Environmental Technician - City

City of Oklahoma City • Oklahoma City, OK

14d • $26 - $40

About The Position

This position is located in the Environmental Section of the Storm Water Quality Division in the Public Works Department within the City of Oklahoma City and reports directly to a supervisor. The Environmental Technician is responsible for ensuring the general compliance with applicable environmental codes, ordinances, and environmental protection standards. Knowledge of specific codes, ordinances and environmental protection programs may be required prior to assuming the duties and responsibilities of the position. Essential job functions include: driving to conduct frequent field inspections to assess environmental conditions; enforcing established environmental codes and regulations and providing effective remedies; responding to inquiries from citizens and complaints regarding environmental violations or concerns; responding to emergency reports of hazardous and/or non-hazardous spills or conditions; and conducting environmental screenings and samplings of ambient water and other potential environmental contaminants. The employee is also responsible for assisting with special activities or projects; attending meetings of environmental committees, agencies, and boards; generating routine reports; assisting with public awareness programs and special events; and maintaining laboratory supplies, equipment and materials used to sample and test water quality and conduct investigations. The work is primarily performed on an independent basis. The employee must exercise tact and diplomacy in communication with citizens, businesses, and various City personnel. The nature of the work performed may require the Environmental Technician to support decisions made in conjunction with the enforcement of established laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, and collect evidence relating to possible court testimony. Work assignments are received in both verbal and written form and are subject to review through inspection of records maintained, and through complaints registered by private citizens and businesses.

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 in verbal and written form using tact and diplomacy.
• Skill in conducting on-site inspections to determine compliance with established water quality regulations and the ability to utilize required safety equipment and apparel.
• Skill in use of geographic information systems software.
• Ability to assess ambient biological, chemical, and physical scientific characteristic 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 Driver License (Operator).

Nice To Haves

• Possession of an associate degree or higher in Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Science, or related field, OR a minimum of two (2) years' applied experience in National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Storm Water Programs.
• Skill in utilizing computers with specialized programs such as Arc Geographic Information System (ArcGIS) and Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint).
• Experience in water quality-based assessments, stream biological/habitat assessments, fish/aquatic macroinvertebrate collection techniques, best management practice maintenance, storm water inspections, hazardous waste segregation, or enforcement of environmental-based codes and regulations.
• Possession of a forty (40) hour Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) Certification or other applicable regional or national certifications or licenses.

Responsibilities

• driving to conduct frequent field inspections to assess environmental conditions
• enforcing established environmental codes and regulations and providing effective remedies
• responding to inquiries from citizens and complaints regarding environmental violations or concerns
• responding to emergency reports of hazardous and/or non-hazardous spills or conditions
• conducting environmental screenings and samplings of ambient water and other potential environmental contaminants
• assisting with special activities or projects
• attending meetings of environmental committees, agencies, and boards
• generating routine reports
• assisting with public awareness programs and special events
• maintaining laboratory supplies, equipment and materials used to sample and test water quality and conduct investigations

Benefits

• Competitive pay
• An average of $22,000 annually contributed toward your benefits and retirement
• A comprehensive package designed to support your health and wellness, financial security, work-life balance, and personal and professional growth and development

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree