Water Specialist - Harris County (TX) : Job Details

Position Description

Harris County Pollution Control Services Department (HCPCS) Mission

The mission of Harris County Pollution Control Services Department (HCPCS) is to protect the citizens of Harris County from environmental impacts through firm, consistent enforcement of state and federal regulations. The ultimate goal of PCS is clean air, water, and proper management of waste. The activities PCS are directed toward ensuring clean air and water for the citizens of Harris County, consistent with the protection of public health, enjoyment of property and the protection of plant, animal, and marine life.

What you will do for Harris County Pollution Control

Under the supervision of the Permit Services Manager, the Water Specialist serves as the technical expert regarding the interpretation of Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) water regulations and enforcement, TCEQ water permitting activities. The Water Specialist is also responsible for ensuring Pollution Control Service's (PCS) obligations are met related to the Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) Permit No. WQ000####### including provide monthly and annual reports to other Harris County Departments.

Duties and Responsibilities:

* Review and process TCEQ municipal and industrial wastewater permit applications and renewals.

* Ensure that pertinent information is correctly entered and maintained in the PCMS database, sampling forms, and sampling itineraries.

* Conduct site reviews as necessary to ensure the PCS sampling program is effective in municipal and industrial wastewater permit inspection and enforcement.

* Provide technical assistance and instruction to PCS staff, Harris County agencies, and the public on TCEQ permitting requirements, wastewater regulations, and wastewater permits.

* Review, as requested, TPDES general water quality permit renewals during the public comment period and develop comments as needed.

* Ensure that all PCS obligations are met to comply with Harris County's TPDES Permit No. WQ000#######0 by monitoring PCS' inspection and program.

* Serve as the liaison between PCS and Harris County Engineering Watershed Protection Group, Harris County Flood Control District, and the City of Houston by participating in Joint Task Force Meetings and collaborating on the MS4 permit renewal process and amendments to the program's Storm Water Management Plan.

* Provide technical assistance and instruction to PCS staff, Harris County Departments, and the public on stormwater regulations and permitting requirements.

* Review and collaborate with PCS stormwater investigators to develop comments for the TPDES Multi-Sector General Permit renewal during the comment period.

* Monthly collect and compile PCS data related to the HC MS4 permit to accurately develop and submit monthly and annual reports to the Harris County Engineering Watershed Protection Group.

* Participate in TCEQ contested permit hearings.

* Conduct presentations to professional organizations and the general public.

* Review and comment on proposed state and federal rules and regulations related to water quality.

* Perform other duties as assigned, including special tasks involved in responding to an emergency event.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) ###-#### or email [email protected].

This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.

Requirements

Education:

* Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited college or university.

Experience:

* Two (2) years of work experience in an environmental role

An advanced degree from an accredited college or institution in a related science or environmental field may apply toward experience

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

* Ability to use Microsoft Office programs including Word, Access, Outlook, and PowerPoint

* Good working knowledge of State and Federal regulatory requirements especially regarding environmental permitting

* Knowledge of common water pollutants, sampling, testing and control technologies

* Initiative and judgment to prioritize and complete tasks in a timely manner

* Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with internal and external customers

* Good verbal and written communication skills

* Good organizational skills

* Good negotiation skills

* Good critical thinking skills

* Math skills

* Ability to formulate policies and procedures

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. See Resume will not be accepted for qualifications.

Preferences

Education:

* Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, Environmental Technology, Physical Science (such as Chemistry, Geology, Physics, Meteorology, or Environmental Science), or Biological Science (such as Toxicology or Ecology) from an accredited college or university. (preferred)

* Coursework with an emphasis in hydrology, chemistry, engineering, environmental science, or environmental planning (preferred)

Experience:

* Experience in environmental permit and regulation reviews, and knowledge of water, wastewater and stormwater pollution control science and technologies. (preferred)

General Information

Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:

* Full time | Monday - Friday - 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM | Weekends (if necessary)

* Hours may vary based on the business needs of the department.

Reporting Relationships:

* Reports to Position: Permits Manager

* Supervised Positions: None

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

* Working in an office environment

* Working in an outdoor environment

* Possible exposure to inclement weather or various temperature changes

* Possible exposure to loud noises in the environment

* Possible exposure to dangerous chemicals

* Exposure to dangerous or aggressive/adverse populations

* Light work - Exerting up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects

Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.

Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.

BENEFITS

Harris County offers a competitive benefits program, including comprehensive group health and related benefits plan as well as defined benefit retirement plan.

The following list of benefits is offered only to employees in regular (full-time) positions:

* Medical Coverage

* Dental Coverage

* Vision Coverage

* Wellness Plan

* Life Insurance

* Long-term disability

* Employee Assistance Program

* Ten (10) days of vacation each year for the first five (5) years of service

* Accrual rates increase based on years of service

* Eleven (11) County-observed holidays and one (1) floating holiday

* Professional development opportunities

* Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan

* Healthcare Reimbursement Account

* 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

The following benefits are also available to regular (full-time) employment and may be available to part-time employees:

* Retirement Pension (TCDRS)

* Flexible schedule (varies by department)

* Transportation Assistance (Metro RideSponsor Program)

In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, Group Health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.

For plan details, visit the Harris County benefits website:

01

Which of the following best describes your highest level of education completed as it relates to this position?

* High School or GED diploma

* Associate Degree

* Bachelor's Degree

* Master's Degree or higher

* None of the above

02

If you selected a college degree in response to the previous question, which of the following best describes your major?

* Engineering

* Environmental Technology

* Physical Science

* Biological Science

* Other Related Field

* Unrelated Field

* N/A; No Degree

03

Have you completed coursework with an emphasis in hydrology, chemistry, engineering, environmental science, or environmental planning?

* Yes

* No

04

Which of the following best describes your verifiable work experience in an environmental role? (To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history)

* Less than one (1) year

* One (1) year or more but less than two (2) years

* Two (2) years more but less than three (3) years

* Three (3) years or more but less than four (4) years

* Four (4) or more years

* I do not have this experience.

05

Please provide the dates of employment during which you obtained work experience in an environmental role. Provide the month and year that began and ended the experience. Example: January 2020 - December 2023 If this experience is not clearly documented in the Work Experience section, your application will be disqualified. If you do not have this experience, type N/A in the space provided.

06

Which of the following best describes your verifiable work experience in stormwater/wastewater design, permitting, and/or compliance? (To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history)

* Less than one (1) year

* One (1) year or more but less than two (2) years

* Two (2) years more but less than three (3) years

* Three (3) years or more but less than four (4) years

* Four (4) or more years

* I do not have this experience.

07

Please provide the dates of employment during which you obtained verifiable work experience in stormwater/wastewater design, permitting, and/or compliance. Provide the month and year that began and ended the experience. Example: January 2020 - December 2023 If this experience is not clearly documented in the Work Experience section, your application will be disqualified. If you do not have this experience, type N/A in the space provided.

08

Which of the following describes your level of proficiency using a personal computer and common office software such as MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook). Please select your level of proficiency based on the following descriptions: Advanced: A person with this level of skills is able to produce very large, complex formal documents that require a table of contents, footnotes, endnotes, bookmarks, and other special elements; a wide range of graphic effects, and use advanced techniques for analyzing and manipulating data. Has full mastery of Macro commands and skills to tie the objects together into a cohesive system by using Macros and Visual Basic for Applications code. Makes interactive presentations by using hyperlinks and action buttons. Intermediate: A person with this level of skills is able to customize toolbars, import and insert graphs, embed Excel data, and elaborate reports. Understands the concepts of databases and is able to work with charts and to use the list management capabilities of Excel. Able to use complex query techniques, create efficient forms and reports, and create Macros to automate these forms. Makes interactive presentations by using hyperlinks and action buttons. Basic: A person with this level of skills is able to use basic formatting, editing, printing functions, and understands the document page setup. Has the ability to enter and correct data, modify a workbook, format a worksheet, and use printing functions. Understands the different database concepts and structures and is familiar with data validation and is able to create a simple presentation in PowerPoint, run it, and print it. Entry Level: A person with this level of skills has the ability to open, create, save and modify documents in Word, send and receive email in Outlook and create spreadsheets in Excel. Format documents for printing, comfortable using the printer menu to preview documents. Has ability to change the font, the margins, insert or delete pages and use the built-in spellchecker and grammar check.

* Advanced

* Intermediate

* Basic

* Entry Level

* Not proficient

09

In which of the following concepts do you have strong knowledge and/or professional experience? (Select all that apply)

* Knowledge of common water pollutants, sampling, testing and control technologies

* Experience in environmental permit and regulation reviews, and knowledge of water, wastewater and stormwater pollution control science and technologies.

* TPDES/NPDES Compliance

* Stormwater Compliance

* TPDES/NPDES Permitting

* Stormwater Permitting

* None of the above

10

Discuss any scientific software applications you have documented experience using for stormwater/wastewater design, permitting, and/or compliance. If none, type 'N/A' in the space provided.

11

Do you have any skills or abilities that have not been discussed, but you believe could be beneficial to fulfilling the duties of this job? If not, type 'N/A' in the space provided.

Required Question

Agency Harris County

Address 1111 Fannin St

Ste. 600

Houston, Texas, 77002

Phone 713-###-####

Website