Sr Specialist, Sciences

City of Fort Collins; Fort Collins (CO); On-site; USD 77,000 - 128,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement plan with company match

Health insurance

Paid time off

Wellness program

Job summary

The City of Fort Collins is seeking a Sr. Specialist, Sciences to join the One Water Utilities Water Reclamation and Biosolids division.

This full-time, exempt role focuses on Industrial Pretreatment, implementing environmental programs, and issuing permits to ensure regulatory compliance and environmental stewardship. The position offers a salary range of $88,000–$95,000 per year, with anticipated hiring range aligning to City guidelines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, environmental science, natural resources, engineering or related field.
• Four (4) years related experience in the field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proficiency in math, statistics and technical writing.

Responsibilities

• Monitors industrial wastewater data to assess regulatory compliance.
• Writes industrial discharge permits and conducts inspections.
• Schedules and performs wastewater sampling events.
• Maintains pretreatment database and generates reports.
• Prepares annual regulatory reports and enforcement actions.
• Educates and communicates with industry about permit requirements.

Skills

Industrial pretreatment

Environmental regulations

Mathematical analysis

Technical writing

Data interpretation

Word & Excel

Communication

multitasking

Education

Bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, environmental science, natural resources, engineering or related field

Tools

Word

Excel

pH meters

Automatic samplers

Job description

POSITION TITLE: Sr Specialist, Sciences (Full-Time Regular) (Classified)
REQUISITION #: req8629
DEPARTMENT: One Water Treatment
LOCATION: WASTEWATER PLANT # 2 ADMIN
BENEFIT CATEGORY: Classified (Non-CBU) Classified Employee Benefit Highlights
EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Full-Time Regular
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
ANNUAL SALARY RANGE: $76,745.00 - 127,908.00 (Salaries are paid biweekly)
ANNUAL ANTICIPATED HIRING RANGE: $88,000.00 - 95,000.00 (Salaries are paid biweekly)
SELECTION PROCESS: Application deadline is 11:59 p.m. MT on 10/16/2026. At the City, we are focused on finding the strongest candidate for the role, and we recognize that excellence can come from a wide variety of experiences and paths. When reviewing applications, we consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and lived experiences that align with the minimum qualifications. If you are interested in this opportunity, we encourage you to view your background broadly and highlight the skills and experiences that best prepare you for the role.

The City of Fort Collins is a bias-conscious employer. We ask that you please avoid the use of photos when submitting a resume and/or an application for employment. You will receive an email acknowledgment when you have successfully submitted an application. Your completed application will be forwarded to the hiring manager. You will be notified if you are selected for further testing or interviews. Please keep your contact information up-to-date. The status of your application will be updated in your applicant profile.

Post-Offer Requirements (Background checks are considered in relation to the responsibilities and requirements of the position)

• Background check
• Motor vehicle report

While the City of Fort Collins offers many remote and/or hybrid positions, all remote or hybrid work must be performed in the state of Colorado.

WhyWorkFor theCity of Fort Collins?

• Medical, dental, vision (for self, spouse, domestic partner, children) –eligibleonthe 1st of the month following date of hire
• Paid vacation, paid holidays, sick leave, and additional one-time bank of 40 PTO hours for new, full-time, Classified and Unclassified Management hires
• Retirement + companycontributions – after 6 month probation period and immediate vesting
• Flexiblespending: Medical expenses FSA, dependent FSAor both
• EmployeeAssistance Program: counseling, legal,financialassistance
• Life insurance, short-term and long-term disability
• Wellness program, workout facilities
• Employee/family onsite health clinic
• Learning and development opportunities at all levels in the organization with opportunities for career mobility
• Collaborativework environment

Job Summary

The City of Fort Collins is seeking a Sr. Specialist, Sciences to join the One Water Utilities Water Reclamation and Biosolids division. This is a full-time salaried position with an anticipated hiring salary range of $88,000 - $95,000 a year. The Sr. Specialist plans, develops, implements, and continually improves programs to support City policies, plans, goals, and regulation-based requirements. This position is primarily focused on Industrial Pretreatment, implementing environmental programs, administering permits and issuing guidance to achieve environmental regulatory compliance and environmental stewardship for the City of Fort Collins. This is an excellent opportunity to safeguard the water quality within our community and contribute to our environmental health and protection. Work includes but is not limited to: writing and enforcing Industrial Discharge Permits, inspections and monitoring of industrial dischargers, managing and implementing sector control programs, data analysis, supporting adherence to NPDES/CDPS permits, and education and outreach for commercial and industrial customers.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The following duties and responsibilities are illustrative of the primary functions of this position and are not intended to be all inclusive.

• Monitors industrial wastewater data to determine regulatory compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. Maintains the industrial user violation logs in instances of noncompliance.
• Writes industrial discharge permits; performs industrial user inspections and surveys, writes inspection reports and identifies new industrial users.
• Schedules and performs wastewater sampling events, including industrial wastewater, domestic wastewater and related samples.
• Maintains data in the pretreatment database and develops reports and graphs of pretreatment data or other related wastewater data.
• Documents and updates standard operating procedures related to industrial pretreatment program implementation.
• Prepares annual reports for submittal to the state and Environmental Protection Agency.
• Identifies and evaluates pollutants that could cause harm to the wastewater collection system and treatment facility. Conducts investigations to pinpoint illicit discharges.
• Develops, implements and manages industry sector control programs (e.g., FOG/POG, dental amalgam) including educational outreach, inspections and enforcement.
• Reviews, implements and manages state and EPA administered permits, policies and programs.
• Promotes pollution prevention, regulatory compliance and a culture of continual improvement.
• Prepares hauled waste permits and assures regulatory compliance by liquid waste haulers using the Waste Transfer Station.
• Evaluates and drafts appropriate enforcement responses; administers or assists in enforcement action.
• Promotes a culture of safety first and adheres to safety policies and procedures.
• Maintains a variety of field equipment used for sampling, safety and sample analysis. Performs routine calibrations on analytical equipment.
• Interprets analytical data and Certificates of Analysis reports from internal and contract laboratories.
• Develops local pollutant limitations using complex mathematical formulas to ensure compliance with local, state and federal pretreatment standards.
• Conducts research on current and emerging regulations that pertain to wastewater and water quality.
• Develops and participates in public outreach and education efforts.

Management Responsibilities

No

City Competencies

• Demonstrated cultural competence to effectively interact, work, and develop meaningful relationships with people of diverse identities, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds.
• Strong learning orientation. Leverages all resources and is creative in ways of learning for self to continue adapting to changing issues and trends.
• A desire and ability to understand the diverse needs of internal and external customers, and to create experiences and deliver services that exceed their expectations.
• A desire and ability to utilize digital tools for organizational information, individual, and teamwork.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Ability to perform math and statistical analysis.
• Proficient in technical writing.
• Knowledge of laboratory and field safety procedures.
• Ability to interpret data, laboratory reports, and make legally defensible decisions.
• Proficient in standard office software, specifically Word and Excel.
• Ability to interpret complex rules, regulations, laws and codes and communicate effectively to audience of diverse backgrounds and knowledge.
• Ability to communicate effectively with technical and non-technical users.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, customers and the public.
• Ability to efficiently manage multiple tasks, responsibilities and unexpected events requiring timely response.
• Knowledge of federal, state and local environmental regulations related to industrial pretreatment, NPDES and CDPS programs and permits.
• Ability to work independently.

Required Qualifications

Minimum Preferred College degree or equivalent work experience. Some positions may require functionally related certification or advanced degrees Minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in chemistry, biology, environmental science, natural resources, engineering or related field; or equivalent work experience.

Experience Requirements

• Four (4) years related experience in the field, or equivalent combination of education and experience, preferably in a municipality, utility or other related government agency. Experience navigating databases for logging and reporting. Familiarity with and automatic samplers, pH meters and other basic laboratory and safety equipment including ventilators, gas detectors, and tripod hoists.

Certifications/Licenses/Specialized Training

• • Valid driver's license
  • Wastewater D certification or the ability to attain within 12 months.

Sr Specialist, Sciences

The City of Fort Collins will make reasonable accommodations for access to City services, programs and activities and will make special communication arrangements for persons with disabilities. Please call [phone] for assistance.

Notice Regarding Medical and/or Recreational Marijuana Use

Because the possession and use of marijuana, whether for medical use or otherwise, constitutes a federal offense and because the City is a drug free workplace, the City will not accommodate the medical use of marijuana and enforces written policy prohibiting working for the City while marijuana is in the body. The fact that state law recognizes medical marijuana as a prescribed, or otherwise permitted, medication does not alter or otherwise change this policy.

TheCity is committed to equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. Employment decisions will comply with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination in employment. The City does not tolerate behavior that results in the terms and conditions of employment being adversely impacted based on an employee’s protected status, or any behavior that violates this policy.

Consistent with the City’s respect for the rights and dignity of each employee, the City is committed to providing a work environment that is free from unlawful discrimination and harassment. The City prohibits discrimination or harassment based on protected characteristics, including race, color, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation (including perceived sexual orientation), gender, gender identity, gender expression, disability, age 40 years or older, pregnancy or related condition, military, veteran status or uniformed service member status, genetic information, marital status or any other status protected under federal, state or local law.

The City is committed to providing a healthy and safe work environment. In addition to the City’s commitment to equal opportunity employment, the City strictly prohibits discrimination or retaliation against an employee who raises any reasonable concern about workplace violations of government health or safety rules or a significant threat to the health or safety of City employees or the public, if the City controls the workplace conditions giving rise to the threat or violation.

Note: Some information in your application may be public information under the Colorado Open Records Act.