Water Quality Inspector - Watershed Protection

Office of the County Engineer; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, vision, and dental insurance

Transportation assistance

Disability and life insurance

Job summary

The Office of the County Engineer is seeking a Water Quality Inspector to ensure environmental compliance across Harris County. This role involves evaluating on-site sewage facilities and conducting inspections to uphold environmental standards.

The ideal candidate will have a high school diploma and familiarity with wastewater treatment. The position requires excellent communication and analytical skills, as well as the ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team.

Qualifications

• A high school diploma or G.E.D. is required.
• Must be a State-registered Designated Representative within six months of hire.
• Good oral and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate newly constructed on-site sewerage facilities.
• Investigate violations related to on-site sewerage systems.
• Perform inspections of residential and commercial construction sites.

Skills

Written and verbal communication

Familiarity with wastewater and stormwater treatment

Analytical and problem-solving skills

Detail-oriented

Ability to work independently

Education

High school diploma or G.E.D.

Bachelor’s degree in a natural science or related field (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Water Quality Inspector plays a critical role in ensuring environmental compliance across Harris County. This position involves evaluating newly built on-site sewage facilities (OSSF), and may include inspecting residential and commercial construction sites and investigating violations related to stormwater and wastewater management. The inspector maintains detailed records, monitors assigned areas for environmental infractions, and recommends corrective actions when needed. Work is performed independently or collaboratively within the Watershed Protection Group, with a strong emphasis on environmental stewardship, regulatory enforcement, and good customer service.

Job Duties

• Evaluate newly constructed on-site sewerage facilities for regulatory adherence and operational integrity
• Investigate violations related to on-site sewerage systems and determine appropriate corrective actions
• Perform inspections of residential and commercial construction sites - both active and completed - to ensure compliance with environmental regulations enforced by the Watershed Protection Group
• Monitor assigned areas for stormwater quality issues, document findings, and report violations in accordance with established protocols
• Maintain accurate and detailed inspection records, reports, and documentation
• Schedule inspections and address complaints as necessary to ensure timely regulatory oversight
• Operate independently or collaboratively within designated inspection zones
• Perform other related duties as assigned to support environmental compliance and public health objectives
• Support enforcement actions for environmental violations
• Participate in disaster recovery planning and operational support as needed
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Education

• A high school diploma or G.E.D. is required.
• Must be a State-registered Designated Representative or become one within six (6) months of hire, unless extended by the Watershed Protection Division Manager.

Experience

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Familiarity with wastewater and stormwater treatment concepts.
• Intermediate computer skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office programs.
• Detail-oriented, conscientious, and self-motivated.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work for extended periods in hot, cold, and inclement weather.
• This position requires bending, stooping, and lifting up to 25 pounds, frequent walking, standing, sitting, reaching, carrying, ascending/ descending stairs, extended time outside, and walking on uneven terrain.
• Good oral and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey technical information and regulatory findings.
• Capable of working independently with minimal supervision, as well as collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.

Emergency Deployment & Continuity of Operations Requirement

In accordance with Harris County’s Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) Policy, this position is subject to emergency response and deployment protocols. The employee may be designated as supporting a Mission Essential Function (MEF) and must:

• Participate in the classification process of departmental staff based on MEF responsibilities.
• Be available for temporary deployment to an alternative work location, role, or telework assignment during emergency events.
• Confirm work assignments with their supervisor prior to reporting to any worksite during such events.
• Remain flexible in assuming alternative duties as directed to support County operations continuity.

Preferences

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in a natural science or related field.
• Current State-registered Designated Representative or Registered Sanitarian.

Experience

• Experience in environmental compliance or field inspections is preferred.
• Basic understanding of stormwater pollution prevention plans (SWP3s) and Best Management Practices (BMPs)
• Bilingual Spanish and/or Vietnamese a plus.

General Information

Position Type, and Typical Hours of Work

Full-Time | Regular | 40 hours per week.

Subject to early mornings, late evenings, weekends, and holidays at times, depending upon the project or workload.

Salary

Salary: Commensurate with experience, based on 26 pay periods.

Physical Demands and Environmental Exposure

Most assignments will be performed in an office, meeting room, or operations command center environment, but some fieldwork may be required. May be required to work extended work hours during activation of disaster recovery operations for an unspecified length of time (varies based on the extent of the event). This position requires bending, stooping, and lifting up to 25 lbs., as well as frequent walking, standing, sitting, reaching, and ascending/descending stairs. The physical demands described here are representative of those required of an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Featured Benefits

Medical, vision, and dental insurance.

Flexible spending accounts.

457 deferred compensation plans.

Transportation assistance (Metro Ride Sponsor Program).

Disability and life insurance.

Harris County is a Qualified Employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).