Position Description
About Harris County Flood Control District:
The Flood Control District has the mission to reduce the risk of flooding in Harris County, the third most populated county in the United States, with a population in excess of 4.7 million, including the City of Houston, the nation’s fourth largest city. The Flood Control District has jurisdiction over the primary stormwater facilities in the county, which consist of approximately 1,500 channels totaling nearly 2,500 miles in length, as well as more than 60 regional stormwater detention basins, totaling more than 10,000 acres and several wetlands mitigation banks including Greens bayou.
What you will do at Harris County Flood Control District:
The Harris County Flood Control District is seeking qualified candidates for the Environmental Specialist role, who will serve as a subject-matter expert, leading and managing ecological field assessments and site evaluations for federally funded projects in support of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Compliance Section (NCS). This position conducts routine field investigations and site assessments in response to environmental service requests from both the Engineering and Construction Divisions, which support the District’s Mission and funding requirements. In addition to collecting field observations, this position will evaluate desktop information, prepare documentation, and conduct research to support compliance determinations.
Essential Functions & Duties:
Environmental Assessment and Compliance
Coordinates closely with environmental planners in the NEPA Compliance Section to review environmental service requests and conduct ecological assessments, inclusive of desktop database review, site inspection, and preparation of post-assessment documentation.
Investigates sediment material disposal sites for compliance with the NEPA resource areas of concern, including: hazardous materials, endangered and protected species, wetlands, cultural/archeological resources, and others, as may be amended. Completes desktop assessment of permitting records from the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and makes determinations/decisions for compliance with federal, state, and local environmental regulations and District policies.
Participates as a team member in special investigations of environmental compliance issues and/or biological monitoring activities and assists in developing pragmatic solutions.
Supports environmental planners in responding to other environmental service requests by managing specialized support tasks, as needed.
Biological Monitoring and Species Protection
Collects, compiles, and reports biological and environmental data in compliance with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code. Inspects nests for avian activity, fledglings, or eggs, and inspects trees/bridges/culverts for roosting and hibernating bats.
Training and Outreach
Presents environmental awareness training to internal and external construction personnel.
Technical Tools and Data Management
Utilizes internal mapping and reporting tools.
Additional Responsibilities and Duties
Assists with department or District projects, including assisting the Regulatory Compliance and Environmental Quality Sections, as needed.
May be required to coordinate resource concerns or investigation results with state or federal agencies.
Assume additional responsibilities as required, adapting to the evolving demands, responsibilities, needs, and objectives of the District.
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 ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net.
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's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in biological science, marine science, environmental science, wildlife or fisheries, forestry, or natural resources or a related field
Specialized education or experience in one or more of the following fields: herpetology, malacology, ornithology, wetland science, chiropterology, and/or stream ecology.
Wetland Delineation Certification or completion of a Wetland Delineation Program.
Interest in obtaining a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Scientific Collections Permit for freshwater mussels and/or a TPWD Permit for alligator snapping turtle handling.
Experience:
Licensure:
Knowledge Skills, and Abilities:
Strong skills using basic Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel), Adobe Acrobat, and mapping applications.
Good observational skills with attention to detail.
Good interpersonal and organizational skills.
Knowledge of and experience with bird species, bats, turtles (particularly alligator snapping turtles), freshwater mussels, and/or wetlands.
Familiarity with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, as well as general knowledge of the National Environmental Policy Act.
Ability to independently perform one or more of the following ecological assessments: habitat and emergence surveys, freshwater mussel presence/absence surveys, wetland delineations, and/or stream condition assessments.
Ability to work independently with limited supervision, as well as collaboratively, in a team environment.
Effectively prioritize, identify, and solve problems working well under pressure, adhering to tight deadlines while maintaining a high level of quality control.
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
Experience:
General Information
Position Type:
Hours:
Location:
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Physical Demands & Environmental Exposure:
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:
Frequent standing and walking on rough and uneven surfaces or ground, such as deep sloping terrain, plowed or furrowed areas, or construction sites.
Frequent stooping, bending, reaching, lifting, and carrying items up to 20 pounds and occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds.
Frequent driving of vehicles with automatic or four-wheel drive controls, with an occasional trailer hitch attached.
Approximately 80% of duties with be performed outdoors where there will be routine exposure to significant levels of heat, cold, moisture, wind, dust, and potential air pollution.
At field locations, possible exposure to snakes, wildlife, mosquitoes, wasps, bees, other flying/walking insects, aquatic bacteria, and microorganisms.
Approximately 20% of duties will be performed indoors in a normal office/home office environment with acceptable lighting, temperature, air conditioning, and noise levels
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.
