INDUSTRIAL WASTE INSPECTOR-OPEN

City-of-Cincinnat; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Cincinnati seeks a Pre-Treatment/Water Quality Technician to support regulatory compliance and monitoring programs across Pretreatment, Surcharge, Special Billing Meter, Hauled Waste, and Infrastructure Protection. Responsibilities include installation, configuration, maintenance, and troubleshooting of monitoring equipment, and data collection for program implementation.

Typical duties involve field sampling, report preparation, and collaboration with plant personnel and law

Qualifications

• Open posting requires completion of one year of college chemistry and lab courses, including organic and inorganic chemistry.
• Prior experience in environmental sampling or sewer system monitoring is preferred.
• Two years of relevant pre-treatment/department experience may be required for promotional opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Drives to facilities to inspect and sample waste treatment facilities and related sites.
• Performs field tests for acidity, alkalinity, and other characteristics to assess impact on water pollution and sewer systems.
• Inspects sewers, storm drains, and related facilities for safety and compliance.
• Assembles data and prepares reports on treatment plant loading and industrial discharge.
• Responds to spills or emergency events and coordinates with authorities as needed.

Skills

Field sampling

Report writing

Court testimony support

Communication skills

Hazard recognition

Vehicle operation

Education

One year of college chemistry and lab courses

Tools

ArcView

GIS

iPACS

OnBase

CagisDocs

Job description

This position is responsible for supporting regulatory compliance and monitoring activities associated with the Pretreatment, Surcharge, Special Billing Meter, Hauled Waste, Infrastructure Protection, and related monitoring programs. Duties may include the installation, configuration, calibration, maintenance, and troubleshooting of monitoring, sampling, and remote sensor instrumentation, as applicable to assigned programs. Working independently or collaboratively, the position performs field and office functions that support wastewater monitoring, compliance verification, data collection, and technical program implementation.

(Illustrative only. Any one position may not require all of the listed KSAs nor do the listed examples include all the KSAs which may be required.)

Knowledge of:

• Properties of acids, caustics, and combinations to determine effect of industrial waste on the sewerage system.
• Standard laboratory procedures related to collection of samples.
• Liquid, solid, and vapor sample collection procedures.
• Basic chemical and engineering terms.
• Differences among various types of pumps and valves.
• Utility and process flow plans to relate symbols, plan elevations, and dimensions to pipes, pumps, valves, and discharge outlets in plants.
• Safety policies and procedures, e.g., Employee Safety Instruction Manual and applicable agency requirements.
• Parameters of wastewater strength for revenue purposes such as biochemical oxygen demand (B.O.D.), suspended solids, and total Kjeldahl nitrogen determinations (TKN).
• Emergency response and Communication Procedures.
• Characteristics and behaviors of odors, emissions and gases.
• Software systems such as: ArcView, GIS, iPACS, On Base, CagisDocs.
• The impact of pollutants/contamination on natural bodies of water.

Skill to:

• Label sample collections sufficient to establish correct procedures for court cases.
• Use a variety of video/photographic equipment.
• Drive a van, pick-up truck, or car.

Ability to:

• Measure and isolate problems or possible causes of pH which affect safety, health, and corrosion.
• Assess corrosive and safety problems of sewage by odor, color, and effect on physical senses.
• Offer assistance to plant managers, engineers, etc., related to control of illegal discharges.
• Evaluate whether a chemical, metal, property, condition etc., is present, whether it is a nuisance or hazard.
• Read, understand, interpret, and apply appropriate M.S.D. Rules and Regulations concerning discharged wastes.
• Testify and use plans and drawings in court as MSD's expert on sampling, location and practices.
• Work alone for extended periods of time.
• Demonstrate professional and effective behavior in stressful situations.
• Prepare detailed timely reports related to findings.
• Communicate effectively, orally and with tact, with technical plant personnel at various organizational levels.
• Work safely, independently, and collaboratively as part of a team, including taking initiative and carrying out assignments with minimal supervision.

Examples of Work Performed

• Drives to establishments to inspect and/or sample waste treatment facilities, sewers, drains, meters, tanks, vehicles, etc.
• Conducts field tests for acidity, alkalinity, and other characteristics to determine whether discharged wastes will cause water pollution, deterioration of sewerage facilities, or health and safety problems.
• Inspects sewers and storm drains to determine presence of explosive gases using gas-analysis equipment.
• Assembles mathematical and chemical information to develop and write reports relative to treatment plant loading, industrial revenues and associated waste problems. Evaluates water usage at industrial facilities to determine the portions of metered water that do not discharge to the wastewater treatment systems.
• Pursues reports of illegal or suspicious discharge to the MSD sewer system.
• Demonstrates a working knowledge of current safety policies, instructions for proper usage, and other procedures and professional practices required for completing job duties.
• Identifies unsafe practices and conditions and brings such matters to the attention of the crew leader or supervisor.
• Monitors and reports activities of the Special Billing Meter, Septic Hauler, and Infrastructure Protection Programs. Investigates Wastewater Treatment Plant problems related to Industrial Discharge.
• Recommends enforcement action related to inspection findings.
• Designs and operates monitoring stations using timed, discreet and composite sampling methods.
• Prepares evidence for enforcement actions as required.
• Responds to spills, dumps or other similar emergency events.
• Works with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies in the investigation of environmental crimes.
• Assists with Departmental/Divisional public education/Outreach programs through various activities.
• Designs and implements samplings studies for surveillance purposes.
• Collects samples of waste from sewers, storm sewers, and water courses, Industrial Users, Waste Haulers, Septic Receiving Stations to provide samples for laboratory analysis.
• Inspects settling and neutralization tanks, grease removal equipment and related piping, pumps and values.
• Installs, monitors, maintains, and interprets data from remote sensing equipment and data systems.
• Field responsibilities include conducting inspections; performing sampling and monitoring at commercial, industrial, residential, and utility facilities; verifying proper installation and operation of metering and control devices; and operating and maintaining sampling and remote monitoring equipment.
• Office responsibilities include data management and analysis; preparation and review of reports and regulatory documentation; use of applicable software and database systems; evaluation of monitoring results; development of recommendations to support compliance and program objectives; and participation in meetings related to assigned responsibilities.

Probationary Period

Twelve months

Supervision Exercised

None

HR CONTACT: [e-mail]

Promotional

Each applicant must have two years of experience as a Pre-Treatment Specialist, Plant Operator 2, Laboratory Technician 1, Laboratory Technician 2, Laboratory Technician 3, or Laboratory Technician 4 with the City of Cincinnati.

Open

Each applicant must have completed one full year of college level chemistry and laboratory courses, including organic and inorganic chemistry, and have experience reading engineering drawings, e.g., sewer utility and process flow plans OR must have one year of paid, professional experience where substantial portions of the body of work includes environmental sampling, water/wastewater laboratory analysis and/or operation of a complex water/ wastewater treatment system.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Must have a valid Driver’s License.

WORKING AND PHYSICAL CONDITIONS

• Must be in good physical condition to permit working outdoors in varying weather conditions, to lift manhole covers, to climb ladders, and to descend into manholes.
• Must have sufficient sight to read meters and gauges, to distinguish between colors and shades of colors.
• Must have ability to recognize hazardous wastes by odor.

MILITARY EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE EVALUATION

Military education and experience may be substituted for college level course work at the lower and upper division baccalaureate and graduate levels and apprenticeship training at the vocational certificate level on a case by case basis based on the American Council on Education (ACE) Military Guide recommendations.