Pretreatment Compliance Specialist - Austin Water

City of Austin • Austin, TX

5d • $28 - $34 • Onsite

About The Position

Austin Water seeks a Pretreatment Compliance Specialist to perform environmental compliance work for the City’s approved pretreatment program. Under limited supervision, the specialist verifies and ensures that the regulated community complies with requirements delegated by the EPA and TCEQ. The work protects wastewater treatment and collection systems from harmful industrial and commercial pollutant discharges and helps ensure wastewater and biosolids meet applicable standards. The position has a substantial role in sample collection and contributes to other pretreatment program activities. It requires understanding complex and evolving regulations and helping commercial and industrial stakeholders and community members understand how to comply.

The position is based at the Glen Bell Service Center in Austin, with a move to a north location planned for the end of the year. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with flexibility and rotating on-call duty. It is designated as essential for the City; employees may be called back or retained during designated emergencies. Work may involve driving to multiple locations when necessary, subject to City driver safety standards.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, with major or minor coursework in a job-related scientific field, and four years of relevant experience; alternatively, an associate’s degree in a related scientific field and six years of relevant experience; or a master’s degree with major coursework in a related scientific field and two years of relevant experience.
• One additional year of experience may substitute for one year of required education, up to a maximum substitution of four years.
• Valid Texas Class C Driver License, or ability to acquire one by hire date; external hires must meet the City’s Driver Record Evaluation standards.
• US Fats, Oils, and Grease Coordinator Certification from the US FOG Alliance, or ability to obtain it within six months of hire.
• Pretreatment Facility Inspection Certification from an accredited college, or ability to obtain it within six months of hire.
• Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local regulations and City practices, policies, and procedures.
• Knowledge of architectural and engineering principles and practices.
• Oral and written communication, multitasking and prioritization, computer and software, data analysis and problem-solving, planning and organizing, and leadership, training, guidance, and technical-support skills.
• Ability to conduct research or investigations; provide customer service and problem solving; and establish and maintain good working relationships with City employees and the public.

Nice To Haves

• Professional work experience in natural, environmental, or physical science.
• Experience with pretreatment or environmental/field investigations, other regulatory compliance activities, and knowledge of local, state, or federal water regulations.
• Experience collecting and analyzing field samples in support of regulatory compliance work.
• Experience providing technical advice and assistance to internal and external customers.

Responsibilities

• Conduct, participate in, and report on investigations, audits, surveillance, monitoring, inspections, sampling, analyses, research, training, outreach, recognition, permitting, registration, enforcement, and other environmental and pretreatment activities involving general industrial users and liquid waste haulers.
• Initiate negotiations to resolve cases or enforcement proceedings related to environmental, pretreatment, and pollution prevention issues involving residential customers and general industrial users.
• Review site and building plans and proposals to ensure they meet or exceed applicable federal, state, and local pretreatment codes, ordinances, regulations, guidelines, and criteria.
• Collect, process, analyze, and evaluate information submitted in permit applications, contracts, schedules, proposals, self-monitoring reports, and laboratory reports; provide approvals and recommendations and assess regulatory compliance.
• Interpret and explain City policies and procedures, and provide technical information, advice, assistance, and training to internal and external customers.
• Prepare case files, initiate and participate in administrative and criminal enforcement proceedings, and provide testimony in legal proceedings concerning alleged violations involving residential customers, general industrial users, and liquid waste haulers.
• Research, recommend, and implement changes to specifications, standards, policies, procedures, codes, regulations, and ordinances.
• Participate in public outreach, task forces, and committees; represent the department at board and commission meetings; and make presentations to internal and external customers.
• Conduct field sampling at sample ports for compliance and financial measurements; review analytical data to establish surcharges and violation notifications for extra-strength pollutants of concern and sanitary sewer overflows.
• Perform rotational on-call duty and respond to spills, emergencies, incidents, complaints, actions, and related situations.
• May provide leadership, work assignments, evaluation, training, and guidance to others.

Benefits

• Medical benefits
• Paid leave time
• Retirement plan
• Training opportunities
• Potential incentive bonus of up to $3,000, with specified payments after 90 days, 180 days, one year, and two years
• Generous leave and work-life balance programs
• Public transit access and bike-friendly transportation infrastructure
• Wellness programs, on-site fitness centers, and mental health support
• Professional development and leadership opportunities

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level