Environmenal Investigator IV

City of Houston•7411 Park Place, TX

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Environmental Investigator IV serves as a technical and compliance specialist in the City of Houston’s Criteria Pollutants Monitoring Program. The position leads monitoring activities at assigned air monitoring sites to measure ambient air pollutants, track compliance with the Clean Air Act, and provide data used to evaluate and control air quality. The role combines fieldwork, data analysis, managerial responsibilities, and representation of the bureau in discussions with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) network coordinators. The position supervises direct reports conducting advanced data collection and analysis through continuous air monitoring. Field duties include operating, calibrating, verifying, documenting, maintaining, troubleshooting, and performing minor repairs on instruments monitoring O3, SO2, CO, NOX, particulate matter, and meteorological conditions. The position also supports grant deliverables, reviews data and maintenance records, prepares reports, and may participate in public outreach or special projects. Work involves travel to remote monitoring sites and outdoor work in various weather conditions. The position routinely requires lifting items up to 40 pounds and may involve walking for long periods on rough surfaces, climbing ladders, inspecting equipment on trailer roofs or in small spaces, and cranking levers on meteorological towers. Occasional exposure to significant heat, cold, moisture, and air pollution is expected.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Health Engineering, or a closely related degree.
Three years of professional pollution or environmental control experience.
Ability to work outdoors in various weather conditions and travel to remote monitoring sites.
Ability to routinely lift up to 40 pounds and walk for long periods on rough surfaces.
Ability to climb ladders, inspect equipment on trailer roofs or in small spaces, and crank levers on meteorological towers.
Strong communication skills for collaboration and correspondence with team members, leadership, grantors, and stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

Environmental background and experience with continuous air monitoring.
Familiarity with air programs managed by TCEQ or EPA.
Experience working with air monitoring instruments, grant deliverables, and data analyses.
Veteran applicants who meet the stated eligibility and qualification conditions receive preference.

Responsibilities

Plan and supervise direct reports’ daily fieldwork while maintaining a safe and healthy work environment.
Receive and review reports from direct reports and track grant deliverables to ensure compliance.
Train, mentor, and evaluate direct reports, and complete annual employee assessments.
Communicate and collaborate with team members, department leadership, the grantor, and other stakeholders.
Operate, calibrate, verify, document, maintain, troubleshoot, and perform minor repairs on air monitoring instruments for O3, SO2, CO, NOX, particulate matter, and meteorological conditions.
Collect field samples in accordance with strict chain-of-custody protocols.
Review maintenance records and prepare monthly and quarterly reports.
Represent the bureau in discussions with TCEQ and EPA network coordinators.
Promote environmental health and educate the public at outreach events or special projects when needed.
Perform other duties as assigned.