Stormwater Investigator – Harris County

Title of the Job: Stormwater Investigator

Location: Houston, TX

Job Description: Position DescriptionHarris 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 ControlUUnder the supervision of the Water Quality Supervisor, the Stormwater Investigator will collect samples and conduct inspections as part of the Harris County MS4 permit.Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist in the implementation of the High Risk Industrial Run-Off inspections and monitoring program for the Harris County MS4 permit.
• Conduct inspections of commercial and industrial facilities for permit compliance storm water discharges.
• Install and maintain stormwater samplers as directed
• Review analytical data submitted by industrial facilities.
• Conduct Wet Weather Characterization, Dry Weather Screening, and Wet Weather Screening
• Ensure equipment and supplies needed for the Storm Water Program are readily available.
• Investigate storm water related complaints in accordance with division SOPs.
• Collect samples from stormwater samplers throughout the County after rain events
• Assist in the preparation of the permit required report and data.
• Responsibilities include other duties as assigned, including special tasks involved in responding to an emergency event.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx
If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email .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.RequirementsEducation:Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in chemistry, biology, environmental sciences, environmental technology, or related fieldExperience:

• One (1) year of experience in environmental and/or stormwater related fields

Special Note:

• The Stormwater Investigator will receive in-house training in the principles, practices, and laws governing storm water regulations

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Must have good written and verbal skills
• Must be able to drive extensively
• Must be able to use discretionary judgment in routine fieldwork and must be able to defuse difficult situations with tact and diplomacy and follow the policies and guidelines established by the county and the department
• Must be a self-starter, able to work without daily supervision
• Must be able to quickly understand principles and practices of environmental laws
• Must be able to quickly have a basic understanding of state and federal statutes pertaining to stormwater
• Must establish effective working relationships, exercise balanced judgment and organize work for the maximum efficiency

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.PreferencesExperience:

• Basic understanding of how to operate a computer to run programs and searches is required, with word processing, email and database proficiency (Preferred)

General InformationPosition Type and Typical Hours of Work:Full time | Monday – Friday | 8 am – 5 pmOffice and field; After Hours and Weekends (if necessary)Reporting Relationships:

• Reports to Position: Water Quality Supervisor
• Supervised Positions: None

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

• Work in an office environment
• Work in an outdoor environment
• Possible exposure to loud noises
• Possible exposure hazardous chemicals
• Working outdoors year-round in inclement weather when required
• Climbing ladders
• Requires wearing protective clothing and safety equipment including a full-face respirator due to potential exposure to hazardous conditions
• Must be able to lift 35 lbs

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.BENEFITSHarris 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:01Which 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

02If you selected a college degree in response to the previous question, which of the following best describes your major?

• Chemistry
• Biology
• Environmental Sciences
• Environmental Technology
• Other Related Field
• Unrelated Field
• N/A; No Degree

03Which of the following best describes your verifiable professional experience in environmental and/or stormwater related fields? (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 or more but less than three (3) years
• Three (3) or more years
• I do not have this experience.

04Please provide the dates of employment during which you obtained experience in environmental and/or stormwater related fields. 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.05Do you have a basic understanding of how to operate a computer to run programs and searches is required, with word processing, email and database proficiency?

• Yes
• No

06Which 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.

Company Name: Harris County

Salary:

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