepare inspection reports, action plans, technical documents, and other records using basic GIS and office software.
• Operate a motor vehicle to travel independently to field locations island-wide and perform inspections, meetings, and other related program activities.

Office of Administrative Support Division (Honolulu Fasi Municipal Building)

• Conduct field investigations at residential, commercial, and other properties to evaluate sewer service conditions, water meters, sewer connections, wastewater charges, and construction or property changes.
• Perform testing and assessments to determine water meter service, appropriate sewer codes, sewer connections, and other conditions affecting the City's sewer service programs.
• Communicate with customers, property owners, architects, contractors, the Board of Water Supply, Department of Planning and Permitting, and other stakeholders to obtain information and facilitate investigations.
• Identify deficiencies or discrepancies and communicate required corrective actions regarding plans, construction, sewer service, water meters, and related requirements.
• Prepare daily logs, technical reports, drawings, sketches, and other documentation of investigation findings and recommendations; operate a motor vehicle to travel to urban and remote field locations.

Special Work Requirements

• Occasional exposure to sewage, sewage gases, disease germs, and traffic hazards.
• Field work may require climbing ladders; entering or descending into trenches, tanks, and manholes; crawling through pipes; and walking on uneven or obstructed surfaces, including platforms and stream beds.
• May be required to carry, lift, transport, and use inspection, sampling, measuring, and testing equipment weighing approximately 15-44 pounds.
• May interact with customers, property owners, contractors, and other members of the public who may occasionally be agitated or difficult.
• May be required to work evenings, weekends, and holidays and serve as a Disaster Response Worker during declared civil defense emergencies.

Career Progression

This position offers opportunities for career growth within the Environmental Technician series, with advancement from Environmental Technician I through Environmental Technician III. Experienced and knowledgeable Environmental Technicians can later apply to be an Environmental Technician IV with satisfactory work experience and demonstration of applicable knowledge and skills.

• Environmental Technician I – SR-14 – $4,054
• Environmental Technician II – SR-16 – $4,388
• Environmental Technician III – SR-19 – $4,933
• Environmental Technician IV – SR-21 – $5,338

Enjoy excellent employment benefits including generous time off (up to 21 vacation days, 21 sick leave days, and holidays), comprehensive health coverage, retirement plan, career development, and much more! View details about all our available benefits by clicking on the "Benefits" tab at the top of this posting or visiting https://www.honolulu.gov/dhr/benefits/.

At time of application, you must be a citizen, national or permanent resident alien of the United States or a non-citizen eligible under federal law for unrestricted employment.

Education Requirement

Equivalent to graduation from high school. Responsible work experience demonstrating the ability to perform the essential functions of the job may be substituted for education.

Experience Requirement

Two years of technical field experience which involved sampling, inspectional, and/or investigational work relating to the enforcement of laws, ordinances, and/or rules and regulations.

Substitution: An Associate's degree from a regionally-accredited college or university in Engineering Technology or Natural Sciences and/or a Bachelor's degree from a regionally-accredited four-year college or university in Engineering, or in a Biological or Physical Science will substitute for up to two years of the required technical field experience.

The education requirement must be met at the time of application. Education obtained outside of the United States must be comparable to a degree earned at a regionally-accredited college/university in the United States. In order to receive credit for the education, a foreign credential evaluation (FCE) must be provided. We also reserve the right to request further information about your academic program, evidence of comparability, or an original transcript.

Education Verification: Education information must be listed clearly on your application. If available, please attach a legible electronic copy of your diploma, official transcripts, and/or applicable foreign credential evaluation to your application. As part of the hiring process, you may be asked to furnish documentation to verify your education to move forward for further consideration.

Must have an ability to:

• Conduct inspections and investigations to identify violations and ensure compliance
• Collect and preserve field data and samples, using proper techniques and equipment
• Operate and maintain relevant instruments, devices, and field tools
• Understand, interpret, and apply environmental laws, rules, and regulations
• Read and interpret construction plans, blueprints, and site specifications
• Use software and digital tools including Word, Excel, GIS, and CAD for reporting and mapping
• Perform basic calculations, prepare reports, graphs, and other documentation
• Solve problems, make recommendations, and justify actions taken in the field
• Communicate findings clearly to others, including property owners, contractors, or community members
• Prioritize assignments and work effectively both independently and with others

License Requirement

Valid Type 3 (automobile) license, prior to appointment.

If you qualify for the position, your name will be eligible for consideration for the current vacancy/vacancies and future job openings with this job title. Screening will be based on the education, experience, and other job-related information provided in your application. Failure to provide sufficient information may result in your application being rejected or your receiving a lower rating. All information provided on an application is subject to verification. As applicable, false or misleading statements or omissions of material facts are grounds for disqualification and/or termination of employment with the City and County of Honolulu.