Stormwater Green Infrastructure Technician

City of Corvallis; Corvallis (OR); On-site; USD 52,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Corvallis is seeking a full-time Stormwater/Green Infrastructure Technician to maintain urban streams and green stormwater facilities, and monitor water quality. You will use GIS, collect field data, and help ensure DEQ permit compliance.

The role requires a high school diploma or GED with related experience, strong safety awareness, and the ability to work independently as well as in teams. A valid Oregon driver’s license is required.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED with 1 year of related experience in landscape construction, horticulture, or stormwater maintenance.
• Knowledge of stormwater infrastructure maintenance and DEQ permit requirements.
• Basic knowledge of equipment, materials, and supplies used in landscape and grounds maintenance.
• Ability to use GIS and Microsoft Office programs to perform essential functions.
• Ability to pass a pre-employment background check and have a valid Oregon driver’s license.
• Proven safety mindset and ability to work independently or as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Maintains urban streams and green stormwater facilities, clears blockages, removes debris and sediment, and conducts minor irrigation maintenance.
• Repairs and prevents erosion in stormwater facilities and streams.
• Assesses facilities and recommends vegetation and horticultural practices.
• Collects and tracks data on water quality monitoring and vegetation health.
• Trains seasonal staff and collaborates with other departments as needed.
• Operates vehicles and equipment safely and adheres to safety policies.

Skills

Stormwater maintenance

Field data collection

Water quality sampling

GIS analysis

Microsoft Office

Defensive driving

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

GIS

Excel

Word

Outlook

Job description

Position Summary

Perform duties in alignment with requirements set forth by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and Environmental Protection Agency to protect public health and the environment by ensuring the integrity of the City's green stormwater infrastructure. Responsibilities include: responding to illicit discharges to the stormwater system and maintaining green stormwater facility infrastructure, maintaining over 20 miles of urban streams, and operating and maintain various green infrastructure facilities (swales, planters, ponds, etc.) within the city. These tasks are illustrative only and may include other related duties.

Full-time 40 hours per week

AFSCME-represented position

12-month probationary period

Schedule: Tuesday - Friday 6:30am - 5:00pm

Essential Duties

• Performs maintenance on urban streams and green stormwater facility infrastructure, including clearing blockages, removing debris/trash and sediment, implementing integrated pest control programs, performing minor irrigation system maintenance, and repairing minor concrete issues. Uses as-built drawings, building records, and other records in plan review, facility assessments and inspections.
• Repairs and prevents erosion in stormwater quality facilities and urban streams.
• Recommends plants for use in stormwater quality facilities. Maintains and replaces vegetation in stormwater quality facilities and urban stream riparian areas. Implements other horticultural practices (propagation of plants, care of plants, weeding/removing invasive and noxious plants, watering, removing dead or dying vegetation, pruning, and transplanting).
• Investigates illicit discharges to the stormwater system. Assists in mitigating illegal stormwater discharges and works with the public to explain regulations and seek solutions. Develops data to support Municipal Code violation fines or penalties, following mandates and requirements in the DEQ-issued stormwater permit.
• Conducts field water quality sampling, following standard operating procedures; follows standard field sampling documentation procedures for chain of custody, sample planning, labeling, preservation and storage; performs common water quality field analysis (pH, Temperature, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, Specific Conductivity) and reads/documents results. Calibrates and maintains field equipment to ensure sample representativeness.
• Collects and tracks data about green infrastructure projects, such as water quality monitoring and vegetation health assessments.
• Assesses stormwater green infrastructure functions, collects data and provides recommendations to enhance stormwater facility functions.
• Works on special projects related to stormwater green infrastructure.
• Implements stormwater best management practices (BMP) activities in City Stormwater Management Plan as required by the DEQ-issued stormwater permit, and tracks program activities for reporting to regulatory agencies.
• Collaborates with local governments, community organizations, and other stakeholders on green infrastructure initiatives.
• Recommends and develops strategies for improving urban green infrastructure resilience in areas prone to flooding or other climate-related hazards.
• Performs as a member of a team, assisting with development of work group goals and objectives, and contributing to the achievement of goals and objectives.
• Trains and works with seasonal employees and assists other work groups. Provides assistance and training to other departments and divisions on green infrastructure operation and maintenance as needed.
• Conforms to all safety rules and practices, and performs work is a safe manner.
• Complies with all Administrative Policies. Performs work in accordance with Council Policies and Municipal Code sections applicable to the position.
• Delivers excellent customer service to diverse audiences. Responds to customer service requests, questions and complaints. Maintains a positive customer service demeanor and deliver service in a respectful and patient manner.
• Acts ethically and honestly; applies ethical standards of behavior to daily work activities and interactions. Builds confidence in the City through own actions.
• Maintains effective work relationships.
• Arrives to work, meetings, and other work-related functions on time and maintain regular job attendance.
• Operates and drives vehicles and/or equipment safely and legally.

Qualifications and Skills

Education and Experience

High school diploma or GED equivalent; and one year's experience in any two of the following fields: landscape construction, horticulture, tree maintenance, municipal stormwater system maintenance, natural systems maintenance, riparian invasive species removal, and/or riparian planting.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of stormwater infrastructure maintenance and Oregon Department of Environmental Quality permit requirements.

Basic knowledge of equipment, materials, and supplies used in landscape and grounds maintenance.

Knowledge and understanding of work-related safety practices, OSHA and environmental rules and regulations, particularly in regards to work within green infrastructure and urban stream locations.

Knowledge of techniques related to collecting representative water quality samples and proper handling of water samples.

Effective communication, analytical, customer service and interpersonal skills.

Ability to get along well with co-workers.

Ability to work independently and complete daily activities according to a work schedule.

Knowledge of proper procedure for hazardous substance cleanup activities, including spill response mitigation efforts.

Ability to use a computer and associated software and programs to perform the essential functions of the position. Must be proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).

Utilizes Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology to analyze and monitor green infrastructure projects

Thorough knowledge of traffic laws and defensive driving practices.

Special Requirements

Possession of and the ability to maintain a valid Oregon Driver's License.

Certified Vegetated Private Water Quality Facilities Management Certification, or ability to obtain within probationary period.

Certified Erosion Sediment Control Lead (CESCL) Certification, or ability to obtain within two (2) years of hire.

Oregon Department of Agriculture Public Pesticide Applicator License, or ability to obtain within two (2) years of hire.

First Aid and CPR certification; ODOT Traffic Control, and Forklift Operation, Loader Operation or the ability to obtain within one (1) year of appointment.

Must be able to respond within 60 minutes or less to the Public Works Administrative offices for after-hours calls or emergencies prior to the end of probationary period.

Capable of routine decision making regarding assessment of immediate situations, available options, and selection of appropriate methods and procedures, material availability and ordering, equipment utilization and response to customer issues in the field.

Demonstrable commitment to sustainability.

Demonstrable commitment to promoting and enhancing equity, diversity and inclusion.

This individual shall not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of the individual or others in the workplace.

Ability to pass a pre-employment background and/or criminal history check.