Environmental Technician - City

City of Oklahoma City • Oklahoma City, OK

2d • $55,812 - $85,337 • Onsite

About The Position

The Environmental Technician works in the Storm Water Quality Division of the City of Oklahoma City Public Works Department and reports directly to a supervisor. The position helps ensure compliance with applicable environmental codes, ordinances, regulations, and environmental protection standards. Assignments may involve construction, industrial, or other environmental inspections and services, as well as responding to complaints, spills, and other emergency or non-emergency events.

The role includes frequent field inspections, environmental screening and sampling, enforcement activities, citizen and business communications, and support for incident management. The employee also assists with projects, meetings, public awareness activities, reports, and maintaining laboratory supplies and equipment used in water-quality testing and investigations. Work is primarily independent, with assignments provided verbally or in writing and reviewed through records and complaints. The position may involve supporting enforcement decisions and collecting evidence for possible court testimony.

Work is primarily outdoors and includes local daily travel. Conditions may include exposure to weather, moving machinery, power tools, vehicles, confined spaces, waterways and sewers, noise, dust, and odors. Physical demands include walking over rough terrain, climbing fences, driving, sustained physical activity, and lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying objects weighing up to 50 pounds. Typical City hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, though schedules may vary and may include work outside those hours or on weekends and holidays depending on department needs.

Requirements

• Knowledge of relevant federal, state, and City environmental codes, water-quality regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Skill in enforcing environmental codes and standards.
• Skill in recording information accurately.
• Skill in communicating effectively verbally and in writing, using tact and diplomacy.
• Skill in conducting on-site inspections to determine compliance with established water-quality regulations.
• Ability to utilize required safety equipment and apparel.
• Skill in using geographic information systems software.
• Ability to assess ambient biological, chemical, and physical characteristics of water bodies.
• Ability to read and interpret applicable codes, ordinances, regulations, maps, and plans.
• Ability to follow standard administrative procedures and policies.
• Ability to independently follow verbal or written instructions.
• Willingness to follow established safety procedures.
• Possession of a valid Operator Driver License.

Nice To Haves

• Associate degree or higher in chemistry, biology, environmental science, or a related field, or at least two years of applied experience in NPDES Storm Water Programs.
• Skill using computers and routine or specialized programs such as ArcGIS, inspection management systems, and Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint).
• Experience with water-quality-based assessments, stream biological or habitat assessments, fish or aquatic macroinvertebrate collection techniques, best management practice maintenance, construction-site inspections, industrial facility audits, hazardous-waste segregation, emergency response, or enforcement of environmental codes and regulations.
• 40-hour HAZWOPER certification or other applicable regional or national certifications or licenses.

Responsibilities

• Conduct frequent field inspections to assess environmental conditions.
• Enforce established environmental codes and regulations and provide effective remedies.
• Respond to citizen inquiries and complaints about environmental violations or concerns.
• Respond to emergency reports of hazardous and non-hazardous spills or conditions.
• Conduct environmental screenings and sample ambient water and other potential environmental contaminants.
• Provide construction, industrial, or other environmental inspections and services as assigned.
• Assist with special activities and projects.
• Attend meetings of environmental committees, agencies, and boards.
• Generate routine reports.
• Assist with public awareness programs and special events.
• Maintain laboratory supplies, equipment, and materials used to sample and test water quality and conduct investigations.
• Support decisions made in conjunction with enforcement of laws, rules, regulations, and ordinances, and collect evidence relating to possible court testimony.

Benefits

• Competitive pay.
• The City contributes an average of $22,000 annually toward benefits and retirement.
• Comprehensive package supporting health and wellness, financial security, work-life balance, and personal and professional growth and development.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: No Education Listed