Environmental Protection Specialist, Senior

Hennepin County•Downtown Minneapolis, MN

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Hennepin County Environment and Energy department is seeking an Environmental Protection Specialist, Senior to conduct licensing, inspections, outreach, enforcement, and related work in the commercial hazardous waste program, which is responsible for administering and enforcing Hennepin County Ordinance 7. This is a full-time, benefit earning position, internally classified as an Environmentalist, Senior. In this position, you will conduct commercial hazardous waste inspections of regulated businesses and complaint investigations to determine compliance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations, as well as County Ordinance 7. You will review documentation to evaluate business processes, waste produced, waste management methods, and whether regulatory violations exist. Findings will be detailed in written reports and letters, and corrective actions will be articulated when appropriate. You will also review and process licensing and re-licensing applications, lead research and development of new and revised policies, procedures, proposed legislation, regulatory language, and strategic plans. Preparation of communications for internal and external audiences, development and maintenance of fact sheets, forms, and web-based training programs, and development and implementation of compliance programs focusing on businesses in specific industry groups are also key responsibilities. You will maintain operational records in the hazardous waste licensing and inspections database and prepare civil and criminal enforcement cases.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or higher in chemistry or chemical engineering or a closely related field and two years or more of experience in hazardous waste management or industrial chemical testing and analysis.
Associates degree in chemistry or chemical engineering or a closely related field and four years or more of experience in hazardous waste management or industrial chemical testing and analysis.
A valid driver's license and the ability to obtain a Hennepin County drivers permit within six months of employment.

Nice To Haves

Conducting inspections or audits of industrial facilities.
Preparing civil and criminal enforcement cases.
Reviewing and processing environmental licenses or permits.
Using Microsoft Excel, Access, and SQL.
Interacting with regulated communities of diverse backgrounds and varying levels of understanding of environmental regulations.
Knowledge of commercial hazardous waste management regulations and related environmental regulations, issues, and business operations.
Knowledge of provisions of federal and state regulations governing hazardous waste management, including RCRA, EPA regulations, and state-specific requirements.
Knowledge of county ordinances and applicable local laws.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of staff, regulated communities, and the general public.
Ability to communicate environmental policies and regulations to non-technical audiences both verbally and in written form.

Responsibilities

Conduct commercial hazardous waste inspections of regulated businesses and complaint investigations to determine compliance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations, as well as County Ordinance 7.
Review documentation to evaluate business processes, waste produced, waste management methods, and whether regulatory violations exist.
Detail findings in written reports and letters, and articulate corrective actions when appropriate that are needed to meet or exceed standards.
Review and process licensing and re-licensing applications.
Lead the research and development of new and revised policies, procedures, proposed legislation, regulatory language, and strategic plans.
Prepare communications for internal and external audiences including communications on complex and controversial issues.
Develop and maintain fact sheets, forms, and web-based training program and self-audit licensing forms.
Develop and implement compliance programs focusing on businesses in specific industry groups.
Maintain operational records in the hazardous waste licensing and inspections database; compile, sort and filter electronic data using software tools such as Excel, Access, and SQL.
Prepare civil and criminal enforcement cases.