Water Quality Specialist 1

Work Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 A.M - 4:30 P.M. (EST)
*Hours may vary due to work assignments and projects.*

Work Location: Development Resource Center 1250 Market St.

FLSA Status: This is a Non- Exempt Position.

Salary: $26.48- $31.99 (GS.10)

Department: Public Works

CLASSIFICATION SUMMARY:  

Incumbents in this classification are responsible for performing technical duties in support of the storm water management program. Duties include: monitoring watershed activities such as stream inspections, detecting and eliminating illicit discharge, analyzing a variety of watershed data, enforcing applicable ordinances and regulations, conducting investigations, preparing enforcement letters, and participating in community outreach activities. Works under limited supervision.

SERIES LEVEL:

The Water Quality Specialist 1 is the second level of a three-level water quality series.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
(The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.)

Monitors watershed operations, which includes: implementing stream inspections and monitoring to assess general physical and biological water quality conditions; collecting and documenting related data/findings.

Conducting ambient, wet weather, and benthic macroinvertebrate sampling and hydrologic monitoring; assisting in planning, installing, maintaining, and programming automatic samplers and flow meters; implementing stream assessment protocols; and identifying and documenting erosion problems.

Detects and eliminates illicit discharge, which includes: preparing and conducting field screening sampling of watershed outfall points to identify and eliminate sources of pollutants; conducting complaint investigations of illicit discharge. 

Preparing and conducting pesticide, herbicide, and fertilizer sampling to identify sources of problem areas; identifying sources of sanitary discharge from sanitary infrastructures (private service laterals and public trunk lines).

Analyzes data related to watershed characteristics for the development of illicit discharge scoring; maintains logs and computerized records of inspection activities and interprets, reviews and completes a variety of forms, invoices, sampling labels, reports, correspondence, applications, plans, drawings, ordinances, regulations, and maps.

Enforces storm water ordinances and regulations and initiates enforcement actions to include but not limited to: written warnings, notices of violation letters and civil penalties, and court citations.

Maintains related records for potential judicial review and testifies in court on water quality enforcement cases.

Performs community outreach and education, which includes: planning and attending community meetings to raise awareness of water quality and storm water issues.

Assisting in planning and conducting school presentations and watershed awareness programs to inform the public of watershed problems, conditions, concerns, and constructive actions for watershed management.

Conducts and documents investigations and inspections relative to storm water and watershed management to include but not limited to inspection of post-development best management practices, storm water fee reduction requests and sanitary sewer overflows.

Uses, carries, and answers their cell phone for business purposes as determined by the assigned job duties and the department head.

On-call Spill Response (24/7) required Haz-Mat training. 

Must meet regular attendance requirements.

Must be able to maintain good interpersonal relationships with staff, co-workers, managers and citizens.

Must accomplish the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations, in a timely manner.

Performs other duties as assigned.

DEPARTMENT SPECIFIC DUTIES (if any):

Manage the Water Quality fee credits program, manage Water Quality Fee Appeals, receive and evaluate annual Storm Water Inspection Reports

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

Bachelor Degree in Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Science or related field and two (2) years water quality experience.  Must have at least six (6) months GIS experience.

LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS: 

Valid Driver’s License
Must be able to obtain Erosion and Sediment Control and HazMat Certifications within 6 months of hire.
Must be able to obtain a Special Police Commission.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

Knowledge of water quality sampling techniques and concepts; applicable Federal, State, and Local laws, ordinances, codes, rules, and regulations associated with storm water management; stream assessment protocols; customer service principles; and community outreach and education techniques.

Skill in collecting water samples; preparing and maintaining a variety of forms, records, and documentation; operating GIS systems, interpreting and applying applicable laws, ordinances, codes, rules, and regulations, assessing stream protocols; providing customer service; preparing community outreach and educational materials; using a computer and related software applications; and, communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, and the general public, sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 

Positions in this class typically require:  climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, and seeing.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: 

Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Incumbents may be subjected to odors, dusts, poor ventilation, chemicals, extreme temperatures, and infectious diseases.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Safety Sensitive: N  
Department of Transportation - CDL: N
Child Sensitive: N

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

This position requires pre-employment screening(s) that include: background check & lift test

The City of Chattanooga, Tennessee is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourage both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.