Description

This City of Roanoke is seeking an Environmental Specialist to work with the Water Quality Administrator to ensure on-going compliance of municipal operations with applicable environmental laws. This job provides technical support with regard to the City of Roanoke’s MS4 Program and the Bacteria Monitoring Program. Primary responsibilities include activities associated with MCM#1 Public Education and Outreach, MCM#2 Public Involvement and Participation, MCM#3 Illicit Discharge, and MCM#6 Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations. Duties include development and implementation of effective environmental programing. Working knowledge of the Clean Water Act, MS4 Programs, and bacteria monitoring with Colilert and HF183 Human Marker are preferred. Candidate must be passionate and knowledgeable about local, regional and national environmental issues; particularly with regard to watershed health, green infrastructure, water quality, citizen science and effective environmental outreach. This position will also assist in floodplain management activities and coordinates Community Rating System (CRS) Program to implement campaigns and outreach material under the NFIP outreach. The successful applicant will manage the City of Roanoke CRS program for annual compliance and 5-Year Verification. Within one year of hire must become a certified floodplain manager and complete CRS training.
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in environmental science or a related natural resources field. Must be able and willing to perform office and field work on a regular basis. The Environmental Specialist will be working as a part of the Stormwater Utility team to fulfill our mission to: Partner with citizens to transform the Roanoke River into a community asset, focal point, and source of pride for those that live, work, learn, and play in its watershed.

Roanoke, Virginia is a unique locality with amenities that you’d expect from a dynamic urban center, without losing the charm of a small town. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the City of Roanoke is one of the area’s largest employers offering competitive health and dental benefits, life insurance, and retirement pension plans. Employees may also choose to participate in optional benefits including a deferred compensation plan and flexible spending account through payroll deduction.

The City of Roanoke is an Equal Employment Opportunity/AA/M/F/Disability Employer.

To elevate the performance of the organization, we are committed to respecting, celebrating, and embracing the collective mixture of differences and similarities between our employees as a rich tapestry. Our behaviors will demonstrate open communication, and we will seek opportunities to learn, recognizing and rewarding actions that promote acceptance while suspending judgment. By doing this, we will foster an inclusive, open work environment that delivers excellent service and creates a more vibrant and inviting community.

This is an exempt position.

Examples of Duties

SUMMARY
Performs complex technical support work related to ensuring the on-going compliance of municipal operations with applicable environmental laws, and supports the administration of a comprehensive environmental management program.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Assists in creating outreach materials for stormwater and other related environmental education; including authoring and publishing Stormwater’s monthly electronic newsletter, helps create educational brochures and other outreach materials as needed.
Assists in planning, organizing, and participation at outreach events.
Implements MS4 training for municipal staff. May help train municipal staff in daily operations, new techniques, and the manner of which various environmental regulations apply to their jobs; ensure compliance with both general and function-specific employee training requirements.
Assists in writing and compiling data for MS4 Annual Report.
Coordinates Community Rating System (CRS) Program to implement campaigns, annual Prepareathon event, and outreach material under the NFIP outreach.
Utilizes computer based applications (databases, GIS, Adobe products, internet, etc.) to support development of various environmental programs, plans and projects, visual materials, social media posts and to ensure the on-going maintenance of related record keeping and reporting.
Stays current on environmental issues, with the ability to conduct, interpret data, and apply scientific research to outreach, written materials, and direct communication with the public.
Assists with bacteria monitoring and human marker fieldwork
Supervisory Responsibilities
No direct supervision required. Supervision and guidance of other employees during training or other instruction is required.

Typical Qualifications

Education and/or Experience
Bachelor's degree or equivalent from a four year college or university with major work in environmental science or related natural resources field and two to four years related experience and/or training in environmental science, computer use, research, data interpretation and management, multi-media environmental sampling; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Supplemental Information

Supplemental Information:
Language Skills
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret; journals, reports, documents, maps, laws, policies, and regulations. Ability to keep and maintain detailed and accurate records. Ability to communicate effectively (orally and in writing) with management, all levels of employees, and the general public. Ability to respond appropriately to inquiries and complaints.
Mathematical Skills
Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as percentages, units of measure, and statistics. Ability to conduct and apply basic computations and unit conversions.
Reasoning Ability
Ability to apply sound professional judgment and practices to solve problems where limited standardization or data exist. Ability to interpret a variety of technical material, guidance, and/or instructions furnished in written or oral form. Ability to appropriately assess and respond appropriately to spills, incidents, and other emergencies. Ability to explain complex technical information to a wide variety of audiences, and to adapt communications style and substance accordingly.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
Must possess a valid appropriate driver's permit issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to manipulate, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to walk, stand, and/or sit for prolonged periods, sometimes outdoors and during inclement weather. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The employee may occasionally be required to wear certain basic personal protective equipment. Specific vision abilities required by this job include ability to adjust focus in all levels of lighting.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Employee must have the ability to work overtime and on call in the event of unforeseen work demands and/or response to any emergency.
This is a job description and not an individualized position description. A job description defines the general character and scope of duties and responsibilities of all positions in a job classification, but it is not intended to describe and does not necessarily list the essential job functions for a given position in a classification.

This is a job description and not an individualized position description. A job description defines the general character and scope of duties and responsibilities of all positions in a job classification, but it is not intended to describe and does not necessarily list the essential job functions for a given position in a classification.

City of Roanoke, Virginia

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Environmental Specialist