Senior Environmental Technician

City of Avondale•Avondale, AZ

12d

About The Position

The Senior Environmental Technician supports the City’s regulatory compliance sampling programs through field operations, water quality monitoring and sampling, scheduling, and data management. The position helps ensure that the City’s water system complies with Federal and State regulations under the Safe Drinking Water Act and Clean Water Act, as well as requirements associated with the Underground Storage Facility (USF) permit, Aquifer Protection Permit(s) (APP), Arizona Pollution Discharge Elimination System (AZPDES) permit, and other compliance programs. Under the direct supervision of the Water Quality and Compliance Supervisor, the Senior Environmental Technician coordinates with internal departments and external customers, including developers, contractors, and subcontractors. The role also leads day-to-day field activities, provides input on regulatory compliance, analyzes sampling strategies, and maintains environmental compliance databases. The position plans and conducts sampling for drinking water, wastewater, wetlands, and recharge facilities; manages and reviews water quality data; responds to customer concerns and investigates water quality issues; supports water main testing and installation compliance; and mentors the Environmental Technician. It also assists with sampling plans, standard operating procedures, training, reporting, laboratory and administrative support, public outreach, Tap Trailer operations, backflow prevention, wastewater pretreatment inspections, industrial sampling, and equipment setup. The employee follows established safety procedures, uses required PPE, completes annual regulatory and safety training, and may assist other City divisions or departments as needed.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED equivalency.
Knowledge and/or experience with water quality sampling, scheduling, and monitoring policies and procedures.
At least three years of experience in water quality sampling, compliance, and monitoring, or a similar field.
ADEQ Grade II Certification in Water Distribution or Water Treatment at the time of hire.
Ability to obtain an ADEQ Grade III Certification in Water Distribution or Water Treatment within one year of hire and maintain the minimum certification for the duration of employment.
Valid Arizona Driver’s License at the time of hire.
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered if sufficient to perform the essential duties.

Nice To Haves

Additional knowledge obtained through a vocational school certificate program or similar course of study is preferred.

Responsibilities

Plan, schedule, and perform water quality sampling operations for the drinking water system, wastewater system, wetlands, and recharge facility, ensuring timely and accurate sampling and submittals.
Enter and review water quality data in databases and software, including ADEQ SDWIS and NJBSoft SAMS, to support regulatory compliance.
Coordinate and communicate with divisional supervisors regarding water quality compliance and concerns.
Respond to water quality-related customer calls and complaints, investigate issues in the field as needed, determine potential sources, and coordinate resolution.
Coordinate with the Engineering Department and contractors to ensure new water mains and appurtenances are installed and tested to meet drinking water standards before being placed into service.
Mentor and provide field direction to the Environmental Technician, including training, SOP review, and sampling documentation.
Assist the Water Quality and Compliance Supervisor with developing drinking water and wastewater sampling plans and SOPs.
Develop training programs and data management methodology in coordination with the Water Quality and Compliance Supervisor.
Prepare reports for the supervisor to submit to ADEQ and the Maricopa County Environmental Services Department.
Provide administrative and laboratory support, including ensuring inventory, documentation, materials, equipment, and PPE are ready for activities.
Represent the Public Works Department at occasional public events and outreach activities.
Provide or coordinate operational support for the Water Tap Trailer program, including maintenance, staff training, SOP updates, and operation of the trailer.
Assist environmental coordinators with testing and repairing City-owned backflow prevention devices.
Assist with wastewater pretreatment inspections and sampling of industrial dischargers, including SIUs, CIUs, and participants in the FOG program.
Assist with equipment setup for automatic composite sampling and local limit studies.
Follow established safety procedures and Job Hazard Analysis requirements, use PPE, and monitor the work environment for safety.
Participate in and complete annual regulatory and safety training.
Perform other duties as required and assist other City divisions or departments when called upon.