Wastewater Technical Advisor - Job ID 72600

Make a difference in the lives of Minnesotans.

The work you’ll do is more than just a job. Join the talented, engaged and inclusive workforce dedicated to creating a better Minnesota.

Job Summary

This position’s primary role is to provide wastewater-related technical assistance to small, rural, and tribal publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) throughout the state for the purpose of protecting and improving Minnesota’s water quality and natural resources.

The person in this position will perform technical assistance activities for the municipal wastewater sector. Specifically, this position will support wastewater NDPES permit compliance, regulatory reporting requirements, source reduction work, and help municipalities access funding opportunities. The incumbent in this position is responsible for working with other Technical Assistance staff and consulting with data managers, compliance and enforcement staff, and other Agency staff to create a plan to provide meaningful technical assistance. This plan will identify assistance needs, delivery mechanisms, priorities, and measures. The person in this position is responsible for implementing the plan and coordinating across the program with other technical experts to provide education and assistance on wastewater requirements. The incumbent is also responsible for managing special projects and coordinating contractor technical assistance tasks.

This work is performed under limited supervision in coordination with staff at all levels of state and local government and non-governmental organizations. A variety of skills are needed, including project management, a strong knowledge in state and federal water quality requirements, knowledge about the operation of POTWs, and effective written and oral communication to a variety of audiences.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

A bachelor’s degree in an environmental protection, wastewater, biology, chemistry, water quality, or related science and two years of advanced professional-level experience in wastewater treatment, NPDES/SDS wastewater state and federal regulations, pretreatment and/or biosolids.   (Advanced professional-level experience is equivalent to Senior Environmental Specialist/Environmental Specialist 3 level work).

OR

Four years of advanced professional-level experience in biology, chemistry, wastewater treatment, NPDES/SDS wastewater regulations, pretreatment and/or biosolids. (Advanced professional-level experience is equivalent to Senior Environmental Specialist/Environmental Specialist 3 level work).

Candidates must possess good communication skills, including written communication skills, to work with others who possess varying knowledge of wastewater permitting and compliance requirements, pretreatment, and/or biosolids and build networks with the ability to organize projects, coordinate groups, establish goals, manage timelines, establish timetables and evaluate results.

Possess a valid Driver's license (see additional requirements).

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency will not sponsor applicants for work visas. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

Preferred Qualifications

Possess advanced knowledge of federal environmental and wastewater regulations and state water pollution statutes, rules, and policies, state wastewater programs, and processes impacting NPDES municipal wastewater permittees, including, but not limited to, permitting, discharge monitoring reports (DMRs), variances, biosolids land application and pretreatment.

Class D or higher wastewater license.

Possess knowledge of various types of wastewater treatment systems including mechanical systems, pond systems, rapid infiltration basins, and large subsurface treatment systems (LSTS) and keep up to date on new technologies for wastewater treatment.

Strong time management skills, self-motivated, well organized and able to creatively solve problems.

Strong understanding of challenges facing small, rural wastewater communities.

Ability to understand and communicate compliance requirements and impacts of when compliance requirements not being met to wastewater operators, public utilities, mayors, other public officials and various wastewater organizations.

Effective human relations skills and knowledge to facilitate a good working relationship between wastewater facilities, wastewater operators, city administrators/mayors, wastewater organizations, and other state and local entities.

Ability to successfully and to effectively prepare and deliver presentations and training.

Ability to identify and evaluate information and data and develop policy and program management recommendations and to conceptualize alternative solutions to complex issues.

Ability to initiate, follow through and complete projects independently.

Physical Requirements

May require the ability to conduct site visits in all types of weather conditions at wastewater treatment facilities which may involve climbing and/or stepping over obstacles and observing wastewater construction sites. Ability to carry up to 20 pounds (monitoring equipment, file boxes).

Ability to use a computer and perform keyboard functions for multiple hours per day. Although a sedentary job is defined as one which involves sitting, a certain amount of walking and standing is often necessary in carrying out job duties.

Additional Requirements

A driver’s license is an essential function of this position. This requires possession of an unrestricted Class D Driver’s License. The job offer is contingent on confirmation of a valid driver’s license AND a satisfactory DLR check. Requires a Class D Driver's License: a single unit vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of less than 26,000 pounds. This is a basic driver's license. Operators may also tow vehicles/trailers as long as the gross combination weight does not exceed 26,000 pounds.

About Pollution Control Agency 

Our mission is to protect and improve the environment and human health. We work with many partners (citizens, communities, and businesses, all levels of government, environmental groups and educators) to prevent pollution, conserve resources, and to help ensure polluting does not have disproportionate impact on any groups of people. We emphasize work-life balance with flex schedules, compressed schedules, and options to telework for some positions.