Water Quality Specialist

County of DuPage • Wheaton, IL

4d

About The Position

DuPage County’s Stormwater Management Department is hiring a Water Quality Specialist. The role reviews activities under stormwater and MS4 permits and contracts for compliance, identifies and helps address deviations, and enforces related laws and regulations. It also involves collecting and testing environmental samples, conducting field screening, and coordinating the County’s water quality sonde program at eight sampling locations. The Specialist participates in spill and discharge emergency activities, coordinates environmental programs, prepares regulatory reports, contributes to action plans, handles complaints and accounting functions, provides technical assistance, and develops and presents educational programs. The position requires a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, three years of water-quality-related experience, and a valid Illinois driver’s license. A pre-employment background check is required. Work takes place in office and field settings, frequently outdoors in varying weather conditions.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Sciences, Environmental Engineering, Natural Resources, Chemistry, or a closely related field, plus three years of water-quality-related work experience, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Valid Illinois Driver’s License.
• Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

Responsibilities

• Review activities specified by stormwater and MS4 permits to ensure conformance with regulations.
• Oversee activities specified by contracts to confirm adherence to contractual agreements.
• Identify deviations from regulations and contracts and identify corrections needed to bring activities into compliance.
• Enforce related laws and regulations.
• Obtain surface-water environmental samples for analysis by an appropriate laboratory.
• Conduct field screening of dry-weather discharges from the storm sewer system.
• Coordinate the water quality sonde program at eight sampling locations throughout the County.
• Calibrate and run return checks on water quality sondes, and troubleshoot issues with them.
• Collect and test water quality in the field using laboratory techniques and equipment.
• Participate in emergency preparedness, response, and recovery activities related to spills and other discharges into County waterways.
• Coordinate environmental programs.
• Prepare reports required by appropriate regulatory agencies.
• Provide input into the development and implementation of environmental program action plans.
• Handle complaints.
• Handle accounting functions to ensure compliance with various payment schedules.
• Provide technical assistance to private industry, government officials, and residents as assigned.
• Develop and present educational programs for public groups.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Flexible spending accounts
• Life insurance
• Pension
• Deferred compensation plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Pre-paid legal
• Credit union
• Paid time off on designated holidays, or holiday pay if required to work
• Vacation time
• Sick time
• Paid leave

What This Job Offers

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