Senior Environmental Compliance Inspector

City of Waco; Waco (TX); On-site; USD 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Waco is seeking a motivated Senior Environmental Compliance Inspector (SORMW) to lead the city’s environmental compliance program. The role performs complex inspections, investigates violations, and guides other inspectors in enforcing city ordinances and state/federal regulations.

Primary program focus may include Pretreatment, FOG, or Stormwater. The position requires an Associate’s Degree in an environmental field, 5 years of related experience, and a valid Texas driver’s license.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in environmental-related field and 5 years of relevant inspection/compliance work.
• Valid Texas Driver’s License required.
• Additional technical training or certifications may be required.
• Experience with pretreatment, FOG, or stormwater program areas is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead inspections and site visits to verify compliance with city ordinances and permits.
• Conduct complex investigations of complaints, spills, illicit discharges, and high-risk violations.
• Plan inspection, sampling, and follow-up schedules with other inspectors to meet regulatory timeframes.
• Review data and field results; assist design of sampling plans and inspection strategies for higher risk facilities.
• Provide coaching to improve documentation quality and train inspectors in procedures.
• Coordinate with lab, treatment operations, and legal staff to resolve complex issues.
• Respond to after-hours calls and lead field response when needed.

Skills

Environmental inspection experience

Texas Driver's License

Technical training or certifications

Education

Associate’s Degree in Environmental Science, Biology, Chemistry, Engineering or related field

Job description

Minimum Starting Salary: $30.5900 per hour - Depending on Qualifications

The City of Waco Seeks:

The City of Waco is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Senior Environmental Compliance Inspector (Sormwater) to join our team. This role will serve as the lead inspector within the City’s environmental compliance program.

Minimum Qualifications:

Required:

• Associate’s Degree in Environmental Science, Biology, Chemistry, Engineering or a related field and 5 years of increasingly responsible experience in environmental inspection, compliance, or regulatory program work directly related to the assigned focus area (Industrial Pretreatment, Fats Oils and Grease, or Stormwater/MS4); an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in place of the degree, provided the experience is in the assigned program area.


• Valid Texas Driver’s License


• Additional technical training or certifications may be required.

Preferred:

• Additional certifications in pretreatment, stormwater, or environmental compliance.

Position Overview:

Under general direction, the Senior Environmental Compliance Inspector serves as a lead inspector within the City’s environmental compliance programs, including pretreatment, fats oils and grease, stormwater, and related assignments. This position performs complex inspections, investigations, and enforcement activities, provides field and technical guidance to other inspectors, and supports the development of procedures, training, and program improvements. The Senior Inspector coordinates closely with the Environmental Compliance Manager and supervisory staff, acts as a primary contact for assigned program areas, and helps ensure consistent, defensible application of City ordinances, permits, and state and federal regulations. Employees in this classification are assigned to one primary environmental compliance program, Pretreatment, FOG, or Stormwater, but may provide limited support to other programs as needed based on departmental priorities.

Essential Functions:

• Operates a city vehicle to lead and perform inspections and site visits at industrial users, food service establishments, commercial facilities, construction sites, and municipal facilities to verify compliance with City ordinances, permits, and regulations for the assigned program area.


• Leads or conducts complex investigations of complaints, spills, illicit discharges, bypasses, sanitary sewer overflows, and repeat or high-risk violations; gathers and organizes evidence, documents findings, and recommends enforcement actions.


• Plans and coordinates inspection, sampling, and follow up schedules for assigned program areas, working with other inspectors to balance workload, cover priorities, and maintain regulatory time frames.


• Performs advanced sampling and data review, including: Assisting with design of sampling plans and inspection strategies for higher risk facilities, Reviewing field data and laboratory results prepared by other staff for accuracy and trends, Identifying potential violations and recommending appropriate escalation or corrective actions.


• Reviews inspection reports, notices, and other work products prepared by inspectors for completeness, accuracy, and consistency; provides coaching and feedback to improve documentation quality.


• Assists with drafting and implementation of enforcement actions, including notices of violation, compliance schedules, and supporting documentation for compliance orders or penalties; may present case information to management or other City staff.


• Provides informal field leadership by training and mentoring inspectors, conducting ride alongs, supporting new hire onboarding, and helping develop and update standard operating procedures, checklists, and forms.


• Serves as a primary contact for assigned program areas with industries, food service establishments, contractors, consultants, and partner agencies; participates in meetings, presentations, and outreach events.


• Coordinates with the laboratory, collection and treatment operations, engineering, legal staff, and other City departments to resolve complex compliance issues and support shared initiatives.


• Responds to after hours or emergency calls with a higher level of responsibility, which may include leading field response to spills, illicit discharges, and other incidents until relieved by supervisory staff.


• Performs the full range of Environmental Compliance Inspector duties as needed, including coverage for vacancies, absences, and seasonal workload.


• Performs other duties as assigned to support regulatory compliance, environmental protection, and nuisance abatement.

Required for All Jobs:

• Performs other related duties as assigned.


• Complies with all policies and standards.


• Supports the relationship between the City of Waco and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with residents, visitors, and City staff; maintains confidentiality of work-related issues and City information.


• Lives the City of Waco Values.