Senior Environmental Technician

City of Avondale; Avondale (AZ); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Avondale is seeking a Senior Environmental Technician to support field operations within regulatory compliance sampling programs for water systems. You will oversee sampling, data entry, and coordination with internal and external stakeholders to ensure compliance under the Safe Drinking Water Act and Clean Water Act.

Responsibilities include planning sampling, mentoring junior staff, maintaining databases like SDWIS and SAMS, and collaborating with Engineering on water mains

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Minimum 3 years of water quality sampling, compliance, or similar field.
• ADEQ Grade II Certification in Water Distribution or Water Treatment.
• Must obtain ADEQ Grade III Certification within 1 year and maintain it.
• Must possess a valid Arizona Driver's License.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day field activities and coordinate sampling schedules.
• Ensure regulatory compliance for drinking water and wastewater programs.
• Maintain SDWIS and SAMS data; prepare reports to ADEQ.
• Collaborate with Engineering and contractors on new water mains testing.
• Provide training and SOP review to Environmental Technician.

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

The Senior Environmental Technician is responsible for supporting the field operations of the City's regulatory compliance sampling programs. The position performs a variety of tasks, including but not limited to water quality monitoring, sampling, scheduling, and ensuring the City's water system complies with Federal and State regulations under the Safe Drinking Water Act and Clean Water Act. Monitoring and sampling activities support continued compliance with the City's Underground Storage Facility (USF) permit, the Aquifer Protection Permit(s) (APP), the Arizona Pollution Discharge Elimination System (AZPDES) permit, and other compliance programs.

Under the direct supervision of the Water Quality and Compliance Supervisor, this position will work closely with and coordinate with a variety of internal and external customers to ensure proper water quality and regulatory compliance. Coordination includes working with other departments and external customers such as developers, contractors, subcontractors, and more.

The Senior Environmental Technician requires leadership skills to lead and coordinate day-to-day field activities; provide input on regulatory compliance; analyze water quality sampling strategies, and more. Strong data management skills are required to maintain databases such as Arizona Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) and the NJBSoft SAMS environmental compliance software.

Plans, schedules, and performs water quality sampling operations and activities, including timely and accurate sampling and submittals to prevent late or missed monitoring for the drinking water system, the wastewater system, the wetlands, and the recharge facility.

Performs data entry and review of all water quality data with associated water quality databases and software such as the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) SDWIS platform and the NJBSoft SAMS environmental compliance software to ensure regulatory compliance.

Coordinates and communicates with divisional supervisors about water quality compliance and concerns. Provides prompt and detailed responses to water quality-related customer calls; responds to water quality-related complaints and performs field investigation, as required, to determine the source of water quality issues; coordinates to resolve water quality issues.

Coordinates with the Engineering Department and contractors to ensure that new water mains and appurtenances are properly installed and tested to meet drinking water standards before being placed into service.

Mentors and provides field direction to the Environmental Technician including training, standard operating procedure (SOP) review, sampling documentation, and more.

Assists the Water Quality and Compliance Supervisor with developing sampling plans and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for both drinking water and wastewater. Develops training programs and data management methodology with coordination from the Water Quality and Compliance Supervisor. Provides reports to the supervisor for submission to ADEQ and the Maricopa County Environmental Services Department.

Provides administrative and laboratory support as needed to ensure inventory, documentation, materials, equipment and PPE are ready and available for upcoming activities.

Represents the Public Works Department at occasional public events and outreach activities. Provides and/or coordinates operational support to the Water Tap Trailer program; performs preventative and/or reactive maintenance, administer training to internal staff, suggests standard operating procedure updates and operates the Tap Trailer.

Assists environmental coordinators with backflow assembly testing and repair of city-owned backflow prevention devices. Assists with wastewater pretreatment inspections and sampling of industrial dischargers to the sewer system including Significant Industrial Users (SIU), Categorical Industrial Users (CIU) and Fats, Oil and Grease (FOG) program. Assists with equipment setup for automatic composite sampling and local limit studies.

Follows all established safety procedures and Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) for the position. Utilizes safety equipment (PPE) and monitors the work environment to ensure the safety of employees and other individuals. Participates and completes annual regulatory and safety training.

Performs other duties as required. May be called upon to assist other divisions within the Department or other Departments within the City.

High school diploma or GED equivalency is required.

Work requires knowledge and/or experience with water quality sampling, scheduling, and monitoring policies and procedures.

Additional knowledge obtained through a vocational school certificate program or similar course of study is preferred.

A minimum of three (3) years of experience in water quality sampling, compliance, and monitoring, or a similar field is required.

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered if sufficient to perform the essential duties of the role as listed herein.

Must possess an ADEQ Grade II Certification in Water Distribution or Water Treatment at the time of hire.

Must be able to obtain an ADEQ Grade III Certification in Water Distribution or Water Treatment within one (1) year of hire and must maintain this minimum certification for the duration of employment.

Must possess a valid Arizona Driver's License at the time of hire.