Pretreatment Compliance Specialist - Austin Water

City of Austin•Austin, TX

4d•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 regulated community members comply with requirements delegated by the EPA and TCEQ. The role covers projects and programs of diverse scope and complexity and helps protect wastewater treatment and collection systems from harmful industrial and commercial pollutant discharges. The program also supports wastewater quality standards and the beneficial reuse of biosolids. The position has a substantial role in sample collection and is expected to contribute to and build expertise across other pretreatment program activities. The specialist works with residential customers, general industrial users, and liquid waste haulers, providing regulatory guidance, technical assistance, and training to stakeholders and community members. The work includes field sampling, data review, permitting, inspections, investigations, compliance actions, and emergency response. The position is based at the Glen Bell Service Center in Austin, Texas, with a move to a north location anticipated at year-end. The regular schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with flexibility and rotating on-call duty. This is an essential position that may be called back or retained during designated emergencies. Travel to multiple locations may be required as part of regular duties when the employee meets the City’s driver safety standards. The annual hiring range is $28.07–$33.96. The position may be eligible for an incentive bonus of up to $3,000, paid in installments after 90 days, 180 days, one year, and two years. Austin Water offers medical benefits, paid leave, retirement benefits, and training opportunities. The City also describes work-life balance programs, wellness programs, on-site fitness centers, mental health support, professional development, leadership opportunities, and sustainable transportation options.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, with major or minor coursework in a scientific field related to the job, plus four years of relevant experience; or an associate degree in a related scientific field plus six years of relevant experience; or a master’s degree in a related scientific field plus 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 the hire date as described in the posting; external new hires must meet the City’s Driver Record Evaluation requirements.
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, prioritization, computer and related software, data analysis, problem-solving, planning, and organizational skills.
Ability to conduct research or investigations, provide customer service and problem-solving, and maintain effective working relationships with City employees and the public.
Ability to provide leadership, training, guidance, and technical support.
Ability to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation.

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 involving environmental, pretreatment, and pollution-prevention issues related to residential customers and general industrial users.
Review site and building plans and proposals to ensure they meet 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.
Research, recommend, and implement changes to specifications, standards, policies, procedures, codes, regulations, and ordinances.
Participate in public outreach efforts, task forces, and committees; represent the department at board and commission meetings; and make presentations to internal and external customers.
Perform field sampling at sample ports for compliance and financial measurements.
Review analytical data to establish surcharges and issue 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
Retirement plan through the City of Austin Employees’ Retirement System
Training opportunities
Potential incentive bonus of up to $3,000
Work-life balance programs
Wellness programs
On-site fitness centers
Mental health support
Professional development and leadership opportunities
Sustainable transportation options, including access to public transit and bike-friendly infrastructure